Spend $ 6,000 or do it myself? 8

[ptomaine]

I want to start on the road to become MCSA certified. I can take 5 one week classes for $6,000. They guarantee A+, Net+, Security+, MCSA, and Cisco certifications.

I wondered if anyone else has gone this route. I am not up for going back to traditional college, I had enough after my bachelors and masters.

I have seen the online courses but getting pricing for them is not easy, they want you to email them and then they want you to call them for pricing (sounds like a scam)[SmartCertify].

Can I do this with just the books or should I opt for the class route? Any input is appreciated.

Dave

 

[jtb]

do it yourself... for $6,000 you can get enough refurbed pcs, network equip, eval sw, and books to field your MCSE for 2000 and 2003, CCNP/CCDP, Master CIW, RHCP, Citrix Admin, and all of the CompTIA list...

If you're willing to work at it...

Good Hunting!!


JTB
Senior Infrastructure Specialist
MCSE-NT4, MCP+I, MCP-W2K, CCNA, CCDA,
CTE, MCIWD, i-Net+, Network+
(MCSE-W2K in progress)

 

[ptomaine]

Thanks for the input. I will get started with this project. Hopefully, I can get a couple of certifications within a year, enough to get me employed in the field so I can work and learn at the same time.

 

[CharlieJax]

Dave,

My advice to you is:

Pick up a book on the A+ test, it is by far the easiest of all the technical exams. Study for that exam and then take it, see how it works out for you and determine if you should take the class from there.

The $6000 pricetag is very resonable for the number of certifications that are being offered, but again, you can only learn so much in 5 weeks and that class is covering 8-9 tests, that is a lot to learn in that time, hell, I took an A+ class that lasted a week...

The problem with asking "What path should I take to learn?" is that no one besides yourself really knows how you learn best. Perhaps you excel in a classroom, but can't figure out how to tie two wires together by youself... on the other hand it could be the exact oppisite, that you learn briliantly on your own and fall asleep in classes...

Without more details on how you learn no one can properly advise you on the best path for you.

The advantages of learning on your own is you can go at your own pace, you can focus on what you need to know, etc.

The advantages of a classroom is the teachers already know the exams and can offer you hints towards passing them, the instruction can be excelent (of course it can also be poor) and the information should all be talored towards passing the test.

The disadvantages to studying by youself is that you don't have the experence of already taking the exams (until you take a few) or the experence of seeing what works with most people and what doesn't.

The disadvantages of a class are they are focused on only the exams and don't usualy provide any extra information. They are streamlined to help the masses pass the exams, and so on, there maybe little if no personal assistance or interaction.

Personaly I agree with JTB, but I learn best when I do it myself and not when a teacher tells me how it should be done for the exam.

Good luck!

CJ

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

 

[GlenJohnson]

I use

http://www.transcenders.com

for my study guides. Get the manuals from MS Press, read the book, do the study guides, then get the transcenders cd for the course. Transcenders will have 3 random tests to take. Start the first test, stop it, print all awnsers. Read the whole thing trough, then take the test for real. Print only wrong awnsers. Read them till you understand the awnsers. Take the test again and keep repeating till you get 100%. Once you've got 100%, take test two the same way. Keep this up till you have 100% for all three tests and I promise you will pass the ms test for it. (Took a class for W2K pro and Server, one week each and a lot less than $6000 that was taught by a really great gent who was on one of the teams that wrote the W2K platform. He's the one that told me about Transcenders and the way to study. Passed 70-210 and 70-215, working on 70-216 now.) Good luck.

Glen A. Johnson
Johnson Computer Consulting

http://www.johnsoncomputers.us

"The best fire does not flare up the soonest."
George Eliot (1819-1880); Englist novelist.

Want to get great answers to your Tek-Tips questions? Have a look at FAQ219-2884

 

[spazmahoney]

do it yourself.

If you want to waste some money, you can make the check payable to spazmahoney, MCSE

 

[CharlieJax]

You know, a lot of people ask this question, and I belive I have the perfect answer... are you a do it youself kind of person or not?

(Of course, if you are not much of a do it yourself kind of person, IS is not the field for you.)

For example, I can build a $500 dresser for about $100, while a buddy of mine would rather spend the $500 and not spend the time working with the wood, sanding, finishing, etc.)

So, if you are a DIY, then go for the books, the hardware, etc and do it youself. If you need someone to teach you, then take the classes (if you feel the expense of $6000 will make you enough money or knowledge to make it worth it).

My recommendation is also to do it youself, but then again I have a lot of experence and it was not that difficult for me to score well on the tests with little studying.

However, I have also taken classes (when I can get my work to pay for them for things where my experience is minimal.

So, overall I must advise a mix of classes and self-learning, but it will come down to what works best for you.

No one single path is best for everyone.

CJ

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

 

[jtb]

Now if only I could knuckle down and get past 70-216...

JTB
Senior Infrastructure Specialist
MCSE-NT4, MCP+I, MCP-W2K, CCNA, CCDA,
CTE, MCIWD, i-Net+, Network+
(MCSE-W2K in progress)

 

[DFavel]

Well I have been on the road to the MCSA and MCSE desigations via self study, and its not working for me. I'm either too busy and fall behind,then Microsoft changes something and I have to start reading another book. But if your a good self starter, go for it!

It helps if you have been working as a Jr. Sys Admin or Network Admin, but if you are new to the administration of Windows then you should take the course. A+, N+ and S+ should be a breeze if you already know alot of stuff.

Unfortunatly the designations help you get a job, but the real world is not a Perfect Microsoft Environment. so what the book and study does it only get you ready for 60% to 70% of what might come your way.

I have the current designation of:
Almost A+, N+ S+ MCP, MCSA, MCSE, CNA and CCNA

 

[komara69]

why do you need certify if you already got BS and Master degree. I don't get it.

 

[Spirit]

HR don't care about degree's just the latest Citrix / MS / Cisco quals..... but thats a different discussion all together!

Forget transcenders etc. go for a Nuggets CBT course with a couple of test servers THEN use Books and THEN transcenders.

Practical - Practice - TEST...... Just the way I work cos I would hate to be considered a paper MCSE!

The CBT's are a great place to start.

Whatever you choose, all the best

Iain

 

[00Tech00]

I use

http://www.troytec.com

for all my certification guides. They are the closest I have seen, even better than transcender, to the actual test. I wouldn't recommend them as the only study guide you use, but they do a great deal in providing you the right tools to pass the certification test. Just my 2 cents. Good luck.

 

[jacdan]

I did both, the self-study and took the formal cert classes. For 2k, I built a great lab from gear off ebay, and I went through the books doing the execises on the servers at home. The cert classes helped me with the question and the formats. The combination helped me pass these test with good results. On a side note, I have learned a lot from working with the servers at home, IBM, Compaq, HP, all have little quirks and you can't learn those from a cert class. Also, I used the hands on guides from trainsignal.com when I built my labs, they didn't leave anything out when building the labs.

 

[smedvid]

Just a quick note...

I've been in the business for many years and have certs, and there is no substitute for instructor based training. Provided that the instructors are fully qualified and have some "real-world" experience. I have audited a class before for a 1/2 day and found the instructors were no up to par and looked elsewhere for training. While instructor led training is great since you can ask questions and learn from others asking questions, the downside is cost. If you decide to do the self-study approach, make sure you define a schedule for yourself and stick to it. good luck.


Steve Medvid
"IT Consultant & Web Master"

http://www.saveourfarm.com

Chester County, PA Residents
Please Show Your Support...

 

[jtb]

Hands on in a lab with an instructor is great; but it's usually over $400/day...

I do my own training lately and it's been rough having the discipline to stick at it...

Steve your advice is good.

JTB
Senior Infrastructure Specialist
MCSE-NT4, MCP+I, MCP-W2K, CCNA, CCDA,
CTE, MCIWD, i-Net+, Network+
(MCSE-W2K in progress)

 

[smedvid]

Well, also when you are paying for the training, you have a better appreciation since it is your money. I've paid for a Web Master Certificate on my own and my motivation was that is was my money and to help me get a better (higher paying) job. And, as a bonus, my wife is a MCSE/MCT, so I get some free training also.

Steve Medvid
"IT Consultant & Web Master"

http://www.saveourfarm.com

Chester County, PA Residents
Please Show Your Support...

 

[GlenJohnson]

You might want to check out

faq468-4224

I wrote this after taking a class that was taught by a gent who was on one of the teams that wrote W2K Pro and Server. This is what he told me what to do, and it's worked for me. Good luck.

Glen A. Johnson
"Fall seven times, stand up eight."
Proverb

Want to get great answers to your Tek-Tips questions? Have a look at FAQ219-2884

 

[sgtwilliams]

Although Instructer led training can be good it all depends on the aptitude of the instructor. I took a MCSE course for some 12K and although it helped me I learned more in my own lab and from reading books and TRYING stuff than anything else.

As an Admin using these skills I find my hands on experience of the most benefit. I find the multitude of books that I bought helpful and Google as the ultimate tool.

Dont pay for the class, buy the Sybex books and read and do all the labs in your home it isnt easy and it isnt quick but you will retain 80% more of what you learn.



Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have ever made a difference in the world, but the Marines don't have that problem.
--Ronald Reagan--

 

[jtb]

passed 216 on 12/30, 217 on 1/24... 219 scheduled for Valentines day (morning)... then I'll have completed the w2k program...

After that (by September?), 292/296 to upgrade to 2k3...

If I can do this at 45 (without having a really technical job), you younger types don't have any excuse!!

three tests from now (with God's help and lots of study) I'm going to have MCSE nt4/w2k/2k3, MCSA 2k3, MCP+I!!!!

BUT I MADE THIS CHOICE BASED ON A DETAILED PLAN FOR MY CAREER. I am not spending the money just to get letters after my name. I strongly urge each of you to research what certs (if any) will help you achieve your goals BEFORE you spend a dime on books, schools, or tests.

Remember Bill Gates and Michael Dell have no technical certs or degrees--so the MCSE is not a guarantee of wealth...

But it will help differentiate you from others if you want a Microsoft consulting or sysadmin job...

JTB
Senior Infrastructure Specialist
MCSE-NT4, MCP+I, MCP-W2K, CCNA, CCDA,
CTE, MCIWD, i-Net+, Network+
(MCSE-W2K in progress)