Want to make the leap into certification. 1

[Mootsmcboots]

I am looking to make the leap into certification, I am told I have to start with my A+, and then go onto further certs.

I would like to eventually get my MCSA and MCSE. And I was just wondering is a few years work experience and your A+, enough to move onto the MCSA/E or is there other certs I should get, or need to get something like my server+, or network+

Any advice, help, answers you might have are much appreciated. I am a little new to the whole certification situation so please excuse any ignorance of mine.

 

[LadySlinger]

I would gain the Network+ certificate.

That's what was encouraged after taking the networking class...get the Network+ then go and start working on your MCSA then MCSE.

 

[jrbarnett]

Speaking as somebody who holds a degree in an IT subject, an MCSE and an MCDBA, I'll give you a bit of advice I've found out over the years.
Doing them has helped me improve my worth to my employer, and shortly before completing my MCSE earlier this year I got a new job with a large payrise over my previous one, so they can be financially worth it.

1. There is no point doing the certifications just for the sake of it. Either use them to get yourself a better job or a pay increase with your current employer (or get it agreed before starting).

2. If you don't already have a degree of some sort, whether in an IT related area or not, do that ahead of any certification. Why? They go into far more depth than any certification requires in the general whys and hows things work. After graduating, if you still have a desire to do some certifications then fine. A degree will have a far longer lifespan than any certification.

3. If you choose to do the A+ and Network+ certificates, then they can be used as the elective for your MCSA. However, they are not accepted as an elective for the MCSE.
If you want a non Microsoft certification that is accepted as an elective for an MCSE then look at the Security+ from CompTIA.

4. If you choose to do the training via a bootcamp style course, that's fine. Just make sure that you have the required level of expertise before starting, if necessary allowing yourself time to do the studying. Don't be surprised if this takes a lot of time (it took me 2 1/2 years to go from nothing to MCSE and MCDBA, studying out of work hours).

5. Don't be tempted to use braindump material as a shortcut to passing exams. The quality is very poor and in the long term, you won't do yourself favours in expanding your own knowledge and understanding of the products or technologies in use.

Forum468 relates to Microsoft certifications and I'm sure the members of that forum will be happy to help you with technical details relating to your chosen options.

There is no need for you to pass other exams between A+ and starting on the MCSE, you do those that interest you in the areas that you want to study.

I hope that this gives you some food for thought. Good luck.

John

 

[NickFerrar]

Great advice above, I would agree with all the points.

Personally my route to certification was just taking a couple of MCPs and then building on that over time. The impetus for certification came from my employer requiring people to get certified, fortunately they are very generous regarding paying for training/exams and time off.

I'm not too great at self-motivation to study so after doing several MCPs via a normal Microsoft course + self study then taking the exams I was still not really any closer to getting an MCSE (I did MCPs in NT4 and Windows 2000). So eventually I requested to go on a 14 day bootcamp and passed my MCSE 2003.

I can't recommend a decent bootcamp highly enough if you have the experience and also do a couple of MCPs first to give you an idea of what to expect (even with my experience I was still doing 15-20 hour days on the bootcamp).

I'm not sure I'd bother with an A+ cert unless your company want you to pass it before they'll pay for MCSE training or something. It really doesn't help prepare IMO as the exams are very different both in format and what knowledge they test. I did the Security+ exam and it was basically just a test of your short term memory (learning network ports, encrption algorithms etc.).

One other key thing to help with passing an MCSA or MCSE is a test lab, even just a couple of old PCs configured as servers. This can be invaluable in actually trying out stuff you might be reading in a book, some stuff that doesn't make sense or stick in your mind becomes second nature once you've actually done it a few times.