Are certifications worth the trouble? 1

[drago762]

I'm pondering whether or not I should get certified. I'm a jack of all trades with skills in programming, tech support, networking, and databases and have almost 6 years of experience with a BS degree in Info Systems. I thought about going through the certifications process and getting the A+, MCSE, and MCDBA. This would take an entire year and cost around $2000 for training materials and tests (employer will not pay). Is it worth the time and money investment? Why not just study the books, go through the material you're not familiar with (skipping stuff you'll never use), and forget about taking the tests? Wouldn't the time would be better spent working on side jobs and/or getting another degree/learning another skill to fall back on?

 

[NickFerrar]

The whole certs and experience thing is tricky. I'd say these days if you have experience then you need to get certs to if you intend looking for a new job, it's too easy to get filtered out if you don't have certs. If you don't have experience or certs then you're best off IMO trying to get experience first before worrying about certs, go for low-grade helpdesk jobs etc if you need to but certs without at least a year of experience are pretty worthless.

 

[TruthInSatire]

pangburn,
Prior military also.
Best thing you could do is ask for a detail or MOS change, finish the last of your tour in the field you want to retire to. I'm sure an MOS change is out, however you're probably in the upper chain of command and an SNCO is an SNCO... I've had SNCO's that didn't know much about electronics but wanted to learn before they retired so they had a trade to retire to. Since an SNCO's job is to manage troops they'll put you anywhere you like, (if the need of the service exists) to manage the troops. Learn what you can while you're there. that'll give you the start of the experience you need along with your BS:MIS. Along with haveing all that electronics background you'll make a nice round employee in an IT field. good luck.

A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools.
-Douglas Adams (1952-2001)

 

[JeuneTurk]

I would like to add something more:

It is possible to find a good job just because of your certifications. But as mentioned earlier, you have to support with experiences. I am an MCSE, CCNA, Certified Teacher etc., with all my certs, people are looking at me like I know almost everything. It is really a good start at an interview. Whatever you are or not, certs are like a cool suite. I think its a must in the States.

Secondly, I heard that some colleges give credit for certain certs. I did not research but it is highly logical and a way to save money.

Moreover, for some additional certs, your current certs would be a reference. I got an instructor cert from Cambridge which was supported with my MS certs.

They are something good to have guys. I used them.