Re: Starting out in IT industry, need help.

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"Andrew Staley" <andrew@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:e%23$n1XgeHHA.1244@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Ok, I've taken a leap from a job that I have done for 5yrs (insurance)
into the IT industry as it's something I've always had an interest in.

I am going to a company to do IT support (desktop) and a little network
admin stuff with the flexibility to specialize in either if I choose.

The help I need is in choosing what qualification might help me the most,
I was originally looking at doing MCSE certification but it seems this
might not be a good idea as it's being withdrawn. Can anyone suggest a
good route for me to go and outline a little what is involved?

Thanks in advance, Andrew.

Hi Andrew

I did exactly the same thing a couple of years ago (changed career to IT,
that is) only I had spent over 20 years as a legal secretary! Like you, I
had always had an interest in IT.

I started off working on a helpdesk, and then got a job doing deskside
support and am now, because my colleague is spending a lot of time working
in other offices, carrying out some systems administration tasks, such as
creating and managing accounts in Active Directory, sorting out the server
backups etc.

The MCSE is being withdrawn (in 2008, I think), but I think it will be
useful after its withdrawal for so long as companies continue to use Server
2000/2003 - they won't all switch to "Longhorn" straightaway". There should
also be an upgrade path available, to enable existing MCSE's to upgrade to
the replacement certification without having to retake all 7 exams.

That said, MCSE is a top-level Microsoft Certification and is aimed at
people with several years' experience. The logical place to start for you
would be the MCDST, which is aimed at desktop support technicians with a
minimum of six months' experience. A significant chunk of the MCDST
syllabus also deals with troubleshooting network issues. There are two exams
required to become an MCDST.

As you gain experience, and particularly if you enjoy doing network admin,
you might want to study for the MCSA. This requires 4 exams: 3 core and one
elective, but your MCDST could be used as the elective.

Once you have your MCSA, you would need to take a further 3 exams to get
your MCSE, assuming it is still around.

I hope you enjoy your future career in IT.

IT Girl MCDST



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Relevant Pages

  • Re: Starting out in IT industry, need help.
    ... I was originally looking at doing MCSE certification but it seems this ... The MCSE is being withdrawn, but I think it will be ... A significant chunk of the MCDST ... exams required to become an MCDST. ...
    (microsoft.public.cert.exam.mcse)
  • Re: What kind of MCSE?
    ... If someone was an MCSE, I don't see a lot of value in "stepping back" ... to the MCDST unless specific job requirements warrant it. ... An MCSE without experience doesn't have much chance of walking into ... of walking into a $30K support job that he or she can grow with. ...
    (microsoft.public.cert.exam.mcse)
  • Re: What kind of MCSE?
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    (microsoft.public.cert.exam.mcse)
  • Re: MCSE Exams
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  • Re: With exams to take.
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