Forum Home
Press F1
Thread ID: 21178	2002-06-19 10:03:00	IT work and study	Guest (0)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
55214	2002-06-19 10:03:00	Hi there I am looking for a change from my retail career, and I am interested in IT work. My interest is in network administration, systems engineer/administrator. If anybody else is in this sort of work I would appreciate you telling me what sort of qualifications you have and what I need. At the moment I am thinking about doing the diploma in computing level 5 at a private training place where I can also do Network+ and maybee even do MCP. Any help is greatly appreciated.	Guest (0)
55215	2002-06-19 10:39:00	What ever you do, don't go to one of those over priced places like Spherion and the like. When it comes down to it *real world experience* is generally better than qulaifications. And ofcourse both is better. JM	Guest (0)
55216	2002-06-19 11:53:00	Sarah, Personally I think your best bet is to go somewhere that you'll get some practical experience as well as a solid theoretical background. Universities aren't always the best place for this, but I know that the University of Auckland and Manukau Institute of Technology do a VERY good combined course in this area. I'm not sure exactly of the name of the course, but I would certainly recommend it to you. Best to give them a ring and ask. HTH Callum	Guest (0)
55217	2002-06-19 12:50:00	Just backing up JM - stay away from Spherion. Sure, they offer a different method of training (self paced learning which is like correspondence except you still go to a place to do it) which was convenient for me cos I'm Def. They are overpriced (I paid around $11,000 for a Cert level 4 in Computer Maintenance) and are a very dodgy outfit. I started the course in Feb 1999, and they were known as CPTI then (Computer Power Training Institute). Halfway they got sold or bought out or something and changed to Interim. Just Interim! Stupid name that was. It happened again and then they became Spherion. I believe they are called something else now. Maybe they change their name so often to avoid a bad reputation?	Guest (0)
55218	2002-06-19 12:52:00	Just backing up JM - stay away from Spherion. Sure, they offer a different method of training (self paced learning which is like correspondence except you still go to a place to do it) which was convenient for me cos I'm Def. They are overpriced (I paid around $11,000 for a Cert level 4 in Computer Maintenance) and are a very dodgy outfit. I started the course in Feb 1999, and they were known as CPTI then (Computer Power Training Institute). Halfway they got sold or bought out or something and changed to Interim. Just Interim! Stupid name that was. It happened again and then they became Spherion. I believe they are called something else now. Maybe they change their name so often to avoid a bad reputation? Oh yea, I still don't have anything to show for my $11,000 except a bit of paper with my name on it saying I know how to turn a computer on, and I know how to pull one to bits. (Turning it off first!)	Guest (0)
55219	2002-06-19 20:50:00	Hi Sarah I am a network engineer with MCSE for NT and 2000. I am currently in the process of obtaining Citrix certification. My first qualification was at AUT where I got NZCE in Computer technology. I started through my existing job and offered to help IT people, until I had the opportunity to volunteer for an IT position. My NZCE gave me a head start over other volunteers. I was an administrator for two years and then moved to help desk roles for two years. I believe that the best way in is to work for a company that you are interested in and make it known that you are interested in Network administration. You will find that if you work for a big company, it will be difficult to get access to the IT side because they will have dedicated staff. On the other hand, IT vacancies are often advertised internally, which can give you an opportunity that way. Small companies on the other hand, often contract out IT staff, but they are very happy if someone can do a job and also maintain their computer system as they get a significant cost saving. I would recommend to first try and find a job that you think you might enjoy and then ask what qualifications would be expected. This is much better than doing a qualification, and then having to accept whatever jobs are available for that type of qualification. Another benefit of this is that companies often pay for your course fees, if you pass the exam, and it is of use to them. As well as learning, you are going to need a server simulation at home so that you can understand what is going on at the course. hope this is of use	Guest (0)
55220	2002-06-19 22:58:00	I tend to agree with Marty Wright. I also am a I.T Systems Engineer MSCE if you want some more info give me a yell, Email: Dion@austoil.com have a looky at this tho, just goes to show that everything in I.T is not created the same. Reality Check Here's the question people turn to MCP Magazine to answer every year: What's the average salary of the MCSE? Well, it's about what it was last year?if you're certified on Windows 2000. That's $67,100, to be exact (Chart 1 shows average salaries across all certifications). Here's where the money is. If you're an MCSE on Windows NT 4.0, average base salary is $62,700. That's a $4,400 difference. The obvious reason for the gap is that there are fewer Win2K MCSEs out there, so those holding that skill set are in higher demand and, therefore, better compensated. We expect to see that gap grow even more in next year's survey. Interestingly, last year, those who held Microsoft certification earned more than those who didn't. That's no longer true. Non-certified respondents tended to earn just slightly more than MCSEs on NT 4.0. How could this be? Every year we survey people who attempted but didn't pass a Microsoft exam. This year the respondents tended to have about six months more experience in networking than the typical MCSE who responded. That points out the crucial role experience plays in compensation of IT professionals; certification alone doesn't cut it anymore. Average Base Salary by Certification No Microsoft certification $63,000 MCP $53,400 MCP+Internet* $62,400 MCSE, Windows NT 4.0* $62,700 MCSE, Windows 2000* $67,100 MCSE+Internet* $72,800 MCDBA* $75,600 MCT* $78,600 MCSD* $78,600 *These individuals may also hold other premium certifications, such as MCSE, MCSE+Internet	Guest (0)
55221	2002-06-19 23:39:00	Marty & Dion, Damn, I left it too late in life to get those Quals & $$$, green with envy I am!! I wish you well tho. John M	Guest (0)
55222	2002-06-20 04:06:00	How misleading. The qualification doesn't guarantee the income - the poisition does. And particularly the experience. Helpdesk pays around $26000 - $35000 depending on the INdustry you work for regardless of your qualification. User Support or Desktop Support pays around $30000 to $40000 if you are lucky. And thats with MCP/MCSE. I know one MCSE guy with 1 years experience that was getting a pathetic $22000.	tech (456)
55223	2002-06-20 05:49:00	I have some slightly different advice . I have always recommended to people asking this sort of question that if they have the opportunity to do a tertiary course rather than a straight industry-training course like an MCSE they should do so . I'm not diminishing the usefulness of an MCSE or other more specific training courses . But to my mind those are the sort of courses that you should do while you are working - not in preparation for getting a job . They are to impart particular skills rather than the more generic understanding that a tertiary course gives you . And a more generic course gives you a much better overall understanding of computers and information in technology in general, not to mention may more employment options later . Personally when hiring someone I'd take a University or Technical Institute grad any time . The fact that the person has taken the time, and shown the aptitude to complete a degree indicates to me both a level of application and an ability to apply themselves that is what I am looking for when I appoint someone . If they don't have specific skills that I'm after, then I would consider training them in those skills . Ideally of course I'd look for both skillsets . My point is really that sometimes people see a course like an MCSE as a "quickstart" to getting loads of $$ . But it really does limit your options later if that's all you have . Something to consider anyway!! Mark	marke (457)
1 2