Can anyone recommend some courses for me?

[thepridster]

Hi,

 

I'm looking at trying to improve myself within both my current job role (IT Technician) and hopefully open up options to either make a case for senior technician or get something on my CV to allow me to job search for an senior technician or equivalent job.

 

Now I've been working in my current school for nearly 3 years one of those I was an apprentice. now I've got 2 level 3 qualification to do with IT but I'm looking for something either level 4 or more importantly something generally recognised by IT firms as useful and also useful to me. the course also has to be manageable around my work and cheap enough that the school may help with the cost.

 

Thanks in advance!

[win]

Take the microsoft exams for professional certifications. You can do the courses online from various providers, then just book the exam yourself when you feel confident.

[djm968]

Cisco qualifications are a good option but they are not cheap.

[mdrabble]

Sometimes you can get deals from Amazon Local..... never booked or used them so cannot say what they are like

[jamesb]

A second here for Microsoft qualifications - I'd recommend the MCSE. You can self-study with the books and take the exam quite cheaply, and the school might be willing to subsidise/pay for the books for you. If you're working in Microsoft-land (most places) then an MCSE will often get you an interview - particularly combined with a bit of backing experience.

 

It's a good one to start your career with due to the wide recognition and you can work from there. A lot of people will scoff about the qualification, but it does help to give you a leg up.

[thepridster]

Right so ive looked at the Microsoft ones and they sound suitable to what I want. Has anyone done the windows 7 MSCA?

[sted]

Right so ive looked at the Microsoft ones and they sound suitable to what I want. Has anyone done the windows 7 MSCA?

 

ive passed the 70-680 exam and failed the 70-686 exam. The 680 the course book is good the 686 there is stuff on the exam the book dosent even mention. For the 680 i literaly had less than a week to prep and take it i just read the book over 4 days or so rocked up to the test centre and gor the exact pass mark needed.

 

TBH at this point i wouldnt bother with windows 7 exams as they are for a version of windows thats 3 generations old and so the exams will be retired i expect in the not too distant future id look at doing the equivelent 8.1/server2012r2 exams as in the long run they are probably more benefficial and wont be retitred as soon

[madurham]

You may find certforums.com useful. A quick search will show posts from people in identical and similar situations to you, with loads of advice given.

[themightymrp]

Go the Server 2012 R2 MCSA / MCSE in my opinion. It's up-to-date and therefore relevant, plus if you know the server stuff then the desktop side of things is much easier

[thepridster]

i am very comfortable with the windows 7 desktop stuff anyway the server stuff would be good its just trying to justify will be very hard i think! i have a feeling the school doesn't want me to be a senior technician...

[themightymrp]

As a school they should be encouraging Continued Professional Development, not holding you back. Depending on what kind of learner you are and what resources you have available, you can still study the MCSA material by using books (they can fund that surely) and a couple of VM's of Server 2012. That's how I'm doing it

[Gardinho]

The best advise you can get for certification is to take the exams for the technology you are currently using. If you are using Windows 7 every day and haven't had much exposure to W8, server 2008 or 2012 then it'd be silly to do one of those certs. Certs are designed to verify your knowledge and expertise.

 

In answer to your question, you can't really go wrong with 70-680 to begin with. I used the official Microsoft book and it was fine. I did the 685 next, which is supposed to be slightly easier than 686.

 

Whatever you choose, just try and enjoy it. It's very satisfying and worthwhile in the end.

[bald_pig]

I've done procom 2 at skillsteam for free as part of my cpd, government funded, so school will be happy as well!

[DanTheLacky]

I'm doing the MCITP 70-685 at the moment (Windows 7 Enterprise), to be honest I would go with the MSCE server 2012 or something like that, maybe one of the Comptia certifications?

[thepridster]

So and update on my course situation...

 

I asked for the MCSA Windows 7, Enterprise Desktop Support Technician as all of our machines are windows 7... I was told no even though I got the course stupidly cheap. but wasn't all bad I did get told they would look at the windows 10 course when released as we will be moving to 10. Thanks for all the advice guys I guess ill drop another update when the course is released.

[themightymrp]

Although it sucks a little you could buy the books and pay for the exam(s) yourself? Or if you are fully proficient in Windows 7 just go for an exam, they're bound to be running one of their 'second shot' offers at the minute so you can take a resit for free if you fail

[ITGURU]

Microsoft Certifications - You can self study in your own time then take the exams when you feel ready.

Study for what areas you are interested in most.

If you put it on your Appraisal then the school should pay for your training resources/exams as part of your CPD.

I've obtained several certifications over the year, although not recognised/advertised for many education jobs, they will be of benefit should you go into the business sector.

[thepridster]

What's an appraisal??? (joking) yeah we don't have those as of yet....

 

Also I cannot fund myself currently long story.....

Edited March 24, 2015 by thepridster

[ITGURU]

I've had 1 in the last 12 years!! - Performance Management!

[ataylor]

Had my first one this year.

[RobD]

The qualification I've had the most use out of was my CCNA!!

[Gardinho]

I'm trying to motivate myself to do the 70-417 and upgrade to 2012.