IT Courses

[Shortie]

I'm currently considering doing some IT courses and was wondering if I could pick your brains to see which are worth doing. At the moment I am considering CompTIA A+, MCSE or MCSA. I've heard some say that the MCSE & MCSA aren't worth doing anymore, is this so?

I have studied with the OU before and to be honest it's not really my cup of tea.

I'm TG4 (exTG3) but currently not employed in IT but I have done IT in the past. Unfortunately the RAF never bothered sending me on any "proper" courses and almost everything is self taught. I still have a full complement of Enhanced Learning credits to use.

I have 5 years to do it the RAF so I'm trying to get qualified for the outside World whilst stuck in the pension trap. Any help or advice would be appreciated.

 

[The Masked Geek]

Look at education.businessobjects.com

I currently have CP in Administration and will be CP in Data Integrator soon. Worth 60 - 90k in civvy street.

MCSE and MCSA were worth a bomb a few years ago but I recall seeing on here that somebody was getting 43k for an MCSE role so it could be worth looking into.

www.trainingcamp.co.uk offer an MCSE residential bootcamp where you get the qualification inside two weeks for around 7k (or it was when I went through). You'll need a good deal of previous if you wanna pass that one though, it's a bit intensive.

I guess it all depends on which area of "IT" you are interested in.

One other role to think about would be that of a vendor specialist. Big companies have pools of skills and as a vendor specialist, you'll be pulled as a resource by various project managers to advise on products that would best fill the role they require. 40k plus and a varied and interesting job; experience is more valuable than qualifications for that one though.

 

[prop135]

I agree with hat has already been said. It really depends what you want to do in the IT industry.

www.cwjobs.co.uk will give you an idea of what skills are needed in industry and http://www.koenig-solutions.com/ are a good training company. You can use resettlement funds for thier courses and you get 3 courses for the price of 1 uk based course.

 

[thegobbiecabbie]

You have to decide what you want to do, then focus on the courses tailored to that. Things like CompTIA A+, MCSE or MCSA ar OK if you can actively use them after the course, otherwise forget it because you will be out of date within a couple of months.

I personally went down the OU route and did 4 years IT courses based around web subjects because i was interested in the web side of things. I came out in May last year and got a job before demob date as a Web and Graphic Designer with a huge company in Berkshire, not bad for an MTD!

If you want more info of what i did and the route i took i'll happily discuss it with you, just give me a shout.

Regards,

TGC

 

[Huntsman]

I must agree with all that has been said, when i was in the mob, i taught myself, now, being in the IT industry for the last 10 years, MCSE is good if you know AD (Active Directory) as this is what the 99% of the world runs, i've done the 2003 course, but, just around the corner is 2008.
MCSA is good if you want to do Desktop Support, however, a lot of companies are now taking this out of house and getting 3rd parties to do it.
Another way in is through Software Testing, which is what it says on the tin, but more indepth or there's Security, firewalls, Anti-Virus etc. etc. you get the picture.
This is all good if you're brought up on Windows, ther is always the other side of the coin, Apple Mac, these are what publishing houses use (think magazines, every mag on the shelf in Smiths is produced with a Mac).

At the end of the day you have 5 years to doand a lot of reading, exams to take, so look in your local college for evening classes, that's always a good starting point.

There's five pointers to get you going try them all and see which you like, find a course and pursue it.

Good luck Shortie and if you need anymore help, PM me.

 

[iyusuf]

Look at education.businessobjects.com

I currently have CP in Administration and will be CP in Data Integrator soon. Worth 60 - 90k in civvy street.

MCSE and MCSA were worth a bomb a few years ago but I recall seeing on here that somebody was getting 43k for an MCSE role so it could be worth looking into.

www.trainingcamp.co.uk offer an MCSE residential bootcamp where you get the qualification inside two weeks for around 7k (or it was when I went through). You'll need a good deal of previous if you wanna pass that one though, it's a bit intensive.

I guess it all depends on which area of "IT" you are interested in.

One other role to think about would be that of a vendor specialist. Big companies have pools of skills and as a vendor specialist, you'll be pulled as a resource by various project managers to advise on products that would best fill the role they require. 40k plus and a varied and interesting job; experience is more valuable than qualifications for that one though.

Just for the record guys, Training Camp is now Firebrand Training, any questions you may have on this update, drop me reply, thanks.

Iyusuf

 

[dantura]

I did the MCSE course for ressetlement. Plus a CCNA course 6 months ago.

Firstly, unless you're a bit of a Bill Gates, then a 2 week course isn't going to give you the necessary skills. There are companies out there who will get you through the exams. (ie. sit with you and let you have an open book), but it'll leave you in no good stead. Even with the longer 7 week courses, you still need to know your onions.

What the guy's have said earlier is very apt. If you want to go into systems then MCSE is the way ahead. I got offered a job for £41k on the back of having MCSE and CCNA, turned it down though in favour of a more interesting job in my chosen field for slightly less money. In fact I got offered 6 jobs in the end, all above £30k. If you want to do 2nd line support then just do the MCSA, but TBH it would be worth your while to do the extra 2 exams and do the MCSE. If you eventually do it, I would seriously look at the MCITP.

Would I have done the course in hindsight? Yes, as it contributed to me getting my current job!

CCNA is by far a harder course. Cisco take no prisoners if you don't put the effort in, but is a very worthwhile and sought after Q.

Hope this helps a little and good luck with whatever you decide.