PDA

View Full Version : Should I be certifiable?


pctec
17-10-2009, 06:46 PM
Its not what you think :)

I was trained in electronic repair way back in 1987/88 and then computer repair in 1990/91...
Even though I know my way around computer systems I really have no "proof" or certifications to speak of.

I was thinking about getting certified in A+, Network+, and Security+...
Any thoughts on these? Are they worth the effort and are there any others I should be considering?
pctec
17-10-2009, 09:55 PM
3 hours and no response?
This crew with nothing to say...

Thats a first ;)
Muddy
17-10-2009, 11:01 PM
Do you have clients walking away because they doubt your qualifications?
Sami4u
18-10-2009, 03:40 AM
Hi,

A piece of paper will help you how?

Sami
Strong
18-10-2009, 05:58 AM
It looks good on advertising, means you could charge a little more?, gives your new customers a little extra confidence that you are capable and have made that extra effort, and I suspect it makes you stand out more from the competition.

BTWIMHO if you think it will lead to an economic advantage in the long run, then invest in those bits of paper. It makes even more sense if you already know the stuff, because it won't take much effort on your part. In a competitive environment, anything that makes you appear better than the competition needs to be considered as a potentially good investment.
Ferre
18-10-2009, 06:23 AM
In a competitive environment, anything that makes you appear better than the competition needs to be considered as a potentially good investment.


Forget the certificates, get yourself a pair of large boobs and a facelift. :sqlaugh:
Strong
18-10-2009, 06:26 AM
Well that should certainly win over the sexually confused male demographic :sqlaugh:
pctec
18-10-2009, 07:14 AM
Forget the certificates, get yourself a pair of large boobs and a facelift. :sqlaugh:

That might lead to groping at work... Mostly by me :sqlaugh:
Strong
18-10-2009, 10:01 AM
Well I guess you can't be done for harassing yourself, so there is no problem I can see :sqwink:
Sami4u
18-10-2009, 11:03 AM
it makes you stand out more from the competition.

Hi,

Just had to throw this in here.

Never compete, create. (Earl Nightingale)

Sami
ewomack
18-10-2009, 11:41 AM
I have a slightly similar issue... I've tried and tried to study and take seriously the PMP (the Project Management Professional Certification). My struggle is that it's just a test, it proves nothing about me and neither validates nor invalidates my experience (nearly 10 years of which has definite value). The harsh reality, though, is that employers use such myopic measures as certifications as weed outs or job requirements. If I'm up against someone with equivalent experience and they have the certification and I don't, I'll likely lose out unless they have a heinous sewage-like personality. So I've reconciled myself with the absurdity of the situation and I'm still trying to study. Wow is it hard to work all week and spend the weekend studying for something I find utterly pointless. But if you can get the paper, why not? It won't hurt and it may actually help.
pctec
18-10-2009, 01:03 PM
The harsh reality, though, is that employers use such myopic measures as certifications as weed outs or job requirements. If I'm up against someone with equivalent experience and they have the certification and I don't, I'll likely lose out unless they have a heinous sewage-like personality.

That is exactly why I wanted to be certified...

I have been working for myself for quite some time but I am rather tired of the sporadic and unpredictable income and I want to work for a company where I know I'm going to be able to afford groceries that week... Its a good thing I have my websites or else my existence would be quite different. LOL
Zap
19-10-2009, 08:39 AM
As someone who works in the IT industry currently, I would advise this...

If you are looking to get a job in IT, working for someone else, go and get as many certifications as you can. You will be competing with people who have more than you, even after getting them.

If you are looking to start working in IT for yourself, gaining your own clients and maintaining them, then certifications are a complete waste of time. A little knowledge is good, buy a certification book and study up on it, but the piece of paper you get after passing the test is pretty much useless. Real world experience is best here and most of your potential clients aren't even going to ask if you've been certified in anything.
pctec
19-10-2009, 08:45 AM
Perfect!

I have one book on the way and I think Ill order two more later today...
Zap
19-10-2009, 08:46 AM
Perfect!

I have one book on the way and I think Ill order two more later today...

What area are you looking to go in? Windows? Linux? General networking?
pctec
19-10-2009, 09:09 AM
A+, Network+, and Security+ (in that order) is what I was going to do...
Zap
19-10-2009, 09:22 AM
Suggestion: For some of that real world experience, if you can do this, get together some old computer hardware and build a server if you can. Not the easiest thing to do if you haven't got any spare computers lying around, but try DFSDIRECT.CA or your local second hand store and try to get together one computer decent enough to run Windows 2000 Server or Windows 2003 Server. Any Pentium 4 system with at least 512 MB RAM should do the trick. It will be slow, but it will run. Then you can start playing with it and trying out some of the stuff you'll be reading about in your networking textbook.
You'll get some valuable experience working with Windows Server that will help you down the road.
iowadawg
20-10-2009, 12:02 AM
Let's not stray here.
Stay on track with the boobs.
pctec
20-10-2009, 06:03 AM
MMMMMMMMMmmmmmm Boobies!!!
ewomack
20-10-2009, 10:57 AM
Any good books on boobie certification?
pctec
20-10-2009, 03:49 PM
Any good books on boobie certification?

Like Zap said... experience is the best teacher ;)
Start a squeezin'
ewomack
20-10-2009, 07:02 PM
Ok...
ewomack
20-10-2009, 07:03 PM
I like the advice thread...
iowadawg
20-10-2009, 07:52 PM
Well, in the old days, you got a certification on boobies when those girls let other girls know that you were a good boobie squeezer.
Me, I went for my master certification in boobies.
Had to lick and suck a lot of boobies before I passed the final test.
Cryren8972
21-10-2009, 07:04 AM
Well, in the old days, you got a certification on boobies when those girls let other girls know that you were a good boobie squeezer.
Me, I went for my master certification in boobies.
Had to lick and suck a lot of boobies before I passed the final test.

You poor dear...how did you manage to get through it all?
ewomack
21-10-2009, 09:47 AM
I'm sure now he gets sick at even the mention of boobies...
Trapper
21-10-2009, 10:06 AM
Doesn't certifiable mean clinically crazy? If so, I'd go for it... good meds.
Cryren8972
21-10-2009, 11:02 AM
Doesn't certifiable mean clinically crazy? If so, I'd go for it... good meds.

I hear you're also less bound to legalities as well...
I'm with Trapper...be certifiably insane. You'll get almost the same benefits as a woman with PMS...like this one:
The PMS Defense Feminist Setback -- Alan M. Dershowitz (http://www.uiowa.edu/~030116/158/articles/dershowitz1.htm)