are those certification bootcamps worthwhile?

[nageov3t]

so, I've more or less decided that I want to leave my job in the next 6-12 months... being back on the open market scares me a little, though.

I've been working in IT for over five years now, but as a data center tech, I'm more of a "knows a little about a lot" jack of all trades kinda guy instead of someone who's specialized. combine that with the fact that I have no real IT education/certs beyond what I've picked up on the job and it makes me pretty nervous. I don't doubt that I could do whatever job I'm thrust into, certifications or not, but I'd think that having the certs would boost my chances of getting a foot in the door and scoring an interview with someone who only knows me by my resume.

so I'm thinking I should pick up some certifications (specifically, A+/net+/server+/MSCE). I figure A+ I can probably just skim through a book and pass the test the next day, but I'm a little unsure about the rest so I thought about looking into one of those bootcamp type things.

are they actually worthwhile to get quick certs?

and on a side-note, does server+ even exist anymore? I'll be damned if I can find any books/practice tests/whatever dated after 2001.

 

[Pepsei]

i have no problem admitting that i cheated to get my paper MCSE 2k in the MSCE, since i'm already working in the IT industry for years it was a piece of cake memorizing all the answers from transcender for all those tests. CCNA was slightly harder for me, but i took a company paid boot camp class that grantees you'll pass by giving you unlimited vouchers to take the test, ( they probably lost money on me, i pass the test after 3 tries)

now, the certs really means nothing for me or my employer now since i've been here for 11 years. but i guess it looks good to put on your resume.

 

[Insomniator]

I don't think certs mean crap if you experience in IT. If you don't have the previous experience then I guess they are good, my IT degree certainly helped my lack of any certifications when looking for a job...

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

A+, net+, server+, MSCE are all pretty pointless IMO.

I have my A+, but really it doesn't mean much.

Cisco certs are worth it, and other certs are most likely as well. The generic stuff like (whatever)+ won't help much, unless you work for Geek Squad.

 

[spidey07]

They are worthwhile depending on which ones you use. MCSE is still pretty valuable - we had a position for a windows SME/Architect for about 150K. MCSE was required.

 

[nageov3t]

Originally posted by: spidey07
They are worthwhile depending on which ones you use. MCSE is still pretty valuable - we had a position for a windows SME/Architect for about 150K. MCSE was required.

yeah, MCSE and server+ are the main ones I'm interested in, but it seems like everyone says you should at least knock out A+/net+ before moving on to the more specialized ones... server plus because I generally do enjoy working in a data center and it could set me up to go after an HP server certification.

 

[Genx87]

It all depends on the position and the company doing the hiring. IMO my degree is completely worthless for what I do. However without it I wouldnt get any call backs on my resume. The same situation exists on many of these certs. Hiring managers will simply toss you in the trash for not having the required cert even if your experience is better.

That said I havent seen many positions that "require" certs like they do a college degree. They just prefer it.

 

[RichUK]

Originally posted by: loki8481

Originally posted by: spidey07
They are worthwhile depending on which ones you use. MCSE is still pretty valuable - we had a position for a windows SME/Architect for about 150K. MCSE was required.

yeah, MCSE and server+ are the main ones I'm interested in, but it seems like everyone says you should at least knock out A+/net+ before moving on to the more specialized ones... server plus because I generally do enjoy working in a data center and it could set me up to go after an HP server certification.

I've got an MCSA in 2k3. Unless you can't comprehend what you read in the work books, don't bother with the A+/Net+/Serv+ bullshit. These quals put you in the jack-of-all-trades class.

 

[SagaLore]

Originally posted by: loki8481
so I'm thinking I should pick up some certifications (specifically, A+/net+/server+/MSCE). I figure A+ I can probably just skim through a book and pass the test the next day, but I'm a little unsure about the rest so I thought about looking into one of those bootcamp type things.

For the CompTIA certifications, do not waste your money or time on bootcamps. Just get the Exam Cram books, memorize, and sign up for MeasureUp to practice.

The MSCE isn't as valuable as it used to be. Do some research into what kind of return on investment you will get from that. There is just too much competition at that level.

 

[ScottMac]

They are not good if you're starting from scratch (or nearly so).

If you have most of the training, info, or experience, and you need to fill in some of the gaps, they can be a Good Thing.

There is usually so much information put out in such a short time, trying to grasp it as new information just doesn't work (i.e., "a waste of money").

 

[Oyeve]

Was great for me because at the time I was already MSCE savvy and built and supported tons of servers for years. Boot camp was the quickest way for me to get the cert plus the company paid for it.

Bottom line, if you know what you are doing then take the quickest route to get what you want.

 

[mparr1708]

If you don't have anything done towards your MCSE then a decent boot camp can be worth it. It's also pretty easy to buy the books and self study but there are benefits of the camp. Also, it?s a lot easier to focus at a camp for a week and just blow it out versus self study which leaves you prone to distractions. I specialize in IT security and just finished my CISSP. This was the first cert I used a bootcamp for and I left wondering why I had never done it before. It was well worth the time to be able to get away for a week, focus, study with others, and blow the test out of the water. Not to mention most camps have a guaranteed pass or get a free session deal.

To those that say with experience you don't need certs:
Yes and no. If you are trying to get your foot in the door of a place where you have no contacts certs will often times get you an interview. In the interview is where you get to shine. Having experience on your resume is important but certs open up a lot more job opportunities.

To take this one more step forward:
Think long and hard about what you want to do at the peak of your IT career. College may be the best route for you if you want to hit management at some point. In my experience a college degree is almost required if you want to start moving into leadership type roles.

Just my 2 cents from my 10+ years in IT so far.