Computer Industry Certifications worth acquiring?

[MiniThug]

Well, its summer and having nothing to do but lay around the pool drinking beer and going to summer school i figured Id look into getting myself certified to improve my job qualifications for the future. Im an Engineering major and even though I dont do much with electronics (Civil engineering) I figured it always helps to add things to your resume. Which certifications should I looking getting? A+, etc? Also, if you have taken any of them, please recommend me the appropriate study guides. Thanks!

 

[DWW]

CCNP and CCIE are about the only valuable ones. I'm not joking.

I have CCNA, MCSE, MCSA and they are all a dime a dozen. Your degree >>>>>> certs. A+ is easy for any basic computer tard to pass. Look how simple comp hardware is now you virtually don't require any brain. Many employers will filter resumes based on those that HAVE certs and put those in the trash and keep the others who have degrees + experience.

Thats just what I've experience and what friends who run companies tell me though...

 

[eelw]

IMO, certifications are a waste of money. More and more people getting their certification only by memorizing answers from the various CBT answer keys available on the internet. And seeing from other coworkers with their certifications, most of them are dumbasses. They don't know squat about troubleshooting and maintaining a network infrastructure. Real life experience far outweights the information learned from the various certifications.

But unfortunately, more and more companies are requiring certifications for job advancement. So you may have no choice but to get your various certifications.

 

[nightowl]

Unless your employer requires that you have the certifications it is not really worth it. Also, like DWW said the CCNP and CCIE are some of the few certifications that are still respected. The CCIE especially since you have to pass an 8 hour lab to get it. Basically, the lower level certifications like A+, Net+ (I think that is the one), CCNA (somewhat), and some of the MCSE tests are not really that valuable. Personally, I am going to be getting my CCNA through CCIE, granted I am going to work for Cisco.

 

[MiniThug]

Bump

 

[neonerd]

bmp

 

[dmcowen674]

"Computer Industry Certifications worth acquiring?"

NO

 

[TreyRandom]

Getting certifications worked for me. I've got a great job making good money. However, I've also got a degree and several years of IT experience.

Certifications won't magically get you a job, but they can help, and in some cases, are mandatory. In fact, I had to be certified AND have a 4-year degree for my present job. Certifications can give you an edge. For example, if two candidates have the same qualifications, but one has certifications and the other does not, everything else being equal, the one with the certifications may well get the job, if for no other reason than taking the initiative to get them. Initiative counts for a lot.

Basically it's up to you. You can choose to spend the money and certify to give yourself any edge you can possibly get, or you can save the money and the time you would have spent studying. If you're worried about what DWW said about employers throwing away resumes of certified individuals, then leave the certifications off your resume if you find that you aren't getting any job offers. However, I don't think that every company has that anti-certification mindset - just look at all the IT job listings that state that they require one or more certifications.

However, all this is moot if you're going for a Civil Engineering job. I wouldn't think that the A+, MCSE, or any of the IT certs would do you much good in that field.

If you still want the study guide recommendations, feel free to PM me. Good luck with your decision and your future career.

 

[civad]

If you are a Civil Engineering major, concentrate on getting your EIT instead... that will be much, much more useful while getting a job.

Info link

 

[MiniThug]

Well, i figure even though computer certifications may not help me much in my field, computers are an interest to me and learning more about them through studying for certifications wont hurt.