Certifications Help

**GroundZero3** · March 9th, 2009, 10:14 AM

You said you have 17 years in the telcom section, but you never touched any kind of data network services?

nemowolf · March 9th, 2009, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidpat

I have a technical backgroud. I've been in telecom for 17 years and there are some crossover areas. I've also worked some VoIP. I've taken 1 class in CCNA and 1 in MCSE and I am currently working on a Network+. I am leaning on getting into IT and I'm looking for some help...In this case (and I don't want a lecture about Money isn't blah, blah...) which area would have the best potential to make the most $$$:
CCNA/P
MCSA/E
OCP DBA
Which field will have the most job opportunities:
CCNA/P
MCSA/E
OCP DBA

The cost of training seems fairly equal.
I know there are a lot of MCSE's in the world, but there a lot of positions.
There are a fair number of CCNP's and there are a fair number of positions
I'm not sure about DBA's.
I've been in Telecom for many years and make a fairly good living, and I'd like to stay in the same neighborhood...or at least the same city...or at least get back to that neighborhood as soon as possible.
Any info you can provide is appreciated

Quote:

Originally Posted by GroundZero3

You said you have 17 years in the telcom section, but you never touched any kind of data network services?

davidpat · March 11th, 2009, 04:53 PM

nemowolf -- Might I suggest that you don't start out with a slap to the person that you are going to give advice to. I was not a cable puller, I am a Senior Technical Support Engineer that works on both Software and Hardware issue. I love the way people jump to conclusions...money is not all I care about, but I think it is an important thing to know since I have a wife and 2 small children not to mention that I prefer not to go from a 6 figure income to a career that may have a ceiling of $50-60k. I'm not sure where you jumped to the conclusion that I wouldn't have any interest in the training...I assume that has something to do with the money issue. I have taken a course in all of the 3 career fields I mentioned and I find them all interesting, not to mention the fact that I can't even count all the training I've taken in 17 years at Nortel.
GroundZero3 - Data was not my side of the house. I worked on Circuit Switched Voice and Wireless GSM, but I did mention that I worked VoIP which is Packet Switched Voice with Routers and Switches (hot too many hubs). It is heavy in Subnetting, TCP/IP, UDP, ARP, Ethernet, Unix, etc...
I didn't want to clutter the Forum with my autobiograpy so that everyone would know my background, motivations, hopes and dreams, and interests, on the contrary I tried to keep the forum from being cluttered by asking that I don't get the same "It's not all about money..." lecture that I have seen dozens of time in other forums when anyone asks about the potential income of a given careers, which I see as responsible career planning. All I asked was 2 questions:
1) Of 3 possible areas of study which has the best potential to make the most money?
2) Of 3 possible areas of study which field will have the most job opportunities?

**GroundZero3** · March 11th, 2009, 04:58 PM

Do you have any experience with Cisco equipment? It seems like you might have some experience since they are one of the largest network equipment and play a huge part in a lot of the stuff you mentioned

To be honest it seems like Cisco would be right up your alley (if you enjoy everything you listed)

Please list the hardware you have touched to give us a better idea of what would be best for you. Nothing wrong with giving us as much information as possible, the more info the better to help suggest a direction!

Do you have any sort of certifications right now? Also certifications aren't everything, they are great to have on a resume but your experience is going to help out more!

davidpat · March 11th, 2009, 05:09 PM

GZ3 I appreciate the interest but I'm not looking for counceling. I really just want answers to my 2 questions.
And I work for Nortel...Cisco is a rival, we have our own Switches and Routers, so no I do not have experience on Cisco equipment other than the class I took.

nemowolf · March 11th, 2009, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidpat

nemowolf -- Might I suggest that you don't start out with a slap to the person that you are going to give advice to. I was not a cable puller, I am a Senior Technical Support Engineer that works on both Software and Hardware issue. I love the way people jump to conclusions...money is not all I care about, but I think it is an important thing to know since I have a wife and 2 small children not to mention that I prefer not to go from a 6 figure income to a career that may have a ceiling of $50-60k. I'm not sure where you jumped to the conclusion that I wouldn't have any interest in the training...I assume that has something to do with the money issue. I have taken a course in all of the 3 career fields I mentioned and I find them all interesting, not to mention the fact that I can't even count all the training I've taken in 17 years at Nortel.
GroundZero3 - Data was not my side of the house. I worked on Circuit Switched Voice and Wireless GSM, but I did mention that I worked VoIP which is Packet Switched Voice with Routers and Switches (hot too many hubs). It is heavy in Subnetting, TCP/IP, UDP, ARP, Ethernet, Unix, etc...
I didn't want to clutter the Forum with my autobiograpy so that everyone would know my background, motivations, hopes and dreams, and interests, on the contrary I tried to keep the forum from being cluttered by asking that I don't get the same "It's not all about money..." lecture that I have seen dozens of time in other forums when anyone asks about the potential income of a given careers, which I see as responsible career planning. All I asked was 2 questions:
1) Of 3 possible areas of study which has the best potential to make the most money?
2) Of 3 possible areas of study which field will have the most job opportunities?

Well sir, I take it as a personal offense that you have a six figure income and your going to steal a job from someone who doesnt have an established career already. I say you stick with your current job and work towards retirement. Personally, i dont see you as an easy transition and its not worth it for you.

Neither of the jobs is going to get you more then 30-60k starting and with no experience in Cisco or Servers, your going to have to start from the bottom. More then welcome to check Dice.com and see what you can find but your not going to have an easy go of it. A friend of mine has been out of a job since October of last year and were in Silicon Valley. I was accosted twice for IT jobs while on site working yesterday. If you arnt in a major hub for IT work, good luck to you sir finding something that is going to pay over 6 figures starting to help you support your family.

PS: I don't try to come off as offense but money and expected income is not why i went into IT nor do i want to see i potential IT coworkers. Money should never be the motivating factor for a career, passion and desire should be. You seem to have neither as your not happy with your own salary and current responsibilities.

PPS: Start your own business supporting Nortel.

**GroundZero3** · March 11th, 2009, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GroundZero3

I think the Cisco world has the potential to make a lot more money than most of the Microsoft certifications. If you can get the CCIE which is above the CCNP you can make over 6 figures easily if you have the knowledge to back it up. I cant comment on the Oracle stuff, but im sure there is money in it to if you have the knowledge and hands on.

I have already given you a suggestion but since you didn't give all the information my reply is voided. There is no way anyone can say hey go for this and you will get paid a lot. It all depends on your experience, your location, the job,the company, the benefits etc etc etc. Me being a Cisco person with a soon to be CCNP, my salary can range from $30k-90k depending on the company/location!

Since you have no interest in Cisco because of your job, then your choices are pretty much MS/Security/Or some kind of Database application.

nemowolf · March 11th, 2009, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidpat

1) Of 3 possible areas of study which has the best potential to make the most money?
2) Of 3 possible areas of study which field will have the most job opportunities?

1) to many factors to say what is best. Do some research for what salaries are for your area. Six Figure Salary Jobs: 6 figure income jobs, 6 figure salary, 6figure jobs ($100,000 job, $100k job

On reviewing these jobs, most have manager, director, or chief in the title. As i pointed out before, since your already over six figures there is no reason for you to change jobs if money is an issue as you will NOT find an entry level Cisco/Networking/Server job that pays anywhere near what you want to make nor will it be a quick process to make what you make now. You have invested 17 years already, unless your being laid off or have already been fired ... there is no reason to change careers.

2) general fields like Servers have the most opportunities but the least pay. Specializations like Cisco or DBA have the least opportunities because while a company might have a handful of server admins, they may only have one DBA.

davidpat · March 12th, 2009, 12:11 AM

nemowolf -- Pick up a newspaper! I've been with Nortel from a high of 94000 employees worldwide to the current 30000 with 5000 more layoffs coming. I'm SO sorry that you "take it as a personal offense" that I'm trying to be proactive and "steal a job from someone who doesnt have an established career". That is a great idea "stick with your current job and work towards retirement.", gee do you think you can get Nortel to quit laying people off! As for following my passion, I'm going from one technical career to another technical career so that is obviously where my heart is, trying to be smart about my fanancial future seen like a no brainer to me. I didn't realize you were such a good judge of character with so little to go on..."passion and desire ... You seem to have neither as your not happy with your own salary and current responsibilities." It might surprise you to know that I am happy with both my job and my career, but the end of Nortel is close and I'm trying to be a responsible husband and father and plan ahead. Judging your character from your responses I'd have to say you are an ass and I hope that is not a requirement in the IT field.
GroundZero3 -- I realize that you can't give me exact dollar amounts and I appreciate that. As for doing research that is what this is! I of course am doing research else where too. I've said this before, but I don't expect to take a class and get a $100k a year job. I'm looking for a low $40k job with a potential $80-90k. The reason I want to change now is because I wnat to leave before I'm laid off and have no income since Nortel nolonger pays a severance. The research you suggest on the internet is not accurate. The job pages tell you that you can make big money with xyz Cert., when in reality it is with the Cert. and 5 years of experience. I thought I would go straight to the horses mouth...that certainly started well. Maybe I'll try another "Help" page.

nemowolf · March 12th, 2009, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidpat

nemowolf -- Pick up a newspaper! I've been with Nortel from a high of 94000 employees worldwide to the current 30000 with 5000 more layoffs coming. I'm SO sorry that you "take it as a personal offense" that I'm trying to be proactive and "steal a job from someone who doesnt have an established career". That is a great idea "stick with your current job and work towards retirement.", gee do you think you can get Nortel to quit laying people off! As for following my passion, I'm going from one technical career to another technical career so that is obviously where my heart is, trying to be smart about my fanancial future seen like a no brainer to me. I didn't realize you were such a good judge of character with so little to go on..."passion and desire ... You seem to have neither as your not happy with your own salary and current responsibilities." It might surprise you to know that I am happy with both my job and my career, but the end of Nortel is close and I'm trying to be a responsible husband and father and plan ahead. Judging your character from your responses I'd have to say you are an ass and I hope that is not a requirement in the IT field.
GroundZero3 -- I realize that you can't give me exact dollar amounts and I appreciate that. As for doing research that is what this is! I of course am doing research else where too. I've said this before, but I don't expect to take a class and get a $100k a year job. I'm looking for a low $40k job with a potential $80-90k. The reason I want to change now is because I wnat to leave before I'm laid off and have no income since Nortel nolonger pays a severance. The research you suggest on the internet is not accurate. The job pages tell you that you can make big money with xyz Cert., when in reality it is with the Cert. and 5 years of experience. I thought I would go straight to the horses mouth...that certainly started well. Maybe I'll try another "Help" page.

Whats a newspaper?