locked
Which Microsoft Cert should I get? RRS feed

  • Question

  • Hello. I am a student finishing my AA in Technical Support, and pursuing a Bachelors in Information Technology and Administrative Management. I currently have the A+ certification and am doing a 4 month contract IT job working with HP hardware. Can I get a certification while I am still in school even though I will not graduate for another 2-3 years? I was looking at getting a MOS Specialist certification since users use the Microsoft office product. Is there anymore I can get while I am in school that would be valid for a long time even when I get out of school?

    Considering it being an employer's market. I think it would be smart for me to get more then one cert under my belt while I am going to school. Do you think that's a smart idea?

     

     


    Saturday, July 30, 2011 8:06 PM

Answers

  • I think it is better to concentrate on your finishing your bachelor first before starting a certification track. Employers don't expect people coming fresh from college to have certifications yet, so don't worry about that now. Most employers value experience above certifications. In my point of view certifications are a supplement to experience. Passing an exam is a great way to assure you have acquired some level of competence. However, if you never use the skills you're certified for it is merely just a waste of time and effort.

    I recommend you wait until you get your first job before deciding which product or technology you want to learn more about. About that time you will know much more about which products or technologies you want to specialize in. Talk to your employer about your ambitions and what competences you want to develop. Most employers are willing to pay for some or all expenses for study and exams. So it is smarter to wait until then before deciding which certification track you want to pursue.  

     

     

     

     

     

    • Marked as answer by Rubel Khan Sunday, August 21, 2011 6:53 AM
    Sunday, July 31, 2011 8:57 AM
  • I'd go for the MOS great general skills for now with out to tech like MCST or MCITP. If you don't use it you loose it.

     

    Cheers

    Craig

    www.mspress.com.au


    Craig Roberts Woodslane
    • Marked as answer by Rubel Khan Sunday, August 21, 2011 6:54 AM
    Sunday, July 31, 2011 11:45 PM

All replies

  • I think it is better to concentrate on your finishing your bachelor first before starting a certification track. Employers don't expect people coming fresh from college to have certifications yet, so don't worry about that now. Most employers value experience above certifications. In my point of view certifications are a supplement to experience. Passing an exam is a great way to assure you have acquired some level of competence. However, if you never use the skills you're certified for it is merely just a waste of time and effort.

    I recommend you wait until you get your first job before deciding which product or technology you want to learn more about. About that time you will know much more about which products or technologies you want to specialize in. Talk to your employer about your ambitions and what competences you want to develop. Most employers are willing to pay for some or all expenses for study and exams. So it is smarter to wait until then before deciding which certification track you want to pursue.  

     

     

     

     

     

    • Marked as answer by Rubel Khan Sunday, August 21, 2011 6:53 AM
    Sunday, July 31, 2011 8:57 AM
  • I'd go for the MOS great general skills for now with out to tech like MCST or MCITP. If you don't use it you loose it.

     

    Cheers

    Craig

    www.mspress.com.au


    Craig Roberts Woodslane
    • Marked as answer by Rubel Khan Sunday, August 21, 2011 6:54 AM
    Sunday, July 31, 2011 11:45 PM