Best certifications for working in IT?

[high_revs]

i agree to some extent Nick. the traditional DBA isn't what IT managers think they want but rather someone with sql programming experience. however, i have seen and experience sql (whether ms sql or pl sql) aren't also the best a tuning. we usually have to pull in a DBA and jeez, s/he finds areas of improvement but will only point them out, and the developer will have to take care of it. however, the sql developers aren't as in-tune when it comes to the db server/administrative stuff themselves. if you can find a person with both experiences, great! it is true that a "true" admin is like networking admin - gets kinda stale after a while. it's become more administrative (in our company) vs. when i was in a division and our company was more like many small companies, our dba took care of more things than what dba's do today. it's too vertical today in terms of roles and responsibilities. olap development is good too whether that be ms olap or hyperion or heck, cognos. (can't recall oracle's olap s/w).

i think it depends what company you're at. at the enterprise level, it's still predominantly oracle but probably because enterprise is still heavily associated with unix. i've dealt with sql servers and did some minor sql coding back early 2000's. sql's still haven't grown as i thought they'd be to compete with oracle at this point.

but now we're talking moving away from cert to really more development type classes. heck if we're there, why not abap? that's harder to get into. i knew someone with abap cert (new) and hard the darndest time breaking into the industry with only a cert.

[dwtt]

Myself, I'm a network engineer in charge of an international (Asia, North America, Europe) backbone which happens to be the largest IPv6 network.

OK, what are you doing to celebrate IPV6 day?

More seriously, if the OP already has A+, the next steps should be to get Network +, Security +, and MCSE, and maintaining and learning new skills. These will put him in the running for network management jobs at larger companies. As Adehlta says, the certifications are just a piece of paper, and they help a hiring manager to justify hiring one candidate over another, but the qualifications and skills written on paper don't always correlate with real life skills. The certifications are like a diploma or college degree. They just show someone went through the process, not that they really know what they are doing.

[supernachos]

I'm a UNIX/Linux admin...I took a 2 year MBA in IT Information Systems post grad degree (from a well known University) and that definitely helped me command a higher salary when shopping for a new job. Company HR departments seem to take that well into account when accompanied with 10+ years of experience.

I do the techincal interviewing in my company and those *pieces* of paper do not mean a thing to me if you can't answer the technical questions that is usually gained from many years of experience...8-)

[orchard]

MSCITP is current for server 2008, etc. Windows 7 as that will be in the mind of many companies migrating from XP. Any Cisic or security certifications will help.

But the certifications are mainly important for:
1. Getting past the HR gatekeepers.
2. Companies that sell services to other companies.

Keep examples of how you solved specific problems for references, that will help in the future.

[mindwip]

Comptia Linux and Security are great certs, Security is a big thing right now and with Linux that puts you above others. Linux still has that mystical aura surrounding it to non-techies.


Plus with the Linux Cert you get 1 free cert, see Comptia "stole" most of there test questions from LPI. LPI said hay come on now stop this or we sue. So they have a partnership, pass the Comptia linux cert and you get to apply for free without another test for LPI Linux cert. LPI gets a cut of each Comptia Linux cert and you get 2 certs for one test, that looks very nice on a resume.


O and work experience is good too

[Solcat]

Ultimately, I want to do hardware and software support since that is what I do now but I'm not opposed to other fields of IT such as networking and security. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

I would suggest you pick a specialty and head in one direction.

Desktop/LAN (Windows) or Server (Linux) or Network (Cisco)
Linux/Solaris or Windows (not much work in Macs for business, but some)
Database (Oracle--> Big Money with experience) or Application (Weblogic, Tomcat...)
or____________

Get a cert that is in your chosen area to cover the basics and get you to the interview, then something that shows that you are serious about IT. I would suggest something like the CISSP, because no matter where you go, Security is a big issue and there are reasons to have this cert. You can always claim the rest you already know from work experience and a cert is a waste of your valuable time -- which is true once you get to an interview!

[TWoods450]

depends on what part of IT you want to get into. seems like there are a lot of network focused guys on here.

If anyone says ITIL, just run for the hills ITIL is the biggest load of horse crap in the industry.

[joeraman]

about topic

Its informative one provides a lots of information on topic also provide more data on topic.

[locosway]

The quickest way to cover most bases is:

MCP
CCNA
Linux+ or RHCE

MCSE isn't really needed unless you're getting into heavy Windows administration. Your field and line of work will dictate which certs you end up getting.

I've been in IT, mostly web hosting, for many years and I have no certs. I have a ton of experience and that's always kept me employed. If I were to get anything, it would be my CCNA first, even though you can fumble through most Cisco rules by just modifying existing rules.

[bigmike82]

CCNA is the best 'entry-level' cert, IMO.

The MCP is stupid simple...there's really no reason not to get one unless you're lazy or broke.

RHCE is a great cert, but you really need some Linux experience to back it up.

ITIL may be a load of 'crap', but it's in very high demand. It's a very valid area to get certified in if you want to keep your options open. That said, if you're looking more at the hardcore tech side, ITIL isn't necessary. However, if you're looking for a lead or managerial role, the ITIL stuff could be very beneficial. The point is to keep your options open.

"One more thought. Law offices like hospitals is an IT specialty and once you have that under your belt you may want to leverage the experience with a larger firm."
Double plus 1. Law Firms are a great niche. Just list some of the apps you've worked with, be it Concordance, Needles, and so forth, and that should help get your foot in the door in the legal field.

[locosway]

Also you generally only need certs when trying to work for non-IT type places, like hospitals or law firms. If you're working in the hosting, data center, or other IT types of places, experience is much preferred over silly certs. Although, the Cisco stuff is really something that is hard to get experience with unless you have the certs.

[den888]

The best combination IMO is - experience, certs, formal education (degree) and a network that you can tap into to help you find jobs.

[choprzrul]

tagged

[danito]

Its been my experience that most IT shops run their orgs one of two ways, specialization IE focused duties vs Jack of all trades with end to end exposure. Both approaches seem to work, however as an IT professional I was lucky enough to get involved with an start up back in 94. Since that org was small i had the opportunity to be exposed to many things way above my pay grade early one, trial by fire that I would not have been exposed to otherwise. This exposure allowed me to excel and advance. I would say skills are more important that certs, however certs have the potential to open doors that experience alone won't open. Regardless of skills vs certs you need to be able to backup the skills you list on paper.

Cisco CCENT is a great entry level cert and a stepping stone towards CCNA.
Linux skills are invaluable
Anything security related is also invaluable

Advanced certs like CCNP can be priceless

Just my 2cents

[rjpsb1]

I know this will piss a bunch of people off, but so be it. There's only one kind of certification worth a damn in technology, and you get it at an accredited university.

Given two candidates fresh into the market - one with industry certs and one with a 4 year engr/math/physical science degree - I'll talk to the degreed candidate every single time.

I do lots of interviewing, and like supernachos said: if you can't answer my questions, which I come up with by reading what you say you can do on your resume, I cut you loose inside of 10 minutes.

Real experience on the other hand, backed up in an interview by proving your resume isn't all lies, well then I don't give a rat's butt about certs vs degrees, I want to hire you.

My 2c.