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We decided to present you this discussion because
it is very educational to learn what your peers think about certifications
based on their own experience (good or bad). Be patient, and read everything.
Make your own decision!
Note: the discussion below was not edited (spell or syntax could be wrong)
 Certs have become cheapened.
With all these private schools vomitting out grads who can pass a test, but cant figure
out where the red stripe on a ribbon cable goes, I feel that certainly A+ has
become next to useless.
From: btak2@aol.com
Yes I Have
Tests will not make anyone a better technician in any way, except that newer users have incentive to learn the trade. Schools only organize the information to pass those tests. Experience is and always will be the best teacher!
From: ramclg@kynd.net
So have I
You are absolutely correct in your
assessment of the schools, most of the instructors at the one I attended were
past students with no real world experience, and less knowledge than I possessed
when I attended a 7 month course (5 days a week 6 hours a day, at a cost of
$10,000.00!) When I tried to get answers to questions I really wanted the
answers for, they were not able to supply them, at least until they were able to
learn them themselves! The A+ I felt was the easiest of the bunch, (MCSE was the
cert I was going for) but I can tell you that I learned zero from the instructor
and actually taught him a few things. Honestly if I had it to over again, I
would not have wasted my time and especially my money as I could have obtained
cram bibles on my own, for a lot less! I really was there to learn, and was
disappointed to find that was not to be the case.
From: jrholand@cox.net
Been there, done that.
Funny... I've written the A+ exams without studying and
passed them very easily. I think both HW and OS took 21 questions to determine
that I knew WTH I was talking about. The A+ tests are next to worthless unless a job posting is asking for it. The MCSE tests show that an individual was able to study through 7 sets of material and pay $875.
Do not try to tell me that these tests are difficult -- if
they are, you shouldn't be taking them until you have more experience.
From: doctorkb
Education vs Experience
This is the same argument that
people have about practical experience vs. education. I have heard this one in
my many years as a college graduate from people that went to the "old school of
hard knocks". true, practical experience is wonderful, but there is also a place
for education. It would be a wonderful world if we could have both! In the end,
though, it's the individual and what intangibles he brings to the table. I've
known great test takers that don't know squat and I have experienced long time
employees unwilling to learn or improve their skills through education. Bottom
line is that BOTH experience and education are the means to higher salaries and
a better job.
From: The Electronic Avenger 24
Education is a must
I agree, It is becoming more of a
requirement for employers to see 3+ years of experience as well as having a
degree. Continuing education should be a personal goal and keeps you marketable.
Certs may not help as much as it used to but it sure doesn't hurt either!!
From: gdlipford
I agree
I went to DeVry for two years and graduated from their
Electornics Technician program. When I graduated, I didn't know where to start
when working on a piece of equipment. The problem is that people read into
certifications too much. They are no different than any college degree or
diploma. They are a piece of paper that gives you a starting point.
If
you apply for a job, say with a Fortune 500 company, fresh out of college with a
BS or MBA, you are more than likely going to be applying for an "entry level"
position. Even with the degree. To me the diploma/degree/certification simply
means you take your trade seriously and are willing to do what it takes to excel
and advance your career. It also demonstrates disipline and willingness to
learn. In other words it separates serious candidates from little Johnny next
door who has nothing better to do than 'play' with his computer all day, then
call himself a computer tech. And as soon as he finds out it takes real work and
dedication, he bails and moves on to skateboarding.
From: brianw@torchlake.com
I couldn't agree more
I recently finished my MCSE and MCDBA and let me tell you
there were guys that finished their certs with me that I would not offer $35K a
year let alone $50K-$60K a year like the ads are offering. I think that
all of these bogus ads claiming high salaries for MCSE's and CCNA's should be
taken off the air. People are being misled and spending money they
don't have for these certs. My certs helped me because I had experience
to go along with them.
From: dschoedel@pa.net
MS certs are devalued
I stopped looking for "MCSE" a while ago. The braindumps etc. have totally devalued this as a qualification. I am sure that I am not alone in recruiting an MCSE to find out once on the job that their only experience with IIS for example is from a training CD. The tests need to be much more interactive and reflect real world situations before they offer value again. There are a lot of very talented people out there who have attained MCSE status as a way of demonstrating their ability - I am sure that the current situation annoys them as much as it does me. Would we give someone a drivers licence because they can recite the car's service manual?
From: PhilJ2O
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