What training is in demand?

Subject says it, what kind of training are employers looking for in IT monkeys?

I guess I should give a little background. I'll try to keep it short and hit the important parts so I don't bore everyone with my life story.

I went to college for engineering, got a BS in Electrical Engineering and a BS in Computer Engineering. While taking classes I did some computer support work to pay for my beer... I mean, books. I found work in engineering and when the tech bubble burst I was looking for work again. Did some temp work in software support, and some menial stuff. Did a short time in the Army. They marched me until my feet broke and then gave me a medical discharge. Found work in engineering again. Did that for a few years, economy took a dive, and now I'm looking for work again.

I got into a program from Veteran Affairs that offered to pay for training to help me find work. They sent me to New Horizons and I got training towards Network+, CCENT/CCNA/CCNP, MCTS, and VMware VCP5 certifications. So far I got the Net+ and CCENT certifications. I plan to (re)take the CCNA test this week, take a CCNP class next week, and then keep taking tests until I get all certified.

I chose those certifications based on some research I did months ago and I'm having some doubts on if I chose a good mix of certifications. In other words, my job search is not going well. I had a chat with a gent from the VA and he suggested that I do some more research, find out what certifications might make me more employable, and then use that information to apply for more training from the VA.

I did some research already but I'll keep what I found to myself for now to avoid a confirmation bias. As part of my research I came here to ask you what certifications you have seen employers ask for in new hires.

So, what are the "hot" certifications right now? What certification are you working on and why did you pick that one?

I guess there is a flip side to this, what kind of certifications should I avoid? What would be a waste of my time and your money? (I say "your money" because you pay taxes, right?)

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Comments

Qord

I don't think you can go wrong with a mix of Cisco, Microsoft, and VmWare certs. Unfortunately, the market varies greatly from area to area, so there really is no right answer to your dilemma. While I think the VA guys are great, I've personally had better luck with the DOL as far as what's in demand in any specific geographic area. However, chasing what is "hot" right now is not advisable, it'll change as soon as you catch up to it. My advice would be to read up on all of them, and pursue whatever interests you the most.

The other thing to keep in mind is that experience trumps all in most cases, so you may be stuck with entry-level gigs for a while.

N2IT

Development .Net or Java, those two keep appearing everywhere. Like Qord mentioned you can't go wrong with VMware.

***Additional Info +1 what Dave said Sec + is a critical for government work.

Other than that you seems to be in good shape.

dave330i

Sec+ or CEH is a must have if you want to work with/for gov't.

NetworkVeteran

The market is moderately hot again, but I've met many unemployed folks who went for certification after degree after certifications and are still sitting at home.

First, you are not an entry-level guy. You have years of experience. Top companies are probably at your alma mater this month recruiting EEs with a CCNA. The young and the bright. You are not them anymore. But you have experience. Employers will want to know about that experience for an intermediate-level position. I suggest certifying along the path you actually have some experience with. An alphabet soup of things you've never touched won't help you so much with intermediate-level positions.

If you can't swing that, your best bet is probably contracting for entry-level positions to get your feet wet. And in this case, I do mean the sorts of contract positions are short-term, menial work, and pay less than full-time. I know people who've gotten back into the industry going this route. You will then get a chance to compete against others, and if you outperform them, even a chance to convert.

MacGuffin

Qord wrote: »

I don't think you can go wrong with a mix of Cisco, Microsoft, and VmWare certs.

That's what I thought too, obviously. One acceptable answer to my dilemma is to just keep doing what I'm doing.

Qord wrote: »

However, chasing what is "hot" right now is not advisable, it'll change as soon as you catch up to it.

I'll have to disagree here a bit. The needs of the market do obviously shift with time and there is a certain delay in getting a certification but I'm not so sure the target is moving so quickly that it's impossible to hit. A bullseye is near impossible but I don't need a bullseye, getting inside the triple ring should be close enough.

Qord wrote: »

My advice would be to read up on all of them, and pursue whatever interests you the most.

My interests and talents will certainly play a part. I gave some hints at those with my short biography above. Also, "all of them" is a lot of certifications. I'll need some idea on what is marketable and what is a waste of my time. I found FORTRAN fascinating in college but I don't believe that getting more training in that is going to get me very far.

Qord wrote: »

The other thing to keep in mind is that experience trumps all in most cases, so you may be stuck with entry-level gigs for a while.

Agreed. It seems that I need to be able to fill all the check boxes on the job description to get my foot in the door. I've got about five years as a computer tech while in college, that seems to be enough for most employers. They also seem to want some experience or certification in certain technologies, concepts, products, or techniques. I did some research already but I wanted to pick the brains of some other people to make sure my own search is not biased by my own preconceptions. I want to make sure I'm not just finding what I'm looking for but also seeing what's really there.

Ch@rl!3m0ng

Not been funny but if your not getting any responses from jobs you apply for then you may need to redo/change your CV. Post it on the appropriate board on here and the boyos will have a look at it and then give you advise and pointers on how to improve it. Coming from a Army background I found it hard to sell myself and my CV reflected this. Am not saying my CV is a good one now but it gets me jobs when I need them. Once you get your CV sorted it will help showcase your skills and qualifications.

On the qualifications your list sounds good. for a IT generalist if you want to specialise then you may want to look at things like the CEH or OSCP for secuity or the more advanced VMWare quals or citrix for virtulization.

Good luck and welcome.

Zartanasaurus

Voice is hot, security is hot, virtualization/data center is hot. You already are down the network path already, so add some virtualization to that and you're well on your way towards a data center career. Start applying to some MSPs. BSEE/BSCE + some networking/virt certs should be a great door opener if you can communicate your abilities in an interview.

You're pretty close to your CCNA, so I would just roll with that and see what that lands you. Once you get in, you'll get exposure to more technologies to see what you REALLY like. Getting 2-3 years under your belt is the most important part right now. Your degrees, experience and CCNA should be enough to get a real chance.

Everyone

Surprised no one mentioned ITIL. Obviously there's much more too it than just certs. Good luck.

halaakajan

Mcitp
ccna
gsec/gcih
cobit/itil

MacGuffin

halaakajan wrote: »

Mcitp
ccna
gsec/gcih
cobit/itil

I recognize CCNA but the rest of that is just alphabet soup to me. Could someone spell those acronyms out for me?

On the qualifications your list sounds good. for a IT generalist if you want to specialise then you may want to look at things like the CEH or OSCP for secuity or the more advanced VMWare quals or citrix for virtulization.

CEH == Certified Ethical Hacker? OSCP?

Not been funny but if your not getting any responses from jobs you apply for then you may need to redo/change your CV.

Fair enough. I've had people look at my resumé before and they all seemed to think it looks good. These are also not people in the industry. I do believe I should shift a few things around on my resumé for the next time I stuff the cannon full and fire it off onto the internet.

Right now I have my certifications listed on the bottom, after my work experience. Perhaps I need to put it front and center so the HR goon doesn't have to look as long for it.

Voice is hot, security is hot, virtualization/data center is hot.

This pretty much sums up what I've read so far here and elsewhere.

Start applying to some MSPs.

More alphabet soup, MSPs?

Thanks to all. All kinds of good stuff here. Just go easy on the acronyms from now on, okay?

Ch@rl!3m0ng

MacGuffin wrote: »

CEH = Certified Ethical Hacker
OSCP = Offensive Security Certified Professonal

I would not worry too much about these just yet. I was just putting them out there as examples of security qualifications.

MacGuffin wrote: »

Right now I have my certifications listed on the bottom, after my work experience. Perhaps I need to put it front and center so the HR goon doesn't have to look as long for it.

I always have my qualifications at the top of my CV right under my name and the rest of my contact details. If a recruitment person is looking through CV's they normally only scan the first page of the CV to see if there is anything on there for the job there advertising for. So my relievant qualifications for the job go on the CV at the Top where they cant miss them.

Mcitp
MCITP (Microsoft Certified IT Professional) | Training Courses for IT ...

gsec/gcih
Security Essentials Certification: GSEC

cobit/itil
COBIT 5: A Business Framework for the Governance and ...

I would however continue with the qualifications you are already studying for. Once you have experience working in civi street you will be able to decide much better what it is you actually like doing.

MacGuffin wrote: »

Subject says it, what kind of training are employers looking for in IT monkeys?

They generally want monkeys with wings as there much quicker.....

Just re-read your orgional question and for me I would leave the CCNP till you have done the rest of the qualifications. Only reason I say this is that if you are looking for work the more arrows that you have in your bag the more jobs you can shoot at.

cmitchell_00

I think your in a great area for I.T. work. You already have the two networking certs so; finish the CCNA and move on to at least Security +. The Sec + is an world wide known certification that helps and with your background; you on the right path. The VCP (virtualization) certification with Sec. +, CCNA, Net + and two BS degree's give's you an leg up on other candidates plus you are an Vet. The doors (i.e. jobs) will open with ease in the North Virginia area or where ever you want to go in regards to region.