CCNA or MCITP?

Krusader

I'm thinking about doing one of these courses, could some one tell me which would be better for doing when it comes to job prospects.
I heard the CCNA is quite tough to pass, i hold an A+ and Network+ certs but would want to continue with getting more certs for finding employment, thanks

rolion

Both.

UDP

Crosáidí wrote: »

I'm thinking about doing one of these courses, could some one tell me which would be better for doing when it comes to job prospects.
I heard the CCNA is quite tough to pass, i hold an A+ and Network+ certs but would want to continue with getting more certs for finding employment, thanks

Depends do you want to be a network engineer or a systems administrator or a systems and network administrator. I would do both so that you can get into a generic role to see if you want to specialise in either after. I find having some MCPs helps me in a my role as a network administrator but I will probably focus on network certs from now on since I know I want to stay in the field.

Krusader

Which would you recommend doing first?

UDP

Crosáidí wrote: »

Which would you recommend doing first?

Which are you weakest at? I did my CCNA first followed by MCPs. I found having a good understanding of networking helped as the MS stuff does a bit about it. It really does depend what you want it for though i.e. what path do you want to go down in IT.

Krusader

I suppose i'd prefer the network engineering side and my N+ would give me a fundamental base for the CCNA

UDP

Crosáidí wrote: »

I suppose i'd prefer the network engineering side and my N+ would give me a fundamental base for the CCNA

A CCNA is good for networking. Do the ICND 1 (CCENT) followed by the ICND 2 (CCNA). Then get stuck into MS exams. Remember the Cisco Certification is only valid for 3 years unless you sit more cisco exams (specific ones). After that it might be worth doing a windows client exam then a server one followed by the other exams needed to complete the MCITP.

Cuddlesworth

UDP wrote: »

A CCNA is good for networking. Do the ICND 1 (CCENT) followed by the ICND 2 (CCNA). Then get stuck into MS exams. Remember the Cisco Certification is only valid for 3 years unless you sit more cisco exams (specific ones). After that it might be worth doing a windows client exam then a server one followed by the other exams needed to complete the MCITP.

You have to recertify every three years for Windows exams now too.

CL7

I'm following the same path as Crosáidí. I'm A+ certified now and taking the N+ exam in a few weeks. I don't have a degree and I have never worked in IT. Would the Comptia, CCNA and MCITP server certs be enough to get me an entry level role somewhere if I perform well in the interview?

I know there are no guarantees obviously but any advice is appreciated.

Raekwon

CL7 wrote: »

I'm following the same path as Crosáidí. I'm A+ certified now and taking the N+ exam in a few weeks. I don't have a degree and I have never worked in IT. Would the Comptia, CCNA and MCITP server certs be enough to get me an entry level role somewhere if I perform well in the interview?

I know there are no guarantees obviously but any advice is appreciated.

Experience is the key in IT so just having certs on their own won't guarantee you an interview. You could go down the Jobs Bridge route as lots of these entry level IT roles are being swept up by that. You wouldn't be paid more then €1,000 per month but you would get experience.

I've been working in IT since 2004 and have a VCP, CCNA, MCSA 2003/08 and various other certs and even I found it really tough when I was made redundant 2 years ago. I've been working 6/12 month contracts since then but full time roles (ie: Desktop Support, System Administration, etc) are few and far between and whenever they do crop up the competition is usually fierce and wages are usually low.

testicle

Raekwon wrote: »

I've been working in IT since 2004 and have a VCP, CCNA, MCSA 2003/08 and various other certs

Vot ist dis?

Cuddlesworth

testicle wrote: »

Vot ist dis?

A quick way of saying MCITP: Server Admin I guess.

Cuddlesworth

CL7 wrote: »

I'm following the same path as Crosáidí. I'm A+ certified now and taking the N+ exam in a few weeks. I don't have a degree and I have never worked in IT. Would the Comptia, CCNA and MCITP server certs be enough to get me an entry level role somewhere if I perform well in the interview?

I know there are no guarantees obviously but any advice is appreciated.

You would need to get a push on if the N+ is taking you weeks. CCNA and MCITP will take you years to learn in earnest at that pace.

Previous work experience(office would be a plus) and the above certs would put you over a college graduate for a IT manager looking at CV's but not a HR recruiter. All they seem to care about is a degree, doesn't matter which type. You are also going to have to think of why somebody should hire a 32 year old at the starting point of a career rather then a grad with no experience(if your lucky). It better be a compelling argument referencing your love of tech and your passion for troubleshooting problems.

Lastly, your most likely going to end up in a Helpdesk role for the first two years to get experience and the chance of a better job. The best cert out of all of them would be the Microsoft office certs(MOS). A huge part of your job will be supporting these and being a guru in them before hand will put you way ahead of the pack for that job role. Focus on the server/admin stuff after nailing them and actually starting the career path. Or maybe some other path if the job leads you that direction. Plus they help greatly for other office roles as well in case finding a job takes a while.

Raekwon

testicle wrote: »

Vot ist dis?

You know what I mean, MCITP: Server Administrator.

I couldn't be arsed with the new terminology seeing as MS are reverting back to MCSA/MCSE abbreviation for the 2012 certs.

testicle

Raekwon wrote: »

You know what I mean, MCITP: Server Administrator.

I couldn't be arsed with the new terminology seeing as MS are reverting back to MCSA/MCSE abbreviation for the 2012 certs.

No they're not. The new MCSA & MCSE are different things entirely.

Q. What is the difference between the new Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) certifications and the previous Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator certifications?

A.
The new Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) credential focuses on the ability to design and build technology solutions. The previous Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator certification focused on a specific job role and can no longer be earned.

Raekwon

Really then why are Microsoft making it so confusing on their current certification overview page? Link

Q: Already certified as a Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP): Enterprise Administrator or MCITP: Server Administrator?

A: You have already earned the MCSA: Windows Server 2008 certification.

Overview

The Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA): Windows Server 2008 certification shows that you have the minimum set of skills needed to hit the ground running, and differentiates you as better able to work with Windows Server 2008 in a real-world business context. This certification validates a set of core Windows Server skills that are relevant across multiple solution areas. MCSA: Windows Server 2008 certification is a prerequisite for earning a MCSE: Private Cloud.

zweton

Whats the longest time one should work in a support role?

Faolchu

Raekwon wrote: »

Really then why are Microsoft making it so confusing on their current certification overview page? Link

that use to be MCITP: Server Admin, cos I'm part way thorough the certification

UDP

zweton wrote: »

Whats the longest time one should work in a support role?

I would think 2 years maybe 3 if you are not as good.

Raekwon

Faolchu wrote: »

that use to be MCITP: Server Admin, cos I'm part way thorough the certification

It technically still is the MCITP: Server Admin cert but Microsoft have decided to scrap the MCITP and reintroduce the MCSA back into their new certs because it is more recognizable and less confusing for HR.........well in theory anyway.

So earlier in the thread when I said I had an MCSA 2003/08 I was correct as the MCITP: Server Admin is now called the MCSA: Windows Server 2008

Your MCITP certification will still continue to be valid until Microsoft’s mainstream support for the technology ceases. If you currently hold a MCITP Server Administrator or MCITP Enterprise Administrator certification you will automatically be awarded with a new MCSA Windows Server 2008 as you have already passed all required exams for this.

Faolchu

Raekwon wrote: »

It technically still is the MCITP: Server Admin cert but Microsoft have decided to scrap the MCITP and reintroduce the MCSA back into their new certs because it is more recognizable and less confusing for HR.........well in theory anyway.

fup the HR department LOL

Raekwon

Faolchu wrote: »

fup the HR department LOL

+1 but unfortunately they have too much say in the hiring process in some companies. I'd lump recruiters in there too, not that I use them, but they seem to get confused very easily, especially with IT abbreviations.