advice

Hi all, I am a new user to this forum and i pretty much need some general advice. I have no real world experience in IT and I am quite desperate to get into the field. I am currently studying Comptia a+ and hope to pass it in the next month or so.

I am not sure in which direction to go once I complete this cert. I am not working at the moment so i have time to study additionally. should I study for MCDST XP or should I take the XP and Server 2003 exams to become a MCP. I all ready have Network+ and CCNA which i got more than 8years ago but didn't persue a career in i.t. Now I want to go fullsteam ahead and get a entry level I.t job. I also understand experience is important and I am also looking for some internships. But to put me in the best possible position when applying for a first job in IT which CERTS should I have under my belt, just to get me in IT. once i am in, I hear the cisco route is the most rewarding. Is this true.... if not any additional advice in this area will also be appreciated

Thanx in advance for any good advice

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Comments

RobertKaucher

One thing you need to consider is that your CCNA is expired. Your Net+ is still valid. Net+ and A+ are some good entry certs to have. But you need to consider the type of job you want. If you are looking at a job that deals more with networking then I suggest you go with getting your CCNA back and try for an entry level job in that field. If you like working with MS technologies you are probably going to have to do some time in a support role. My personal opinion is that the MCDST needs to be allowed to die. The 271 was my first certification exam and earned me my MCP. I learned a ton. But that was back in 2006. 4 years later, I say start looking at the Windows 7 exams. Look at enterprise support and then Enterprise Desktop Admin. Once you have those move on the the Server Admin and add an enterprise application MCTS like SharePoint. While working on your MCITP: Server Admin you might consider taking the 70-290 for server 2003.

It all really depends on your career goals.

tonydwilliams

Thank you for your reply Sir. ultimately... in the uk, it seems to me that the only entry level IT jobs in the uk are 1st line support roles. hence! this is why I think it is best to go for entry level microsoft certs. I want to get into CISCO, but i have found there is not much entry level roles in regards. my main objective is to have the certs which would make me attractive to an employer in order for me to get my foot in the door so to speak!!!
.......................
It all really depends on your career goals.[/QUOTE]

Devilsbane

tonydwilliams wrote: »

Hi all, I am a new user to this forum and i pretty much need some general advice. I have no real world experience in IT and I am quite desperate to get into the field. I am currently studying Comptia a+ and hope to pass it in the next month or so.

I am not sure in which direction to go once I complete this cert. I am not working at the moment so i have time to study additionally. should I study for MCDST XP or should I take the XP and Server 2003 exams to become a MCP.

Welcome to the forums. Any Microsoft test passed will earn you an MCP. If you take the 70-271 and 70-272 for MCDST, you will become MCP after the first pass.

The same is true if you for for MCSA. Once you pass the first test you will be MCP.

Or if you go for MCITP, once the first test is passed, you get your MCP.

What do you want to work with? Do you want to follow the CCNA path and be a network guru, or would you rather work on a desktop support team fixing users computers? Or do you want to be the server administrator?

What I did to get into the field was A+, Network+, and MOS 2007. These certifications were good enough to get me onto a help desk while I worked on my MCSA. Now I am working on Security+, and then the MCSE. After that I will have many months of help desk experience, several certifications, and a college degree. So I should be able to take a hop up the ladder.

earweed

Actually only the XP and Server 2003 exams earn you the MCP. The Vista/7 and Server 2008 earn you the MCTS but you still have the same access to the MCP MS site and all, just a different designation.

I have to agree with RobertKaucher above about choosing the path you want to take and follow it. Check the job boards in your local area and get back into the game through getting a job and then work on certs that will get you advanced into what you really want to do.

RobertKaucher

Devilsbane wrote: »

The same is true if you for for MCSA. Once you pass the first test you will be MCP.

Or if you go for MCITP, once the first test is passed, you get your MCP.

This is inaccurate. While an MCTS does make you a Microsoft Certified Professional it does not grant you the MCP designation or credential.

Devilsbane

Doesn't any test with a 70 prefix give the MCP crediential?

earweed

It's been changed. They still give the MCP for the "older" exams but for the newer exams we are MCTS (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist). When passing the newer exams you still get access to the MCP site and all the perks that go with it, just a different designation.

earweed

To the OP the A+ actually may help get you in the door for an entry level helpdesk job. As far as the CCNA being expired, that pretty much means you can't list it on the resume (I think) but you could bring up having it, but it's expired, in an interview.

Pash

Hi,

I think you'd be surprised on what you can get out there at the moment. It really should be a case of you chosing your prefered path and then sticking to it and gain some experience along the way.

There are always jobs available in IT but unless you are very lucky you need to do 1st > 2nd/3rd line type stuff.

Where about's are you based?

Pash

Devilsbane

earweed wrote: »

It's been changed. They still give the MCP for the "older" exams but for the newer exams we are MCTS (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist). When passing the newer exams you still get access to the MCP site and all the perks that go with it, just a different designation.

Got it, thanks for the correction.

tonydwilliams

Thanks all for your replies:)

I am based in the UK and I have spoken to several people in regards to what they use in there company. It seems in London England all of the corporate enviroments still use XP Proffessional.

Does this mean I should maybe go for a MCDST. Wouldn't it make sense to go for certs that are currently in use instead of pursuing the newer technologies?

I would like to get my MCTS and MCTIP but would I not be more desirable if I am trained in whats currently in use.

When I intend to start applying for entry jobs my certs should read
COMPTIA A+
NETWORK+
MCDST

Is this good enough to get me into the IT industrie with no real world experience? or have I missed a trick?

my idea is to go down the CISCO route as I did enjoy doing my now expired CCNA. Starting this after roughly 18months experience under my belt. In England it seems that the best way to get in IT, is a 1st line support role, and correct me if i am wrong but i can pretty much choose my path from there.

I am 80% going down the CISCO route as it stands right now, however can anyone shed any light on any other paths that mite be more financially rewarding and maybe more satisfying.

thanks in advance for any advice recieved
CHEERS Tony

Pash

tonydwilliams wrote: »

Thanks all for your replies:)

I am based in the UK and I have spoken to several people in regards to what they use in there company. It seems in London England all of the corporate enviroments still use XP Proffessional.

Does this mean I should maybe go for a MCDST. Wouldn't it make sense to go for certs that are currently in use instead of pursuing the newer technologies?

I would like to get my MCTS and MCTIP but would I not be more desirable if I am trained in whats currently in use.

When I intend to start applying for entry jobs my certs should read
COMPTIA A+
NETWORK+
MCDST

Is this good enough to get me into the IT industrie with no real world experience? or have I missed a trick?

my idea is to go down the CISCO route as I did enjoy doing my now expired CCNA. Starting this after roughly 18months experience under my belt. In England it seems that the best way to get in IT, is a 1st line support role, and correct me if i am wrong but i can pretty much choose my path from there.

I am 80% going down the CISCO route as it stands right now, however can anyone shed any light on any other paths that mite be more financially rewarding and maybe more satisfying.

thanks in advance for any advice recieved
CHEERS Tony

Getting certifications in general should be something you do to cement your own knowledge of different subject's. For which these forums are the best around.

They are of course also good tools to show the HR department of prospective employers. However, IT engineers do not want to see certifications like network+ on your CV when you can't tell them the subnet mask of a /29 prefix, or in turn work out how many subnet's and hosts are available in a relatively quick fashion. Being on-site at 10pm at night and reading the Sybex books to figure something out won't go down well.

That said and judging by the situation you have described to us, you need to get your foot in the door first. So to do this, decide on what skills you want to progress and what area of IT interests you and the look for entry level jobs. Ohh and btw XP still has a huge market share in the business world, but that said I know tons of companies whom have already migrated to Windows 7 and 2008 (been involved in a few myself) and also I know one nutjob corporate business migrating to windows vista (I **** you not).

What I meant by where you are based is, where abouts in the UK. As in London for example. If you pm me your location maybe I can help you.

Pash

tonydwilliams

Cheers for the response Bro!

lol.......Windows Vista, U have to be shittin me!

I am living in Tooting South London but i am gonna b moving near Kingston which is a couple of miles from where I am now.

I intend to explain to any potential employer my limited experience, ultimately I would like to get into network engineering but I no it may not be realistic for me right now.

my plan is to get a 1st line support role, learn the trade and while doing that aquire qualifications such as CCNA, CCNP etc.

my current conundrum is in london, what certifications shall I aquire that will put me in the best possible light after I get my COMPTIA A+. taking into consideration my lack there of, of IT experience?

Cheers

laidbackfreak

tonydwilliams wrote: »

am living in Tooting South London

next door to me then

tonydwilliams wrote: »

my plan is to get a 1st line support role, learn the trade and while doing that aquire qualifications such as CCNA, CCNP etc.

Good plan, but keep an open mind, you mind once you have your foot in the door that other areas appeal to you more.

tonydwilliams wrote: »

my current conundrum is in london, what certifications shall I aquire that will put me in the best possible light after I get my COMPTIA A+. taking into consideration my lack there of, of IT experience?
Cheers

Take a look at the jobboards (jobserve etc) and search for helpdesk and see what people are asking for. Typically its M$ XP and office, get upto speed with those and get an understanding of AD and then start knocking on doors. Don't let MCSE, CCNA etc required with X years experience put you off, as thats what they want in fantasy world but real life is different. Oh and don't forget to brush up on people skills and ITIL (current flavour of the month)

Pash

I wish you'd up your post count so I could pm you

Turgon

earweed wrote: »

To the OP the A+ actually may help get you in the door for an entry level helpdesk job. As far as the CCNA being expired, that pretty much means you can't list it on the resume (I think) but you could bring up having it, but it's expired, in an interview.

Its an expired qualification but one you earned nevertheless and shows some background. I say list it. You can always put the date you took it after it or donate it as expired.

Pash

Turgon wrote: »

Its an expired qualification but one you earned nevertheless and shows some background. I say list it. You can always put the date you took it after it or donate it as expired.

This is what I do. Funnily enough i get asked more in interviews if I would like to re-ceritfy my CCNA rather than be asked about my other certs

Michael.J.Palmer

First off, I want to say that I agree with Robert on what he initially said, but if you do decide to go the MCDST route then that's not a bad idea either.

You can get your MCDST and upgrade it to the MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Support by taking the 682 bridge exam. This will probably look more impressive on a resume then just simply jumping into the Windows 7 stuff as it shows you have a proven knowledge in both XP and 7 and you really won't be taking any more exams then you would normally take otherwise (well one more, but it's worth it). As far as the server 2003 stuff, you could just go for your MCSA and maybe then persue an MCITP: Server Admin as well. That'll give you a strong base for MS' server software to combine with your previous CCNA.

Like someone else mentioned, you could re-test for your CCNA or just simply mention it in passing to potential employers. I'd probably mention it in a cover letter to an employer and see where that gets you. Of course you'll want to still study up on the new technologies that have come out over the past 8 years since you earned it but you could probably get away with not testing for it by mentioning that you were previously CCNA.

tonydwilliams

thank u all for the very useful advice. I think first things first, I need to get A+ certified. after this is advisable to start looking for work or shall i aquire other certs as well.

thanks again to all yall!

nel

tonydwilliams wrote: »

thank u all for the very useful advice. I think first things first, I need to get A+ certified. after this is advisable to start looking for work or shall i aquire other certs as well.

thanks again to all yall!

i have to chip in here. from my experiance, the A+ and network+ done very little for my opportunities, infact i have never seen a job to date which list them (in the UK). From my experiance they dont hold much weight over here compared to over the pond. That said, they will provide you with good solid grounding in each subject matter. Like others have said aim to land a 1st line support job to get your foot in the door - even if its contract work the experiance would be worth it. Cert wise, after your comptia, i would go for MCITP:EA and CCNA. Then you can decide which path to lead after that. If your looking to get your foot in the networking world i would look for a NOC job. There are plenty around london, many unsociable hours like 24/7/365 but it would be an excellent step into the area. Many ask for relevant network experiance but theres no harm in applying and you can even land entry level gigs in a NOC.

Check out jobserve, cwjobs, totaljobs.

Imo, London is an excellent place for opportunities - i wish i had them up north! Infact, i think i'll end up there at some point!

tonydwilliams

thanks for all the advice and help. I think first things first, i am going 2 do my a+, and then do something in microsoft together with probably 2008 server to get a job in support. then i'm going to attack the ccna

cheers people

nel

Good luck man, this is a great place for support.