What to do, what to do, help?!!

EaglemanX · 09-19-2007, 06:05 PM

I am looking to get into the computer field dealing with networks and help desk and admin work and wanted to know some info. I currently work for Comcast cable and have the basics down for working with modems, home networking devices and have studied the A+ material. My question is simply, without any degree; getting myself microsoft certified with MCP, MCSA, MCSE, and cabling, what exactly are my chances of landing a job in any of these fields.
You see, Comcast doesn't offer tuition reimbursement for certs, only degress such as associates and bachelors, etc. So basically I am looking to find out if it is worth paying the 25+ thousand dollars for the next 15 years of my life if I am not going to get anywhere because I don't have a degree to back it up. Thanks for any info.

**Cellus** · 09-19-2007, 06:37 PM

With certifications, you can go up the career ladder fairly far. While you do not necessarily need a degree, it helps.

Certifications by themselves do not stand for much. In the end it is the level of experience which you possess that will help you move up. Certifications will provide you with a start. With the certifications you mentioned, you could start in helpdesk and systems support. After that, it will be your experience which will propel you.

Certifications and degrees show you are book-learned and have some degree of knowledge in their associated topics. Experience will prove your worth in problem solving, researching, communicating, project development, and so forth.

EaglemanX · 09-19-2007, 06:44 PM

Thank you for your reply. Do you think it is worth it for the money to get the certs? And would you suggest Microsoft certs of CISCO certs, or either, or they're the same. Ultimately I am looking to excel my careerin the industry that will best be worth the time and money put in. Thanks again.

**Cellus** · 09-19-2007, 08:06 PM

Vendor-specific certifications are good in regards to the products they cover, though some cover outside of their products. For example, MCSA/MCSE applies specifically towards Windows (in this case, down to the specific version of Server, eg. MCSE for Windows Server 2003). Some Cisco certifications, like the CCNA, apply specifically to Cisco routers and switches. If you are going to be working with the vendor products in the workplace, then the applicable certifications will help.

One thing to keep in mind is vendor-specific certifications may not help when dealing with unrelated vendor products or certain kinds of software like Linux/UNIX. In these cases, you will need to gain certifications for those specific products. However with that being said, there are vendor-neutral certifications available (eg. CompTIA A+, Network+, etc) which do not by principle focus mainly on functions, commands, and so forth specifically for certain products. For example the A+ certification, while covering some aspects of Windows, also touches base on desktop hardware in general unrelated to specific vendors. These vendor-neutral certifications will provide general knowledge to certain topics, without focusing heavily on particular products.

Addendum: There are some vendor-specific certifications which cover quite a lot of "vendor-neutral material". For example, the INTRO section of the CCNA pretty much covers everything in the vendor-neutral certification Network+.

AspiringWannaBe · 10-02-2007, 11:37 AM

I too am working to get myself into the computer field. Thankfully I am still in school. Also, at my job it has been decided that I handle the computer problems, so I am basically the admin. Great on the job experience unfortunately, I feel that I lack experience and knowledge (hence the reason I went back to school) therefore, I am constantly second guessing myself and wondering if I am really doing things the best and most efficient way. For example, I recently wiped out three computers because they were so badly infected that I could not fix them. Granted my lack of experience probably had something to do with it but I've been told that when the Windows files are altered that it is just best to start over, or plan to chase problem after problem until you do. I would like to know if there is some process to go through to feel assured that a computer is messed up enough to need a fresh start. Also, if there are some cool tools to aid someone in my position for instance, I have used my SanDisk running Avast to check these computers for infection. Should I be doing something else or am I on the correct path? What else is out there for admins to help efficiency and integrity of the systems they monitor?
Thanks in advance for any help.

09-19-2007, 06:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
EaglemanX Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 2 OS: win xp	What to do, what to do, help?!! I am looking to get into the computer field dealing with networks and help desk and admin work and wanted to know some info. I currently work for Comcast cable and have the basics down for working with modems, home networking devices and have studied the A+ material. My question is simply, without any degree; getting myself microsoft certified with MCP, MCSA, MCSE, and cabling, what exactly are my chances of landing a job in any of these fields. You see, Comcast doesn't offer tuition reimbursement for certs, only degress such as associates and bachelors, etc. So basically I am looking to find out if it is worth paying the 25+ thousand dollars for the next 15 years of my life if I am not going to get anywhere because I don't have a degree to back it up. Thanks for any info.

09-19-2007, 06:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
Cellus Moderator Networking Team Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 2,664 OS: Windows Vista Business SP1, Windows XP Professional SP3 My System	Re: What to do, what to do, help?!! With certifications, you can go up the career ladder fairly far. While you do not necessarily need a degree, it helps. Certifications by themselves do not stand for much. In the end it is the level of experience which you possess that will help you move up. Certifications will provide you with a start. With the certifications you mentioned, you could start in helpdesk and systems support. After that, it will be your experience which will propel you. Certifications and degrees show you are book-learned and have some degree of knowledge in their associated topics. Experience will prove your worth in problem solving, researching, communicating, project development, and so forth. __________________ TSF Networking Team Virus/Trojan/Spyware Removal Help Donate!

09-19-2007, 06:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
EaglemanX Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 2 OS: win xp	Re: What to do, what to do, help?!! Thank you for your reply. Do you think it is worth it for the money to get the certs? And would you suggest Microsoft certs of CISCO certs, or either, or they're the same. Ultimately I am looking to excel my careerin the industry that will best be worth the time and money put in. Thanks again.

09-19-2007, 08:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
Cellus Moderator Networking Team Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 2,664 OS: Windows Vista Business SP1, Windows XP Professional SP3 My System	Re: What to do, what to do, help?!! Vendor-specific certifications are good in regards to the products they cover, though some cover outside of their products. For example, MCSA/MCSE applies specifically towards Windows (in this case, down to the specific version of Server, eg. MCSE for Windows Server 2003). Some Cisco certifications, like the CCNA, apply specifically to Cisco routers and switches. If you are going to be working with the vendor products in the workplace, then the applicable certifications will help. One thing to keep in mind is vendor-specific certifications may not help when dealing with unrelated vendor products or certain kinds of software like Linux/UNIX. In these cases, you will need to gain certifications for those specific products. However with that being said, there are vendor-neutral certifications available (eg. CompTIA A+, Network+, etc) which do not by principle focus mainly on functions, commands, and so forth specifically for certain products. For example the A+ certification, while covering some aspects of Windows, also touches base on desktop hardware in general unrelated to specific vendors. These vendor-neutral certifications will provide general knowledge to certain topics, without focusing heavily on particular products. Addendum: There are some vendor-specific certifications which cover quite a lot of "vendor-neutral material". For example, the INTRO section of the CCNA pretty much covers everything in the vendor-neutral certification Network+. __________________ TSF Networking Team Virus/Trojan/Spyware Removal Help Donate! Last edited by Cellus; 09-19-2007 at 08:08 PM.

10-02-2007, 11:37 AM	#5 (permalink)
AspiringWannaBe Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Current Location Orlando Florida Posts: 36 OS: Win XP Home Ed	Re: What to do, what to do, help?!! I too am working to get myself into the computer field. Thankfully I am still in school. Also, at my job it has been decided that I handle the computer problems, so I am basically the admin. Great on the job experience unfortunately, I feel that I lack experience and knowledge (hence the reason I went back to school) therefore, I am constantly second guessing myself and wondering if I am really doing things the best and most efficient way. For example, I recently wiped out three computers because they were so badly infected that I could not fix them. Granted my lack of experience probably had something to do with it but I've been told that when the Windows files are altered that it is just best to start over, or plan to chase problem after problem until you do. I would like to know if there is some process to go through to feel assured that a computer is messed up enough to need a fresh start. Also, if there are some cool tools to aid someone in my position for instance, I have used my SanDisk running Avast to check these computers for infection. Should I be doing something else or am I on the correct path? What else is out there for admins to help efficiency and integrity of the systems they monitor? Thanks in advance for any help.