MCSE or CCNA?

[sab4you]

Was wondering on what some of you guys felt would open more doors.

I have been doing software support mostly, but job duties included maintaining servers, and currently have setup our small company with domain controller, dns, dhcp and vpn (all microsoft software).

I have also already taken 2 mcse certifications, but wonder if I am on the right track.

I want to be a network/systems administrator as my next job, and want to obviously have the knowledge as well as have a resume that will stand out.

Which 4 letters would look better for my position moving into an administrator position? MCSE or CCNA?

 

[algernonsidney]

I have an MCSE and five years of experience. I spent hours and hours getting that certification. It is worthless. I must have went through at least 50 job interviews before getting my current position, at about $30,000.

Chris

 

[dogbert2]

Sigh,

I would look at getting a solid education (college coursework, degree, cert, etc) to build your overall background. I'm a system admin currently (been so for
almost 8 years), but it took me a LOT of hard work to
get there (I started working in IT in summer of 1982
for a whopping $6.00 an hour = $12,240 a year, before
taxes).

A person who has 0-3 years of work. exp is classified as a entry level person in most places. If you have more than 3 but less than 8, you are at mid-level in terms of tech jobs, and about 8 to 15 you are starting to get to a senior level of job status.

When I first started out, you didn't get to be a system admin (on mainframes) unless you had a degree and about 8 years of work exp. under your belt (this was back in 1982, btw). Until then, you were generally a application programmer, then you moved up into system programming, then into entry level admin (depending on mainframe and operating system).

Just my 2 cents worth

 

[CharlieJax]

Well, to actualy answer your question...

I would say that you will proably find the Cisco cert to be more "impressive" on your resume and proably the tools you will learn and develop (if you study correctly for the test) will make you a far more talented Network Admin than an Microsoft cert will.

But (and there is always a but) the Microsoft cert can assist you in becoming more valuable in the IS field, I know there are a lot of MCSEs out there (yep, like most everyone else here I am one) and it along with some good work earned me a 7% raise...

When it comes down to getting your foot in the door at a company it is more of what you know about the company, the position, and the people doing the hiring that can determine what should be on your resume.

If the job discription reqires and MCSE guess what, you better have one or your going to get round filed, the same with the CCNA.

Hiring managers are looking for reasons to trash your resume, anything from too much experence to using an e-mail address at hotmail.com (NEVER USE A FREE E-MAIL ADDRESS ON A RESUME!) so you will need to talor your resume to meet the requirments of the job, not try to just shove your pre-printed resume off on every one you meet.

So, to answer your question, I would say the CCNA would be your best bet, but that the MCSE won't hurt you to have. If you can afford to do both (time and money) I would suggest that you do that.

Remember the cover letter gets your resume read, the resume gets you in the door, the interview is what gets you the job. CJ

Don't drink and post, save that for driving home!

 

[jtb]

ccna is just one test.

mcse is 6 tests.

neither one will necessarily help depending on where you want to be. for example, if you're trying to get into an as400 shop...

both are helpful in that it proves you can study and remember long enough to pass tests--and that you're willing to work to obtain a goal.

don't ignore the certs; just make sure the certs move you closer to where you want to be... JTB
Solutions Architect
MCSE-NT4, MCP+I, MCP-W2K, CCNA, CCDA,
CTE, MCIWD, i-Net+, Network+
(MCSA, MCSE-W2K, MCIWA, SCSA, SCNA in progress)

 

[CharlieJax]

Very true J, but as he/she wants to be a network admin... having an AS/400 or Craig Super comp hooked up to the network won't make a bit of diffrent as those have their own admin staff.

No one works on terminals anymore so most offices are packed full of Windows computers, cisco routers, and 3Com hubs / switches.

Thus, the CCNA and the MCSE can assist a net admin.

Nothing is a one stop fix... but for a net admin both certs can be handy CJ

Don't drink and post, save that for driving home!

 

[algernonsidney]

TheDman,

I am also A+ Certified. I never went to college at all, even though I got a 790 on the SAT in math. That has never come up in any job except one. I actually applied to the Peace Corps and got turned because I had no degree. There are tons of people without degrees who are doing very well.

But the fact that I applied to the Peace Corps shows how desperate I had become.

I attribute my trouble to an unwillingness and/or inability to "play the game." I recently joined Toastmasters for that reason. After I got my MCSE, I went through at least 40 interviews (but I honestly lost count) before I got my current job.

Actually, I like my current job in a lot of ways. It's a good organization. And it's better than any other IT job I have had.

All the people who have good jobs have one skill in common--they know how to get a good job. That comes down to knowing how to interview, how to answer the questions, how to tell people what they want to hear, and whatever.

Brains and hard work don't mean anything in the real world.

Chris