University/College

[Dakinggamer87]

Thanks Dakinggamer! Got my A+ out of the way in December, and right now I'm going nuts studying OSI models and port configs.. Just out of curiousity - What would you recommend for the IT guy that's not so much into networking? I loved studying for A+, and breaking open a computer, overclocking processors, and troubleshooting OS problems are an absolute blast for me! In other words - what can I do as far as a good career-path goes, that doesn't dabble too much in networking and server admins?

I would suggest based on your interests the best path would be in Desktop Support or as a PC Tech since they are oriented with hardware, software troubleshooting, maintenance, and configuration with less involvement in networking issues. You still need to know networking basics which Network+ will teach you but in these roles you won't have to worry about server/network administration. I hope my advice helps!! I would recommend checking out TechExams it's a great resource I use for certification training, study guides, and practice exams.

[Kevman]

I shall be attending Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ in the fall. I will be dual majoring in Computer and Electrical Engineering. From what I hear I can also go for five years and get a masters in business administration along with my ECE degree.

[Rurouni_Fencer]

I would suggest based on your interests the best path would be in Desktop Support or as a PC Tech since they are oriented with hardware, software troubleshooting, maintenance, and configuration with less involvement in networking issues. You still need to know networking basics which Network+ will teach you but in these roles you won't have to worry about server/network administration. I hope my advice helps!! I would recommend checking out TechExams it's a great resource I use for certification training, study guides, and practice exams.

Desktop support makes sense, since the next exam I'll be taking after NET+ is my MCDST. Now I feel like seeing what's out there in terms of Desktop support careers..
Thanks again - I'm gonna go do some research!

[Dakinggamer87]

Desktop support makes sense, since the next exam I'll be taking after NET+ is my MCDST. Now I feel like seeing what's out there in terms of Desktop support careers..
Thanks again - I'm gonna go do some research!

I'm glad I could help. I also wanted to let you know the MCDST retires on June 30, 2011 which requires two exams to pass it. It's awesome that you also get the MCP cert in the process but the exams aren't too bad looking at the objectives. My advice on MS exams are to read the questions carefully they like to add a bunch of information you don't need to answer the question.

[Rurouni_Fencer]

Desktop support makes sense, since the next exam I'll be taking after NET+ is my MCDST. Now I feel like seeing what's out there in terms of Desktop support careers..
Thanks again - I'm gonna go do some research!

I'm glad I could help. I also wanted to let you know the MCDST retires on June 30, 2011 which requires two exams to pass it. It's awesome that you also get the MCP cert in the process but the exams aren't too bad looking at the objectives. My advice on MS exams are to read the questions carefully they like to add a bunch of information you don't need to answer the question.

Sounds like it's going to be a wonderful studying experience.. Thanks for the heads up - I did NOT know it was going to be retired this summer! Are they replacing it with another cert, or just phasing the classification out completely? It's pretty much already paid for me, so I might as well go for it, but if it's not going to be much of a difference on a resume, then that's a downer...

[Dakinggamer87]

Sounds like it's going to be a wonderful studying experience.. Thanks for the heads up - I did NOT know it was going to be retired this summer! Are they replacing it with another cert, or just phasing the classification out completely? It's pretty much already paid for me, so I might as well go for it, but if it's not going to be much of a difference on a resume, then that's a downer...

It is being replaced with the MCITP:EDST7 (Enterprise Desktop Support Technician) for Windows 7. MCDST will definitely help your resume as I still see it asked for in Desktop Support roles and in some jobs is a plus to have if not listed in requirements. Windows XP is still being supported till 2014 so it still has value in the job market. You can always upgade to the Windows 7 credentials later to upgrade your skills and stay current with one exam once you get MCDST finished.

[Rurouni_Fencer]

Sounds like it's going to be a wonderful studying experience.. Thanks for the heads up - I did NOT know it was going to be retired this summer! Are they replacing it with another cert, or just phasing the classification out completely? It's pretty much already paid for me, so I might as well go for it, but if it's not going to be much of a difference on a resume, then that's a downer...

It is being replaced with the MCITP:EDST7 (Enterprise Desktop Support Technician) for Windows 7. MCDST will definitely help your resume as I still see it asked for in Desktop Support roles and in some jobs is a plus to have if not listed in requirements. Windows XP is still being supported till 2014 so it still has value in the job market. You can always upgade to the Windows 7 credentials later to upgrade your skills and stay current with one exam once you get MCDST finished.

That's a relief! Nothing like studying your butt off for a certificate you have no use for.. (glares at his BA of Arts.)

Any use for my BA in the tech field, even though it's not IT related?

[CatchFiveBats]

Assuming I applied for graduation correctly, I should have a paper saying I finished an associate's degree in PC Support and Administration within the next month or two.

...with that said, I now have next to no interest in going into IT and that degree is so broad it's essentially useless anyway
So I'm planning to use the inheritance from my grandfather who recently passed away and go back to school again in the spring for a bachelor's degree...either Japanese major or something like international relations with a Japanese minor. Depends on which school I end up going to and what they offer; at the very least it will involve Japanese language and culture studies.
The main reason I'm going back for a bachelor's is (from what I understand) you must have a bachelor's degree to get a working visa in Japan...and even if that's not a requirement to get a working visa, every job I've looked into in Japan requires a bachelor's either way. Considering I want to eventually move there, I've no choice but to get that requisite taken care of

[Sideroller]

Assuming I applied for graduation correctly, I should have a paper saying I finished an associate's degree in PC Support and Administration within the next month or two.

...with that said, I now have next to no interest in going into IT and that degree is so broad it's essentially useless anyway
So I'm planning to use the inheritance from my grandfather who recently passed away and go back to school again in the spring for a bachelor's degree...either Japanese major or something like international relations with a Japanese minor. Depends on which school I end up going to and what they offer; at the very least it will involve Japanese language and culture studies.
The main reason I'm going back for a bachelor's is (from what I understand) you must have a bachelor's degree to get a working visa in Japan...and even if that's not a requirement to get a working visa, every job I've looked into in Japan requires a bachelor's either way. Considering I want to eventually move there, I've no choice but to get that requisite taken care of

That would be awesome! I've been considering teaching English in Japan after I get my BA. It'll probably be through the JET program, but it's too early to tell really. I only just finish my first year at university.

[CatchFiveBats]

That would be awesome! I've been considering teaching English in Japan after I get my BA. It'll probably be through the JET program, but it's too early to tell really. I only just finish my first year at university.

Yeah, that's one option. I've never been attracted to teaching as a career, but once I'm done with school I'll take whatever I can get. From what I've heard it's a pretty nice job if you're placed in the right area...which is apparently not Tokyo. If you really want to experience "real" Japan, somehow out further in the country would be better. I'd probably aim for a school in a town within reasonable proximity to Tokyo, since there will be lots of events etc I'll want to attend there. Getting your ideal choice is pretty rare with those kind of programs though...