Online certs

[duster]

e You are a Network Administrator at your company however from to time you create threads here asking for help with Cisco equipment (like many of us as we don't know it all). I guarantee that after you study the content you will know more about the equipment you are responsible for.

Edit: BCK just saw this

Knowing the material to be proficient in Cisco technology and being certified is 2 different things. im not opposing studying from a book. I'm against organizations who make their own certs as a money making scheme. you pay them all this money to take their exams and in the end what do you get? when was the last time microsoft help you look for a job? did cisco ever send a posting to your inbox after being ccna certified? did sun every call you saying they have an opening? NO!! but dem tek you money a give you a peice of paper. now you run with that paper and think you can rule the world!

[kilaj1]

Knowing the material to be proficient in Cisco technology and being certified is 2 different things. im not opposing studying from a book. I'm against organizations who make their own certs as a money making scheme. you pay them all this money to take their exams and in the end what do you get? when was the last time microsoft help you look for a job? did cisco ever send a posting to your inbox after being ccna certified? did sun every call you saying they have an opening? NO!! but dem tek you money a give you a peice of paper. now you run with that paper and think you can rule the world!

Your thinking its up to them to get you a job?? thats funny..cant say anything more...just so you know some schools that teach this cert offer job placement

[TwistedPair]

What a debate this turned out to be, I dunno about America but every time I see a job opening they want you to have a Degree, CCNA/MCSE and 3 years experience “in a similar position”. I am surprised that the value of certifications is debatable at this point. I don't think fellas would be paying tons of money and spending countless hours getting these things if they had no value in the job market.

The MCSE is what it is because every employer asks for it. Sometimes I wonder if these people know what they asking for, do I need an MCSE to manage a network with 50 machines or a CCNA for network with no routers and some unmanaged switches? I don't think so but it is there on the paper.

Having experience is nice but nowadays you got to have certs or a Degree before they even let you in the door.

[kilaj1]

The MCSE is what it is because every employer asks for it. Sometimes I wonder if these people know what they asking for, do I need an MCSE to manage a network with 50 machines or a CCNA for network with no routers and some unmanaged switches? I don't think so but it is there on the paper.

I see what your saying but MCSE it not solely for Enterprise level work nor does the company that says they want CCNA people, what they want to know is that you have the knowledge contained in the courses.

[duster]

Your thinking its up to them to get you a job?? thats funny..cant say anything more...just so you know some schools that teach this cert offer job placement

not up to them but assist you in the process.

[kilaj1]

But duster...thats like saying the people who created the Bc degree in IT should help you get a job, they provide. Tell me which course maker...cert or diploma help you with jobs...its usually the school that teches the course, cert or diploma, that helps with job placement.

[whisper]

But duster...thats like saying the people who created the Bc degree in IT should help you get a job, they provide. Tell me which course maker...cert or diploma help you with jobs...its usually the school that teches the course, cert or diploma, that helps with job placement.

exactly.....kilaja summed it up perfectly...its the training school that should provide services such as career development and job placement after all it`s their u spent your money to prepare for the exam. Why should organizations such as Microsoft,comptia etc provide job placement huh? Cmon give me a good reason It hasn`t happened before and even if u huff and puff its not gonna happen

[BlackCryptoKnight]

Knowing the material to be proficient in Cisco technology and being certified is 2 different things. im not opposing studying from a book. I'm against organizations who make their own certs as a money making scheme. you pay them all this money to take their exams and in the end what do you get? when was the last time microsoft help you look for a job? did cisco ever send a posting to your inbox after being ccna certified? did sun every call you saying they have an opening? NO!! but dem tek you money a give you a peice of paper. now you run with that paper and think you can rule the world!

Certification is not unique to IT. Certification exists in other professions. Having proficiency to a certain level with the material, is supposed to be a requirement for being certified. It is supposed to be a requirement for having a degree too. However, in both cases, it is quite possible to get either qualification and not truly be proficient.

As for companies coming up with their own certifications as money making schemes, look at it this way - if you make a product which requires some skill to work with, somebody will come up with a training course, and some certification to validate that persons have the level of skill needed to work with the product. Why shouldn't you provide such training and certification programme? Who better to come up with it? As long as it is run well, and delivers true value, then there is nothing wrong with that.

Where there is the problem is with organizations that make false claims of making you an expert after 5 days of training. Or that specialize in helping you to cram for an exam rather than acquire real practical skill.

On the job note, there are many certification bodies that assist persons they certify with finding employment. ISACA does it for their CISAs and CISMs. ISC2 does it for their CISSPs, SCPs etc. Some organizations provide outlets for professional networking and job search facilities, and some do send postings to your inbox about job opportunities for certified persons.

Honestly duster, your anti-cert rants don't hold much merit. Whether you want to acknowledge it or not, there is value in certification, just as there is value in having a degree, and experience, and having links and contacts who can facilitate the opening up of opportunities for your career.

If you went out and prepared for, and took the CCNA certification, you would find that you would be better able to perform your own job - that is, unless you cheated at it getting it.

[Kev4eva]

Honestly duster, your anti-cert rants don't hold much merit. Whether you want to acknowledge it or not, there is value in certification, just as there is value in having a degree, and experience, and having links and contacts who can facilitate the opening up of opportunities for your career.

exactly.....well said str8 to da point....his anti-cert rant and blasting doesn`t hold any merit whatsoever u summed it up quite well BlackCryptoKnight and made some very important points.

[Chucky_B]

BCK and PSILOS brilliant posts, Certs are as valuable as a degree because the degree is not vendor specific nor is it focused on a special area.

Endorced...

About that experience duster is bragging about. my point of view is no one was born with experience so while its also important you have, still an employer will consider employing you with a degree, diploma, cert out of college with no real work experience at least you GOT THE JOB right? its now up to you to be smart and put your hard work and dedication to it and make your name. On the other hand without a degree, diploma, certs no employer is letting you in there company with just experience and even if you do get in you will just end up doing all the work while others get all the pay No matter HOW many years experience you have. this is plain facts! experience is good but its not all it still it needs that degree, certs etc. to make you Worthy to be Paid . Conclusion - They area nothing without each other.