thinkin of investing in my myself.

[Deano]

i currently work as a 1st line support analyst for an it company.

im starting to think about doing some module at least for my mcp as I think it will greatly enhance my careeer prospect for the future.

now i havent really looked around yet but doe anyone know what I should be expecting to be pay for training/books/exams etc.

I also work shifts so i would need to fit studying around my akward hours.

thanks

[kawakid]

It depends on the firm, my firm wants experience not MCSCEs.

However I don know a mate did the MCSCEs and he basicaly downloaded all the courses off the net and sat loads of fake tests.

He then booked himself for the exams, I think each examine cost him something like £100 and he sat quite a few of them.

Its true some firms ask for it, but by no means does it make you an expert, real world experience is the key.

My mate who earns the most in IT, didn't even go to UNI, he left school at 18 at worked his way up.

I did the uni route, but thats not a good way either unless it combines with a year out and real experience.

Thus if I were you I would be downloading courses etc off the net and practicing.
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I've a twin and a 4.

[Liam_]

do an Advanced ECDL, companies will be climbing all over each other to hire you
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I got a dig bick. You this read wrong. You read that wrong too.
Yamaha R1 2016

[Deano]

i know mate but an mcp does count for something and alot of companies dont even look at your CV without having the qualifaction/certificates.
I know I use to work in recruitment.
i just feel that an MCP will take me alot further or at least give me more options/careers prospects than with what I currently have at the moment my experience is also not the best either so it would benefit me aswell and their isnt the option of where I work to develop my proper IT knowledge further as i mainly support my companys system rather than microsoft. I only really touch it when our system conflicts with it etc.

have you got the link for where your friend download the criteria for his mcse please? I would definately appreciate them.

thanks
I also check what that ECDl is about.

[Davo]

Hi, I currently hold a fair number of certifications (MCP, MCSE, A+, N+, CCNA, CCNP) to be honest I've found them to be worth little more than pieces of paper in the past.

However now that I've gained a good five and a bit years experience in a relevent field I'm finding that they are becoming more useful in getting me noticed by potential employers (to the point where I'm being headhunted).

Salary wise they've done nothing to improve my prospects that I couldn't do without a reputation/experience.

Please don't listen to companies advertising on TV etc.. (such as Computeach) promising vast salaries to people with little/no experience in the IT industry as it's taken me five years and a bit years to get a decent position.

A while back an MCP did used to count for a lot, however in the last few years theres been a vast influx of people taking these exams and passing with very little "practical" knowledge (known as paper MCSE's), getting a job in the industry and making a complete cockup. Hence now I've found employers to be looking less and less at MS certifications (specifically the MCSE) with the prestige they once held and some looking at it as a basic entry level certification. It also looks that CCNA's are starting to go down the same route.

I hope this makes sense, if you are fairly fluent with windows , you shouldn't need any training, go ahead and book the client exam (which will earn you your MCP).

Hope this makes sense (I've been at the strong coffee again )

Regards

Davo

[tribal_tiger]

MCP's are bloody everywhere, I'd go for something a bit more unique.

I went the Oracle DBA route which has done me well. The other popular one which companies cream over is a CCNP, but it's all down to what sort of work you want to do

Saying this companies want experiance over bits of paper.

They will never do you any harm, but to be honest they don't do much good either
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How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could Chuck Norris?

All of it.

[Liam_]

[Deano]

[colin1]

wow i know something !

ECDL is something like european computer driving license, and is the basic stuff like being able to use headings in word. The kind of stuff you do for office work temping agencies to prove you know how to operate a keyboard and mouse.
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colin1 is officially faster than god