Members believe Microsoft certification

Since you don't have a "techie" background, the certification(s) would help to prove you have some knowledge of the particularly OS, etc. I believe your far ahead of the game when if comes to the more critical parts of the IT field.

Your other life experiences proves to some degree that you have people skills, resource management skills, can deal with politics, and you have the correct attitude towards the area in the IT field that you've chosen to pursue (training). So in one word "yes",I think you should go for the certifications that will enable you to be a successful trainer.

I retire from the military shortly and have done almost 20 years in the IT field. I have seen the field progress from the days of card punch and card readers, to the present environment. I've built LANs from 50 users to 800. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to do that. From all that experience I know that there is far more to network\LAN management that just the techie stuff. That'sactually the easy part. It's the rest of the stuff that's not in the books that can't be taught, and has to be experienced.

I have other issues with certifications, but in a situation like yours it a great tool to achieve what you want and enjoy. With your background and a certification or two, that proves you have the knowledge of the subject matter, you should be an excellent trainer. Good luck and most important remember to enjoy life while your doing it.

OK,

Lets see, I have been in the IT field for over 10 Years, no real certification but real world experience and my A+. System Admin and network manager along with supervision. I am now faced with company downsizing and and age
discrimination (Age Yes ! ) Well I decided to forgo working for someone. I am now freelancing and selling and fixing PC's I can't find good people or anyone thats business minded, so I do it alone. You can make money and its a living. I was going to go back to school for MCSE but don't forget theres tons of people going into it. I think at your age you should be a manager and learn some technology and show companies how to run. Instead of working in the overpopulated IT field. Hey $105,000 you will never make being a trainer or a System Admin. Want a career low stress and well that goes along with low pay.

It seems you'll get a lot of opinions on this, but speaking from my own experience, Certifications can open doors - in the right environment. Before my certification, I was a construction equipment operator. After I got my MCSE, I took a lower lever Computer Operator job, and in two years have moved up twice -to a System Specialist. I get to teach classes too, and train newbies as Computer Assistants that I once was. If you want to train, I would think an MCSE and an MCT would be very useful to you in helping get your foot in the door in IT training. Once you get in the door, it's up to you to establish your worth to your company. I would also suggest scouting the environment in your area: check local tech schools, colleges, libraries, government entities, local corporate listings and websites. Good luck!!

My instructor, my friends and other people friends are divorce because of MCSE.
My insturctor and my friends are teaching MCSE and Cisco. Now some of them got laid off and my instructor is telling me he will get a pink slip next month. After studying MCSE and Cisco certification some of my friends are working as waiter and one is working as painter. My instructor is trying to get a real estate license now so he can atleast support his 2 kids. I saw him working very hard to get MCSE and Cisco certicate. Now the whole family is falling apart. His daughters are asking why Daddy didn't come home. This is not the whole story yet. Very sad.