Discussion on:

Top three IT certifications you can get from scratch

If I've never had any experience in programming at all, do you think the Java certification or the Database certification would be easier/a better first foot into the tech world?

a DBA or a programmer. One thing I would suggest is if you're trying to get into the tech world pick a path and stick with it - at least for now. While some companies do want/need a "jack of all trades" I suspect you're more likely to be able to get an entry level position if you show you are dedicated to the path you have chosen rather than try certifying in a bit of everything.

Good advice for job seekers. "Jack of all trades" often look like they're either too good to be true, or not focused. Acknowledging your weaknesses or 'blind spots' in addition to your strengths, not only gains respect from employers but makes you seem more competent at the things you *can* do.

I'd describe myself as a "jack of all trades" but that's more from experience than design - I know what I want to specialise in but the work just isn't there (looking for a full time domino admin anyone?). As someone trying to get to the first rung on the ladder by all means have good overview of a decent number of areas, but certify in just the ones you want to progress in so you look like you have a decent career path in mind.

especially starting out, aside from anything else the damn things are expensive.

About the only advice I'd give a new starter in the current market, would be to think long and hard about an IT career. If you really want to do it, choose the discipline that best suits your innate talents, and go for it.

At thirteen years old I decided I wanted to be a programmer, it sure as heck wasn't for big bucks, an onwards and upwards career and so I'd have to turn down repeated offers of sex.

Which is pretty fortunate really...

Median salaries plus 4 years experience for these jobs only brings me to what I'm currently earning, barely.

Although I am where I am now (System Administrator & Medical Analytics) partly due to taking a couple of semesters of Oracle Database programming with Boston University 10 years ago.

I am suprised that there were no MS certs on this list.

I agree, what about MS Certified IT Professional? It's a hefty book to read, but pretty good value. Then as far as I remember, only a couple of online exams to take.

I'm going to try and complete it over the next 12 months, I have a loan of the book and so far in the first 2 chapters, nothing has been too tricky so seems like a good cert to get.

Oh yeah and CompTIA A+ also seems like a "not too hard" one to get under the belt if relevant

Got those - like fallin off a log

If you're thinking of going into SW training (MS Office courses, etc.) consider one or more MOUS certifications (MS Office User Specialist) they're a little pricey, but opened doors for me when I was needing part time teaching work. I had gotten the training/testing for free when I worked at a help desk (sweet!)

despite of some comments I normally see on several forums regarding IT certifications, I can tell you certs are very usefull. I see scenarios where we need to hire one IT guy and we have two options... yes, sure, we interview both of them, both seems to have similar skills, but we pick up the guy with A+, N+, CCNA, MCP, MCTS, CEH instead of the other guy with no certs. This is the real life.

Having many years of experience and having hired several - I hire the guy who works on his own car or fixes his plumbing over someone with certifications. Troubleshooting is the name of the IT game most of the time. Yes, tips and tricks from classes and certifications help, but that is quickly picked up. Being able to look at a problem and identify good information from bad and then be able to apply a fix and figure out what else broke is mastery and is not easily taught. I have not been bitten once when using this to hire someone. Yet I have seen guys with CCNA's not be able to wire a network when it was not right out of a text book.

As a person that has looked for work with AND without certs, certs help. The only way to get a job without certs is to already have 10-20 years experiance working with other companies (or one company) and maybe know someone in the company. Other than that first get the "easy" certs (A+, Net +, Microsoft) then work on the harder ones (CCNA and Microsoft servers). I am still working on getting the Microsoft server certs. CCNA is a beast if you have never done networking before.

Its true that, these can be achieved from scratch, for that the career goal should be clear.
For someone who wants certification from scratch, is hungry for deep knowledge .
But what if some one wants having multiple certifications like RHCE+OCA ?? Will it be a positive for future ??

From scratch as in you know "nothing" and then you learn how to pass the exam for the certification.

In what way is this valuable to anybody except the myopic fools promoting the certs?

You are just going to end up with more cookie cutter types, who are useless as soon as they step out of their comfort zone. As soon as the version changes they'd have to take another one. Oh I get it.....

Stop being part of the problem...

Exactly right

Presumably incovenient for the person of courageous convictions who down voted me...

Don't anybody take it away, not being liked by gutless conniving incompetent wimps is a worthy accolade...

I am an IT zero knowledge. If I am going to study, what is the best course will I take or maybe the best path to take to become an IT?

Any help will be appreciated.