[plug] Linux and employment

[Jon L. Miller]

Michael is right, used to be certification was important and to a certain
extent it still is.  I have clients that won't look at you unless you have a
certification for 1) network operating system (NOS) and 2) hardware.  Most
major IT firms want the certification in either Novell, Microsoft, Cisco and
Unix, hardware certification in either HP, IBM or Compaq as well as
experience.
What is it worth, where I'm from big bucks $$$$$, here it does helps but not
overly important.

FMPOV
I use certified people for one main reason I have an idea of what they have
learned and this can help in situations where one has to think on their own
and on their feet.  But what counts the most to me is the number of years in
the IT field and certifications is a bonus.
I hired a engineer with a Novell CNA and Microsoft MCP and the poor guy
couldn't find his way around the servers because he had never worked on one
in real life, just simulations.  This does a great deal of harm to certified
engineers who have put in the time in the real world.  I had 8 yrs
experience with Novell before I got my MCNE and 3 years with Compaq before I
got my ASE. yes the certification helps in that these firms are constantly
testing you and keeping you up to date with their products and technology
either by CBT or classes that are mandatory.

When I went for my CNE it was a year long course at a college in the states
that was held 3 evenings a week for 4 hours per session, exams every session
and troubleshooting.  Nowadays one can buy a book read it and take the exam,
but does this proves he knows his way around....NO!!.

So my advice get the experience where ever you can, get the certification
after that and then present the package to a well known IT firm and get some
years working with them.  Do not stagnant by keeping the same job for more
than 2-3 years.  In the states if one stayed on a job longer than 3 yrs the
other outfits may not hire you.

good luck in what you decide.

Jon L. Miller
Novell Master CNE
Compaq ASE
WA Reseller for Sophos Anti-Virus
MMT Networks Pty Ltd
Perth, Australia
T:+61 8 9242 8600
F:+61 8 9242 8611
mailto:jlmiller at mmtnetwork.com.au
http://www.mmtnetworks.com.au



>-----Original Message-----
>From: michael at wheat.harvestroad.com.au
>[mailto:michael at wheat.harvestroad.com.au]On Behalf Of Michael De Santis
>Sent: Tuesday, July 04, 2000 4:05 PM
>To: plug at plug.linux.org.au
>Subject: Re: [plug] Linux and employment
>
>
>
>Hi,
>
>MSCE certificates used to be the flavor of the month a couple of years
>ago but don't seem to be a major criteria with employers nowadays.
>
>IMO - whatever certificate you hold or intending to do - the employer
>will always be more interested in your work experience rather than your
>qualifications.
>
>just my two cents worth
>
>Cheers
>Michael
>
>
>Darrell Horrocks wrote:
>>
>> Hi All
>>
>> Having been using various forms of Linux, predominantly RedHat based,
>> for a while I have been thinking about changing my career (not
>> significantly), and am wondering about how useful these Linux skills
>> are?
>>
>> Given that there are no accreditation courses on offer on a month by
>> month basis here in Perth (of course there are the odd ones
>;-) ) is it
>> worth really pursuing a Linux accreditation?  Does anyone know of a
>> Linux certification exam that one can take without a course?
> There are
>> of course places like http://www.brainbench.com, but how
>much worth do
>> they have here in West AU??
>>
>> This really is the crux because if I want to go on and
>pursue a career
>> in this area, I need to gain some industry qualifications.
>Currently I
>> am thinking about doing the MCSE exams and getting that (can also do
>> that without a course) purely to give me an certification
>acceptable to
>> employers.
>>
>> SO! to sum up.....
>>
>> 1) Does anyone know a company in WA that offers Linux
>certification by
>> exam only?
>>
>> 2) How transferable is Linux certification and skills into other Unix
>> (Solaris?) skills in practicality and in the minds of employers?
>>
>> 3) How much in demand are Linux skills?  I have yet to see a
>job in the
>> paper requiring them at a high level.
>>
>> 4) What skills in particular are going to make you attractive to
>> employers?  I am thinking along the lines of Sendmail,
>Apache, Perl etc.
>>
>> 5) Is there a better way to get into the Linux arena in WA without
>> getting these skills/certificates?
>>
>> Maybe the answers to this can get included into the FAQ?  I
>can even do
>> the writing ;-)
>>
>> Regards
>>
>> Darrell
>
>--
>Michael De Santis                        michael at harvestroad.com
>Systems Administrator                    Harvestroad Limited
>
>                 http://www.harvestroad.com