Microsoft MSCE.... can someone offer me some advice :)

[old.rockhard72]

lo everyone

Am currently thinking of studying for a Microsoft MCSE systems engineer NT4 track to be followed up by win2000 track.
Was wondering if ne1 could offer me any advice/info on what career options are available here in the UK with the above and what kind of salary can you command accordingly?

I am currently working in engineering and get £14,500 gross for working nights and get 14 days holiday

Would i see much of an improvement on this if i was to go ahead and study for MSCE and then hopefully get a job utilizing it?

Any advice/tips would be as usual much appreciated

Jeez - engineering sucks big time

so cant believe it would be any worse in IT :/

Thanx,

Rockhard

P.S. Before ya all give it LOLOLOL, ROFL, i know, Microsoft sux

[This message has been edited by rockhard72 (edited 15 January 2000).]

 

[old.ZBA]

It is about £3500 to do the course work and exams, depending on where you go. If you get any computer mags (not pcpro or computer shopper etc, the ones that get sent to works premises)you will see in the appointments section that a lot of employers like/require an applicant to have MSCE or CNE certification. Salary can vary from 20g to 60g depending on what you do and where you go.

At the end of the day just doing the course isn't enough, you have to really know about this stuff.

------------------
Ze Bino Est Mort, Vive Ze Bino

 

[old.rockhard72]

Thanx for your reply

I am currently working with CNC milling machines and have a knowledge of CNC programming and setting, and feel that i am quite capable of teaching myself more advanced CNC programming & CAD.
Trouble is that Engineering is one of the worst paid of careers you could choose. I feel my efforts would be better spent aimed at an IT job

I already have a home grown aptitude and passion for PC's, and with me currently putting together a 3 PC, Server, Client network at the moment reckon would be ideal to use it to teach myself an MCSE NT4 track :/

Ive talked to a few people on message boards in the States who have done this themselves, and they have all said they learnt more teaching themselves in their own time, on their own networks, than they did in class! hmmm?

Does anyone who has done this in this country agree that u could do this off your own back?

Im not afraid to put the time in as im getting on 28 years old so gotta get myself sorted soon or i'll miss the boat so to speak

If i can take the MCSE maybe i could get my foot in the door as a trainee somewhere and maybe build up from there? I know after all, its not the qualifications that count but mostly hands on experience!

Any further advice/ideas be really, really appreciated,

Rockhard

 

[old.TheGuyver]

Uve hit the nail on the head there.

atm im a sysadmin and SUpport officer for a college.

Ive been on the Inet for 7 years now, and been working as a job with computers for 6.

As an aside to that i also help out at Large lans, Network and computer trouble shooting and the like.

What formal qualifications do i have? (to do with IT) None.

I am completey 100% self taught. But that is not enough for industry. I am very lucky to have the boss i have. he also knows his stuff, but doesnt have the qualifications and spotted me for the same talent, over a newly qualified MSCE applicant who used to be a car repair bloke with an intrest in PCs.

U need both the self taught exp AND the Letter behind your name. There are some companies that will train u ( for a fee of approx 3000 pounds) and then will put u into work placement.

That 1st year of having an MSCE behind your name is the most important.
U may get crapy pay compared to a 2/3 year exp. MSCE Person, but it is worth it in the end.

One thing u may also not know is that from your earnings, u will need to set aside an ammount ( about 3k AGAIN) cause in 2/3 years time you will need to take the exam again.

Alot of people get thiers paid for by the company. (hopefully if u do this u will be one of them) some however dont. Or loose thier job in a mishap. ( office party and the like)

Oh yes and they (on the other message board) are quite correct. U can and will learn more from fiddling with your own PC than in a classroom. My only other advice is when u do get qualified, DO NOT become a complete asshole and assume u know it because u have an MSCE. I wont tarnish the whole MSCE guys with the same brushes but alot of them become assholes over night ( i.e why would they need my help? whos got the qualification?!) etc etc.

feel free to email me if ya want. i even have a few of those papers with all the Wanted: MSCE! ads in.

rmcinnes@stvincent.ac.uk

 

[old.rockhard72]

Thanx bud

U right about qualified know it alls

Seen it all before. Best to keep ya mouth shut and let the ass hole drop himself right in it yeah?

hehe

Anyways thanx for ya advice

Gonna have a good scoot about for books etc to start me off.
Can u recommend any? Is the Microsoft NT4 track, Core Training Pack any good?

Been looking at the ads on stepstones web page. Plently of IT jobs but like u say require people with experience

Foot in the door be nice

U be able to tell me where best to look for adverts for related jobs?

I am currently working in CNC engineering and need to get out of it asap! Work conditions (working nights, coolant, oils etc) affecting my health i reckon

Would it be reasonable to assume that it could be possible to self teach (can't afford 3 grand!) the MCSE NT4 track and then take the exams off my own back in say 6 months? I sure hope so :/

If there be any other advice/info you'd be kind enough to offer, be really, really appreciated.

Thanx and regards,

Rockhard

C.C.Turner@btinternet.com

[This message has been edited by rockhard72 (edited 18 January 2000).]

 

[old.ZBA]

It is best to to teach yourself. I've never been professionally trained, and now am IT Manager, buy a series of MSCE books from amazon.co.uk or something, but it is handy to have 2 servers at home, or access to.

Just out of coincedence, I work with CAD and CNC too, so the crossover can be done even in that environment. But the company will not pay for my MSCE cos it does not benefit them (3k worth anyway)

But if you do just take MSCE exams alone, that will still cost a leg and an arm.

At the end of the day you can always say on a CV, 'MSCE trained' (and prove to them, if you ever get as far as an interview) but depending on the employer, I don't know how much clout it will have.

Good Luck, btw I am 32 and got my 1st pc in '92

------------------
Ze Bino Est Mort, Vive Ze Bino