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[Alah]

If you can then i'd defo do something like the MCSE. A lot of students are under the impression that having a degree with get them a few rungs up the ladder but most of the time this is not the case. Having something like an MCSE on your CV would certainly be a help.


If you feel you're having problems getting the kind of jobs or experience you want then looking at contract work might be an idea. Its a lot easier to get in to and aslong as you're not shite can lead to the kind of jobs you'd want.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by Alah

If you can then i'd defo do something like the MCSE. A lot of students are under the impression that having a degree with get them a few rungs up the ladder but most of the time this is not the case. Having something like an MCSE on your CV would certainly be a help.


If you feel you're having problems getting the kind of jobs or experience you want then looking at contract work might be an idea. Its a lot easier to get in to and aslong as you're not shite can lead to the kind of jobs you'd want.

I haven't had any problems getting jobs, as I haven't applied for any recently.

I have experience (3 years as a SE for one of the big multinational IT companies and 18 months in my current role), knowledge and a degree. Just wondering if it's worth doing the MCSE to make me stand out a bit more/bump me up a pay grade if I was to start looking elsewhere.

I'm not remotely interested in contract work.

[The Kernel Loaf]

Originally Posted by Chris

Basically a web developer for a university. Very focused on a single platform and technology but with bits of support and server stuff thrown in.

Is that RGU or Aberdeen?

[Chris]

Originally Posted by The Kernel Loaf

Is that RGU or Aberdeen?

One of those, yes.

[bifta23]

To be honest the market is saturated with paper MSCE’s as the exams are not difficult especially if you have worked with servers. The Exam Cram book series and Test King mock exams will get you through them pretty quickly. Employers always ask for it on job specs but at the end of the day its always down to experience.

The Cisco exams are tougher as you progress beyond CCNA and they definitely more desirable. Nail CCIE and you will be demand

[Alah]

Originally Posted by Chris

I haven't had any problems getting jobs, as I haven't applied for any recently.

Well, why not throw your CV out there, see what kind of response you get and then decide for yourself if you think you need your CV to stand out anymore.

[emergency72]

Originally Posted by bifta23

the exams are not difficult

Really? Even 070-291??

[bifta23]

Originally Posted by emergency72

Really? Even 070-291??

yes if you focus and get through the material.

[french_disko]

Originally Posted by emergency72

Really? Even 070-291??

well, all our Network team have it....

[Neil]

Cisco - yes (but only if you want to change your IT specialisation).

MSCE - no.

In your personal circumstances if you went going down the Cisco route then you would be changing your IT skillset which isn't an easy thing to do (if your wanting to do Cisco stuff then you are wanting to become a network engineer as opposed to a web developer).

Like most of the Microsoft certifications, the MCSE certification has become a bit Mickey Mouse as it is much easier to attain than it once was. You can effectively buy one if you spend heaps and go on the 5-day intensive boot camp where they guarantee you'll get it. I got half way though mine before I gave up and to be honest I'm glad I did. Because it would have made no difference to my career progression.

Having been responsible for hiring a few folks in IT I can speak from experience when I say that if I see someone with an MCP or MCSE on their CV then I tend to think - "that's nice". But I certainly won't hire someone on that alone. Like most things, it's relevant experience that is the most important thing to have in IT.

What I think you'd be best doing is deciding where you want to see your career going in IT and then tooling up on the specific skills you'll need to get here. For example, if you want to become a more senior web developer then you might want to go on some courses to become an expert in some specific technologies - Microsoft C# for example. That's a hot one. Microsoft SharePoint 2007 is another one as well.