Effectiveness of certification

[LHX]

I just want to ask the members here to share their experience or comment on the effectiveness of obtaining certifications. From what I see around me, it just doesn't help at all. Everyone I know who got their cert are disappointed when they go for interview (if they get that far) because companies really prefer experience instead of some certification. My personal opinion is that they don't help.
I hear on the radio (in Southern California) each morning advertisements for people to quit their jobs and go to schools to get their MCSE. They claim that MCSE makes avg $84,000 a year. That's a freaking lie. I know no one who make that much and the ones who has a job are happy to make about half of that. I think those running the ads should get shot.

LHX

[tokelio]

Hi LHX,

Certification is only a prove to show others that you have a basic understand of the area of your study. For example, if you've earned your CCNA certification from Cisco, it demonstrates that you understand the basic concept of networking, but it doesn't mean that you have experience with CCNA in real life.
As of today, most employers are looking someone who have work experience and certification. Certification alone, isn't it enough???So, don't even think that after you got your cerfitication or your college degree, you will get a job right a way or someone will hire you as soon as you earn your certification.
Personally, I think that your employers looking for someone who have the ability to learn and adapt quickly. However, having certification on your bag, isn't a bad idea at all.
You need to show your employer that you're willing to learn and a quick learner in a short time. YOU MUST SPEND A LOT OF TIME TO LOOK FOR JOB BECAUSE A LOT OF COMPETITIONS.

[teegee]

Here's my 2 cents:

There are too many "paper MCSE" which really sad because they are ruining for the rest of us. I have been in the certification rat race from the very beginning, Novell CNE, A+, MCSE, CCNA..., I got them all. Got Certs will get you thru the doors, however, you must know your stuffs to really impress the prospective employers.

Just remember, there are more than one way to accomplish a task. Whatever you learn from MCSE courses, that is the "Microsoft" way. It is often not the fast or effective way to solve real life problems.

[Tammy Nguyen]

LHX,
If you are the only one, or one of the few Network Administrators, working for a start up company, and have that MCSE certification , they do pay you that much , providing that you also have couple of years experience to go with it .
The reason I know because I do payroll analyst/accounting for many companies in Silicon Valley and now in the Sacramento Valley region, and I have seen salaries anywhere between $65,000-$91,000, depending on the individuals and the well being of the companies and of course, economic good times , overall .