Advise Is Highly Appreciated....

[follypimpin]

I joined this group cos i need an advice.am 23 yrs old,going for mcdst in college,am paying £2,000 for the course which runs for a year.I look @ the microsoft certifications and i wonder what age and year i will give up my current job at clothing store and pursue my dream,which is breaking thru into the IT world .Also is it MANDATORY u have A+ and network + before mcdst,i am on the path of mcdst now with no idea about a+ or network +,please advise as i dont want to be wasting my time.Whats the best short cut into get the certs such as mcse,ccna and so on and so forth,i just want to acquire all the certs and become outstanding.a very gud explanation will be will appreciated.

Thanks

ralph

[Shinigami]

A+ or any of the other Comptia Exams are not a prerequisite to get an MCDST. The MCDST exam is a desktop support technician certification for Windows XP. The Comptia Security+ exam can however be used if you wish to get the MCSE Security certification (it counts as an elective exam). Personally, I think the Comptia exams are just way too simple and not all that useful. I don't know about the US or UK, but nobody looks for a Comptia expert in Switzerland.

Back to the MCDST... If you get this exam, you only need to do one upgrade exam to get the equivalent MCITP exam for Vista. So that's a good thing as it kills two flies in one swat.

The MCDST exam (and later, the MCITP upgraded exam) cover some prerequisites for MCSE in Windows 2003 or the MCTS in Windows 2008, so that's also an advantage. In addition, after you've done a few Microsoft exams, you kind of get the drift and begin to understand how the exams in general function, and subsequent (future) exams are completed with a lot less hassle.

Personally, I don't quite see how it can take 1 year to get an MCDST. I think you can, and you should be able to get an entire MCDST in 3 or 4 months max, maybe 6 months if you're completely fresh into the IT world. If that's a years worth of evening studies, then it makes a lot more sense (especially as it only costs £2000).

My first exam was an MCP for Windows 2000 (a Windows 2000 Pro exam) which was a prerequisite for the MCSA/MCSE. So if you do the MCDST, you're already doing the prerequisite for the Windows 2003 MCSA/MCSE. From there, you just need to do another 3 exams minimum to get the next certification level.

So, I recommend you spend this 1 year studying as much as possible. Don't just study the MCDST, begin studying for an MCSA. Get ahead of the class. Download the free Windows 2003 ISO's from Microsoft's website. Use Virtual PC or Virtual Server to create a lab. Spend a few more £££ to buy some extra books on the MCSE curriculum. I for example was given the possibility to do an 8 month long Windows 2000 MCSE day course, and not only did I finish this course with my MCSE, but I was the only one form the class to get my MCSE Exchange and MCSE 2003 as well. On top of that, during the next 9 months, I got my MCSE Security and Exchange certifications completes for Windows 2000 AND 2003, and I got my MCDST as well (it helps that the 2003 certs were upgrades).

I have to say that during a period of 18 months, I didn't go out much, I didn't meet many friends, etc...

You're 23 now, ask yourself if you can do it. Ask yourself if you're willing to lose 2 years of your life to becoming an expert.

I'm 31 now, I have a very well paying job, I'm living a very comfortable life, and all of that thanks to the few years I lost back in 2003...

[follypimpin]

thanks alot,may God bless u

[Tinus1959]

Welcome to the forum.

For the rest, A+ and Network+ are two entry level certifications. Shinigani might find them easy, but so do I find most Microsoft exams easy. Passing A= and Network+ does prove you have a fair knowledge of the hardware and network envirenment. It is a good start, though expensive. A+ and Network+ are not the cheapest exams. They are not needed for MCDST, but cound as an elective for MCSA, the next step for MS.

[Robert M.]

CompTIA exams are great starts, the A+ and Network+ I mean. The only usless exam is the one you don't take. I found the Network+ easier than the A+ because I already had my A+ beforehand, and the knowledge hepled a lot.

I would suggest tackling the A+ first if you are new to IT because you get a really strong foundation with it. Even if you don't use it (and if you can afford to take it), you'll be ready for some basic things at work or in the feild. The exam doesn't constitute real experience, but you'll be familiar with some things and be in a better position to solve problems.

If I am not mistaken, I have heard a certification expert make a strong suggestion of A+ and he also mentioned that nowadays, it's darn near necessary to have in order to get into IT. I see employers asking for it even for advanced positions.

[googolplex_plus1]

Your new to this, the scope of the IT industry is such that there is a good job available to everyone no matter your level of knowledge.
With hard work and study you will build your knowledge over the years and the rewards will follow. I can promise you one thing, there are no short cuts - not one! Getting a "quick" qualification is worthless if you don't have a solid understanding of the knowledge. Working with clothes is also not helping you and a year is a long time in IT.
My advice is to start going for job interviews for junior helpdesk positions in mid to large companies, you will get plenty of rejections but if you put forward your aspirations, your willingess to learn and continue your study efforts then someone will give you a go, eventually. Working with a team on systems every day, you will learn quickly, but still have the support of the other team members.
If you complete a more senior qualification like an MCSA or above then you will be expected to have admin experience and may be expected to work on your own. Keep in mind, the books only teach you about how systems work; when its all working properly. An admins job is to also fix problems and that knowledge only comes from experience. Best of luck making your career dreams come true.