What is the most WORTHWHILE Pc qualification?

Pulsedriver

Pulsedriver

Pulsedriver

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As title says really;

If you could work part time and study for a PC qualification, which would it be? Which is more likely to land you a job in IT, even at a basic tech support level?

CCNA? MCSA? etc...?
 
A degree is computer science would probably be your best bet. :p There are many entry level jobs in the IT sector that look for this type of qualification without the need for any commercial experience.

Not so sure on the CCNA/MCSE/MCSA etc. as the majority of jobs i've seen that need these qualifications also ask for 2-4 years experience.
 
Inferno99 said:
A degree is computer science would probably be your best bet. :p There are many entry level jobs in the IT sector that look for this type of qualification without the need for any commercial experience.

Not so sure on the CCNA/MCSE/MCSA etc. as the majority of jobs i've seen that need these qualifications also ask for 2-4 years experience.
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The problem with degrees is that, for entry level positions your over qualified, and for the majority of the better paid jobs, you lack experience. (this is why placement degrees are, IMO the only way to consider a degree)

It obviously depends massively on what area you want to go into, but id consider CCNA to show you have a good basic understanding of networks, or a MSCE to show a good basic understanding of MS related stuffs... but if you want to work with unix servers... neither are appropriate !
 
is the current microsoft certification worth doing now that vista has been launched? surely now that its launched microsoft will changes its certifications to cover vista subjects, which would be better then getting a certification now that only covers old server 2000/2003 and windows xp stuff but nothing on new vista content.
 
personally, i think it depends on where your applying as some places value certain certs more than others.
my boss is really into his microsoft certifications so i am currently going down the mcsa route.
of course, this also depends on your level of skill as well.

although many people don't rate it, i reckon the A+ is a good cert to get to show you've got a solid understanding of basic/general IT support and that can be nicely followed up with more specific knowledge (ie. mcsa-mcse).
ccna is the obvious choice if your wanting to get into networks, but i wouldn't start with it unless your serious about the area.

the company i work for generally take people down the route of A+/N+, then mcsa, then either ccna or on to mcse depending on what area your focusing on. i got my job (1st line support and some second line work) with an A+ and no experience, but i now know the company looks for microsoft certs primarily.

so, in conclusion, mcsa is probably the best option imo.
 
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you need experience and qualifications to get the good jobs and until then you're gonna have to work your way up. most common are the m$ and cisco

MW
 
A course on how to interview well. A REALLY good course. Something many people lack in this industry is the ability to interview and present themselves in a postive manner. So much so my university specificly teaches people technique on this.
 
Well I got offered a 2nd line support job with no experience or qualifications just because I scored high on their IT test. Though they told me I couldn't be taken on in the end as I was going back to uni in September.
 
I cannot get an interview for that style of job, if I could, I am confident I could get the job.

I just mean something that will allow me to even have a 'chat' with them about the job, instead of being told, no experience or qualifications.
 
Thought about a different career? Plumber, electrician, builder?

I am being serious.

@furnace - What was your BTEC in? Mine was rather good, especially if you wanted to be a programmer. Saying that, it was also 16 years ago I did it :p
 
furnace said:
DONT get a Btech National Diploma... a waste of 2 years, and learnt nothing I didn't already know :(
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Well if it did, you need help as it isn't really difficult :) As with completing a Uni or HND course, it shows commitment and understanding of a subject which helps.
That's all I had to get my foot in the door. Since then I've only done the A+ but have almost 3 years experience.
 
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