Should I Get Certified in Windows 7?

stryder144

Here is the deal, I took a couple of classes in order to sit the 70-680 and 70-685 exams.

After the class but before I could sufficiently study for them, I got a job working at a telecom that doesn't require that type of cert. I prefer, for the most part, the network related technologies.

My wife, on the other hand, wants me to get the certs simply because I received the training.

So, what is your opinion, would you get the certs or not?

Cheers

gorebrush

Hmm tough one. I, like you, prefer to specialise in networking, but I always have my MCSE to fall back on should I need to go back to a Windows role.

If it was me, then I'd probably do it.

Asif Dasl

If you are paying for it out of your own pocket then I would skip it because it doesn't look like it will benefit you, keep the money in a rainy day fund and if the worst should happen then the money is there to take if you need it. That's what I would do.

Cert Poor

I'd knock out the MCSA: Win 7 especially since you already received the 680 and 685 training. Just a little bit of review and you're good to go. Even if you paid out of pocket, full price would be $150 x 2 = $300 for an MCSA on your resume, and the MCSA doesn't have re-certification requirements like the new MCSE.

I'd go for it since you're so close. I plan on getting a CCNA even though I am more of a systems/server person than a network person.

DoubleNNs

If you have the knowledge, you have the knowledge. I don't see the point to pay to validate it if it's not going to benefit you - esp for a desktop OS.

If they use Win 7 at the telecom, or you plan on doing any desktop/help desk type work in the future, it may be beneficial to get it. Otherwise, put the time and money towards something else that will have a more concrete impact on your career.

ps - Can't you put the training you received under your Education if needed in the future?

stryder144

I have been trying to figure out the best ROI, with regards to these exams. At issue, for me, is that my wife wants me to take them. Her primary reason seems to be that since I took the training I ought to receive "credit" for them. I want to honor her, on the one hand, but don't really see how it would benefit us, on the other. To me, putting the time and money into getting certified wouldn't have an appreciable upside, besides the making the wife happy aspect.

I truly appreciate the input everyone has given. Each person seems to have a pretty good justification for their views. Very thought provoking, indeed.

White Wizard

I see you have the CompTia trio, many would say you will never see a ROI on those as well.

The real question is, why not take it?

Unless you are really strapped for money, I see no reason why you shouldn't take it.

Certs prove your desire to improve upon yourself and increase your knowledge which is never a bad thing.

If you ask me, paying out of your own pocket makes it more worthwhile.

No one but YOU can study and put in the time and money to accomplish that certification.

stryder144

White Wizard...while I would normally agree about the ROI for CompTIA, I would say that they were one reason why my full-time job and my part-time job hired me. As such, I would say that, at the least, they were worth the cost.

I agree that it would not be a bad thing to put MCSA: Windows 7 on a resume. Naturally, any cert, when earned, shows a level of mastery that an employer can consider verified. I suppose, if I should ever decide to go the DoD route, having those two certs wouldn't hurt. Also, in today's job market, one can never tell when one might need said cert in order to find another job.

Great points, sir, great points. Thank you for the input.

DoubleNNs

If you're currently pursuing another certification that would benefit you more in your current job, therefore give you better ROI, try to explain that to her and continue w/ the alternative cert.

However, if you're not currently pursuing another cert, you might as well bang out the MCSA that you started to appease the wife - esp since it seems like it wasn't all too long ago you took the training.

My opinion - the CCNA seems like a better fit for a telecom position and better use of time/money.

stryder144

Thanks everyone. Here is the conclusion that I've come to, along with an explanation:

I have decided to finish the MCSA: Windows 7 certification set. Here is my reasoning: my part-time job, at Geek Squad, has seen a serious downturn in hours available. Not to mention that they have instituted an adjustment to the positions at Best Buy. While they don't directly affect me, they do affect my department. As such, I feel that pursuing the MCSA would give me a leg up should I decide to jump ship and try to land a job at the Microsoft Store across the street. I would probably follow up the MCSA with the 689 exam, just to remain current.

Some might question why I would be willing to work in the retail space. Quite frankly, I am still entry level at my full-time job, with commensurate pay. The part-time job helps to take care of the cost of fuel and incidentals that my full-time pay doesn't cover. Not to mention, I really enjoy interacting with normal people. When you work in the NOC, you come to the conclusion that the stereotypes about geeks/nerds/what have you are depressingly accurate. It helps to remain grounded when you have to deal with people that don't find multi-core/multi-processing computers and enterprise networking equipment fun or "sexy".

At any rate, thank you for helping me to clarify things in my own head. Very helpful!