IT certification opinions...

[mlomker]

My attempt to get a masters degree didn't end well so I think I should once-again beef up my resume with some certs.

I'm undecided what to do once I complete my CCNP. Anyone care to offer an opinion on the paths that I'm considering?

---
CCNP, CCIE R/S (16 months and an easy $10k spend)
CCNP, CCNP: Security, CISSP (this year, for cheap)
CCNP, CCNP: Security, MCITP: Enterprise Admin (a year, for cheap)

[Matt D.]

CCIE only if you are dedicated to completing it. I only know one person who has even attempted it and completed it, but he's certifiably nuts.

Security is never a bad thing, I'd maybe consider looking into wireless and VOIP certs.

[DoughtCom]

A+ alllll the way

[tpunx99GSX]

It really depends on what you want to do. If you enjoy working on Cisco appliances and want to be a routing guy, go for the CCNP etc.
I would say, only do CCIE if you A) get a company to pay for it, or B) are looking to work for Cisco. I once heard a statistic that something like 80-90% of CCIEs work for Cisco. (you probably know this, but the 10k doesnt include hotel and airfare to take the test).
The CCIE was part of my plan when i was getting out of college, but decided against it because i choose the path of MS Admin.
I would say you should do the MCITP regardless of what cert path you go, as this will help no matter where your career path goes.

[tpunx99GSX]

A+ alllll the way

lol if you are planning on working for best buy Geek Squad. hahaha

[mlomker]

CCIE only if you are dedicated to completing it.

There's the crux--motivation. It was so easy to get through the certs and bachelors when I was younger because each step was a big pay raise. Even a CCIE wouldn't do much for me on a percentage basis.

It'd also require changing jobs for sure since I don't use a fraction of the skills in my current position...I'd forget it all after a few years.

[Matt D.]

There's the crux--motivation. It was so easy to get through the certs and bachelors when I was younger because each step was a big pay raise. Even a CCIE wouldn't do much for me on a percentage basis.
Keep in mind that Cisco revamped the CCIE labs last year and no one was passing them, and at the same time they removed the CCIE statistics from their website. What was once their most prestigious certification may now be just another sheet of paper to hang on your office wall.

[mlomker]

I would say, only do CCIE if you A) get a company to pay for it, or B) are looking to work for Cisco.

My company values experience over all else, so they won't pay for anything. At this point I'm approaching this for job hunting purposes, in case something goes awry here.

I think I'm technically still a Win2k MCSE. I had lots of certs at one point but let them expire due to a combination of working on my masters and being lazy. I didn't finish the masters before credits started expiring so now it's time to refocus on the certs.

Previously held: Master CNE, CCNP, CCDP, CISSP, MCSE + Internet (2000), Compaq ASE, and yes...the A+. lol.

[tpunx99GSX]

My company values experience over all else, so they won't pay for anything. At this point I'm approaching this for job hunting purposes, in case something goes awry here.

I think I'm technically still a Win2k MCSE. I had lots of certs at one point but let them expire due to a combination of working on my masters and being lazy. I didn't finish the masters before credits started expiring so now it's time to refocus on the certs.

Previously held: Master CNE, CCNP, CCDP, CISSP, MCSE + Internet (2000), Compaq ASE, and yes...the A+. lol.

I have never really relied on certs, as i have not seen a benefit in it. Ive never been turned down on a job due to lack of certs. Seems a lot of companies now days are valueing experience over certs. Think of it like this:
If you are a hiring manager for an IT department...
Would you rather have a kid fresh out of college with a CCNA and some microsoft cert.
or
Would you rather have a guy with 6 years expirence in the field with similar technologies that you currently own.

This has been something i have been fighting with throughout my whole career. I got an associates degree, but have found that college is very limiting when it comes to resources available. I have used very little from what i learned in college. Century college is VERY deep into Cisco, yet i have rarely ever touched a Cisco router in the field. But loaded up my resume with technologies that i have learned in the field.

[DoughtCom]

lol if you are planning on working for best buy Geek Squad. hahaha

Everyplace I've worked at, if they see A+ on the resume they throw it out, pretty funny.