IT Employment

The way I see it is if you are just starting out and don't know d!cK about computing, then you need to start at the lowest level like the A+.

Then once you are in an computing enviroment, go for your MCSE and related certs.

After you are an MCSE/Equivialent. Then go for your higher level certs, like the CCNA and CISSP, etc.

Then once at that level you set your sites on the higher certs like the CCNP and then the all-powerful God-Like CCIE.

Baby Steps. There is nothing worse then talking to another "Admin" with a cert who can't do the simplest of tasks because they are still new to the field.

The question is not: what is best, or what earns the most, or what has the best perspectives or career path. The question is: what do you feel like?
You could go for the money and figure out which of both will earn you the most. But can you imagine yourself doing overtime to figure out a new feature, spending weekends on trying out a new version, or browsing a trade-show on a sunny saturday-afternoon for something that doesn't interest you? Or for something you don't really like working with?
If you do something you like, if you work with something that intersts you, you *will* spend more than the obliged time on your work, you *will* try to figure out a solution during a weekend, and you *will* get a lot better in your job. And guess in the long run who gets the nicest job? My bet is: the one that has a genuine interest in what he does, and in the tools that surround the subject.
So if you don't know what to pick, why don't you try both? Try volunteering, try if someone can let you accompany her/him for a few days/weeks, and see what fits you. Don't try to fit yourself to something, it won't work.

Jim

One of the problems of an experienced network professionals is trying to set yourself apart from the crowd, i.e. What are you good at? What is your area of expertise? If the answer is ?I don?t know? then maybe you reevaluate your career. I here thereal estate and insurance industries are hiring. An MCSE or CCNA does mean much if you can?t back it up. I sorry but I spend too many long day, nights and weekends fixing problems that should have never happen.

Which is better? Try experience, hard work and the ability to handle the task at hand.

MCSE if you want to do Client Server / Admin

CCXX if you like to pound routers and switches.

I'm doing both the MCSE2K and labratting for CCIE