Microsoft Certification(s)

[reverze]

Wasn't quite sure where to post this, but I just figured I would put it here for now.

Does anyone here have any Microsoft Certifications for business purposes?

I'm currently a student majoring in Information Systems Management, and I'm debating how useful a certification would be for the actual job, and I guess even more importantly, on my resume.

If anyone has any experiences or suggestions, I would appreciate them.

Thank you for your time.

 

[Kreij]

Many companies view MS Certs as a positive when looking at candidates.
The more you have to flesh out your resumè the better.

 

[lemode]

Wasn't quite sure where to post this, but I just figured I would put it here for now.

Does anyone here have any Microsoft Certifications for business purposes?

I'm currently a student majoring in Information Systems Management, and I'm debating how useful a certification would be for the actual job, and I guess even more importantly, on my resume.

If anyone has any experiences or suggestions, I would appreciate them.

Thank you for your time.

Certs can give you more negotiating power for salary. However an MCSE alone isn’t enough anymore but will help regardless.

The more certs you have don’t necessarily mean you’re more qualified for a position…they just look really good on a resume.

A college degree (bachelors at minimum) is something you should have as well. Masters is the new bachelors especially in this economy.

A+ is something you should have as well.

 

[Kreij]

As Lemode state, the more education you have the better.
I think that one of the most important things is knowing how to handle yourself at a job interview.
Be calm and confident in you abilities (but not arrogant).

Don't pick your nose.

 

[reverze]

I started doing the A+ like 5+ years ago, but just never got around to finishing it. I guess I could look back in to that..

I would like to work on perhaps 2 this summer, but not quite sure which ones yet.

Any suggestions from personal experience? I believe I recall seeing one that had a very similar title to my major in its title.

As for a bachelor's degree, I'd love to get a masters... that is if I could find a company that would pay for me to get it. Which seems to happen more and more lately.

I'm also doing a major in International Business and a minor in German, and am currently studying in Germany for 6 months. So hopefully those help give a little bit of diversity as well.

 

[reverze]

As Lemode state, the more education you have the better.
I think that one of the most important things is knowing how to handle yourself at a job interview.
Be calm and confident in you abilities (but not arrogant).

Don't pick your nose.

Haha, Yeah... The job interview is the hardest part.

Really plan on practicing this summer and reviewing some questions. I've gone through a couple so far with some pretty big companies (for internships), and they weren't the funnest thing I've ever done.

 

[Kreij]

There is actually a good chance you will know more about your field than the person interviewing you. Keep it positive and don't let stupid question throw you.
If you are asked ambiguous questions, simply ask for clarification.

When I was interviewing many years ago for a job, I was asked to draw the schematic for a digital circuit ring counter.
I asked him whether he wanted up or down counting.
He said, "You choose."
I knew right there he would not be able to tell if my schematic was right or not, but happily drew one.

 

[reverze]

There is actually a good chance you will know more about your field than the person interviewing you. Keep it positive and don't let stupid question throw you.
If you are asked ambiguous questions, simply ask for clarification.

When I was interviewing many years ago for a job, I was asked to draw the schematic for a digital circuit ring counter.
I asked him whether he wanted up or down counting.
He said, "You choose."
I knew right there he would not be able to tell if my schematic was right or not, but happily drew one.

Win. Nice one!

Do you have any certifications yourself?

 

[Kreij]

No.

I graduated with a degree in electronic.
Got a job at GE (the interview above was from there).
Worked there for about 15 years and then bailed because I grew tired of the corporate mindset.
Got a job at a little mom and pop internet company, but that didn't pay enough.
Got my current job managing the networks where I work now.
Mrs. Kreij is a Massage Therapist and a Cosmotologist, so life is good.

Don't overdo it. Look for something YOU want to do, and be the best you can be at it.
In time with experience, you can write your own ticket.

 

[brandonwh64]

i actually have to do this as well. im going for a electronics engineering degree and then my major will be computer engineering technology. I need to go take the A+ test and take MSCE and get those out of the way

 

[reverze]

I guess the A+ certification is a must then..

 

[Loosenut]

As Lemode state, the more education you have the better.
I think that one of the most important things is knowing how to handle yourself at a job interview.
Be calm and confident in you abilities (but not arrogant).

Don't pick your nose.

Or the interviewer's because I... NVM...

 

[Kreij]

Yeah, times have changed and companies want the paperwork. Especially if you are fresh out of school.
I would rather hire a TPU tech junkie who loves hardware than someone with a paper, but we won't go into that.

@Loosenut : rolf ... I didn't need that visual.

 

[reverze]

Anyone else who has any of the Microsoft certifications and has some more input?

 

[reverze]

bump

 

[reverze]

bump

 

[[I.R.A]_FBi]

in for answers

 

[xrealm20]

I've gotten my mcse on server 2k3 and mctip for server 2k8 - the certs will help get you informed about the platform you will be working with, but keep in mind that regardless of the certs, nothing can replace experience.

Certs help get you an interview and give you some idea of what you will be getting yourself into, and may help your pay grade, but some of the best admins I've known didn't have certs.

 

[reverze]

I personally see it as a potential huge advantage for myself at least. I really can say I don't know anyone at my university with any types of certifications, so really I'd hope it would stand out on a resume to employers.

As mentioned, just not quite sure exactly which one I should look into. Been tooling on the Microsoft site and I'm still not quite sure.

And the prior knowledge and higher pay/negotiation in salary are of course are both huge pluses.

 

[t_ski]

It kinda depends on what you are going for. I work Help Desk right now (but hope to move up to Infrastructure Support soon), and I have MCDST, A+ and Net+.

One Microsoft certification gets you MCP (Microsoft Certified Professional). I took supporting XP for that, then took supporting office for my MCDST (Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician). A+ was the old one, back when it was two tests (one hardware, one OS IIRC). Net+ was the last one I took, but was the hardest since it was nearly a full summer past the classes I was taking.

One tip: there are lots of free tests out there, although many of them are short. Take a few of these to gauge your ability and see where you need to focus on. Go back and take them again to see how you've improved.

Another tip? If you do any MS certs, take advantage of the free second chance. Bomb the first test and you can usually take it again free within a certain time period.

 

[niko084]

Certs don't mean what they used to...
The tests are easy to pass with enough studying and a lot of idiots have obtained them without really knowing how to DO anything.

The IT field is in a rough state, either you have a B-M degree + 5+ yrs of exp + a list of certs a mile long or you can have a rough time finding a good stable job. Lots of contract stuff around, but a lot of that's all short term, lots of companies hiring upstart companies and then selling out followed by massive layoffs.

Not to scare you away, if you are good at it and can make a name for yourself you can make some money and be stable but certs just aren't what they used to be anymore

 

[[I.R.A]_FBi]

cause im pondering going international and im wondering whats the best way forward

 

[DaedalusHelios]

Certs don't mean what they used to...
The tests are easy to pass with enough studying and a lot of idiots have obtained them without really knowing how to DO anything.

The IT field is in a rough state, either you have a B-M degree + 5+ yrs of exp + a list of certs a mile long or you can have a rough time finding a good stable job. Lots of contract stuff around, but a lot of that's all short term, lots of companies hiring upstart companies and then selling out followed by massive layoffs.

Not to scare you away, if you are good at it and can make a name for yourself you can make some money and be stable but certs just aren't what they used to be anymore

I totally agree. Certs don't mean shit if you don't atleast have a 4 year degree that is accredited first. Masters is yesterdays bachelors degree as far as job security. It is rediculous but that is the clusterfuck known as the USA job market. Before long we will need a bachelors degree to sweep floors like in japan.

 

[Deleted member 67555]

Sadly i think Location matters more than just about anything..

Around here they are upgrading Network capacities with Fiber optics while trying to bring in more business with such Bandwidth needs...

So you would think someone with a B-M could make some $ yet with a B your looking at $12 per hour...

It's not a joke I was exited to hear that several companies are relocating to Youngstown,OH from Cali and quickly disappointed to find network Admin jobs were hiring at $27,000 a year with 5+ years experience
But then again when you have 600 people for every job that's what happens...Smart educated people get paid less than greedy less educated business managers

 

[reverze]

I'm working on finishing a bachelor, and people graduating at my uni and getting jobs in my major lowest starting salary $55,000 up to $70,000. Which I don't think is too bad starting..

I'm also doing a double major with International Business, to add a little more and be flexible with things..