[JakeM]

Hey guys, I'm trying to find a better position in I.T. With the baby coming it would be nice to have a more 9-5 type schedule and the extra money would be nice! As of this year I have 5 years experience in I.T. from Helpdesk to limited network admin roles. With most of my experience being host software support. As ChrisJ suggested in a different thread, I.T. puts a lot of weight on certifications. I have very few. Just the minor things I've needed for my current position. Which include A+ and Microsoft Windows Technician as well as a bunch of proprietary crap that won't cross over should I leave the company or go to work in a different position within the current company.

So, here is my dilemma. I need advice on which route I should take as far as certifications go. I would like to get a Junior System Admin or System Admin position. The problem here is, "System Admin" as a title can mean a very broad range in actual job function from company to company. It is almost always different.

What I have been trying to decide? Well, really the only thing I have been looking at is the Windows 7 and Windows 7 server cert's. Specifically "MCITP", which is Microsoft Certified I.T. Professional. The only reason I haven't started these is because there is no clear texts to study from. All the reviews for most of the books I've seen on Amazon are very dodgy. Stating a lot of the stuff on the tests aren't in the books. Even the expensive sets that cost over $100. I don't want to pay over $100 for books and then around $100 for each test just to find out the material I've been studying isn't the material on the tests. If I manage to pass the tests I can get the money refunded to me by my current employer via our "Tuition reimbursement" program which goes up to $2500/yr. But this is only paid AFTER you have taken the exam and you have to have the exams pre-approved by HR for each exam. Also, I don't think I can get reimburse for the books. Only the exams.

So, anyone have some advice for me out there?

[JakeM]

P.S. - I got my Cisco CCENT cert, but let it lapse because I'm fairly certain I'd rather not be a network admin. Also, the CCNA and CCNP tests are a bitch and I would rather avoid them if at all possible. I have tried studying for the CCNA and then taking the practice tests and they are no joke.

[sikedsyko]

My brother had years of IT experience, but no certifications and was working Geek Squad level jobs. Then he took this $2000, 1 week course for his MCITP, and within 3 months had a job as a system admin at a regional financial services company, making some pretty good money.

[1FastFox]

I would say just to put together a good resume and send it out. If you get called in for an interview, great... Just go in for the interview and feel out the position and wages. If its not better than you have now, just walk away.

[JakeM]

Originally Posted by 1FastFox I would say just to put together a good resume and send it out. If you get called in for an interview, great... Just go in for the interview and feel out the position and wages. If its not better than you have now, just walk away.

I've been doing this for the past 8 months... I did my Resume and had it checked by a 'service'. I use cover letter's and everything. I do each cover letter specifically for each position I'm applying for unless it is identical to another I have already applied for. I shave and get a hair cut before interviews, of which I have only had a handful, and I wear nice slacks, button up shirt and a tie.

[1FastFox]

Originally Posted by JakeM I've been doing this for the past 8 months... I did my Resume and had it checked by a 'service'. I use cover letter's and everything. I do each cover letter specifically for each position I'm applying for unless it is identical to another I have already applied for. I shave and get a hair cut before interviews, of which I have only had a handful, and I wear nice slacks, button up shirt and a tie.

I would say to just keep on keeping on then... Honestly, if I were in your shoes this is how I would go about it.

I take it you already checked with your current employer about possible openings that might fit what you are looking for?

[JakeM]

Originally Posted by 1FastFox I would say to just keep on keeping on then... Honestly, if I were in your shoes this is how I would go about it. I take it you already checked with your current employer about possible openings that might fit what you are looking for?

Yeah. We get emails every week from HR with new opening and what not. I've worked here for five years and the management here hasn't improved. Which is what I was hoping for. The people they seem to hire for management have NO idea what is going on and it is really hard to get anything done when we have to go to them. So I'd rather get away from this company if at all possible.

[Fox2102]

Something else to look into is getting certified in virtual network engineering. I forget the name of the actual cert. Something like certified virtual network professional or something like that. It's more advanced but the last network engineer I talked to said it was pretty much an automatic 80k a year anywhere you went.

I'm personally moving out of the I.T. field. alabama is a rat ship sinking and there are people with masters degrees applying for lvl 1 helpdesk positions.

[Ace417]

Get VMware certified. That will open up big doors for you.

[Lefty]

Virtualization is the big thing now...

But I'm not going to lie...get your CCNA. It WILL open doors.

Certs are huge in this field.

[XectriK]

MCSE-Sec is a great one to have as well.

[MT0911]

Originally Posted by Lefty Virtualization is the big thing now... But I'm not going to lie...get your CCNA. It WILL open doors. Certs are huge in this field.

^ I agree with this all day long. With CCNA and your 5 years of experience, you can land a pretty nice job. I know you said you want to avoid it; it may seem overwhelming at first (skimming through everything) but after you get into it - it's really not bad. CISCO is huge in the IT field and extremely respected. You will get a decent amount of options if you go that route.

With that being said, what is your preferred area of expertise? Knowing that will greatly influence that path you take with certifications. I know you said software and if so, Microsoft is your friend.

The nice thing about IT - it is similar to the medical field; plenty of specialized areas to work in.

(Congrats on the baby man When is it due?)

[Lefty]

Buy the CiscoPress CCENT/CCNA ICND1/2 Training collection. I bought it and I love it. It has interactive modules/labs, 2 books, and videos in it. I think I got it at Amazon.

[dgt_mustang]

If your trying to get away from IT all together the only other place worth going is Medical, pharmacy tech, or x-ray tech. something along those lines. Certs are huge in IT. I will be looking at some Certs at my local college soon. I work 39.75 hours a week because they dont have room for full time but are willing to let me work that all day long. If i can just get some certs then hopefully that will prove a better reason to hire me full time so i can get these bonuses and paid vacation and sick days.

[Lefty]

Here's a picture of the "Collection" I bought. Wasn't cheap, but worth every penny

[dgt_mustang]

Price doesnt seem that bad. does this get your ready to take the CCNA?

Amazon.com: CCNA 640-802 Exam Certification Library, Simulator Edition (9781587203541): Wendell Odom: Books

Amazon.com: CCNA 640-802 Exam Certification Library, Simulator Edition (9781587203541): Wendell Odom: Books

[dgt_mustang]

This one is cheaper and includes the same if not more.

Amazon.com: CCNA Official Exam Certification Library (Exam 640-802), Third Edition (Containing ICND1 and ICND2 Second Edition Exam Certification Guides) (9781587201837): Wendell Odom: Books

Amazon.com: CCNA Official Exam Certification Library (Exam 640-802), Third Edition (Containing ICND1 and ICND2 Second Edition Exam Certification Guides) (9781587201837): Wendell Odom: Books

[Lefty]

Originally Posted by dgt_mustang Price doesnt seem that bad. does this get your ready to take the CCNA? Amazon.com: CCNA 640-802 Exam Certification Library, Simulator Edition (9781587203541): Wendell Odom: Books

Yup, that's it. Gives you everything you need to know. The 640-802 is the current CCNA exam if you don't take each ICND exams.


The 2nd one you posted doesn't have the simulator or anything. Just books.

[dgt_mustang]

I will save this for future reference then.

[MT0911]

Ok, I will HIGHLY, HIGHLY... yes.... HIGHLY recommend taking a look at CBT Nuggets:

CBT IT Training Videos Online, Certification and Education | CBT Nuggets

I have multiple CompTIA certifications, and numerous CISCO certs. I used CBT Nuggets on each one. I will have to say I was blown away with how awesome the training videos are on CISCO from them. The instructor Jeremy Cioara is great. Very easy to listen to and understand. He really simplified CCNA when I took it years ago. Please - try it out, if getting certs is your goal then this is a huge supplement towards learning.

Do I sound like a salesman? lol I think I just like them a lot since they helped me bigtime lol.