[KLUG Members] Certifications: Where do I go from here?

[Bryan J. Smith]

[ Please pardon my interruption as I've currently been unemployed/
  self-employed for about 4 months now.  Just looking for career
  advise -- largely in the "marketability" department. ]

I just got my Linux+ today (scored 850/900, finished in 1/3rd time) to
please a prospective employer who has a client, IBM, that requires it.
This will, in all likelihood, at least lead to some temporary work.
It's not that I've never thought anything "bad" of certifications, but
I've always believed my BS in Computer Engineering combined with my 10
years IT experience would be enough.  I'm finding that is not the case,
and the more certs I have, the more I can distinguish myself.  It's
almost like I'm starting my career over at 29 -- even though my past
is quite distinguished.

So, here's my "master plan" of 4 different certifications/licenses I
would like people to critique.

- CERT 1 (Microsoft):  CompTIA -> MSCA -> MSCE
- CERT 2 (RedHat):  RHCE
- CERT 3 (Other):  Solaris Admin, others (?)
- LICENSE:  Professional Engineer (PE)


- CERT 1 (Microsoft):  CompTIA -> MSCA -> MSCE

Chris Young is right.  It's easier to prove to people that I am
"platform neutral" if I have a variety of certifications.

A.  End 2002Q2 -- I "finish off" a couple of CompTIA certs.

Namely, I think I'd walk through the A+ (with a quick review, like the
Linux+).  Then I should get the Network+ or Server+ -- but which would
be better?  I'd need to do a tad more studying for those, but hopefully
not too much.

B.  End 2002Q3 -- Three (3) tests to Microsoft .NET MSCA

The reason for 1.A. is because Microsoft is now accepting A+ and either
Network+ or Server+ as the two electives for the MSCA -- which then only
has three requirements left.   Not to toot my horn, but I'm one heck of
a good NT, 2000 workstation/server guy (since that's what I've been doing
since 1992, yes before it was publicly released, through currently on 
corporate networks), and like to think I know how to use tweak XP (since
adopting it as my "consumer" platform), but I don't know much about .NET
server end yet -- largely because I don't like what I see, _technically_
(as I've discussed elsewhere).

But if I'm going get one, I might as well get the latest .NET since it
won't expire anytime soon (unlike 2000).  Between an "educational" MSDN
Professional subscription (c/o my wife, so it costs $399 instead of
$1500 ;-) and the study materials, I think I can "bring myself
up-to-speed" in a matter of a month or two, maybe three.  

C.  End 2003Q1 -- Four (4) tests to Microsoft .NET MSCE

Although most of you have heard me argue over what "design" is (and MSCE
is NOT it), MSCAs aren't the "cream of the crop" as far as Microsoft is
concerned.  Although Microsoft makes the MSCA a separate program, they
do have a way to "upgrade" from a MSCA to a MSCE -- three requirements
and one elective.  I'm sure I'd "shave off" a few requirements by going
directly MSCE instead of MSCA -> MSCE, but I'd rather have something
"in-hand" -- especially if the MSCE will take me another 4+ months of
part-time (10-20 hours/week) study to learn.

Again, like the MSCA, I figured .NET is the best path to avoid
"expiration" as long as I can.


- CERT 2 (RedHat):  RHCE

By end of 2002Q3

I'm not going to screw around here with different Linux certifications.
I've praised LPI and some of the others, and I moved to get my Linux+
(which is more of a "competency" base than a "super admin" one) and 
I know I previously semi-bashed RedHat for their distribution-centric
focus and engineering abusing title.  Well, more than one independent
organization now ranks the RHCE #1 in difficulty and real-world
knowledge (even beyond some of Cisco's top certs).

The passing rate is dismal (and become far worse since the independent
materials have come out), the tests is _hands-on_, _peer-reviewed_ --
hence why you have to travel to remote locations for even just test.
But there's a good reason for this -- it isn't some simple test, but
a _in-person_ test of _knowledge_ in a _real-world_ lab.  This is what
makes it #1 in my book -- as well as an increasing number of others.  It
also helps that I've been using RedHat since 1995, and it's what I've
been running close to 100% at both home, work, hosting, etc... since
1998.

I might as well fork out the $2,400 to get the crash course review
(which _many_ RHCE's have recommended even if you are 3+ years
experienced), rather than chance it on the $800 test-only move
(especially if I have to travel anyway).  I also like Chris Young's view
that if I'm going to spend a week anywhere, go up to NC instead of down
to Lauderdale.  They hold them every week there, so I can schedule better
too.  So it's just a matter of timing and having the $2,400 to burn (I
don't at this point IMHO).


- CERT 3 (Other):  Solaris Admin, others?

By end of 2002Q4

Chris Young recommended the Solaris Admin certification of two exams,
since it adds a little more "oomph" to your resume.  I agree.  I've
supported Solaris on and off since 1990, and heavily from 1996-2001, but
had some difficulty proving that to prospective employers (Solaris isn't
going to stop being popular anytime soon).  I think I can pass it from
the study guides, although I'm starting to wonder, at this point, if I'm
as good of a test taker as Chris Young.  ;-P

Can anyone else think of any other worthwhile certifications?  Is there
an "entry level" CISSP?  Or Cisco?  I understand IP routing fairly well,
ICMP, UDP and TCP/IP packet organization, etc...  I just need to brush
up on some configs.  Or are these certs really "no good" _unless_ you do
a full track?


- LICENSE:  Professional Engineer (PE)

2002 April

I've currently started the paperwork on this.  I've got 2 PEs lined up,
and think I may have a 3rd now.  Most of my employers have been
receptive to signing off on close to 5 years software engineering
experience (4 years required), so I won't have to "stretch" my technical
experience as engineering-related.  Once everything is assembled, it
takes 150 days for them to review it and accept/deny my application for
licensure, so it has to be submitted 6 months before the exam date (2001
November for a 2002 April test date).  It then takes about 90 days for
the 8 hour, hand-written exam to be peer-reviewed and checked by members
of the state BOPE (Board of Professional Engineers), and the license
issued/not-issued as a result.

A PE will open up a lot of government and public works contracts to me,
as well as major corporations too.  And even some in the technical
community will respect it -- since it is the _exact_legal_equivalent_ of
an MD or PA license.  Engineering used to be a PhD degree until the
Brits decided that you need a 4-5 year internship, instead of 2-3 more
years of school with only 1-2 years (which is why it takes just as long,
if not longer, to get a PE than an MD or PA license today).


My plan is that by one year from now, mid-2003, no HR department will have
_any_reason_ to "pass over" my _technical_ credentials for any IT,
technology, engineering, support or other related positions'
consideration.  God I'm sick and tired of calling them only to find out I
was "dropped" for things I really do have (like a college degree, 
equivalent experience, etc...).

Again, comments, criticisms, etc... are very welcome.  Thanx in advance.

-- Bryan J. Smith -- mailto:b.j.smith@ieee.org
   President, SmithConcepts, Inc. -- http://www.SmithConcepts.com

   BSCpE (ABET/IEEE BSECE), UCF '97
   Contract Book/Magazine Writer for CMP, MacMillan, Ziff-Davis

   Certified NSPE Engineering Intern (E.I.)
   Certified CompTIA Linux+

P.S.  If anyone is interested, My Resume (3p), Skills Sheet (1p) and
Reference List (1p) is available in both cross-platform Adobe Acrobat
(PDF) and MS Word 97 (DOC) formats from here: 
http://www.thebs.org/Resume/

P.S.S.  Please not "bigotry" responses.  I'm a UNIX _and_ NT veteran of
a decade, and Linux of nearly 9 years (among other UNIX, VMS and OS/2-
LAN Manager off-shoots).  I call _technology_ where I see it, and use
what is best in every case -- often what the client will agree to.  In
fact, I actually promote usage of Windows with select Freedom Software,
instead of blindly switching someone to Linux.


-- 
Many Windows users would rather buy and hunt down dozens of utils
for their Microsoft software than try Freedom Software that not
only includes those same functions inherently, but lacks spyware.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Bryan J. Smith, SmithConcepts, Inc.     mailto:b.j.smith@ieee.org
Engineers and IT Professionals       http://www.SmithConcepts.com