Just done MCAS outlook 2007.

Discussion in 'Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS), Office 365' started by London_exile, Feb 23, 2010.

  1. London_exile

    London_exile Bit Poster

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    Given that previously I've felt so disillusioned with working in IT and that the last time I tried any certs (MCSE, back in 2006) it was a complete train wreck (failed 6 out of the 7 exams passing only the Sec+). This represented a pretty big deal for me.

    Okay, it wasn't the hardest of exams to pass, but given my past failings this was nothing short of deal maker or deal breaker. Had I failed, alomost certainly I would have given up altogether with IT. That I've passed - and it's probably more important that I have the pass than anything - It's given me a real sense of acheivement, confidence and now motivation to have a proper crack at some more exams with MS and CompTIA. And made me think twice about changing career.

    Just wanted to share that with everyone.

    Rob.
    :D:D
     
    Certifications: MBCS |A+ | N+ | S+ | CCSA | CFIA | CEH v7.1
    WIP: CISMP | CISM(A) | CISSP
  2. Kitkatninja
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    Kitkatninja aka me, myself & I Moderator

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    Congrats on the pass :)

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

    Notes_Bloke Terabyte Poster

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    Congrats:thumbleft

    NB
     
    Certifications: 70-210, 70-215, A+,N+, Security+
    WIP: MCSA
  4. derkit

    derkit Gigabyte Poster

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    Congrats on passing! Remeber, take your time and you'll enjoy the experience of learning stuff so much more!
     
    Certifications: MBCS, BSc(Hons), Cert(Maths), A+, Net+, MCDST, ITIL-F v3, MCSA
    WIP: 70-293
  5. Bluerinse
    Honorary Member

    Bluerinse Exabyte Poster

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    Congrats 8)

    I don't understand how you failed 6 of the exams for the MCSE, could you expand on that please? :blink

    Most people progress through their MCSE one exam at a time, meaning you decide to study for say 70-270 - get a book or two or attend a course or both. Then, study until you know all the material inside out and sit the exam. If you fail, you go back to the books, cover in more detail the topics you were weak on and re-sit the exam. It is when you pass the exam, that you move on to study for the next one.
     
    Certifications: C&G Electronics - MCSA (W2K) MCSE (W2K)
  6. BosonMichael
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    BosonMichael Yottabyte Poster

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    Let me make sure I understand clearly - you aren't yet in IT, but you took the MCSE exams? If that is indeed the case, then it is little wonder that you failed. The MCSE is designed for people with at LEAST a year of server administration experience in a real-world, multi-site, multi-server domain environment... and not just a year in IT, either... a year actually DOING server administration, which is NOT where you typically start in IT.

    It is unfortunate that nobody has told you this by now. :(

    If you're not yet in IT, you should be focusing on certifications related to entry-level jobs, such as the A+, Network+, and MCDST. Getting upper-level certifications like the MCSE will not necessarily make it easier to get your first IT job, and in fact, can make it harder.

    I hope this helps straighten out some things for you so that you can formulate a strong battle plan that will work going forward. :)
     
    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!
  7. London_exile

    London_exile Bit Poster

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    To clarify;

    I have been working in various IT fields since 2000; 1st\2nd line support, bit of information security, Notes admin etc in both the Private and Public sector. Basically I did a bootcamp MCSE after taking redundancy from a previous employer. However with hindsight I put myself under too much pressure to pass. It started to go wrong when i did 70-270 at the first attempt I failed by a single point and took it again only to fail by the same single point. With hindsight I can see that from that point my self confidence just crumbled. And the rest of the course turned into the aforementioned train wreck. Also I found that the bootcamp style of learning doesn;t suit me.

    From there I had serious misgivings about my future career within the IT field. Probably upto passing the MCAS exam. As I mentioned in my first post; It was probably about passing an IT cert than anything else which has helped me overcome, at least in a small way the failure of taking on the MCSE, when in all honesty and with the benefit of hindsight was probably not the cert i should have attpemted.

    Lessons learnt:

    Well, certainly I am more realistic about my goals now. I want to do the MCSDT next followed by 70-270 and then the A+ and N+ and will probably renew my Security+ as well. After that I don't know.

    As for working in IT, well the pass has made me re-think what i want to do. I'm also happily working at a great company with some really great and supportive people (a far cry from the company I took redundancy from) which has greatly helped me regain some confidence in myself and my abilites. In many respects I am starting from sratch again.

    I think I am just getting to the point where I can see not just where I went wrong, but also how. Which in turn is helping make better choices.

    I hope this helps to clarify things for you.

    Rob.
     
    Certifications: MBCS |A+ | N+ | S+ | CCSA | CFIA | CEH v7.1
    WIP: CISMP | CISM(A) | CISSP
  8. BosonMichael
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    BosonMichael Yottabyte Poster

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    The Security+ is a lifetime certification, so once you've passed, you've passed. Sure, you can update the certification if you want... but I've yet to hear of an employer who cares about which version you passed.

    After those certifications, just certify on whatever you have experience doing. There is no wrong answer. :)
     
    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!
  9. London_exile

    London_exile Bit Poster

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    Hi Michael,

    Thanks for the info. I didn't realise that the S+ was for life and not just for Christmas!! Most of my experience is within the helpdesk\support 1st and 2nd line. But I do want to move into a specailsation at some point.
     
    Certifications: MBCS |A+ | N+ | S+ | CCSA | CFIA | CEH v7.1
    WIP: CISMP | CISM(A) | CISSP

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