Help from network guys and gals

[_Scottie]

I'm going to abuse my mod powers and post this here because I'm kind of in a crunch and I think some of you can help me.

I have an employee who is working as a MCSE right now, but isn't certified. My new boss is telling me that unless she can get certified by a certain date, she will be let go. I know next to nothing about getting a MCSE, so my question is...how long is a realistic date to expect her to certify? I was thinking by April 1st??

[_collegeterrace]

MCSE? a.k.a. mouse jockey?

Seriously, anyone can get a MCSE(Micro$oft Certified Systems Engineer).

Just have her google MCSE cert + Utah and I am sure she will find a pay-until-you pass training shack.

All you need is $4000-$6000 and you can get the same cert as the rest of the mouse jockeys.

in my opinion, a cert like that means squat. Just because you have that does not mean you know what you are talking about.

I have been doing all aspects of I.T. (unix/windows/mac/san/lan/dns/web/et al) for 15 years without the piece of paper that says some flyby night scammer got $6k of my cash.

I've never meet a MCSE worth their weight, especially the ones who add that to their name.


Sorry for the rant.

[_bcspace]

in my opinion, a cert like that means squat. Just because you have that does not mean you know what you are talking about.

I have been doing all aspects of I.T. (unix/windows/mac/san/lan/dns/web/et al) for 15 years without the piece of paper that says some flyby night scammer got $6k of my cash.

I've never meet a MCSE worth their weight, especially the ones who add that to their name.

I concur. Why ruin a good employee? Just let her get some real world experience.

[_Yoda]

Is there a particular reason why your boss is set on this employee getting the MCSE?

There are a number of different tracks available now, depending on what you are actually going to be doing with the certification. Also, each test you pass gives you a separate certification known as MCP (Microsoft Certified Professional).

Instead of her having to pass all 7 exams involved in the MCSE, if you look up some of the individual certs, and match that against what she is actually doing, you and your boss may be able to decide on 1 or 2 certifications that make sense for her to specialize in, based on her job description.

by the way, I completely share Collegeterrace's rant on the value of these exams. Passing simply means you know how to test well. It really doesn't show true proficiency from a work sense.

[_collegeterrace]

by the way, I completely share Collegeterrace's rant on the value of these exams. Passing simply means you know how to test well. It really doesn't show true proficiency from a work sense.

And this has watered down the wages of those who actually CAN do the work.

While I am a windoze hating unix bigot, I hate to see MS IT guys lose work to cheaper and cheaper MCSEs.

Most MCSE make only between $20 and $25 an hour thanks to Microsloth allowing these MCSE pay-until-you-pass institutions to crank out people who should never be involved in a computer, let alone I.T.

"$40 an hour for MCSE??? You have got to be kidding! My secretary just got her MCSE, why would I pay you $40 and hour when she will do it for less than half!"

Windoze OS sucks, Microsoft sucks, and MCSEs are just cheap service whores for the pimp Bill Gates.

[_Gadianton]

I concur with the others, the boss should be questioned as to his need, and possibly written up or booted. If you are a reseller and Microsoft gives discounts then ok, I understand, though I'm skeptical they have that much faith in their cert. But reseller/consulting type shops are the only places that have a semi-valid reason for requesting certs in anything.

Since it will be of little practical value anyway as far as improving her usefulness, the quickest way to get it out of the way is for her to do some research and searches on keywords such as "brain dump". With some hard work, she should be able to knock out about one a week.

[_Scottie]

MCSE? a.k.a. mouse jockey?

Seriously, anyone can get a MCSE(Micro$oft Certified Systems Engineer).

Just have her google MCSE cert + Utah and I am sure she will find a pay-until-you pass training shack.

All you need is $4000-$6000 and you can get the same cert as the rest of the mouse jockeys.

in my opinion, a cert like that means squat. Just because you have that does not mean you know what you are talking about.

I have been doing all aspects of I.T. (unix/windows/mac/san/lan/dns/web/et al) for 15 years without the piece of paper that says some flyby night scammer got $6k of my cash.

I've never meet a MCSE worth their weight, especially the ones who add that to their name.


Sorry for the rant.

I couldn't agree more. The requirement is REE DIC U LOUS!!!!

She won't learn anything new. She will just have a piece of paper.

[_Scottie]

I don't even know enough about MCSE to speak intelligently. I think she could probably pass a single exam, get a piece of paper that says "certified" and he'd be thrilled.

She does a great job with our networks. This stupid piece of paper is all he wants.

[_Bryan Inks]

I don't even know enough about MCSE to speak intelligently. I think she could probably pass a single exam, get a piece of paper that says "certified" and he'd be thrilled.

She does a great job with our networks. This stupid piece of paper is all he wants.

Then hand her a piece of paper with the question, "Did you come into work today?" written on it and the choices

A. No
B. Yes
C. All of the above.

If the answer is B (or A or C) then print out a nice looking certificate with big, bold, green letters saying "Certified" with your signature and date and her name.

Please note: My method is more effective and much less expensive.

[_Scottie]

I don't even know enough about MCSE to speak intelligently. I think she could probably pass a single exam, get a piece of paper that says "certified" and he'd be thrilled.

She does a great job with our networks. This stupid piece of paper is all he wants.

Then hand her a piece of paper with the question, "Did you come into work today?" written on it and the choices

A. No
B. Yes
C. All of the above.

If the answer is B (or A or C) then print out a nice looking certificate with big, bold, green letters saying "Certified" with your signature and date and her name.

Please note: My method is more effective and much less expensive.

That's really not a bad idea!!