BTEC National Diploma

Discussion in 'Training & Development' started by BradSherwin, Jul 5, 2009.

  1. BradSherwin

    BradSherwin New Member

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    Hi

    I am just looking for some advise on where to go next with my IT career. 'Spose I better start from the beginning? I have a BTEC National Diploma in IT Grade: Double Distinction. I have been working in 1st Line Helpdesk for about 6 months and my ambition at the moment is to work my way up into Service Delivery but not Service Development.

    I would compare my BND to a A+, N+ and MSDCT. I am looking for some pointers on where to go next, I eventually want to become MCSE certified but what stepping stones can I take before that?

    Cheers
     
    Certifications: BTEC National Diploma
    WIP: CompITA A+ N+
  2. Nursa

    Nursa Bit Poster

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    I have also got a BTEC like yourself how easy was it for you to get your 1st line job in IT with this cert? I passed mine 4 years ago but got a job in a different line of work straight after passing, and am now trying to get back into IT.
     
    Certifications: BTEC in Computing
    WIP: A+
  3. JK2447
    Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    JK2447 Petabyte Poster Administrator Premium Member

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    Hi Brad, I think the popular route is A+ > N+ > MCDST > MCSA > MCSE. The MCSA and MCSE only advisable once you have at least 18 months 2nd line as a general rule of thumb. Jim
     
    Certifications: VCP4, 5, 6, 6.5, 6.7, 7, 8, VCAP DCV Design, VMConAWS Skill, Google Cloud Digital Leader, BSc (Hons), HND IT, HND Computing, ITIL-F, MBCS CITP, MCP (270,290,291,293,294,298,299,410,411,412) MCTS (401,620,624,652) MCSA:Security, MCSE: Security, Security+, CPTS, CCA (XenApp6.5), MCSA 2012, VSP, VTSP
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  4. Kitkatninja
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    Kitkatninja aka me, myself & I Moderator

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    You could compare the BND to the A+, Network+ and the MCDST, but only by the NQF level (BND is level 3 while the A+ & MCDST sit at level 2 and the Network+ is also at level 3). However they are from 2 very different paths. The BND is an academic qualification, while the A+, Network+ and the MCDST are from the professional route.

    The stepping stones for the MCSE (apart from experience in designing networks, supporting multi-domain, multi-site organisations) would be the A+, Network+, MCDST, MCSA. Just like the stepping stones for a degree would be the BND, HNC/D, etc...

    I already had my HNC and degree, but I still found the A+, Network+, MCDST and MCSA very useful and many people here would say the same thing.

    -Ken
     
    Certifications: MSc, PGDip, PGCert, BSc, HNC, LCGI, MBCS CITP, MCP, MCSA, MCSE, MCE, A+, N+, S+, Server+
    WIP: MSc Cyber Security
  5. Modey

    Modey Terabyte Poster

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    Brad, if you are at all sceptical about JK's advice on experience before doing an MCSE, then check this thread out ...

    http://www.certforums.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=34044
     
    Certifications: A+, N+, MCP, MCDST, MCSA 2K3, MCTS, MOS, MTA, MCT, MCITP:EDST7, MCSA W7, Citrix CCA, ITIL Foundation
    WIP: Nada
  6. dmarsh
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    dmarsh Petabyte Poster

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    Well I know you are the expert on such matters, but I thought BTEC's were vocational qualifications, they were never really intended to be academic, they were created exactly because of the prevelance of the academic options. They combine work based skills and knowledge with some academic content.

    The traditional route for a degree is A-levels then degree, we took non-conventional routes by changing from one route to another.
     
  7. JK2447
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    JK2447 Petabyte Poster Administrator Premium Member

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    Certifications: VCP4, 5, 6, 6.5, 6.7, 7, 8, VCAP DCV Design, VMConAWS Skill, Google Cloud Digital Leader, BSc (Hons), HND IT, HND Computing, ITIL-F, MBCS CITP, MCP (270,290,291,293,294,298,299,410,411,412) MCTS (401,620,624,652) MCSA:Security, MCSE: Security, Security+, CPTS, CCA (XenApp6.5), MCSA 2012, VSP, VTSP
    WIP: Google Cloud Certs
  8. Kitkatninja
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    Kitkatninja aka me, myself & I Moderator

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    Never said I was an expert :D

    BTEC or Edexcel, while a large proportion of their qualifications are vocational, they also do academic qualifications. Besides some vocational courses are more vocational than others (eg the BND vs NVQ's or the HND's vs fdSc).

    -Ken
     
    Certifications: MSc, PGDip, PGCert, BSc, HNC, LCGI, MBCS CITP, MCP, MCSA, MCSE, MCE, A+, N+, S+, Server+
    WIP: MSc Cyber Security
  9. BradSherwin

    BradSherwin New Member

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    I struggled to get a job during the recession. But I work for Dunelm Mill Soft Furnishings Ltd. I got a job around 3 months after qualifiying. There are loads of jobs going at the moment on Jobs Site, take a look.

    I didn't want to take the Uni route because I wnated to get out there and earn money and experience. But unfortunantley were I work I cannot work out of the box to learn new skills such as AD, Exchange etc it all automated in sharepoint :(

    I have read through ALOT of the A+ material and most of it I know, but I think it would be good to refresh on everything and its only about £100 or something quid for the exam so I guess its not hard to start from there and work my way up.
     
    Certifications: BTEC National Diploma
    WIP: CompITA A+ N+
  10. Nursa

    Nursa Bit Poster

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    What type of job role are you in at the moment? I'm thinking along the same lines as you and going to self study the A+ as most of the stuff on there was covered in my BTEC so it shouldn't take much time / cost and will look good on the CV.
     
    Certifications: BTEC in Computing
    WIP: A+
  11. Josiahb

    Josiahb Gigabyte Poster

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    Its about £110 per exam (with vouchers) and you have to pass 2.

    That being said its well worth it, I did mine and shortly after received a pay rise! Hopefully this trend will continue once I've finished the Net+ but I'm not holding my breath (we're making sod all money here at the moment).

    Anyway, A+, N+, MCDST. Worth it whatever else your holding.
     
    Certifications: A+, Network+, MCDST, ACA – Mac Integration 10.10
  12. BradSherwin

    BradSherwin New Member

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    I work for Dunelm Mill 1st Line. It's mainly all remote desktop related issues. When you are on a Service Desk you cna never leave the desk because you have to log log log and log calls. Can become a bit tedious sometimes but sometimes it can be rewarding.

    I do get to work outside of desk sometimes during quiet periods which is a great experience.

    I was thinking getting my A+ and N+ then going straight for the MCSA because I have months of Desktop experience and without being big headed people in work ask me for help and they have a MDCST.
     
    Certifications: BTEC National Diploma
    WIP: CompITA A+ N+
  13. Nursa

    Nursa Bit Poster

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    Sounds cool!

    I was unsure if I should go directly for the MCDST because the BTEC covered alot of areas of the A+ and N+ but after reading on here I think those 2 certs on your CV will be worthwhile study / money spent! :D
     
    Certifications: BTEC in Computing
    WIP: A+
  14. supernova

    supernova Gigabyte Poster

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    BTECs have changed alot since those days thats more 80's along with the days of YTS and all that.

    I did mine in the 90s and that was intentional to get into university, which i did. Although i wish i had done A levels because i feel your better prepared for a degree especially with maths or science.

    As far as i know a A+, MCDST etc wont have any value towards university entry or CAT points that could be used towards a degree which a BTEC does offer.

    back to the thread

    you could always do a BTEC or A level full time and do A+ at evening college a few nights a week (thats what i would have done if i started again) and you also keep you options open
     
    Certifications: Loads
    WIP: Lots
  15. dmarsh
    Honorary Member 500 Likes Award

    dmarsh Petabyte Poster

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    I did A-levels and a HND and an honours degree in the early 90's.

    The A-levels and degree were far more academic in nature than the HND, which was about a 50/50 academic vocational split. This probably suited me better to be honest as I found it more engaging. It was still lectures, classrooms and computer labs, but there was an industry focus that you didn't seem to get in Academia.

    I did not enjoy my A-levels at all, I think they are now probably more approachable, with not everything on one final exam and better training materials.

    A hard science background will serve you well for science/engineering based careers. I'd try and push yourself early rather than taking softer options if you can.

    The degrees also seem more industry focused now. Traditional degrees, HND's and foundation degrees seemed to have converged on the middle ground.

    There used to be a fair few courses with a lot of 'fluff' in them, it appears people are still seeing this now based on some of the posts.

    What I would say is look carefully at the course and its modules, the lecturers and the institution, because regardless of title they can vary a lot.

    In general I think there are some really excellent education options around these days with various blended learning techniques.
     
  16. supernova

    supernova Gigabyte Poster

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    I second that

    @dmarsh

    I did a BTEC National in IT and Electrical Engineering, when i went on to do a joint degree in Computer Science and a specialised Engineering discipline. i felt that the BTEC let me down big time especially with maths (Specialised Engineering been very maths intense). I would have found it much easier if i had done A level maths. I would have still done BTEC , but would have done A level Maths, only, at evening classes or something. But probably like yourself BTEC suited me more.
     
    Certifications: Loads
    WIP: Lots
  17. Qs

    Qs Semi-Honorary Member Gold Member

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    Was there not a pure Maths module in your original HND/BTEC course? I find that strange. There certainly was in my HND and it was mandatory, presumably to cater for such a situation.

    Qs
     
    Certifications: MCT, MCSE: Private Cloud, MCSA (2008), MCITP: EA, MCITP: SA, MCSE: 2003, MCSA: 2003, MCITP: EDA7, MCITP: EDST7, MCITP: EST Vista, MCTS: Exh 2010, MCTS:ServerVirt, MCTS: SCCM07 & SCCM2012, MCTS: SCOM07, MCTS: Win7Conf, MCTS: VistaConf, MCDST, MCP, MBCS, HND: Applied IT, ITIL v3: Foundation, CCA
  18. supernova

    supernova Gigabyte Poster

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    I did 3 engineering based maths modules, I did cover pure maths.

    discrete maths and calculus was a bit weak in BTEC aswell

    But it hardly touched the surface of what was expected eg State Space and Lapace Transforms etc,
     
    Certifications: Loads
    WIP: Lots
  19. dmarsh
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    dmarsh Petabyte Poster

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    There was some pure maths on my HND, but it was really only about half an AS level.

    I'd definitely take all the math you can handle. I've always regretted not applying myself during my maths A-levels.

    The maths A-levels and the HND module still did not prepare me for the maths on my degree, guy might as well have been talking a different language.

    Electronics engineering students tend to need a lot of math. Never touched State Space, Lapace Transforms myself thank god !
     

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