MCDST vs CompTIA A+

[BosonMichael]

Originally Posted by Gingerdave

Very true, backing it up with experience is necessary, but pointing out that without experience the certs aren't worth the paper they are printed on isn't helping. The posters lack of experience was mentioned further up the thread, with suggestions being made to assist in gaining experience.

We all know that the certs are, in reality to get you past a HR sift so that your experience and knowledge can talk in the interview, pointing out to a novice poster that the certs he has done so far are useless without said experience is not helpful, and not the normal nurturing attitude that you normally post with/ Are you ill?

I never said that to the original poster... I was replying to Qs comment regarding experience. Qs was equating certification with "getting experience", and although he likely meant well, it's a bad choice of words. It's not experience.

Hey, if you don't see my advice as nurturing, then I guess you'll have to stand in the whine and complain line with everyon else. I'm not ill... until someone starts pulling the "why aren't you being helpful?" card.

[kevicho]

Originally Posted by BosonMichael

I never said that to the original poster... I was replying to Qs comment regarding experience. Qs was equating certification with "getting experience", and although he likely meant well, it's a bad choice of words. It's not experience.

Hey, if you don't see my advice as nurturing, then I guess you'll have to stand in the whine and complain line with everyon else. I'm not ill... until someone starts pulling the "why aren't you being helpful?" card.

Certification, or rather the study for it is great for learning new techniques, but it isnt the same as proper experience even if you set up labs etc

[Gingerdave]

Originally Posted by BosonMichael

I never said that to the original poster... I was replying to Qs comment regarding experience. Qs was equating certification with "getting experience", and although he likely meant well, it's a bad choice of words. It's not experience.

Hey, if you don't see my advice as nurturing, then I guess you'll have to stand in the whine and complain line with everyon else. I'm not ill... until someone starts pulling the "why aren't you being helpful?" card.

Then I apologise for not reading it correctly, I thought that was directed at the original poster. The Are you ill was intended more as a joke as normally i do find your posts helpful, there was never any malicious intent or offence ment.

[Modey]

I would agree with other comments in this thread that the A+ (and N+) are definitely worth pursuing as well as the MCDST. The A+ because of the heavy hardware emphasis and the N+ is a great foundation for the future, especially if you decide to go on to certs like the MCSA or CCNA.

[BosonMichael]

Originally Posted by kevicho

Certification, or rather the study for it is great for learning new techniques, but it isnt the same as proper experience even if you set up labs etc

Exactly my point, Kev! Muchly appreciated.

[BosonMichael]

Originally Posted by Gingerdave

Then I apologise for not reading it correctly, I thought that was directed at the original poster. The Are you ill was intended more as a joke as normally i do find your posts helpful, there was never any malicious intent or offence ment.

Apology accepted, and I thank you for the compliment.

[Qs]

Originally Posted by BosonMichael

I never said that to the original poster... I was replying to Qs comment regarding experience. Qs was equating certification with "getting experience", and although he likely meant well, it's a bad choice of words. It's not experience.

Hey, if you don't see my advice as nurturing, then I guess you'll have to stand in the whine and complain line with everyon else. I'm not ill... until someone starts pulling the "why aren't you being helpful?" card.

My comments were from purely from a 'if it were me' situation - and I guess I did go a bit white/black on it.

I was probably tired lol.

I did say in my original responce that the MCDST was more attractive for me, and what I would do if I were in the OP's shoes.

Obviously getting all the certifications (A+, N+ and MCDST) would put you in a far better starting point (when combined with some real-word experience) in order to get an entry level job in I.T.

Qs

[Qs]

Originally Posted by Qs;

At the end of the day it's experience rather than certifications than govern how attractive you seem to potential employers and this is what the OP needs.

Originally Posted by BosonMichael

But you don't get ANY experience getting EITHER certification. Certification does not equal experience; it is not a valid substitute. And knowing the theory behind something, even Microsoft stuff, is not experience.

Oh, I wasn't saying this at all - I think you misunderstood BM. I meant that experience is seen as more beneficial than certain entry level qualifications when applying for entry level I.T jobs and that's what I recommend that the OP get - real world experience - to complement his proposed certifications and hopefully get on the I.T ladder.

I wasn't saying that by doing the previously mentioned certifications that that would somehow be equivalent to real word experience, because it wouldn't.

Hope this clears it up.

Qs