Certification Question

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At work, we are set objectives in relation to achieveing certificates/exams. I have my first review at the start of December 2008.

I have achieved MCSA and wish to make that MCSA: Messaging and then stop with MS exams for a while as I believe that having this certification is probably about right or maybe a little over what is really needed.

In my new job role, we perform various tasks such as:

- Create New Users
- Add New Users To Various Groups (but are not able to change Permissions, which is 3rd Line)
- Move Users to Different Servers and OU's
- Exchange Tasks, Move Mailboxes, Add Mailboxes, Mailbox Rights etc
- Diagnose network & computer issues for single users which we pass to 3rd Line to organise an Engineer Visit
- Diagnose network issues relating to DNS, DHCP, Terminal Services, Bespoke software. However, this is passed to 3rd Line to fix e.g. please give create a Priner Pool 'X' IP Address 10.150.10.0
- Support all printer issues, which we tell 3rd Line what to do e.g. new rollers etc.
- BlackBerry Enterprise Server support for end customers
- Resolve 1st Line issues, things such as Dial Up for Laptop Users, your normal MS Office Suite stuff and bepsoke software.
- Train and coach 1st Line
- Deal with all VIP's
- Any roleout of new software is arranged by 3rd Line but we deploy it e.g. Laptop Encryption
- Rotared osite support at clients Head Office, which can be anything from Desktop Support to comms room cabling to hardware installations.

I feel that work will ask me to achieve MCSE status over the next six months. Even though this would be great to have, it really isn't relevant to what I do at the moment.

I'm going to ask to do the BlackBerry Certified Server Support Specialist as this is relevant.

So the question is, if I'm asked to achieve the MCSE to get a payrise, do I do it or not?

Any advise or help would be appreciated.

 

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It all depends on what you and your company decide is the best option for your personal development. There's no point doing certs that aren't going to be used, it just wastes time and money. You need to decide where you're lacking skills to improve your work efficiency and productivity

GRim

 

The objectives are set by my Team Leader. Naturally, it is up for discussion what our objectives are. However they have the final say. As I said I'm pretty sure they will say get an MCSE. However, I would then be the only person in the department with one. Which could be seen as a good thing or perhaps not

 

The BES is already set up, and we support the current infrastructure. Not sure exactly what is involved as I'm yet to be exposed to it. However, I would have thought that the BCP-213 Supporting a BlackBerry Enterprise Server in a Microsoft® Exchange Environment would be about right.

There would be opportunities if someone left or we took an some other contracts.

The 3rd Line team has three roles, Junior Sys Admin, Sys Admin and Senior Sys Admin. If I did get a promotion it would be to Junior Sys Admin.

I'm not sure what there expectations are certification wise. I have heard rumours but that is asll they are. I did recently send an email to the Manager of 3rd Line asking for certification advice to (yet to recieve a reply lol).

Do I just go for it and be over qualified and on more money?

 

Go for it if they're offering !

Once you're studying, use that as the excuse for them to let you have a look at bits at work that may be 3rd line even, on the basis it will help with your studies.

It will also boost your career prospects and given the current economic climate will do you no harm at all.

 

Maybe I could ask if they would let me have a looksi at some 3rd Line stuff. The issue with this is the fact that 3rd Line is located in a different area.

Work only pay for the Voucher, not for books or anything else. So yes they would support me, but it is quite limited.

 

Stress you would need some hands-on in areas you don't currently cover.

 

Now that is a good idea.

Thanks UKDarkstar, I will have that in my 'toolbox' ready for my review

 

You are right, I would just prefer to be face to face with our internal team.

 

Now that would be interesting lol

 

I think you should continue your studies, and it looks like you want to keep them relevant to your work which is good.

One thing thats missing from the MCSE track is a design and core exam, so maybe you could leave those till last (ie do the 293 then the 297/29.

One thing I would say is press with your employers that while you are willing to learn these concepts and pass the exams, make sure they are not giving you rediculous timescales to pass, as this will not help you learn, which is what they should be aiming for.

Good luck.

 

I just thought i give my own 2 cents, the job role you stated is really what your expected to do if your an MCSE, which i think you have all the best experience to be an MCSE, as ppl on here say, it doesnt matter how many certs you have on your wings the experience matters, but if the company are gonna give you a payrise after achieving the MCSE then i guess why not do it, as your an mcsa only 3 exams to go.. There is nothing really left to do, 293, 294,297 or 298 which i think they are quiet easy as 293 and 291 looks the same, and 294 is just more of active directory.

Way to go bra.

 

Thanks for the feedback Kevicho, I'm currently working on the 70-284 as we speak!

I have the 70-293 and 70-294 as I brought the MS Quad Pack of books (just in case).

In regards to timescales, I gave myself 1 month (ish) on each client and exam and 2 months (ish) on each Server exam.

However, I have been hitting the books hard and not sure I can keep up the same momentum.

As being a Husband, Dad, gunning for a promotion, studying 2 hours + a day and also hopefully about to start working at the same place as Dom and Wagnerk (only on a part time temporary basis) it's pretty busy right now...

Dang forgot about Xmas better add that to the to do list...

 

So you are going to be our IT Apprentice then? I hate to tell you this, but I think you are overqualified mate.

Give myself or Ken a PM if you want to chat about the tutoring btw, I'm sure we can give you a hand getting started if we are able to.

 

It's all starting to sound very incestuous in Northants !