I think that some of you are in the IT/computer biz, so I'd like some opinions if you don't mind. I am considering a career change once again and want to get into either network systems, database management or just computer service tech--in a short period of time. I'm considering getting some certifications in one or more of the following:

CompTIA A+
CompTIA Network+
MCSA, MCSE, or MCDBA

My question is, are these certifications worth pursuing and/or is there something else that might be more beneficial? Would this be enough to get my foot in the door somewhere? Though my orginal plan was to get a Bachelors degree, that is not working out due to various reasons. At least, not at this time. Is this a good alternative? And would this be something you would look for in hiring someone at entry level?

Thanks in advance for any feedback!

TX-Seeker

Here’s the deal pill.......I am a Database Admin but not where I work. I am a Database Programmer/Analyst where I work. I make okay money, pretty good really, but If you want to make BANK learn SAP!!! None of those guys, at least where I work have full time jobs because they do not have to, they are contracted. They make up to (max) 125.00 to 150.00 an hour to consult. The firms are getting a couple hundred bucks an hour for them. A standard okay contract SAP Programmer makes 60 to 75 bucks an hour. Contracts for the lower paid guys last from 1 month to eternity. They have very nice things. And they work as much as they want. Really!! Good way to see the country on someone else’s dime.S~TX-FlightRisk Green 3

I'll look into that, but I didn't see a course offering for SAP. They've got most of the other languages though..What about the MS certifications? Are they worth the money they're printed on? Or would I be wasting my time without a degree? I just want to be able to pay the bills; I can get phat later.

Well, remember first that most jobs get ya hired on with 85% ATTITUDE and 15% SKILL. !! Skill can be learned...The beauty of it is, once you learn one language, then the next one is easier, etc. So all is not lost if you go the wrong way. Ha! Truthfully, C++, Java, and such are not easy to learn. Best bet would be to learn some Visual Basic type coding, and then work into the harder stuff. Check the papers, and see who they are looking for. SAP is one of the top payers, but without experience, ya aint gonna get it. That is some *serious* programming stuff. Hehheh. MS Degrees. Kinda like icing. About it. I saw some guys with enough degrees to boil water with cardboard signs in their hands saying "Will program for food" during the dot.com bust 2 years back.  Guess what guys are still willing to work cheep? ~Bill

I started in an IT department as a unix mainframe operator for a credit union. A very good job for being 17 and still in highschool. I left that and went into an unrelated field and got a 5 year professional degree. The professional degree is good for the rest of my life, it never gets outmoded by a change in technology. Ten years later I'm on the cusp of licensure and although I don't make enoguh to buy a house or drive a fancy car (studio condo sells for about $275,000 around here) I do get by better than most of my peers. For one thing, you are a looser if you can't finish out a 4 year degree at a public university. And, for that matter, with all the gorgeous Texan cuties frolicing around campus.... man you got it good. Today's high paid sap-programmer is tomorrows sap-sucker. If you get a cert in something it comes with an expiration date when it is eclipsed by nacent technological development. The path of obtaining certs is a short term goal. You need to look at education as a continuing process regardless of the cert or degree.  Establishing the BS degree as the foundation to additional certifications is my advice.

A BS degree is still on the table, but simmering on the back burner right now.  I simply cannot afford to continue. I need a short-term option.I guess what I'm needing is what is the industry currently in demand for? I understand there's still somewhat of an ongoing slump here, but that can't be helped. They offer certifications in Cisco systems, Oracle SQL/9i, Sun Solaris, various MS levels, Linux/UNIX admin, CAD, several .NET apps, several CompTIA certs, and so on.I really appreciate eveyone's input. I'm just trying to get an idea of what I'm getting into, or even if I should. Most of these I can finish in 2 to 6 months, which is why it's appealing. Or, I can flip burgers. But that just plain sucks.

.Net is hot right now.   At my last job the Director of IT told the entire department during a speech about adapting to changing market conditions, that he needed a .Net developer yesterday.   In the same statement he told us that if anyone was thinking about learning it, he basically warned that we couldn't learn it fast enough.I was laid off from that job back in October, not due to knowledge or performance, but simply because I was the last one on the team to be hired and cost the least amount of cash for the company to depart with me.  Times for IT are tough right now, but with the supposed economy picking up things should stabilize within the next year.   October was dry for new positions, but since the start of November offers started to come in and while it is short term, I am working again.  (Thank You Rahman!)  Predictions from recruiters and trends in the past indicate that after the first of the year, new budgets are set and companies resume hiring.If I had to offer advice decide up front what part of IT you wish to get into.  Desktop/Customer Service, Development, or Server-Side operations.   Once you enter Desktop support, it is rather difficult to bust over to operations unless you stick with one company for a good length of time and work yourself into one of those positions.   If you start in Desktop you can almost forget any chance of moving into development, but it CAN be done.   Decide what you want to do up front, then move towards that goal.  I highly recommend something in development if you can get the education for it.Good luck and keep your head up,TX-Deck out.

Well....I guess I'm a loser that didn't finish a 4 year degree then Kingsnake.  Life sometimes makes finishing an impossible task.....doesn't make the person a loser however.My .02Regards,TX-Rahman"BLUE 2"

Rahman, that wasn't intended as a general statement to everyone. I think self-education counts with due diligence. Here is a question.... Why do you have to choose one certification? Look at the amount of work involved in a degree. 12 units per semester (if you are lazy) 16-18 units (if you are serious) plus 15-20 hours of part time work (intern in the field you are pursuing not burger flipping). Tally, 18 hours classes, 20 hours homework, 20 hours work and round it up to 60 hours. Do that for 4 years for a BS degree. How many hours per week does a cert take? I'd venture a guess that it isn't 40 hours per week of class and study time. I'd also venture to guess that at the same pace as a BS degree, over 4 years, you could get EVERY SINGLE one of the afore mentioned certifications. Why is the question which one, when it could be each one?

The TX Website is no place for comments about anyone being a loser. I do not want to see comments like this in the future. There is a code of ethics that is part of what being a TX member is all about, take care before you speak.TX-ZenBlack 6

TX-Seeker,My 2 cents as a Software Architect's (this is what I do when I'm not flying).http://www.perceptual-eng.com.  I've been involved in software development since 1986-1987. When I started, I was in my early thirties (so much for "never too old to learn").  During the same time period, I was working as an architectural designer/project manager (without a degree). So putting things in perspective, I was married, one child, 2 jobs. One that paid the bills, architecture and software development was a hobby at the time. Flash into the future:As time went on I got better at software development; I taught myself AutoCAD, Visual Basic, AutoLISP, Common Lisp, databases, Wrote my own Object Oriented LISP system for AutoCAD, some of the web stuff, .Net just to name a few.  While this might seem as blowing my own horn it's not. I'm still learning.So, now to your initial question:

• 1...certifications worth pursuing…
• 2...which one is more beneficial…
• 3...to get my foot in the door somewhere…
• 4...would this be something you would look for in hiring someone at entry level?

• 1. Yes but not necessary, All depends what you want to do and more importantly, who is it you want to work for and do they require it.
• 2. MCSE or any database certification is great. If you a going into engineering look for ERP and MRP software and it's databases
• 3. Getting your foot in the door. Some experience is always welcomed.
• 4. Enthusiasm and the willingness to learn are the two items I look for. You will always receive on the job training.

In my opinion if you want to start somewhere, start with databases then take a slow and careful hop into .Net. Like Zen said, .Net is the hot ticket and will be for years to come.  (Can’t get away from Billy Gates)So, in the big scheme of things:Don't give up. Many of us learned what we know by the seat of our pants and it's no different in software development.  In my opinion, anyone can show me any certification; the proof is in a person's work once they start typing. Seeker, I'd like to offer my assistance to you anytime you need it.  Been there, done that , the hard way. If you want to have a chat sometime (so I don't wind up writing an epic) let me know via a PM and we'll get on TS.BTW: I have plenty of Visual Basic 6.0 source code I've written if you ever want to peruse, look or study it.  Didn't mean to ramble, preach or blow my horn.S~TX-MonguseGreen 2

I can change a Video Card........how's that ?? That's some techie stuff right??Red2

King, I have little choice but to fast-track this. I'd be glad to explain more in private if you'd like.Thank you all for your thoughts. It's been most helpful. I'm going to pursue the CompTIA A+, Server+ and the MCP certifications concurrently. All should be done by May. Hopefully that'll get me started working in this field in some capacity this summer.  I'll evaluate what else I can do at that time.I'm most interested in the hardware aspect--building and maintaining networks. Not so much in programming. The C++ classes I had bored me to tears. But, I'm willing to learn whatever is necessary.S~TX-Seeker

Seeker, intersting article I just read a few minutes ago...http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/departments/elearning/?article=7fastestgrowingS~TX-Deck out.