Need advice on taking Sun Solaris 8 certification 1

[Lvince]

Hi to all,

I am currently working as a desktop support personnel supporting windows platforms and is considering to take up the certification course for solaris 8.

My main concern is that after obtaining this certification, what are my chances of getting employed as a Sun Solaris systems administrator, without any experience???
I understand that its very difficult for you people out there to actually advise me on how high are the chances of getting employed, but maybe you have a rough idea of whether a company would employ a certified solaris administrator which has no experience at all and what is the current market demand for Sun Solaris systems administrators.

Thanks for reading this post and I would really appreciate any kind of advice and comments.

 

[jtb]

I'd recommend getting a copy of the book "What Color Is Your Parachute" and do all of the exercises in it _before_ you spend any more money on certs for which you have no relevant experience...

;-)

Regards, JTB
Senior Infrastructure Consultant
MCSE-NT4, MCP+I, CCNA, CCDA,
CTE, MCIWD, i-Net+, Network+
(MCSE-W2K, MCIWA, SCSA, SCNA in progress)

 

[Lvince]

What is this book basically abt???

 

[jd99]

It's a book about career chaning. I don't think this gentleman wants to change careers, he just wants to expand his horizons. None, and I mean NONE of you were born with Unix, Solaris, or even computer knowledge. There comes a time when you decide you want to learn something new. You just cross your fingers, hit the books and roll with it.

 

[jtb]

Really, I don't think the book is about changing careers. Nor did I critisize him for not knowing everything from birth.

But the book helps one focus on what one should do, how to determine what one wants, and how once is to proceed.

And while I agree there is value to learning new things, spending hundreds of dollars is not something to be done frivolously... there should be a reason other than 'it might be useful to somebody'. It should be useful to you!

You all need to focus your educational and certificational (is that a word?) monies on things that advance your careers. I don't know Lvince's work environment; but I can bet that getting certified on Solaris without experience (2 tests at $150 each, plus $50-$500 on books and other self-study materials) won't be easy or all that profitable...

More easy (not really easy... just more easy) and more profitable is to get 6 months experience (get chummy with Unix gurus at work, volunteer nights and weekends, show interest to manager, etc...) all the while studying your tail off--then get the certs... looks much better... trust me...

That doesn't mean just getting certified in an operating system without any experience is without value... I mean you had to study so you've got some knowledge... but why spent hundreds only to find out the work isn't what you want to do?

Read the book first. Plan your life. Plan your career around your life. Plan your certs around your career. Otherwise, you'll just get on the merry-go-round and it never stops (or even slows down).

Sincerely,
JTB
Senior Infrastructure Consultant
MCSE-NT4, MCP+I, CCNA, CCDA,
CTE, MCIWD, i-Net+, Network+
(MCSE-W2K, MCIWA, SCSA, SCNA in progress)

 

[jd99]

That is very true.

 

[Lvince]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the advice given, I really appreciate it.

JTB, what u said is very true and I fully agree with you. The reason why I am considering this option is because I see no future in this desktop job Im currently in and I believed that after 3+ years in it, its enough.
I am in fact trying to get out of this desktop line asap and I really dont know what to do besides getting new certifications.
Hope that you can advise me on this.

 

[jtb]

Lvince,

If you feel comfortable chatting up your manager about career choices at your company, that would be the 1st step.

Otherwise, get the book and do the exercises. Several of them are designed to strengthen your awareness of your skills and your personality. You can use this to your advantage in obtaining the position you want.

There is even a tutorial of sorts on creating the position you want.

Remember, for every manager who won't hire you because of [insert attribute here], there is another manager who _will_; and not just that! There is someone out there looking to solve a business problem that you and you alone are qualified to help them. The secret is, of course, meeting that person.

Just do it.

Regards,
JTB
Senior Infrastructure Consultant
MCSE-NT4, MCP+I, CCNA, CCDA,
CTE, MCIWD, i-Net+, Network+
(MCSE-W2K, MCIWA, SCSA, SCNA in progress)

 

[Lvince]

Hi jtb,

A million thanks to your advice.
At least I have a rough idea of where and how to start now as compared to before when I first post my message in this forum.
The beginning is always the hardest.