Addional MCP Exams or A+?

[Chris Freeland]

I am steel looking for that first IT job in this lousy economy, I have already passed MCP exams in Windows 200 Professional and Server, however it looks like the VA is going to pay for me to obtain additional training for one or two additional courses. Originally I was going to take two MS courses and go after a MCSA, however I have had some second thoughts and I could take the classes for the two A+ exams instead. If I go this rout it will take longer to get an MCSA, I would need to pass two A+ exams, a Network+ exam and a core MCSA exam instead of just two MS exams and the VA may pay for only one or two. For someone just starting out, which would be more beneficial, to have a MCP along with the A+ certifications or to simply get the MCSA? At this time I am leaning toward the A+ rout to have a broader product knowledge, what do you IT professionals out their think?

[gcutler]

I'm not so sure A+ would be of value, depending on what you consider what you are looking for career wise (or maybe it is?)

A+ will usually get you a job doing PC buildup or repair (at the local Comp-USA, or some hardware resellers). It will open jobs for you at a lower level than you are looking for MCSA, but that dosen't mean those jobs can't lead right up the same career track. And a A+ level job is better than no MCSA Job.

What I would do first is see if there are job openings for A+ in the locations you are looking at , and would that increase your # of offerings to apply for. If the # of opening increases alot, then of course go for the A+, if not, it may not be worth it. I did a search on my favorite job website, and in Georgia there were only 3 positions that wanted A+, 3 that wanted MCP (one overlapping), so that almost doubled your choices.

I do think an A+ or equivlant knowledge makes you more rounded in that you can diagnose problems at the hardware level, and some techs out there can't, but they also don't want to bother with that either.

[RandyAB]

I think A+ is now a worthless cert. I would def. start going for the mcsa instead.

[bogi]

I have the A+ it is worth less. I also have Network+ and CCNA. They are all worthless these days. But hey I didnt pay for them :)

[gcutler]

But there are some positions that require an A+, so it has value in that it may be required to get in the door.

[RichW]

Get some Oracle training if you can - Oracle Financials Applications Specialists are still very much in demand. But be prepared to travel a lot.

[Neil Derryberry]

Being a network engineer for nearly 10 years, I can tell you that the ccna isn't worthless, but it is a little on the easy side. Get the ccna, then follow that up with a ccnp... you'll get a job making 70k+ in no time. Once you make the first step and get the ccna, try and take any job that lets you get your hands on the networking equipment... you will be on your way.

Forget A+, and for chrissake, don't learn networking the Microsoft way... you will have to relearn it.

[Chris Freeland]

Thanks guys, one reason I was thinking of A+ was to become more rounded, It will be a few weeks before I need to choose, if by some miracle I have found employment by the this time it may make a difference in the rout I choose. If I am not working I want to go the rout that will increase my odds at landing an entry-level job. MCSA or MCP x 2 and A+ ?

[RichW]

Again, don't overlook opportunities in the database field. Companies are still begging for employees and are hiring consultants for Oracle and SAP applications. With only two years of college and six months of Oracle training, my youngest daughter makes a good six-figure income. She even has to travel to the midwest (Kansas City, Indianapolis, Louisville) to serve clients who can't find enough people to hire.

[gcutler]

Again, don't overlook opportunities in the database field. Companies are still begging for employees and are hiring consultants for Oracle and SAP applications. With only two years of college and six months of Oracle training, my youngest daughter makes a good six-figure income. She even has to travel to the midwest (Kansas City, Indianapolis, Louisville) to serve clients who can't find enough people to hire.

Actually the TRAVELLING type consulting field has continually produced decent salaries. What if funny is that most of my friends who have been doing TRAVELLING consulting for years have decided to settle down and find that type of consulting to not mix well with family life (especially with kids). A friend had an interesting fight with managment to not travel the week his first child's birth was due. Great for the young and single person (or even married without kids)

I don't know Chris' family requirements, but Consulting & travelling can cause alot of maritial tension.

But if Travelling Consulting isn't a problem, many companies will have "Academies". Where they train your from scratch (because they are soo desperate for the skill set), and for 1 year they pay you a relatively low rate. If you leave before the year is up you owe them for the training (prorated several thousand $$$) and then after 1 year you get paid a little better and you are a free man. You are typically not going to find MCSE type jobs that way, but like RichW said, SAP or any heavy duty development system are the most common.

[bogi]

Again, don't overlook opportunities in the database field. Companies are still begging for employees and are hiring consultants for Oracle and SAP applications. With only two years of college and six months of Oracle training, my youngest daughter makes a good six-figure income. She even has to travel to the midwest (Kansas City, Indianapolis, Louisville) to serve clients who can't find enough people to hire.


What kind of oracle certification dose your daughter have?

[RichW]

Bogi,

I don't think she has any formal certification. She started out working for Oracle, took several classes and then actually taught a few. During that time, the university my wife works for went to an Oracle system and she was sent to some courses in the Bay Area, one of which was taught by my daughter. Now my daughter works for a consulting firm. Both she and my wife make more than I do in salary. I am a kept man! :)

I believe there is a formal certification for some Oracle packages, like Oracle Financials, but even in this slow economy, the demand for "warm bodies" is still high enough that a person doesn't need a certification to get a job, just the knowledge acquired in a class or two. My wife tells me tha Oracle Workflow is also an up and coming specialty.

[gcutler]

I believe there is a formal certification for some Oracle packages, like Oracle Financials, but even in this slow economy, the demand for "warm bodies" is still high enough that a person doesn't need a certification to get a job, just the knowledge acquired in a class or two. My wife tells me tha Oracle Workflow is also an up and coming specialty.

Depending on which system, the college background may make a difference, a consulting company looking for "Oracle Financials" people will probably want someone with a Business Degree or Financial background.

In the mid-late 90s, a company I worked for was desperate for Lotus Notes/Domino Developers and they created an "Academy" to get people trained. One guy I thought was going to bomb out miserably. He used to be a Honda Dealership Mechanic, someone knew was wanting to change careers and got him in. This guy turned out being one of the best Developers I had ever seen, and while the economy is slow in the area he is still doing pretty well writing applications for a large Phyisicans practice in Atlanta. You never know where your opportunities will come from.