An Important questions for IT professionals.

[kevon27]

I would like to get a job in the IT field (i hate saying IT). I have got my A+ certification ( one certification down, 1000 more to go :cry: ). What do you guys - the ones with the high paying jobs - recommend I get certified in? I have a network plus book that I have yet to read (the thing is bigger than the bible :bang head ). Also Do these certification matter to companies or am I just wasting time and money doing them? I know a collage degree would be the best thing, but if i can't get myself the read that huge Network plus book, I don't think 4 years of collage is for me.

Help and advice please... Maybe I should just forget about becomming an IT guy an continue collecting bottles for a living :p

[David]

Not sure what you would *need* but I would recommend being familiar with as many platforms as possible: Windows 2000, XP, Server 2003, Linux and perhaps BSD as well. Leaves your options open.

[AEsnowboarding]

MCSE,MCSA,CCNA, and a **** load of others

[Ebola]

You might be better off collecting bottles if you aren't keen on reading a lot. Certifications only matter if you have the job experience to back them. A college education is your best bet at getting in the door.

[kevon27]

You might be better off collecting bottles if you aren't keen on reading a lot. Certifications only matter if you have the job experience to back them. A college education is your best bet at getting in the door.

I know, I know.. college is good but the certitication is cheaper.. I would read if I have to (my wife will make sure of that).

Talking about job experience, I've worked for Best Buy computer service center for a few years (was the best computer repair guy they ever had).

[Know Nuttin]

depends on what IT department you want to get into. PC/LAN support? WAN support? Server support?

answer those, and your requirements will be clearer.

[kevon27]

depends on what IT department you want to get into. PC/LAN support? WAN support? Server support?

answer those, and your requirements will be clearer.

I think I would like to do Server support.

[AEsnowboarding]

Well You should go to school. I am going to a tech. college and it is only a 2 year corse.

I get MCSE,MCSA, Cisco CCNA certified, Novell, Unix, Microsoft server, Exchange, and Web page design. It isn't that much reading and the tests are pretty easy.

[nebben]

I've seen people that had no certifications that were brilliant. I've also seen some certified MSCE folk who were dumber than a box of hair. I am not kidding at all- DUMBER THAN A BOX OF HAIR.

Experience is a huge part of getting a job, and knowing how to solve problems and prevent them. A book can be helpful, but it seems that some certifications are mostly just to prove that you studied, tested, and passed.

I've worked in an IT department for over 5 years now, and am just starting work on a certification. Real world knowledge so far is a lot more useful when studying than just studying a concept you don't know a lot about.

And FYI- college isn't as hard as buying a big fat Sybex book and studying all 700+ pages to then regurgitate on a test, only to forget soonafter if you don't actually use that absorbed knowledge somewhere.

-ben