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by don_c

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Hi all! Im studying for my MCSE at home. I couldnt see paying 8k to 12k for school to just pass a test and not able to do it. MY knowledge of computers goes back to 1996 when I bought my frist one. I have built a network in my home. One sever and 3to 4 clients In August I start my testing on 70-210 and on I go. My concerns are since im not currently working in an IT position what would employers think of a home study certification and no work related experience. when i pass the 70-210 and 70-215 I will be looking to get in the IT field any advice will be appreciated

14 replies

by sbar

Your network at home IS real experience. When I'd got my first IT position in 2000 I didn't have any experience, even home network. I've only finished courses and that was all. IMHO, school can't help you to get experience, only to prepare for exams. Good luck

by timwalsh

A certification is a certification, no matter how you got it. I have never seen an employer ask (except maybe in passing) how a person got their certification.

Yes, a working on a home network is experience from the standpoint of increasing yourknowledge and giving you some practical experience. However, most employers will give you little or no credit for this type of experience.

Your ability to find your dream job (or any job for that matter) will greatly depend on the local job market and how it was affected by the IT boom and then bust. If you live (and/or plan to work) in an area that had many layoffs in the IT field, you are likely to have to compete against many, more qualified job seekers. On the other hand, you could beat the right place, at the right time and walk right into a good job. It's just hard to tell these days. If jobs are available (unless there is a severe shortage of experienced IT workers), you will likely be eligible for entry-level positions (due to your level of experience). Then it's a matter of time before you move up the ladder as you gain experience.

NOTE: My intent is not to make you rethink you choice to enter the IT field. Rather, it is to make sure you understand the realities of the current IT job market (although it does appear to be on the upswing again).

I wish you good luck in your new career.

by don_c

Thanks for the advice guys. I really appreciated. And with out a doubt I will go on to be in the IT world. Because my main interests is to learn.

by madroxxx

Learn linux. It is one of the few areas in I.T. that doesn't seem to be overly saturated.

by don_c

I have have dabble in linux a little bit and like to learn more after i start working in the IT world ill do more than just dabble and thanks for the advice

by ghstinshll

Yeah, and we all really badly want to learn about voice over IP too, since it's going to change telecom, too!

Ok, it is going to replace it, but none of us really want to learn about it... (-:{

by ghstinshll

You need to start somewhere, so it might as well be in a help desk role, which will giv eyou the experience you need to get into the other roles that an MCSE may warrant. Once you obtain MCP status, start applying places at entry-level, and be patient, keep learning, and keep mastering the jobs presented to you, and you'll go far. Ask a lot of questions of your peers to learn as much as you can (without appearing to be a dip) and soon you'll master your own career path!

by jellimonsta

I have been to a number of seminars and I must say I am pretty impressed with VoIP. I don't think the technology is quite where I would want it to be for implementation in my company, but it is very close.
It is definitely revolutionizing the telecom industry.

by oz_media

I assume that you are all referring to software based voip as opposed to proprietary.

I get it rammed down my throat almost every time I get a call out now. As contractor for a telecom company I've had to work on a lot of VoIP problems for them.

the ONLY solid solutions I've seen are proprietary, NEC by far being the best with their NEAX 2000IPS. Nortel tried doing it with a BCM but it failed miserably ad did their next release. 3-Com had a decent shot at it but it is still an administrators nightmare to get a clean line without latency problems.

All in all, it's here and it's now. Just like computing, you have to learn these things to stay on top, I'm still struggling with the daily changes but am starting to see some really solid applications and benefits other then free long distance calls.
OM

by ghstinshll

It's getting VERY close to being there... Our midwest Cisco man was here a few weeks ago and telling me about "no lag", and good quality, etc... I bet it'll hit hard in the next 18 mos or so...

In response to my last posting, I believe I was being sarcastic to someone's optimism about jumping into IT, in a psssimistic day...

I DO doubt this person's likelyhood of passing everything in a timely manner and studying on his own unless:

He meets people who can be a circle of support for him

He spends a LOT of money on "hands-on-value" computers for a lab at home, and the appropriate connectivity to learn (and not play) on.

He spends a LOT of time on this subject, approximately 3+ hours per day (hopefully 4+) reading and preparing for the material and applying everything he learns into his lab environment.

Spend some money (when needed) on practice tests and Transcenders to get him an idea of what the testing environment.

Expect to fail at least 2 of the 4-7 exams... It'll be a learning experience in itself taking those exams.

Not get too distrated (-:{

It IS possible, we'll give you advice if you need it along the way. Even help with understanding difficult topics if necessary. It's been forever since anyone has asked anything like that in here...

by psifiscout

I am studying for the MCSE at home as well. I can't get much hands on at work since the entire network there is LINUX, so I built my own. It is a network of double value since it has all the components needed to create the "network" and the computers are totally dis-similar (none of the hardware or software is common between servers or workstations) which allows me to work in an environment similar to those "mixed hardware" networks I typically encountered out in the "real world".

On a note of encouragement on your excursion to certification, I was told by several "IT experts" that I would never be able to achieve cerification at home. Well, after spending 8 grand on a training class, I failed every test on the first try. Then I ranout of cash and went to Waldenbooks and got a set of NT 4 books from the QUE company. Then I passed Network Essentials, NT 4 Workstation, NT 4 Server based on home study. Then Microsoft discontinued the exams, so I started over, but decided to go to the local community college for an IT/Networking (Win2K Track) Associates Degree in order to have a qualification, of sorts, that Microsoft couldn't revoke, then I will be back to the MCSE trail.

I have two courses remaining in the college arena, and I have the books and 'expire ware' for Win2k3 and XP. So as soon as the A.S. degree is complete, it's back to the 'home study' again.

Best of Luck to you.

by oz_media

That's a lot of work to end up with an MCSE just like everyone else in the world.

Pretty soon they'll have MCSE certs available in cereal boxes! I'm not saying that it isn't a well earned skillset, just that EVERYONE has an MCSE (except me)and the market is a horror show.

If you are going to invest in a networking course, why take tha same one that millions of other people are? Try a Netware or security cert.

by philthegreat

I have heard that the Hong Kong telecom is using it for the oversea telephone. It is why they can provide cheaper long distance call.

I think the internet speed and the unstability nature are the limitations.
It will be best if internet 2 is available. (Much higher bandwidth) Maybe the IP v6 will help too. If everything has an IP, then it may help to identify the target phone. I am not an expert in this area, if I am wrong, please the experts tell us.

by oz_media

It look slike you're referring to desktop based VoIP. This has a loooooooooong way to go. A friend of mine recently partnered with World Telecomm in an effort to bring VoIP into an affordable home user market, $150.00 for the box, $9.95/mo for service. Not too bad now due to minimal connections, but if it took off, good luck.
I've designed and configured some of the largest VoIP networks in Canada, the last install cost the client $750,000.00 for 8 locations to be linked. I have seen some real hokey systems by Avaya and 3-Com but that is just basic entry level stuff that is far from stable and requires a full IT dept. to keep it running. The ONLY players that have introduced a viable, secure, stable and working VoIP platform aer the two largest telecom manufacturers, NEC and Nortel. Although Nortel's first shot (Enterprise Edge or Business Communications Manager) was a sloppy product, they have fixed a few bugs in the newer versions. I have UNINSTALLED 3-Com's and Avaya's just to keep the client happy as he goes back to POTS lines and Key Telephone Systems.

The VoIP market will not be opened up by a software or PC manufacturer,they have no idea how business comunications are handled, the Telecomms are way ahead technologically and physically with their infrastructures.

I actually had a customer who's new VoIP system was installed by a computer company at a low cost of just over $8,000.00. It worked OK but the latency was awful and screen pops from his database took 30 seconds (not too handy for a secretary in a shared office). When will they learn I wonder.

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