Are these certs worth the time/money?

**Martoch** · February 24th, 2005, 10:46 AM

Just curious if these certs are worth the time and money...I've spoken to the Networks of Florida folks on the phone and they claim that I'll be VERY marketable once I complete this course.
http://uwf.edu/cde/mcsa/MCSA2003.cfm

What do you think? Worth 4 1/2 months and $4500?

Thanks in advance...
Tired Mikey

**GroundZero3** · February 24th, 2005, 10:50 AM

well Mike i think it would be informative, and alot of companies when looking at resumes use keywords to search for certs. But you cant stand on those alone, they want someone with in field experience.

You could buy yourself a couple cheap computers and build a small network, a book (and dont forget the internet) that tells you how to do it yourself all for a cheaper price. If you decide to go that route, you need to be dedicated to doing it and not slack off

**EvilRick** · February 24th, 2005, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martoch

. . . they claim that I'll be VERY marketable . . .

They probably need people like you to clean their pools and mow their lawns.

Check out a local community college before you spend that hard earned G.I. Bill cash. You'll probably find you can get those same certs/training through a school and actually get more out of it.

**Martoch** · February 24th, 2005, 11:08 AM

Awww hush on the slacking off part...I seem to be a professional slacker now.

What kind of computers would you recommend I buy and what kind of network would I be dealing with? What sort of "stuff" would I do on my small network? Don't use acronyms or big words, I'm tired as heck and will probably just stare blankly at the screen if you do.

**Martoch** · February 24th, 2005, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EvilRick

They probably need people like you to clean their pools and mow their lawns.

Check out a local community college before you spend that hard earned G.I. Bill cash. You'll probably find you can get those same certs/training through a school and actually get more out of it.

The classes are actually held at the Univ. of West FL here locallly...that's the other concern of mine, once I start using the G.I. BIll $$$, I only have 3 years to take advantage of it...I want to make sure these certs are worth the $2700 (GI Bill only covers 60%) and kicking off my 3 year limit.

**GroundZero3** · February 24th, 2005, 11:14 AM

well two clients and a machine to run the os. You wont need anything really high end. (the server will probally want something a 1ghz with 512 mb or ram)

Each have a network card, a switch or hub, and some cat 5 cable. Pretty basic set up for learning the basics of 2003.

**Martoch** · February 24th, 2005, 11:28 AM

Is there anything that I can practice with my current wee little 2 XP computer router network?
1 wired (desktop), 1 wireless (laptop)

**GroundZero3** · February 24th, 2005, 11:29 AM

Not unless you have a machine with server 2003, or a copy of it laying around.

The class looks like its based around just server, so the os you have wont let you learn much

PresterJohn · February 24th, 2005, 11:53 AM

to answer whether the cert is going to be useful depends on a couple of things:

1) what amt of networking (client/server) experience do you have currently?

2) what is the # of networking jobs in the local area and the number of mcp/mcsa/mcse in the region?

3) if going to classes will this be a 9-5 schedule or is it night classes?

4) do you have access to microsoft 2000 or 2003 server?

#1 & 4 are very critical. if you don't have access to the server software, you won't be able to do this on your own, outside a classroom. also, read the course curriculum (sp?) carefully.

most certification centered courses teach you about passing the cert test (ie. it is 85% exam prep). while passing may requires some knowledge of 'hands-on' experience to pass (since physically doing something tends to make remembering it much more easy), getting the cert does not prepare you enough to deal with real work network administration tasks if you land a job. this is because much of the exam question deal with MS networking abstracts and less on nuts-n-bolts. so if you don't have much of #1, you may find yourself ill-prepared to do it as a real job, with or without a certification.

if you aren't in any danger of losing the paid schooling immediately, look to do some networking on the side on your own time, pass one MS cert to reach MCP and then weigh your options afterwards.

**Martoch** · February 24th, 2005, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PresterJohn

to answer whether the cert is going to be useful depends on a couple of things:

1) what amt of networking (client/server) experience do you have currently?

2) what is the # of networking jobs in the local area and the number of mcp/mcsa/mcse in the region?

3) if going to classes will this be a 9-5 schedule or is it night classes?

4) do you have access to microsoft 2000 or 2003 server?

1) Not too much

2) Haven't scouted out the jobs in this area...that was another "bonus" of the program...job placement. Not sure on the number of mcp/mcsa/mcse in the region.

3) All night classes. M-W-F 5:30-10 as well as 2 or 3 Saturdays.

4)I do have access to Microsoft 2003 server.

Thanks for the info so far guys...this is helping me out quite a bit.