What am I worth?

[metaxlog]

Hello all, new member here!

I’ve been reading the board for a long time, but finally I have a couple of question to ask. Sorry about the length of the post. Thanks for taking the time and helping me on this one.

I’ve been working in IT (Small Business Network Management) for around 18 months. I took a couple of computer classes, mainly programming and web design, but didn’t get them finished because I had to move. So I have no certs or diplomas on any field of computing.

I have work experience in network management (18 months), single domain controler, 5 to 30 computers, for different companies because I currently work for a contractor that does network managing. I’ve seen a lot of different problems managing and deploying networks, so the book scenario vs the real world scenario is real clear to me. I’ve done network deployments without any supervision of about 5-10 users (Resource sharing, and applications like ACT and QuickBooks plus small custom apps, for multiple users, as well as printing + all the basics of a server enviromet). I know about setting up routers, sonicwall, linksys, cisco pix501 (the basics). I know cabling cat5e, cat6, etc. Also hardware of course.

My first question is: If I were to leave my job could I get another one in the central Florida market? With no certs, but a bit of experience. Having worked for different companies I’ve seen a lot happen in little time and can do a number of junior admin tasks. My job is been good for getting experience in the work field and all, but I’m moving to Florida because I have other business opportunities there as a part time real state agent, my RE license will expire this year and I want to give it a try before I let it go just like that. Plus, I don't make much at my current job.

I’m also preparing for the 70-290 test, but I would like to know what would happen to me in the worse case scenario of being without any certs and trying to find a job with my limited experience.

My second question is: I’m planning to keep working into the Microsoft track of certifications and hopefully get my MCSA some time this year, but it looks like A+ and Net+ are really important certs in the industry and I’m wondering if I should do those first after taking my 70-290 which was my main priority?

I know hardware enough, and my work experience should be sufficient to prove that I know it. A+ covers so much material that you never really use in the field and I wonder if in my case would be better to go for the Microsoft certs and skip the comptia certs. I would like to get my MCSA in messaging; I’ve already been exposed to MS Exchange and would like to learn more about that messaging system.



Thanks Again!

 

[mrdenny]

Metaxlog,
18 months isn't all that much work experience these days. Your best bet with the experience that you have posted would probably be a help desk or network operations positions.

Certs won't get you in the door, and at 99% of the places they won't keep you out of the door. What certs are good for is that little extra bump to get you over the people that don't have the certs.

As your best bet is probably going to be a help desk position you may want to look at the MCDST first for a Microsoft cert. The A+ and Net+ are also good certs to have for a help desk position as they are more hardware than any of the Microsoft certs are. After some time in a help desk position you can probably work your way into a junior admin position at the same company. You may even be able to get them to pay for your MCSA and/or MCSE.

Unfortunally the good money won't really start to come until you've got several years of mid to senior level experience under your belt. Personally I've been at this for about 8 years now, and the good money didn't really show up until about 2 years ago now.

I can't speak for the Florida job market as I'm in California, but check out monster.com, dice.com, hotjobs.com, 4jobs.com (see link above on the right), etc. They will give you a pretty good idea of the job market. You may want to start submitting your resume now before you move and see what sort of response you get. You may even be able to get yourself a job before you move there.

I hope this was helpful and not discouraging (it was meant to be helpful).

Denny
MCSA (2003) / MCDBA (SQL 2000) / MCTS (SQL 2005) / MCITP Database Administrator (SQL 2005)

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

http://www.mrdenny.com

 

[metaxlog]

Hi mrdenny, thanks for the quick reply. That was not discoraging at all, is not like I want a great job once I make the move, just something to get more experience and a couple certs.

I was just wondering if I could get a job at all on the field. I know that's really hard to know untill I really get out there and submit my resume, but I just don't want to leave my current job to find myself out of work and having to go do a bk type of gig. I've search the florida job market and there seems to be openings for entry level helpdesk tech. Once I start sending my resume I guess we'll see if I have any change.

Let see what other posters have to say on this, specially in the certification track I should be focusing on. What's easier comptia or microsoft certs?

 

[Loradan]

Personally, I found the comptia certs to be very simple. They were just basic networking/hardware questions. They weren't very vendor specific. Another good thing about getting the comptia first is that when you get your A+ & Network+ it will apply towards your MCSA. Also, it will give you a wider choice of employers considering you're not tied down to Microsoft.

 

[tfg13]

Asking which certifications are easier is like asking "what do you like on hotdogs?". There is no easy button to push for any test. With any test, you must study. Ask the people in these forums suggestions, like you have, of good study material. Once again though, you must understand, study, study, study.

To Loradan, how long have you been in IT? That will determine whether these questions are easy or not. As far as the questions being basic? When did you take the tests? The newer tests are actually a little more intuative that previous versions of the tests. From the way you made it sound, you didn't even study, and just went in and took the tests. If you passed without studying, then all the more power to you.

 

[metaxlog]

tfg13, of course I'm going to do my dudes and get down and read the books, but you always want to knock out the simplest certs first if posible; that's why I asked. But after reading many posts and posting in other forums it looks like A+ is a must have cert and I'm going to go that route. Clearly after I pass my 70-290 though; I'm almost ready for that.

 

[Loradan]

I took my comp-tia tests in 1999. At that point I had been working with Novell/Microsoft and Unix servers/networks for the better part of 10 years.

I agree with you 100%...your work experience will truly determine how much you have to study and what subjects to concentrate on.

 

[schase]

I personally found A+ to be no trivial matter. When I took it I had about 30 odd months experience, but all of my experience was hands on - self taught, screaming for help in forums, researching that one specific issue, etc.

The ways I learned how to do something at times differed greatly from what the book says to do - because all I knew was my network.

I went, Net+, A+ Core, A+ OS, security+, 70-270, 70-290 and now onto 70-291.

Good luck!




"Ever stop to think, and forget to start again?"

Stuart
A+, Net+, Security+, MCP