IT: Becoming Certified / Questions.

[Hurk]

I live in London, Ontario. I've taken "Computer System Technician" at Fanshawe College. This didn't give me any certifications, and this was also about 5 years ago. Since then, I've worked in a "Technical Support" role for a DSL company, and now I've landed a job supporting ordering software for a company. They would also like me to be the IT guy for our office. They know I am knowledgeable enough for the position, but I'd like to get certified so that I can show them I am a trained professional, and hold out for more pay.

I am out of the loop on certifications, so any advice would be great. We have an office network, an exchange email server, and about 15 computers in this office, and many many other computers aroun North America. We run on a Microsoft network.

That being said, what would be the certifications I should be aiming for. MCP? MSCE? A+? I'm going to get as much information as possible, and ask them to pay for it.

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
H.

[Polaren]

A MCSE certification would definitely benefit you since you are using a full MS network. A+ is a complete joke, but it is always great to just have, and is quite simple to get.
If you are looking for network certifications then a CCNA would be good to look at as well, nowadays a lot of companies that do any type of networking look for this certification.

If you have any further questions, feel free to direct them my way. I am CCNA, A+ and MCSE Server 2k3 certified.

[Hurk]

A MCSE certification would definitely benefit you since you are using a full MS network. A+ is a complete joke, but it is always great to just have, and is quite simple to get.
If you are looking for network certifications then a CCNA would be good to look at as well, nowadays a lot of companies that do any type of networking look for this certification.

If you have any further questions, feel free to direct them my way. I am CCNA, A+ and MCSE Server 2k3 certified.

Where do I start? Who do I contact? How much time should I foresee this taking? How much money should I foresee this taking?

I think getting certified for close to what you are is in my best interest.

Thanks,
H.

[cipher]

MCSE aren't really worth it any more. Experience counts.

[Hurk]

MCSE aren't really worth it any more. Experience counts.

The main thing is, that I have the experience, I don't have something showing I can do this. The benefit of having experience and certs will be a knockout combo!

[Polaren]

MCSE aren't really worth it any more. Experience counts.

What color is the sky on the planet you live on?
Any large company will always look for certs pertaining to the job, just because I have "experience" doesn't mean crap to them unless I have a paper that says I can do it. MCSE is still a required cert for many jobs.

Where do I start? Who do I contact? How much time should I foresee this taking? How much money should I foresee this taking?

I think getting certified for close to what you are is in my best interest.

Thanks,
H.

Where do you start? probably with a A+ as that is the easiest.
Who do you contact? Now this I am not sure in Toronto, as I completed all my certs in barrie, but most colleges should offer to write the exams there. This will also depend on if you want to take a course to learn the content or read it yourself.
How much time? Again do you want to take a course or learn the content on your own? A+ is two exams, CCNA is a single exam(85% to pass, very hard, course is 6 months), MCSE (7 exams, approx 6months-1year).
Money wise MCSE for exams is about $125+ for each exam, CCNA is $300 per attempt, A+ is $150 for both exams.

[Hurk]

What color is the sky on the planet you live on?
Any large company will always look for certs pertaining to the job, just because I have "experience" doesn't mean crap to them unless I have a paper that says I can do it. MCSE is still a required cert for many jobs.



Where do you start? probably with a A+ as that is the easiest.
Who do you contact? Now this I am not sure in Toronto, as I completed all my certs in barrie, but most colleges should offer to write the exams there. This will also depend on if you want to take a course to learn the content or read it yourself.
How much time? Again do you want to take a course or learn the content on your own? A+ is two exams, CCNA is a single exam(85% to pass, very hard, course is 6 months), MCSE (7 exams, approx 6months-1year).
Money wise MCSE for exams is about $125+ for each exam, CCNA is $300 per attempt, A+ is $150 for both exams.

I have unlimited time, I just want it done ASAP. I did some example A+ test questions, and all went well. I passed and knew the content, so I think this is a good idea to get out of the way first. I'll be learning it on my own, to make it quicker. It's more of a refresher course, since I learned most of it in college.

Since I am at work, 8:30 - 5PM, a course probably won't be the best idea, however if I can find some night courses, I'll push my girlfriend aside for a bit, and do this.