Anyone doing MSCD.net or MCAD?

**ajpa123** · April 19th, 2003, 12:23 AM

Hey everyone,

I just started my quest in getting the Microsoft MCAD/MCSD.NET certification about 2 weeks ago in my spare time. I know it will take me a while but i really enjoy ADO.NET, i love VB.NET and have no idea about how ASP.NET and web services work yet, but that's have the fun. I know vb 6, SQL Server 2000 and ASP very well .. but from what im reading already, that means nothing.. it's all new. Its like going from one platform to another. (well, it does help a little, not too much though)

Anyways, just wondering if anyone is studying this and could recommend any websites, books or resources.

Even though the I.T. industry sucks right now, i think there is some chance for a person with decent .NET programming knowledge. I don't plan to take any expensive courses, just buy a few books and try to get stuff online..

Any comment, questions or suggestions,
Let me know,
AJ.

**SeanC** · April 19th, 2003, 12:17 PM

Up here in Canada, specifically in the Toronto, Ontario area. There are TONS and TONS of job postings for .NET developers and me being a Windows network admin leaves me out... Sigh...

Sean

**ajpa123** · April 19th, 2003, 02:56 PM

Hey,

I am a new Computer Information Systems (B.S.) college grad and just started looking for a job about 3 weeks ago. The I.T. field is bad, especially for software developers/analyst. I'm sure there is demand but not for people with no experience like me..

oh well

I hear from people that large tech companies are not hiring at all and any postings they have on Monster.com or at job fairs are just to collect resumes for when the economy gets better. Best places to look are 'normal companies' that have expanding tech departments. Just wanted to share that in case anyone looking for a job could use that info.

I question the Monster.com thing because it costs employers an arm and a leg to post even one job on there, but who knows. ?? Why wouldl they be posting if they are not hiring. lol i dont get it.

For all you people in college w/ I.T. related degrees, get experience in any way you can.. Intern, work for peanuts, volunteer at your local church etc... if you have to even once a month for two years means you can put that you have two years of consistent experience in say networking computers or basic programming.

Certs mean next to nothing with zero experience too but they do help making you smarter.. lol .. and isn't that one of life's goals.. self improvement

Anyway, just sharing my thoughts.
Hope it helps
AJ.

**SeanC** · April 19th, 2003, 10:24 PM

About certs. not meaning anything w/o exp. I agree with you but there are a lot of hiring managers that ONLY look for certs. and will hire someone with certs. and say < 1 year exp. over someone without certs and >5 years exp.

To some hiring managers, years of experience doesn't count for much these days... Take me for example: 4 years of real work network admin experience and college degree and 10 years overall computer experience and I'm considered for even a junior position because I wasn't certified. I just got my A+ recently and I'm on my way but that's not enough... Sigh...

Sorry for venting but it just bugs me so much.

Thanks,
Sean

**ajpa123** · April 20th, 2003, 12:00 AM

Hey Sean,

I am surprised to hear that a cert outweighs a degree in some cases.. maybe it's due to the narrow focus of a certification... who knows huh ?

And Venting is healthy.
I do it every morning, every night and a few times in between.. lol

At least you have real experience.. and i hope it helps you find the job you really want.

Later,
AJ.

**UncaDanno** · April 21st, 2003, 03:59 PM

All I can say is "Good Luck"

I have a BS degree, double-major in CS and Bus Mgmt, MCSD certification, PM certification, and over 20 years' experience building all sorts of apps, including mobile enterprise apps for Pocket PC.

Two strikes against me:
1 - I'm over 30.
2 - I don't live in Mumbai.

This will likely by the last gig I'll ever be able to get......