How hard can it be?

Discussion in 'New Members Introduction' started by itsmeeaa, Jun 20, 2007.

  1. itsmeeaa

    itsmeeaa New Member

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    That's what I asked myself when I took on this MCSE course, my training providers, readily took my £6,105 and told me I would do it in 7 months!! Here I am 15 months later with only 5 modules passed.... At age of 51 I had had enough of climbing down holes and working out in all weather so I decided to change career. I have never worked in IT, never seen a server, but had a small interest in computers, and so the decision was made. It has been the hardest thing I have ever done and has been an almighty uphill struggle, I have my penultimate exam next Monday and then about 3 months for the 70-784 (Exchange) I think. So I guess it will be 18 months for me!! Spotted this forum whilst searching for info on how to set up a virtual lab as I need to get exchange sorted somehow, (not found the info yet), and so registered and here I am sayin 'Hi' to Certforums....
     
    Certifications: MCP
    WIP: MCSE
  2. tripwire45
    Honorary Member

    tripwire45 Zettabyte Poster

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    Greetings. Welcome to CertForums. I'm almost 53 so don't feel like you're the oldest guy here.

    You've been 15 months into this thing and you've never seen a server? I hate to say it guy, but you will need more than a little practical experience on which to build your career.

    I started this whole snark hunt about seven years ago and have only just landed in my niche about two or three years ago. In fact, I'm just now beginning to hit my stride in terms of being established in my field (I'm a technical writer) and I've still got a ways to go.

    I hope your program has some lab work involved where you get to put your hands on Microsoft systems. If they don't teach you the difference between DNS and DHCP, you might want to consider building your own home lab and supplementing your studies there.

    Glad you found us, mate. Hope my intro wasn't too harsh. Welcome aboard. :)

    -Trip
     
    Certifications: A+ and Network+
  3. greenbrucelee
    Highly Decorated Member Award

    greenbrucelee Zettabyte Poster

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    Hi Welcome to CF

    I guess that shows that self study is the way to go, and less expensive.

    I hate those training companies that say if you pay us x amount then you pass in 6 month and we will get you a job for 35k

    If your looking for advice you have come to the right place:D

    Unfortunatley I dont know anything about exchange.
     
    Certifications: A+, N+, MCDST, Security+, 70-270
    WIP: 70-620 or 70-680?
  4. BosonMichael
    Honorary Member Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    BosonMichael Yottabyte Poster

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    Welcome!

    As Trip said, certifications aren't a magical key to an IT career. You need to get an entry-level IT job as soon as possible so you can start building experience. Unfortunately, even though you can pass the exams, companies won't hire you to do MCSE-level jobs without real-world experience.

    Microsoft recommends, at a minimum, a year of experience implementing and administering network operating systems and desktop operating systems... and you typically have to work up to that level before you can even start getting those responsibilities.
     
    Certifications: CISSP, MCSE+I, MCSE: Security, MCSE: Messaging, MCDST, MCDBA, MCTS, OCP, CCNP, CCDP, CCNA Security, CCNA Voice, CNE, SCSA, Security+, Linux+, Server+, Network+, A+
    WIP: Just about everything!
  5. hbroomhall

    hbroomhall Petabyte Poster Gold Member

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    Hi and welcome to CF!

    I'm even older than trip - so you *can* have a career in IT when older!

    Harry.
     
    Certifications: ECDL A+ Network+ i-Net+
    WIP: Server+
  6. Boycie
    Honorary Member

    Boycie Senior Beer Tester

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    Hi and welcome aboard.

    I would say you have done very well to have acheived what you have done - it's hard work!

    I would try and get some practical experience and build from there.

    Good luck. :)

    Simon
     
    Certifications: MCSA 2003, MCDST, A+, N+, CTT+, MCT
  7. wizard

    wizard Petabyte Poster

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    Hi there and welcome 8)
     
    Certifications: SIA DS Licence
    WIP: A+ 2009
  8. Morne Louw

    Morne Louw Byte Poster

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    hello and welcome
     
    Certifications: ECDL, OCN Level 2 HTML, A+,MCDST,70-270
    WIP: MCSA/MCSE
  9. Headache

    Headache Gigabyte Poster

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    Hi there. Good to meet ya.
     
    Certifications: CCNA
    WIP: CCNP
  10. Bluerinse
    Honorary Member

    Bluerinse Exabyte Poster

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    Yes it's damn hard!

    That Exchange exam is no walk in the park either.

    It is the hardest thing i have done in my life.

    7 months is a joke.

    Took me three years to attain MCSE status.

    I had seven years of practical experience before i started learning the theory.

    I am 52

    Welcome to CF 8)
     
    Certifications: C&G Electronics - MCSA (W2K) MCSE (W2K)
  11. Sparky
    Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    Sparky Zettabyte Poster Moderator

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    Wecome, what exams have you passed so far?
     
    Certifications: MSc MCSE MCSA:M MCSA:S MCITP:EA MCTS(x5) MS-900 AZ-900 Security+ Network+ A+
    WIP: Microsoft Certs
  12. wizard

    wizard Petabyte Poster

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    also depends on how much viagra you take at the time :twisted:
     
    Certifications: SIA DS Licence
    WIP: A+ 2009
  13. Sparky
    Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    Sparky Zettabyte Poster Moderator

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    behave! :biggrin
     
    Certifications: MSc MCSE MCSA:M MCSA:S MCITP:EA MCTS(x5) MS-900 AZ-900 Security+ Network+ A+
    WIP: Microsoft Certs
  14. cHk4

    cHk4 Nibble Poster

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    Good site to have found, have received some top advice and help from people on the forums here
     
    Certifications: None
    WIP: MCTS
  15. Gaz 45

    Gaz 45 Kilobyte Poster

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    Howdy, welcome.
    Have to say 5-6 modules from scratch in 15 months is pretty respectable, well done!
    Gotta echo the worry about lack of practical experience though.

    Nevertheless, Good Luck for the exam Monday :)
     
    Certifications: MCP (70-229, 70-228), MBioch
    WIP: MCDBA (70-290)
  16. itsmeeaa

    itsmeeaa New Member

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    Thank you all so very much for the welcome!! I have had a lab set up on my home pc's, 3 of them, which are networked so have some practical experience so to say, but yes the real world terrifies me!! For Exchange I am going to try and build a virtual lab though. I intend to put VMachines on an external drive, this will also be a good learning tool I think. I checked out itidiots.com podcast Episode 13, so am going to try, need to get some more ram and then I'm away. I hope that I can get it done in 3 months as I am now getting really fed up of studying!!! Cheers guys...
     
    Certifications: MCP
    WIP: MCSE
  17. onoski

    onoski Terabyte Poster

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    Hi and welcome to CF. Don't worry keep on studying and aiming high as it can be done. I would however start looking for an entry level role probably break and fix and 2nd line support.

    Tip, look for short contracts and build your experience level from there. Cheerio and keep us posted on how your getting on.
     
    Certifications: MCSE: 2003, MCSA: 2003 Messaging, MCP, HNC BIT, ITIL Fdn V3, SDI Fdn, VCP 4 & VCP 5
    WIP: MCTS:70-236, PowerShell
  18. stuPeas

    stuPeas Megabyte Poster

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    First off, Welcome. Second, Although i don't know anything about your cert, I would seriously do everything possible to follow the advice of the more senior (not just in age terms) members of this site. Ask loads of questions about setting up a lab and get that practical experience. I often find that it is loads easier to learn something if you have the kit in front of you.

    If it helps, Ive been doing a course that was supposed to take 15 months, for 4 years. I feel your pain but as a great man once said "the hotter the battle, the sweeter the victory". (sorry..I've been on a Bob Marley epic tonight).

    Good luck, and trust that you WILL get there!!:biggrin
     
    Certifications: C&G Electronic, CIW Associate (v5).
    WIP: CIW (Website Design Manager)
  19. Veteran's son

    Veteran's son Megabyte Poster

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    Hello and welcome!:biggrin I am one of the older folks here too at 41.
     
    Certifications: A+
    WIP: N+

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