Microsoft Certification Training

[kimchee411]

Originally posted by: jzodda

Sorry to seem so helpless here, but what collection would be a good start for someone trying to get into an IT help desk position? Like an earlier poster, I have a fair amount of experience in a home environment, but no professional experience. Even though this price is great, I don't have much extra money due to being on unemployment. I'd rather not get a package that goes over most of the information I already know, and I also don't want to get something that's over my head, or not really pertinent to my goals(help desk). Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated :^)

I think you should do the MCDST and I think there is a link to that package somewhere in this thread. Then upgrade it to Vista if you like since there is one of those for $35 also. I think that link was in the first post.

Then take A+ cert which is 3 exams (I think 602-604) if I am not mistaken.

Then you should be fine for help desk entry level. Once you start you can game plan what other certs to go for and the job itself can help with that possibly or give you clues. For A+ you won't find anything in those packages though.

If you can pass MCDST, I would think you could pass A+ without additional study. Plus having both is kind of redundant, no? Of course I don't know anything about MCDST content...

Also, here's one piece of advice that I think would be helpful for anyone looking for a Helpdesk/Desktop/Systems/Network position: use your home environment as a test lab. Think about how you can tweak your systems and network gear to do different things. For example: set up a Windows domain; build a file server using Windows server or XP or Samba in Linux; add a web interface to that file server with IIS or Apache; use Windows as router using Routing and Remote Access services and try to lock it down; hack that SOHO router with more powerful firmware and set up a VPN; build a Hackintosh dual booting with Windows... ANYTHING that interests you.

A lot of you have powerful computers -- use all that power to your advantage for learning instead of just gaming. Leverage virtualization! VMWare Server is free.

There's nothing wrong with having textbook knowledge, but what makes you really stand out is your passion, enthusiasm, and ingenuity -- and that's what IT managers look for. It's okay if you don't know all of the technologies used in a given environment: you can always be trained. But what's attractive is that you can learn quickly and thoroughly, that you care about what you do, and that you can contribute to the bigger picture.

Of course there are some employers who are more impressed by certs and paper credentials and don't value the opinions of non-managerial staff so much, but who wants to work in that kind of company anyway?

Anyhoo, that's just my opinion... based on my experience.

 

[CheapFlyer]

Kimchee - A+ focuses more on the hardware side of things, where MCDST focuses on the supporting of Windows users in a networked office environment.

I just passed the 70-271 today, half way to my MCDST! A+ will be next after 70-272.

-CF

 

[CheapFlyer]

Just a bump to let people know this $35 deal is still available.

BTW: Finished MCDST, and A+ IT Technician! Still no job offers though...

-CF

 

[MrMaster]

Are you sure?

cause I never got it to work.

 

[foghorn67]

Signed up for a set last night. A savings of 316 bucks, lol.

Wish me luck.

 

[Tol]

I realize times are tough and not everyone can be particularly choosy when job hunting but kimchee411's statement here was right on:

"Of course there are some employers who are more impressed by certs and paper credentials and don't value the opinions of non-managerial staff so much, but who wants to work in that kind of company anyway?"

I've been in both types of environments and it's ridiculous how different things can be... Life is too short to be miserable for 8 hours a day.

 

[Morgot]

So I am looking to get A+ Certified, hopefully pick up a tech job..maybe help desk of some sort.

is A+ offered in this program?

If so, would going this route be beneficial to say, taking a class on it.

 

[Goosemaster]

It's rather confusing at first to navigate the individual courses with respect to their collection, etc, but easy enough once you have a few tabs open

I was planning on certifying myself now that I was laid off and am quite excited about this.

it worked... thanks a million op!

 

[CheapFlyer]

Morgot,

A+ in not available with this deal. If you have already built a few PC's just go pick up an A+ book at your local library and self-study. If you don't know your PC parts and ports like the back of your hand, go take a class or some sort of computer based training like TestOut or CBTNuggets.

-CF

 

[happyhelper]

This isn't that hot IMO. Anyone pursuing certification ought to know enough about computers to know how to use usenet, where there is a neverending free supply of up to date CBTs (computer based training), videos, practice tests and ebooks for exam-prep.

IMO, no MS cert is needed for an entry level help desk position. An A+ cert would be more than sufficient for starting out in most help-desk environments. A+ has more to do with the hardware of computers and the basics of how they connect and communicate with each other (networking). After you actually have such a job, get another cert if they recommend it and if you expect to be at that job for several months or more. But this "hot deal" does not pertain to A+ certs.

This is an OK deal for those it is meant for (people who've failed an exam they actually need to pass)... surely the MS materials supplied for $35 will help them prepare for taking a hard exam again (and some of them are quite hard, especially if you don't put a lot of time into studying them).

The thing that gets me though is all the study material you ever need is available at no cost (or for the cost of a library card at a decent educational institution (no more than $20)), and paying more than that for it won't make you retain it any better. It's best to study until you know you can pass, then take the exam, rather than taking it (and paying for it) and failing and paying to take it again.

 

[Morgot]

Thanks for the replies fellas, the navigation on that microsoft site was a bit confusing.

the public library is something I often forget about, and would def be worth my time to check out what kinda of materials they have.

 

[hedgehog2047]

Thanks a lot happy helper. I'm wanting to transition out of financial services to these sorts of IT/help desk services

i was easily able to find all of these as practice exams:
MCDST
MCSE
70-271
70-272 (typing "70-272 exam" really helped in finding it)

Anybody have advice on where to get a+ exam/cert . I have a college nearby but they only seem to offer classes to groups by special appointment/cost. I live in Utah if anybody can point me in the right direction.

 

[Emulex]

maybe you should google for testking packs?

not that i would ever use one of those study guides

 

[BustaBust]

Can someone give me directions on how to add all of the MCDST collections needed to the cart. It's confusing; I know how to get to the MCDST page, but there isn't any options to add anything to the cart. I would greatly appreciate the help. I believe the requirements are 70-271 and 70-272.

Thanks guys.


Do I just add exams: 70-271 and 70-272 ?

Also, I wanted to add 70-621 but, when I add it only 70-271 and 70-272 only shows up.
Is there something I am doing wrong?

EDIT- Anyone? I am trying to register and do the tests before it's too late. I would greatly
appreciate anyone help. Thanks.