IT Technician Looking for some advice.

[qbnlykwhoa]

I'm an IT Technician with my A+ Cert.
I'm getting ready to go back to school for some more certifications. I was planning on doing something along the lines of,

Network +
MCSE
CCNA

Pretty much in that order all one riht after the other.
My question is, is that a good path to take?

I deal with Server 2003 very little. Active directory. Creating users, manageing policys, Manage a citrix server just a tad bit. Thats about it.
Very little experience with databases but sometimes enter queries for an SQL server. Along with the hardward part of it as a field technician.
I have been working with computers for about 6 years now. Mostly Desktop support.


Thanks
Adrian

 

[mrdenny]

What are the goals of you getting your certifications?

Without much server experience you will have a tough time getting your MCSE.

You might want to look into the MCDST which is the desktop support exam. That will help you ease into the Microsoft Exams. The MCSE exams are all server and AD based. Database experience isn't needed for the MCSE.

Denny
MCSA (2003) / MCDBA (SQL 2000)
MCTS (SQL 2005 / Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 3.0: Configuration / Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007: Configuration)
MCITP Database Administrator (SQL 2005) / Database Developer (SQL 2005)

--Anything is possible. All it takes is a little research. (Me)

http://www.mrdenny.com

 

[58sniper]

I agree that the MSDST is probably a better solution for you, since that's a technician level, whereas the MCSE is an engineering level.

Pat Richard, MCSE MCSA:Messaging CNA
Microsoft Exchange MVP
Want to know how email works? Read for yourself -

http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2821.txt

 

[qbnlykwhoa]

I'm going to be attending school for everything.
I'm going to take the courses and then take each test as i progress. So i will be learning as i go along. Hopefully by the time i'm done i will have all my certifications.
I will be taking the courses at New Horizons.

 

[58sniper]

Good luck at that. Those classes are ok as primers. But if that's all you use to get your certs, you'll be known as a paper MCSE. And those are frowned upon because of a lack of experience.

Pat Richard, MCSE MCSA:Messaging CNA
Microsoft Exchange MVP
Want to know how email works? Read for yourself -

http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2821.txt

 

[qbnlykwhoa]

i want to get into network administration. I dont just want to be a computer tech. I have been a tech now for 3 years. Basically just fixing desktops, printers, troubleshooting software. I have had some server time but only a small amount. Is there anywhere i can take a little test of some kind to test where i stand?

 

[qbnlykwhoa]

How am i supposed to learn then? What is recommended?
How can i get a job doing it if i dont have the certs to get the job? I'm a quick learner and adapt to anything extremely fast. I'm trying to figure out my best way to understand everything. Pretty much a little guidance.

 

[mrdenny]

Usually the way to get into being a Server Admin is to move up in your existing company. Talk to the server group and see if they have a junior position open. This will get you some hands on experience which will make taking the test much easier and when you go to interview for your next position you will have the experience to back up your certs.

When ever a resume comes in to me with certs and no experience odds are the person won't be coming in for an interview because without the experience the certs don't mean much.

One thing that people forget about the certs is that they aren't designed or meant for people trying to get into a specific field. They are designed to be taken for people who have been an admin for 1-3 years already so that those people can have a piece of paper to show that they have absorbed the information while being a more junior level admin and are now ready to move into a more senior level position.

A lot of the schools out there are telling there students (and potential students) that as soon as you get your MCSE, MCDBA, MCITP, CCNA, etc companies will be lining up and fighting with each other to give you a job. Unforunitally that just isn't the case.

My sugestion to you would be to take the MSDST exams which will give you some experience with the Microsoft Cert process. As you've been in desktop support for a couple of years they shouldn't be that hard to pass. Then go and speak with your manager and the manager of the server folks and see what sort of position they either have or may have in the future.

If you don't have a server group or they say that there won't be any openings for a while you may need to look for another desktop position and tell them in the interview that you are looking for a position which will give you the ability to move into a server support role.

Denny
MCSA (2003) / MCDBA (SQL 2000)
MCTS (SQL 2005 / Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 3.0: Configuration / Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007: Configuration)
MCITP Database Administrator (SQL 2005) / Database Developer (SQL 2005)

--Anything is possible. All it takes is a little research. (Me)

http://www.mrdenny.com

 

[qbnlykwhoa]

The IT Department currently consists of 3 people the director and two techs. Me being a tech. I service the east coast and the other tech the west coast.
I do a bit of everything here. From desktop field work to data backups, to planning disaster recovery, to entering quieries to cable runs, and so on. I create and remove users, daily. I somewhat manage a citrix server as well. Everyday i'm learning something new here.
I mean before this i didnt even know what a domain controller was. I dont think looking for another job will be benificial as it was hard enough finding this one.
I want to learn hands on but dont think i will completley learn here. I figured in school they would show you everything as the lessons went on. I didnt want to do CBT nuggets because i thought hands on school would be better.

The MCDST was on the list of the certifications i was going for. It was a big NETWORK ADMIN package from new Horizons.
Also on there was the Network + and MCSE as i mentioned earlier. I figured taking those in the correct order i would learn.

I mean i went to school for my A+ and then took the tests later on. I didnt even have a job at that time.
I got that cert to get my last job which required an A+.
To tell you the truth when i got in there it was like learning all over again. Every job is different and operates different,and just takes getting used to.

I really want to thank you for your advice and help.
I really want to start this soon. I was ready to start school in like 3 weeks. I didnt pay yet or set anything though.

 

[rmcp2k]

use cbt nuggets, get a few computers and load windows server 2003 and get hands on. saves you money. That is what i did for my mcse 2k one PC running server 2k and two other PC running 2k pro. That's all the equipment you'll need to learn and get some hands on.

Wait until you get to the CCNP and CCIE and see how expensive things will get compare to the MCSE.

good luck and happy learning.

 

[qbnlykwhoa]

Thanks... I will probably end up doing that.
I actually started the CBT's for MCDST yesterday.
So far so good.... Thanks again

 

[NickFerrar]

In your situation with little hope of a change of role at the same company I'd look to switch to a new job somewhere else asap. It's probably a lot easier getting into a bigger company as a tech now and even getting them to pay for courses than it is to try and get an MCSE and apply for a job as a server admin as you'll be competing against admins with far more real world experience.

 

[qbnlykwhoa]

I guess I just feel like it was hard to find this job. I mean are employers really looking for an IT tech with just an A+?.... I have like 5 years of experience.
what would you guys say is the average salary to be expected as a field service or desktop IT tech?

 

[mrdenny]

The 5 years of experience is what is going to land you the tech job at the next company. The A+ will be the bonus.

Check salary.com to get Salary info for your area. Salaries are different between each part of the country.

Denny
MCSA (2003) / MCDBA (SQL 2000)
MCTS (SQL 2005 / Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 3.0: Configuration / Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007: Configuration)
MCITP Database Administrator (SQL 2005) / Database Developer (SQL 2005)

--Anything is possible. All it takes is a little research. (Me)

http://www.mrdenny.com