Microsoft Certifications - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

begavet · 06-10-2009, 09:56 AM

Hi everyone, im not sure if this is the right section but I had a few questions.
I wanted to see if anybody had microsoft certifications and how much they were? Im really interested and wanted to see if I actually had to visit classes and take the exams or if I can order a study guide and the real exams thru a legit site? Can somebody help me pls?

Thanks in advance,

Martian · 06-10-2009, 10:10 AM

Cisco certifications are infinitely more useful. If you have CCNA certification you really don't need MCSE, and if you don't have friends in the tech industry able to tell you this you might have a hard time landing a job with either.

It's been my experience with IT that 90% of it comes from networking. Then again, my experience approaching the field without a formal education might be different from the norm.

You'll need to sit exams for either, but the course isn't mandatory for Microsoft certifications to my knowledge. If you'd prefer, you can pick up the books and study on your own.

vanblah · 06-10-2009, 10:46 AM

I've been the SysAdmin at a small college for almost 10 years now. I was a Systems Analyst at a large, international accounting firm for 2 years before that. All of this happened BEFORE I had a degree in network engineering (and during my education as well). I have no certifications at all (other than the degree, which is pretty much worthless in retrospect).

I got the first job (the accounting firm) by lying and breaking the rules at a place I worked. I was a glorified receptionist and a headhunter called looking for someone I worked under; because this was a normal thing we (receptionists) were only supposed to take a name and number and nothing more. I made the "mistake" of asking what it was about and made an appointment for the next day. I was hired within the week.

My current job I got by moving in three doors down from someone who already worked here. I was hired within a month.

So, yeah, Martian is correct. The tech industry is mostly networking and BS. The certificates won't hurt per se, but they don't really guarantee a job.

All this to say, I don't remember how much they cost really. They were in the $1000s when I was starting out and looking into them ... 12 years ago.

thingstodo · 06-13-2009, 11:22 AM

I think Microsoft is in the $4,000-5,000 range. A+ is about $2,000. With both you usually have to pay to take the tests and pay again if you don't pass. A+ is more about hardware. Depending on the job I was hiring for I might be interested if someone had one of these certifications, Microsoft more than A+. I'm not familiar with the Cicso certification so I need to check that out. I'm really more interested in the person and what they have done previously.

Crack · 06-13-2009, 12:05 PM

experience trumps all. Join the Air Force.

06-10-2009, 09:56 AM	#1 (permalink)
begavet Upright	Microsoft Certifications Hi everyone, im not sure if this is the right section but I had a few questions. I wanted to see if anybody had microsoft certifications and how much they were? Im really interested and wanted to see if I actually had to visit classes and take the exams or if I can order a study guide and the real exams thru a legit site? Can somebody help me pls? Thanks in advance,

06-10-2009, 10:10 AM	#2 (permalink)
Martian Young Crumudgeon Location: Canada	Cisco certifications are infinitely more useful. If you have CCNA certification you really don't need MCSE, and if you don't have friends in the tech industry able to tell you this you might have a hard time landing a job with either. It's been my experience with IT that 90% of it comes from networking. Then again, my experience approaching the field without a formal education might be different from the norm. You'll need to sit exams for either, but the course isn't mandatory for Microsoft certifications to my knowledge. If you'd prefer, you can pick up the books and study on your own. __________________ I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said - Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

06-13-2009, 11:22 AM	#4 (permalink)
thingstodo A Storm Is Coming Location: The Great White North	I think Microsoft is in the $4,000-5,000 range. A+ is about $2,000. With both you usually have to pay to take the tests and pay again if you don't pass. A+ is more about hardware. Depending on the job I was hiring for I might be interested if someone had one of these certifications, Microsoft more than A+. I'm not familiar with the Cicso certification so I need to check that out. I'm really more interested in the person and what they have done previously. __________________ If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves. Stangers have the best candy.

06-13-2009, 12:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
Crack Misanthropic Location: Ohio! yay!	experience trumps all. Join the Air Force. __________________ Crack, you and I are long overdue for a vicious bout of mansex. ~Halx

06-10-2009, 10:46 AM	#3 (permalink)
vanblah Junkie	I've been the SysAdmin at a small college for almost 10 years now. I was a Systems Analyst at a large, international accounting firm for 2 years before that. All of this happened BEFORE I had a degree in network engineering (and during my education as well). I have no certifications at all (other than the degree, which is pretty much worthless in retrospect). I got the first job (the accounting firm) by lying and breaking the rules at a place I worked. I was a glorified receptionist and a headhunter called looking for someone I worked under; because this was a normal thing we (receptionists) were only supposed to take a name and number and nothing more. I made the "mistake" of asking what it was about and made an appointment for the next day. I was hired within the week. My current job I got by moving in three doors down from someone who already worked here. I was hired within a month. So, yeah, Martian is correct. The tech industry is mostly networking and BS. The certificates won't hurt per se, but they don't really guarantee a job. All this to say, I don't remember how much they cost really. They were in the $1000s when I was starting out and looking into them ... 12 years ago.