IT Qualifications

Papillon · 24 Mar 2006 at 11:34

Hi. I wondered if anyone can give me some advice on IT qualifications? I'm currently working for myself from home, and I find myself with a lot of free time. I'm also aware that my own business might not take off to the level that I need it to, so I'm thinking of backup plans.

As I am at home and have a computer, an IT qualification would be ideal but I don't really know where to start. Should I try to learn a programming language? Or perhaps one of the Microsoft courses? Can these be done at home?

All advice much appreciated.

Red and White · 24 Mar 2006 at 11:38

well you can do an mcse yourself but its a lot of work.

Check the Microsoft site for what exams are needed at
http://www.Microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcse/windows2003/

Find the answers to the questions at http://www.testking.com or some other
similar place.

you can book the tests at

http://www.vue.com/ or
http://www.prometric.com/Default.htm

Hope that helps

Balders · 24 Mar 2006 at 11:43

Depends what level you currently are and where you want to get to.

It might be that you're quite computer literate already (well, you are on these forums!) so you could dive into MCSE/MCSA, but then again, it might be that the A+ courses could be the way to go, to get a taster for it. A+ is pretty cheap, although not exactly a shining qualification, MCSE is a long hard and expensive course, so you pays yer money....etc

Have to say I have no formal IT qualifications (although have done a couple of the MCSE core modules in the past) but have been doing IT for the last 15 years or so now, and just got a new job with a large bank on the strength of experience over quallies.

uk_viper · 24 Mar 2006 at 12:09

if your heading into the IT industry it may be a consideration for a linux qualification,

Papillon · 24 Mar 2006 at 13:34

I've been looking into things further, and there don't seem to be many formally recognised qualifications in IT. For example, if I got a book and taught myself a certain language I wouldn't have a piece of paper at the end of it that might help me to get a job. Have I missed something?

VeNT · 24 Mar 2006 at 13:37

CCNA maybe? much nicer qualification and is cheaper than a MCSE
have a look at "LetsProfIT" they do funding for IT based qualifications

Amleto · 24 Mar 2006 at 14:00

VeNT said:
have a look at "LetsProfIT" they do funding for IT based qualifications

I could only find foreign language sites :/

ben_j_davis · 24 Mar 2006 at 14:04

Well maybe you could start simple, an NVQ or a GNVQ?

Beerbaron · 24 Mar 2006 at 14:11

im currently studying CCNA with skills train. the majority of jobs invlove some form of networking.

ben_j_davis · 24 Mar 2006 at 14:13

Yeah networking is a good one to go for. A lot of business's looking for people with those kind of qualifications.

MNuTz · 24 Mar 2006 at 14:14

Balders said:
Have to say I have no formal IT qualifications (although have done a couple of the MCSE core modules in the past) but have been doing IT for the last 15 years or so now, and just got a new job with a large bank on the strength of experience over quallies.

I have no IT based qualifications but 4 A-levels and a good knowledge of IT with good problem solving skills. But at 24 it seems no one is really interested enough to allow me to gain the experience

Its hard to get in without qualifications!

ramirez · 24 Mar 2006 at 14:20

So try and find some low level call centre job and work your way up.

ben_j_davis · 24 Mar 2006 at 14:21

If you have A-levels you should be able to take at least a HND (HNC is you dont want to do it full time) or maybe even a degree if your feeling brave.

I know a lot of working adults who have done a HNC.

Beerbaron · 24 Mar 2006 at 14:33

MNuTz said:
I have no IT based qualifications but 4 A-levels and a good knowledge of IT with good problem solving skills. But at 24 it seems no one is really interested enough to allow me to gain the experience

Its hard to get in without qualifications!

i have the same problem. i have a degree in business computing and a fairly good knowledge of computing but no one gives you the opportunity to show what you can do. its the reason why i decided to study a ccna as you can finish them as quick as you can learn the material and pass the exam. from what ive heard the ccna is the more difficult to study than the microsoft qualifications...saying that i got 94% on my first assignment today

Papillon · 24 Mar 2006 at 16:06

Thanks for all the advice everyone :-)

Sone · 24 Mar 2006 at 16:21

i would do a CCNA and MCSE.

MCSE should be about £200 for books (MS Press and 1 other), but exams will be around £800!!!!, you will need a pc with some space to install server 2k3 on, and for the network modules 2 pcs is benificial. (don't need to be anything fancy, high end p2's are fine)

CCNA is only 2 books and 1 exam so i would expect it to be a lot cheaper, you will need some routers and maybe a switch though. Kit will be £100-200 depending on what you choose.

MCSE and CCNA with no experiance will not get you a good job, i would be suprised if you could get 20K with those qualifications alone, expect to start somewhere between 12-16k.

Please note. those values are based on stoke-on-trent, one of the lowest paid parts of the country.

In my experiance degrees/hnd's/Hnc's etc are not that highly regarded in IT and technical qualifications are more valuable but experiance is worth more than anything.