Certifications
 

I just finished my second year of university to get my BS in Computer Information Systems(CIS) and minor in Business Management. I'm looking to maybe get a head start on a certification. The A+ certification looks like it would be pretty useful. However, I wanted to be sure that A+ is the best certification for a CIS major (not to be confused with CS) to start with.

I did a search for computer certifications and came up with a huge list. Maybe someone can maybe give me a few suggestions for what certification would best suit me.

I guess a sub-question would be: What are the best books to buy to study for X certification. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks! =)

I can't answer your question, but can ask my own. I've just graduated from High School and I'm planning on going to New Mexico Tech, I want to do something with computers, but there's a ton of different classes dealing with that. So my quesiton is, what is Computer Information Systems? What does it involve?

The A+ certification is almost a "gimme" certification, i.e it's almost implied that you have it when you apply to work in some places. For CIS, you may want to look into a CCNA for computer networking.

As my Network Engineering instructor says about Certs, don't make your whole career out of Certs, understand the underlying concepts and the certs are cake. Make sure though that if you get one cert now, five years down the line, don't believe that it will keep on helping you.

Well, at this point, A+ has really lost a lot of value. Several years ago, it really helped. But at this point its more of a prerequisite to get into the industry than it is a bragging right for higher paying jobs.

Here is the description that my school gives for CIS:

The B.S. in computer information systems combines classes in computing and systems management with classes in accounting, economics, and business administration. With a few years experience graduates will be equipped to manage a data processing department in a hospital, business, or industry.

I wouldn't waste your time with an A+ certification. Unless you are striving to be a desktop technician, it really won't serve you well. If you want to promote your career, I would focus on a higher level certifications such as CCNA/CCIE (Cisco), MSCE (Microsoft) or the CNE (Novell). If you can exhibit that you have a broad understanding of network topology and how traffic/protocols are distributed across network segments, then you will have a successful career in I.T., maybe something in Network Design and Architecture which pays very well and is easy work if you like spending time in test environment and labs.

Seriously, the degree in CIS will help you more than any certification. Most people in this industry do not have degrees or certifications.

I would say for a CIS major a A+ is not really needed, All it says anyways is I can take it apart and put it back together....

Go for MCSE thats what some one over a Dept. needs, the knowledge to know how to deploy it all in teh MS world...

A+ is for grunts in the tech world...

I wouldn't recommend any of the Cisco Certs unless you have some Cisco routers and switch to play with... I got all the study material and RouterSim software but don't feel as though i know it, really need some hands on with it...

But hey I am A+, Network+, MCP, MCSA, MCSE after all.....

Degrees are a wonderfull thing. That being said, most of my coworkers in my tech job either don't have degrees or have degrees in a completely different field. Certifications are a great thing. However, they aren't the be all to end all way of educating yourself. Skip A+ and start on one of the other certifications mentioned.
I myself am a certified Oracle 8i DBA. I am starting on my MCSE to branch out from databases to IS functions. That and I need to upgrade my OCPDBA.

to Contrast....

I have no degree no certs...

I have tons of experience, and have hired people with degrees with certs and every combination.

It's really about opening the door for you.

I was just offered a position with a financial company... i'll pass on it because the large salary would be nice, but that means more responsibilty and less quality of life.

Thanks for all the responses and advice. I think I will look into getting a MSCE cert rather than the A+. After looking more at the MSCE, I've realized that this will benifit me and my career goals more so than the A+ cert will.

It looks like i will be studying Windows 2000 and Windows 2000 server information mostly if I go for my MSCE now. When will this change to a different OS? Would it be better for me to wait and save my time/money until they change to a newer OS? The reason I'm asking is that I just finished my 2nd year of school. I have two more years until I graduate. A MSCE won't help me *too* much in school.. but possibly help me get an internship next summer. Any suggestions?

Thanks again.

OS change will happen sooner than later, if you took the 2000 server stuff you'll have to take a simpler test to get the 2003 cert when it's available

The change will probably happen around 2007-ish, when longhorn comes out. There's an upgrade test if you go the 2000 route, info here: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcse/windows2003/ but your probably best, if your starting fresh, going right to 2003 server.

As far as certifications in general, one thing I can tell you is if you get a position somehwere, look at what they're using, and try and get certified in that. An MCSE may not do much good in a unix shop; but you can leverage your experience and accessability to the technology to improve your skills (and maybe even earn advancement).

As a CIS major who is sitting through CIS classes RIGHT NOW, CIS is the pussy degree of the computer world (not to offend, but it's nothing compaired to CS or IT degree, I know I'm there). You accually don't open a computer the entire time in the CIS degree. A+, Cicso, or MCSE is good certs to get.

That's kind of off-topic to my thread, but I will address that point anyways. That's like telling a pediatrician that he's the pussy of medical doctors because he doesn't get to operate on brains like a brain surgeon. The pediatrician wants to work with children, not perform brain surgery.

I chose CIS because I don't want to do what the CS majors do. CS is a different degree.. different career path--one that I chose not to do. I understand what a CIS degree is, and thats why I chose it. :)

Thanks for your certification suggestions. I think i will look into a MSCE cert.

Definitely get the MCSE...it's pretty much what got me my current job.
I passed...and I'm almost embarrassed to admit this...using the For Dummies series of books. There are so many study guides that are 1,500+ pages, but are full of garbage you don't need for the test. The Dummies books are pretty efficient.
Take lots of practice tests & read the online "brain dumps" to get an idea of what the tests are like.

I agree that A+ is kind of a waste of time...it's sort of like going to college for an AA degree.

if you didn't mean to offend, you did anyway. have you ever considered that CIS majors chose CIS for a REASON? Maybe we don't want to sit and fucking program all day. maybe we are interested in the business aspects of computers. maybe we are interested in mainframes, networks, and a small amount of programming. maybe we want to run a website. CIS is not the pussy degree fo computers. that's a bullshit statement. it's just a DIFFERENT degree than CS.


Hell, at my university, CIS and IT are the same fucking thing. You need to rethink your statement. It's more than "nothing compared to a CS or IT" degree. I'm sorry your college has a bullshit CIS program, but here at my university it's extremely strenuous and known as one of the harder bachelor's to achieve. you are a fucking guru by the time you finish the program. in many aspects of computing.


as far as "opening up a computer," fuck it! I already know them inside and out. the CS degree here doesn't do it either. it's too fucking easy to have classes on just opening them up. the CS degree concentrates on advanced machine operating systems, programming (HEAVY emphasis), hardware (not just "opening up computers," the REAL stuff), and math.

The CIS/IT degree concentrates on networking, database, systems analysis, management, marketing, operations management, computer applications, web design, and other non-related classes. accounting and economics are a big part of the degree too.


some of us out there DON'T WANT the CS degree. we want CIS/IT. I'm offended.

My opinion on the certifications... Unless you have the experience to back them up, don't bother.

I come across resumes all the time that brag about all the certs that they have - and in looking at the resume, they're paper tigers, completely useless.

I'd rather hire someone with experience. Not to degrade anyone who's got one of the certs, I have an MCSE, and also every certifcation that Novell offered years back, anyone can pass a test, it's not hard. Even the idiots that work in HR are starting to realize this.

Get the work experience, get internships where you can get real life experience, then take the tests.

Honestly, entry level certificates are mostly paper certificates, but if you can bust out (for example) a CCNP certification - now that's something to be proud of.