mcdst

Discussion in 'MCDST' started by buster69, May 26, 2010.

  1. buster69

    buster69 New Member

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    Hi all, first post so please be gently.

    Im looking to undertake the mcdst course through an online company called ICS Learn. Im initially going to take mcas (microsoft certified application specialist) course through them as well.

    Im currently employed as an asbestos surveyor, I have basic PC skills but am looking for a career change. The main objectives are that I can continue taking courses and becoming more qualified and then being able to work from home or to be self employed.

    Would these courses be of benefit to me to start a new career based on my limited experience and if/when I pass would IT companies employ me with virtually no experience. If not then what courses are recommended and how can I gain suitale expereince without my current wmployers knowing?

    Many thanks to all who reply.
     
  2. ericrollo

    ericrollo Megabyte Poster

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    We have an asbestos person building us a wall at the moment.

    Everyone is going to say just do self study the MCDST.

    As for a job its very difficult and i would not expect a lot, unless you are lucky and good at IT.
     
    Certifications: MOS Master, A+, MCP 271
    WIP: HND, Programming, Another Job
  3. greenbrucelee
    Highly Decorated Member Award

    greenbrucelee Zettabyte Poster

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    Welcome:)

    Entry level certs are compTIA A+,N+ and MCDST. MCAS can be done also although you will have to start at the bottom and thats means crap wages so don't expect too much.
     
    Certifications: A+, N+, MCDST, Security+, 70-270
    WIP: 70-620 or 70-680?
  4. billyr

    billyr Kilobyte Poster

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    Welcome to the forum Buster69.

    I believe ICS Learn are a distance learning company. Do you're research here very carefully, you may end up forking out a couple of grand for a few A4 ringbinders full of info you could have purchased from a decent bookstore for yourself for a lot less.

    MCDST is a good place to start if you don't fancy the CompTia quals. I'm sure others will be along soon to advise on the best study materials. I tend to like to watch some training videos such as CBT nuggets or TrainSignal first then read the Official Microsoft Press books myself.
     
    Certifications: CCNP, CCSI, MCSE W2k/W2k3, MCITP_SA
    WIP: Taking it easy for a while.
  5. Phil182

    Phil182 Nibble Poster

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    Hi Buster,

    I wouldn't shell out alot of money for ICS to give you materials they make a huge mark up on. You can buy the MS press books for £25 each if that, I bought those and the exam cram books for some of the older material. I would highly recommend purchasing the CBTNuggets videos, though it really depends on how you study best, but for me the videos did the trick and I recently got my MCP from it (working towards the MCDST).

    The 'microsoft certified application specialist' would be a good edition but I wouldn't try and take on too much at once especially if you have 'basic PC skills' as you say. I've looked into the 'Word' one for this and would be beneficial to me and the company I work for, but at the moment I'm just studying for the MCDST 70-272 exam.

    It's good that you want to study alongside a completely different job, however I think you'd find it hard to get any high payed job in IT off the bat, if that's what you were hoping for? Also it would be hard for you to gain any experience outside of your 9-5 job without burning yourself out. If you definately want a career change then to it properly (I know it's hard in the current climate).

    For example: I finished Uni with a HND in media production, I couldn't get a job around my area, so decided to go into IT as that was my other passion. I did an apprenticeship as an IT Practitioner for £50 a week. I had a Part time job as well to cover my car payments so I was doing about 50 hours for around £500 a month and I did this for 10 months.
    I then got a minimum wage job doing media and IT support work, I did that for a year then got a technical support / software tester job which I'm current at and recently they sent me to Abu Dhabi to do some software installs. So it took me about 3-4 years to get into a decent position, but I did what I had to do to get there.

    You've got to be prepare to take little money, it's the experience you gain for it that is most valuable and keep an eye on your ultimate goal, don't give up!

    Good luck with your IT career, you won't regret it.
     
    Certifications: MCDST, MCP 70-271, NVQ IT Practitioner
    WIP: MCTS: SQL Server 2008
  6. Modey

    Modey Terabyte Poster

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    Good advice there Phil, repped!
     
    Certifications: A+, N+, MCP, MCDST, MCSA 2K3, MCTS, MOS, MTA, MCT, MCITP:EDST7, MCSA W7, Citrix CCA, ITIL Foundation
    WIP: Nada

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