Tech Employment Info

[Jynxis]

I've been working on computers professionally since I was 12 (ten years ago) as a contractor for my father. I've always been around computers. Since I was 3 my father has had parts laying around the house. I currently am employed in a small town (less than 50k people) in a small 2 man computer repair shop. I have no certs. I do have an AA in Communications.
The importance of certification matters depending on what career you are looking for. If you want your own business or to work in a small shop, you only need a quick mind and experience. But if you plan on working for a corporation or government organization with a large steady check, you need certifications.
If you're young and have a quick mind you can get hired by a medium to large size company and work your way up, earning certifications as you go. That's exactally what my brother has done. He has Novell, Microsoft, Cisco, 3Com, Hewlett Packard, Compaq, and probably a ton more that I don't know about. He's 23 and gets just about anything he asks for at his company.
But without his background he would have never made it into the door. As with most jobs, you learn from experience and time. However, you have to gain enough experience to get your foot in the door, and then let them pay for the certifications.

[RegularGUY]

I just took and passed my A+ i work at a computer store where i was the only one not certified..and this new certification did not give me a raise or any sort of benefits..i think that it looks good on a resume because it lets your potential employer know that you have the know how to do what you say you can do and it also save them a lot of dectective work to see if you really know about computers...i have abut 3 years job experience with computers which has been the only way i would of attempted the exams..people who read books and pass and dont know a damn thing are a joke..(i'd hate to have them in my office..always asking questions that they should know the answer to..like how do you fdisk) and take the jobs that techs like many of you and myself could get based on experience alone..so certs are good for people who deserve them

[Anytwo]

I own a support business and would prefer someone like jynxis, who has experience and apparently a stable head on his/her shoulders. The certs and age mean very little to me. I need people that can provide a solution for a problem, and yes, they do need to think on their feet.

I'm guessing your age is about 22 and I am very impressed with your attitude. Pass on compliments to your parents - great job!

[Aaron Carson]

I am 23 years old and I hold many certifications including Microsoft Certified Professional, Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, Certified Novell Administrator in IntranetWare and Netware 5, Certified Novell Engineer in IntranetWare and Netware 5, GroupWise 5.5 Administrator, Compaq Accredited Systems Engineer, A+ certified, and many HP Warranty certifications. Certifications have made a huge impact on my career in the networking field. These certifications do bring worth to the company. Many clients look at the different certifications that the networking consultants have while deciding which consultant to go with. It not only helps you personally but also helps the company you work for. I also have a degree in Electronics Engineering but I think the certifications have helped me much more than the degree in the real networking market.

[Aaron Carson]

I am 23 years old and I hold many certifications including Microsoft Certified Professional, Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, Certified Novell Administrator in IntranetWare and Netware 5, Certified Novell Engineer in IntranetWare and Netware 5, GroupWise 5.5 Administrator, Compaq Accredited Systems Engineer, A+ certified, and many HP Warranty certifications. Certifications have made a huge impact on my career in the networking field. These certifications do bring worth to the company. Many clients look at the different certifications that the networking consultants have while deciding which consultant to go with. It not only helps you personally but also helps the company you work for. I also have a degree in Electronics Engineering but I think the certifications have helped me much more than the degree in the real networking market.

[Bob Arthur]

Credentials, credentials, credentials, they tell the story when you're looking for work. I got in this field after I retired from the AF (26.5 yrs). Went to college and got my present job, as a Computer Engineer with the state of Delaware. I now have 13.5 years with the state working on the second retirement. I'm 71 years old and I love what I'm doing. As long as I can stay productive I'll continue to work. But you need credentials to get that better job. I changed career fields when I was 54 years old and I feel sure that the diploma was the deciding factor in my getting the job. There is a prejudice against hiring folks over 50. The credentials help overcome that handicap. There's my "two cents" for what ever it's worth.
Bob Arthur

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Bob Arthur

[geoscomp]

I am in a situation similar to yours RGK01, and am taking my A+ cert test soon..My business is conducted as an in-home repair business, and the only difference i expect the certification to make is to help combat the word-of-mouth comments from in-store tech departments that use their a+ cert as a selling point. However, if i was interested in obtaining employment in the field at large, i would obtain all the certs i could, since human resources depts are quite fond of benchmarks such as this.

[scoobie]

Think about this, get past your teens and early 20's and settle into a career some. You work for a big company, there is a promotion available and the company prefers to hire from within.

The salary will be substantial, responsibility great. one candidate has no certs, no education, is a darn good worker. the other college educated, certified and a good worker. the manager has to decide which of the two is worth the big salary and promotion. along with that the manager must justify this to his boss/peers.

this new position requires managing people, making budgets, setting raises for others, writing memo's keeping the department on track, along with all the other IT/IS work that must go on.

uneducated uncertified or educated and certified. uneducated uncertified, educated and certified?

which candidate do you want to be? the decision seems simple to me. how about you?