Post subject: MCSA - via Comptia? Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2005 8:19 pm
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Hi,
I currently searching for an entry level position in help desk / tech support and have been noticing a lot of postions in Sydney (oz) require MCP, MCSA or MCSE and rarely do i see A+ or N+ mentioned
I am thinking of starting my cert study towards an MCSA, is it best to go straight in and to take the MS subjects to obtain a MCSA or better to take the A+ and Network+ comptia tests as an electivces towards MCSA.
While comptia route means more certs on the resume am i going to be having to study the same topics?
Has anyone done MCSA with Comptia and thought that they should of saved a bit of time and money done only the microsoft subjects?
Joined: 18 Sep 2001 Posts: 7870 Location: Portland, Or
Post subject: Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 5:00 am
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Think of it this way... CompTIA certs are great for your own benefit in that they force you to make sure that you have the basics down. Microsoft exams aren't going to ask you things like "What are the benefits of Serial ATA (SATA) over the Parallel ATA (PATA) specification?"
Quote:
While comptia route means more certs on the resume am i going to be having to study the same topics?
No... Like I said above, CompTIA exams are much more nuts and bolts oriented.
And remember, just because a position says that it requires an MCP, MCSA, etc. doesn't meant that you shouldn't apply for it. Make sure your resume/CV is in good shape and see what happens.. _________________ Did you know?
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Joined: 22 Mar 2003 Posts: 1566 Location: 42.50.21 71.20.27
Post subject: Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 3:42 pm
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gorebrush wrote:
MCSA/MCSE for ENTRY level helpdesk ??
I saw one that required the following :
Minimum 5 yrs exp
BA in Comp Sci or Business
MCSE(preferred)
MCSA (required)
Sec+ Required
Cisco experience a plus
24 hr. availability
salary was around 40k..........unbelieveable what we're expected to have to get a job, evenm more so what were supposed to accept for monies. _________________ i remain, he who remains to be....
Joined: 10 Apr 2005 Posts: 1296 Location: Wales, UK
Post subject: Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 4:39 pm
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That's nuts.
I have seen *reasonable* junior admin positions for £20K ($36K USD) which requires MCP/MCSA and a year or two experience...
But Helpdesk, i've not seen any real silly ones, usually they ask for one / two MCP's... even then that's a lot for a helpdesk _________________ David Jones BSc (Hons)
MS Certs: MCSA: Messaging 2003, MCSE: 2003, MCTS: Vista, MCTS: Exchange 2007
Cisco Certs: CCNP
Studying: CCIE: R&S Written, Feb 28, 2011
Joined: 10 May 2004 Posts: 3556 Location: Hillsboro, OR
Post subject: Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 6:37 pm
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ricka182 wrote:
gorebrush wrote:
MCSA/MCSE for ENTRY level helpdesk ??
I saw one that required the following :
Minimum 5 yrs exp
BA in Comp Sci or Business
MCSE(preferred)
MCSA (required)
Sec+ Required
Cisco experience a plus
24 hr. availability
salary was around 40k..........unbelieveable what we're expected to have to get a job, evenm more so what were supposed to accept for monies.
Something tells me that this job is going to remain open for quite some time. I don't know of anyone with 5 years experience and all those certs, along with a 24 hour pager, that would accept that kind of money...even in Oregon where the unemployment rate is the third highest in the country (7%) _________________ kidvelvet www.kidvelvet.net
Yes, your problem is the most important. Just like everybody else's.
Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 15 Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Post subject: Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 6:47 pm
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Since I'm currently job hunting I can tell you that there are alot of job postings for help desk that mention MCSE. Some posts require it, others recommend it or say it's a plus. And these are like $30K jobs! I really don't see the need for MCSE for a help desk job. And as I've said on here before, once I get my MCSE I hope I'll be able to get a better job than a $30K help desk position.
Joined: 18 Sep 2001 Posts: 7870 Location: Portland, Or
Post subject: Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 8:26 pm
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ricka182 wrote:
gorebrush wrote:
MCSA/MCSE for ENTRY level helpdesk ??
I saw one that required the following :
Minimum 5 yrs exp
BA in Comp Sci or Business
MCSE(preferred)
MCSA (required)
Sec+ Required
Cisco experience a plus
24 hr. availability
salary was around 40k..........unbelieveable what we're expected to have to get a job, evenm more so what were supposed to accept for monies.
Yeah, I think those people will have to lower their expectations or find somebody really desperate...
I went through the job listings at Dice to see what most of the help desk jobs were requiring and what I saw was much more reasonable. A lot of them required A+, but didn't see any that required MS certs for entry level. _________________ Did you know?
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Thanks jsprague , i think i will do the comptia certs first and then continue on with MCSA .
I guess what i am seeing on the sydney sites are different versions on what employers decide is entry level.
Had another good look on the web (sydney sites) and did notice that these "entry level " positions that required MCSA/MCSE were more hands on and i guess that maybe the progression from the entry level position to bigger and better things is quicker?
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