right guys

 

have spken to a few m8s that do networking and programming for a living

 

im looking to going into IT for a living, pretty much skilled with most things when it comes to PC's, setting up networds, hardware, software

 

looking into doing a MCSE

 

i know its like 12 modules or sumthing silly like that lol but i think this will help me get a decent job

 

most of my m8s agree that this is a good starting point

 

what u lot think?

 

thanks

LOL!! dont bother IMHO!!

 

spent a fortune, got MCSE qualified & theres just too many people that have done the same. not enough jobs & most employers that want someone with MCSE qualifications expect a few years hands on experience too.

 

jobs around my way in IT have poor wages nowdays anyway & wasnt even worth me thinking of taking the positions i was offered in the end :(

 

just my 2p worth

Try the A+ or Network+ first mate.

 

I'm studying for my 2003 MCSE to upgrade my NT4 one. taking my first exam next week.

 

the MCSE is a very good course but its difficult unless you have had hands on experiance.

 

Have a read on the Microsoft website

 

J

I agree that the MCSE is undervalued because there are so many people with it. MS have made it so that anyone can do it so employers do not value it. I am inclined to agree with this as I have employed and interviewed many over the years.

 

I started doing the MCSE myself when it was NT4 and I did the 4 hard ones then they changed it...

 

It is true that emloyers want real world experience in a similar environment to the one you would be working in. I also agree with this as I personally would hire someone with real world experience over someone having the qualification and little experience. It is all to do with trust and being to hit the ground running as employers have little time to train etc. I alwys give the few that get past my CV scrutinising a fairly tough technical test to see how they get on at the interview. I also want them to explain to me how they tackled the issue so I can see their thought process and diagnosis technique.

 

If you are looking to get into IT and not expecting a high salary at the beginning, then I would look into 1st Line helpdesk roles. If you are good and you can show that, you can quickly move to 2nd line support in a good company and from then on they can provide training while you also do the MCSE etc in your own time. Companies will pay the exams if you can show willing and aptitude etc.

 

I am now doing Consultancy but I have been in IT Managment for 10 years. Others may disagree with my comments above but others see it differently.

 

Don't expect high wages at first but you have to give it time and expect to have to work at it and keep up with the latest technology. I have copies of most of it from the Technet Plus program so can help if needed.

 

HTH

agree with all the above!! its common sense really. theres too many companies out there trying to push high level qualifications as training plans.

 

i wouldnt take on a diagnostic tech at my garage that has no hands on experience either!!

 

dont get sucked in by the hype!

I completed by MCSE, CNE 1 & 2, CCNA, CCNP, ITIL (Foundation & Managers) & PRINCE2 ! I have never had a problem in finding work. I am a freelance IT Contractor in IT Service Managemnt and my exams but more so hands on experience gets me through the door.

 

However, I do agree with the others that MCSE on its own will not be very fruitful as the market is saturated. I would advise you to start with MCDST (Microsoft Certified Desktop Technician). This will give you a valuable understanding of hardware and you can start looking for 1st line and 2nd line helpdesk roles.

 

Best of luck !

I have found so many MCSE's that did it through a boot camp or simply reading the book. That is no good to me as he simply would not know how to do the tasks in real life. I would then lose a person while he shows the new boy how to do stuff...

 

Experience is better than the qualification. As I say, get a 1st Line job and work through to the level you want to get to...Turnover is usually high in 1st Line jobs but if you are good, they will move you on. They do not want a 1st Line tech that is too good technically on the 1st Line desk but they do not want to lose you because you know the company etc so you get moved up the line.

right guys

 

have spken to a few m8s that do networking and programming for a living

 

im looking to going into IT for a living, pretty much skilled with most things when it comes to PC's, setting up networds, hardware, software

 

looking into doing a MCSE

 

i know its like 12 modules or sumthing silly like that lol but i think this will help me get a decent job

 

most of my m8s agree that this is a good starting point

 

what u lot think?

 

thanks

 

If you've got any kind of degree then I'd recommend a post-grad diploma or MSc in Computer Science or IT. Doesn't matter too much what your degree is in (there were people with art, english, business, and all kinds of miscellaneous stuff on the course I did). Loads of universities around the country run these kind of courses and they're often quite well-regarded by employers. You can probably even find courses that are part-time if you need to.

 

It's also worth looking at whether funding is available for a given course: I managed to get funding for mine (wouldn't have been able to afford it otherwise).

 

Finally you need to consider exactly what you want to do it IT: software development, systems administration, network engineering etc. I'd say things like MCSE, Sun certification etc are pretty useful, but only if you've got some sort of diploma or degree to go with them, and also only if you've got some kind of hard industrial experience to back it up with. They're also pretty pricey if you need to be self-funding, although learning from the books rather than going on training courses is a lot cheaper, and something I'd recommend.

 

If you've got to shell out for something I'd recommend a course in further/higher education as these tend to teach you concepts rather than specific technologies, which in the long run is much better because technologies always become obsolete. It also means that you'll have a much better understanding of computer systems in general than just taking an MCSE.

If you are going to go for the qualification, you need to get the one that employers are looking for...it will be very hard to get a role with an MCSE and no experience....best getting some experience in a basic role while you work on the MCSE...just my two pennys worth...