At a fork in the road
jmritenour
Member Posts: 565
I just wrapped up a 4 test stretch (VCP, 70-290 & 70-291, and Sec+), and I'm taking a couple weeks off. But now I'm trying to figure out what's next.
I'm torn between going after CCNA, or finishing up the MCSE track. I currently hold a MCSA, but I definitely want to be a MCSE at some point. I need 70-293 and 70-294, and I'm thinking I'd do 70-298 for the design exam, and maybe even tack on 70-299 to get the security specialization since I have Sec+.
CCNA, I'm really kinda "meh" toward. My current title is network specialist, but to be honest, I loathe the pure networking part of my job. I prefer server and AD administration parts of my job by a long shot. I do have fun with the security stuff, but the routing/switching side bores me to tears.
But I see CCNA listed on a lot of job descriptions. I'd basically be doing it just to tack it onto my resume, and I feel like I could do it fairly quickly, since I do this sort of thing every day.
What do you guys think? Which do you think holds more value at this point?
I'm torn between going after CCNA, or finishing up the MCSE track. I currently hold a MCSA, but I definitely want to be a MCSE at some point. I need 70-293 and 70-294, and I'm thinking I'd do 70-298 for the design exam, and maybe even tack on 70-299 to get the security specialization since I have Sec+.
CCNA, I'm really kinda "meh" toward. My current title is network specialist, but to be honest, I loathe the pure networking part of my job. I prefer server and AD administration parts of my job by a long shot. I do have fun with the security stuff, but the routing/switching side bores me to tears.
But I see CCNA listed on a lot of job descriptions. I'd basically be doing it just to tack it onto my resume, and I feel like I could do it fairly quickly, since I do this sort of thing every day.
What do you guys think? Which do you think holds more value at this point?
"Start by doing what is necessary, then do what is possible; suddenly, you are doing the impossible." - St. Francis of Assisi
Comments
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Essendon
Member Posts: 4,546 ■■■■■■■■■■
If you are looking for a new job, get that CCNA so your resume shows up higher in the HR filter results. If you are content with your current job, go on with the MCSE:S and then later upgrade to the 2008 track. A VCP, MCSA, MCSE:S, MCITP:EA would rank at the top of HR filters (for a server admin job, which seems to be your liking).
Just me $.02 -
mikedisd2
Member Posts: 1,096 ■■■■■□□□□□
Congrats on the passes. If servers are your thing, definitely finish off the MCSE. The knowledge is crucial to any Wintel job and it's the one to have for a sys admin role.
CCNA can come later but even if you don't enjoy it, networking know-how is necessary for server work... which you already have anyway. -
jmritenour
Member Posts: 565
After taking a few days to think it over, I think I'm going to go ahead and go for CCNA next just to get it out of the way. 1 test for 1 cert vs 3 tests for 1 cert will have a more immediate impact on my resume, I think.
Also, I actually have fun studying & labbing the MS stuff, and but the Cisco stuff seems like a chore. I know if I put it off, I probably won't ever do it. So, better to do it now, then "reward" myself with more MS study/exams afterward."Start by doing what is necessary, then do what is possible; suddenly, you are doing the impossible." - St. Francis of Assisi