Combining a CCNA with an MCSA?

Computer idiot

I wonder about the job opportunities with having both a CCNA and an MCSA? Networking brings in more money, I think, but I have more interest in the desktop side of things. I see a lot of ads where they ask for both certs, and I suppose these are some HR managers putting out a wish-list.

Has anyone with both of these certs managed to find a successful job? I really don't want to go on to a CCNP and pursue pure networking. I thought more well-rounded skills would be good, too.

wolverene13

erpadmin wrote: »

In Florida? Wow.....you are definitely the exception rather than the rule.

Well, here in FL it depends on what you're looking for. There are NOC jobs out the wazoo here. Not sure what the Enterprise job market is like, but it's probably not as good.

erpadmin wrote: »

1) What level of experience did you have when you got your first job after your CCNA?

7 years: 4 in general PC work, 5 in networking (yes, I know, that's 9, but for two years I did both.

erpadmin wrote: »

2) What type of job did you get? (network engineer? network admin?)

Tier I NOC tech - Not traditional Tier I, though (aka, ticket monkey). We actually had enable/root access on the network and could make changes. We didn't just make tickets and pass them to someone else.

erpadmin wrote: »

3) Do you also have a college degree?

Yes, B.A. in Communications.

erpadmin wrote: »

4) When did you get your first job? And under what circumstances? (Did you know someone? etc.)

I got it 2 years ago, literally 6 days before the stock market "crashed" (not my first job, but my first job after getting my CCNA; I was a consultant for about 6 years and worked for an engraving company at the same time). I just submitted my resume to a few recruiters and they landed me the job.

erpadmin wrote: »

I don't discredit you or your accomplishments...especially if this is in FL, where the job market isn't quite as nice as it is up here (in terms of salary but as you said, it DEPENDS on your role...) but as I said, you are the exception rather than the rule....especially if your first job was recent.

It was a NOC job, so it may be different than the enterprise world, but I did consulting for a long time prior to getting it. Most people at my company in the Tier I role had little experience and rarely had certs. Some don't even have degrees (and from my dealings with Sprint, Brighthouse, Qwest, Level 3, XO, etc, Tier I seems to be the same there). I still work there and have done so for the last 2 years, but now I'm Tier II. Like you said, it depends on the circumstances, but if people need a job, a NOC is the way to go. It has a high turnover rate compared to Enterprise work, so there's always openings. Colorado is big with NOCs, Texas, Florida, and Illinois are too, so I'd look there for NOC jobs.

Edit:

I just realized that you're a Sys Admin and we're basically talking apples and oranges: The server side of the IT world is saturated with people and there's not enough jobs to go around. The routing/switching/WAN world is actually scratching their heads trying to figure out where to get people to fill jobs. I just read somewhere that there is actually a CCNP shortage and CCNPs are in high demand right now. If we're talking about server-side stuff, you are 100% correct. You're lucky to break $30k when you're just starting out in this market these days.