There goes a chunk of my season - prolly shouldnt even be a grump...

[BrianS]

We just got a new manager here at work. So far she is working out great.

Starting in August, ASIDE from working my normal job, I am being sent to 3 nights of training courses a week for my A+ and Network+ and Avaya VOIP certifications. (not all at once, but as one ends the next begins)

This, plus working my second job... plus finding time with my wife = a VERY busy 7 weeks... doesnt end till Sept 22nd. So thank god for summer slowness.. and thank god the fall run will be gearing up when I am finished!

I am mildly conflicted about this. Certifications good! missing fishing - not so good..

[spence]

It all will look good on the resume

-spence

[ThrowingTimber]

Certs = good.

Leverage the certs youre getting, by letting them know you are also interested in other certs *cough SECURITY CERTS *COUGH SECURITY CERTS Those look pristine on paper and bang those out over the winter.

Think: CISSP

You need certs for life after where you are now. They're your future.

[BrianS]

The path for the training we are taking now is New Horizons "Cyber Defender" cert.. it includes the following... If work is payin, Ill keep goin. I am really interested in moving into SQL and databases, but ill take what I can get.

A+ Certification - Core Hardware
A+ Certification - Operating Systems
Interconnecting Cisco® Network Devices
Introduction to Computer Forensics
MS 2272: Implementing and Supporting Microsoft Windows XP Professional
MS 2274: Managing a Windows Server 2003 Environment
MS 2275: Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment
MS 2276: Implementing a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure: Network Hosts
MS 2277: Implement, Manage & Maintain a Windows Server 2003 Network Infra. Network Services
Network+
Security+

[The Dad Fisherman]

Certs are good.....I need to get my a$$ back in gear and pick up/update a few. Security is HUGE and where the bucks are at present.

If you've been working in networking for any amount of time and are comfortable w/ TCP/IP you could probably bang out the network+ one w/ out the training. If you can, take that one 1st to "Warm up" on. A+ is actually harder and, if it still the case, is 2 exams to get the Cert.

Take lots of practice exams and hit the exam dumps to help you out. The Exam Cram series of books are pretty helpful too. You can know this stuff front and back but you need to know the minds of the test writers. After the 1st couple of tests they get easier because you figure out how they are approaching the subject matter, then you're off and running.

I spent 3 years swearing my job title was "Professional Exam Taker"

Good Luck

[The Dad Fisherman]

You type faster than me....DOHH!!

[ThrowingTimber]

cissp

[BrianS]

For the most part, I think I could pass all the tests for Net+ and A+ with only a bit of refreshing and a practice test or two..

Part of this is "team builder" for the group
Part of this is to see how bad we want it.

Getting them to pay for other stuff, might be a chore, so I need to prove how much this means to me by dealing with this first..

[Nebe]

Spence is a certified jackass

[Slipknot]

Geekspeak

[Iwannakeeper]

I haven't worked for company where that stuff matters in years. I kinda miss the certs. When I was with a big company we used to go to certs during work, so I did not have to go after hours. That was nice.

BJ's if you need any help in the VoIP stuff - lemme know. I am pretty strong on SIP, not so much so for 323, MGCP, Megaco, cisco-skinny.

-IWk

[likwid]

Talk her into MCSE+i

A+ certs are BS in comparison and MCSE looks better when pushing towards management.

For serious.

[ThrowingTimber]

mcse and cissp you'd be UNSTOPPABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[likwid]

MCSE *is* software centered, but the fact is more and more big companies/private companies are switching to full hardware support from vendors, so that crap is a no brainer these days, just complain at the support manager and get a new pc shipped.

Just don't ever try to deal with MS support or you're in for a FUN time.