Personal Development for Smart People^TM Forums

straysweeper · 10-30-2008, 04:09 AM

I'm interested in the most effective and efficient way to begin learning and obtaining valued computer certifications. I've heard some are better than others.

I've come across MCSE, SCJP, CompTIA, A+, CIW, OCP, IT Certification Practice Test -uCertify.

catalyst · 10-30-2008, 05:02 AM

To be honest, I don't think they are very useful at all save for a few niches. What's your purpose to certify? Most employers don't care for certs unless you have experience to back it up. Sort of like the chicken and egg conundrum.

It also depends on what area you want to work in.. For programming Java, then SCJP might be ok. I did this on my own with self study when I was in University for fun, not for career.

I'd avoid general certification from big vendors, unless you're really intent on working in IT support.

I've seen certs help in specializations - and the harder it is to attain, the more value there is to it. (eg. SAP, Oracle, Cisco, etc).

Dan.Linehan · 10-30-2008, 06:40 AM

I personally, would certify with Brainbench in programming.

Advanced networking still requires some programming.

straysweeper · 10-30-2008, 11:07 PM

My goal is to become better employed at something I can lose myself in so to speak. Something that I love, a passion. Also, the more I learn about computers, the more I'll be able to see where I add value, and perhaps start my own business, to help fund my way through school.

I want a degree. I want my own business. I want to add value. Simultaneously

Lil Chris · 10-31-2008, 01:28 AM

I have the CIW-MSD certification (certified internet webmaster-master site designer), Personally, for the money I spent, a certification may not be worth it... It is kind of nice to have something I guess, more for personal reasons rather than to impress an employer. Don't get me wrong, I love designing. I could have spent the 10 grand on programs and equiptment and other stuff, it would have been more productive. If you want your own business, spend wisely.

JoetheWebmaster · 11-03-2008, 07:49 PM

If you want hands on tech work and are just getting your feet wet then start with the A+, Get that and you can get an entry level tech job that pays way better than your average unskilled profession. After you get your A+ move on to your N+ and a MCP (any one MS cert) From there you can pursue what interests you. The MCSE is a series of MS tests.
If you want to be a programmer sit behind a desk ALL day then just learn .NET C# (If your just starting) and let your work speak for itself.
If you want your own business forget certifications, unless you need them to advertise (eg. work done by A+ certified technicians).
Spoken from an A+, N+, iNet+, Server+ and 3 MCP certified person that now programs and designs web systems for my own business full time.

striving4peace · 11-03-2008, 08:31 PM

I'm 2 months away from my CCIE lab date.
I've already got bucketloads of other cisco and vendor neutral certs.
They are useful for the beginning of a career, but not enough to sustain it after your 30's

10-30-2008, 04:09 AM	#1 (permalink)
straysweeper Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 459	IT Certifications I'm interested in the most effective and efficient way to begin learning and obtaining valued computer certifications. I've heard some are better than others. I've come across MCSE, SCJP, CompTIA, A+, CIW, OCP, IT Certification Practice Test -uCertify.

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10-30-2008, 05:02 AM	#2 (permalink)
catalyst Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 170	To be honest, I don't think they are very useful at all save for a few niches. What's your purpose to certify? Most employers don't care for certs unless you have experience to back it up. Sort of like the chicken and egg conundrum. It also depends on what area you want to work in.. For programming Java, then SCJP might be ok. I did this on my own with self study when I was in University for fun, not for career. I'd avoid general certification from big vendors, unless you're really intent on working in IT support. I've seen certs help in specializations - and the harder it is to attain, the more value there is to it. (eg. SAP, Oracle, Cisco, etc).

10-30-2008, 06:40 AM	#3 (permalink)
Dan.Linehan Family Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Rafael, CA Posts: 4,896	I personally, would certify with Brainbench in programming. Advanced networking still requires some programming.

10-30-2008, 11:07 PM	#4 (permalink)
straysweeper Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 459	My goal is to become better employed at something I can lose myself in so to speak. Something that I love, a passion. Also, the more I learn about computers, the more I'll be able to see where I add value, and perhaps start my own business, to help fund my way through school. I want a degree. I want my own business. I want to add value. Simultaneously

10-31-2008, 01:28 AM	#5 (permalink)
Lil Chris Family Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Somewhere in time... Posts: 2,213	I have the CIW-MSD certification (certified internet webmaster-master site designer), Personally, for the money I spent, a certification may not be worth it... It is kind of nice to have something I guess, more for personal reasons rather than to impress an employer. Don't get me wrong, I love designing. I could have spent the 10 grand on programs and equiptment and other stuff, it would have been more productive. If you want your own business, spend wisely.

11-03-2008, 07:49 PM	#6 (permalink)
JoetheWebmaster Banned Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Where the wind takes me Posts: 6	If you want hands on tech work and are just getting your feet wet then start with the A+, Get that and you can get an entry level tech job that pays way better than your average unskilled profession. After you get your A+ move on to your N+ and a MCP (any one MS cert) From there you can pursue what interests you. The MCSE is a series of MS tests. If you want to be a programmer sit behind a desk ALL day then just learn .NET C# (If your just starting) and let your work speak for itself. If you want your own business forget certifications, unless you need them to advertise (eg. work done by A+ certified technicians). Spoken from an A+, N+, iNet+, Server+ and 3 MCP certified person that now programs and designs web systems for my own business full time.

11-03-2008, 08:31 PM	#7 (permalink)
striving4peace Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 204	I'm 2 months away from my CCIE lab date. I've already got bucketloads of other cisco and vendor neutral certs. They are useful for the beginning of a career, but not enough to sustain it after your 30's

Personal Development for Smart PeopleTM Forums

Personal Development for Smart People^TM Forums