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Question of the week
Follow up to last week's CertAdvisor
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Share your cert-experience
How CertAdvisor answers questions

Question of the week

Q1) Hi, I'm taking the Oracle8 DBA certification training, but I am not an Oracle DBA.  I do work in Oracle environment as a QA analyst.  I'm trying to pursue a transition to Oracle DBA, after I pass the first two certification exams. In your honest opinion, how difficult will it be to find an employer who is willing to hire me to further train me and allow me to develop the professional experience needed? (From Harold Kim)

ans) Oracle installations are expensive - on an average may cost around $100,000. So usually companies that use Oracle products encourage their employees to undergo training and certification programs.

If you are considerably skilled and have good working experience in Oracle environment, you may be able to find an employer who will help you complete your training program. But due to recent recession and layoffs many qualified Oracle professionals are available for the employers to choose from. That makes it difficult for you to find what you are looking for.

I think, you should be prepared to complete training on your own.

Follow up to last week's CertAdvisor

Q2) I have cleared three core exams of MCSE (NT) and now want to upgrade myself to MCSE (Windows 2000) track. Can you tell me how many exams I have to pass to become an MCSE (Windows 2000) certificate holder. (From Vinaypreet Singh)

ans) To become an MCSE (Windows 2000) you need to pass four mandatory, one
core and two elective exams.

You can pass the accelerated exam (70-240) and skip mandatory exams (70-210, 70-215, 70-216, 70-217). Please note that 70-240 is a tough exam and can be taken only once. If you fail in it you will have to take all the four mandatory exams again. Candidates who have passed all three Windows NT 4.0 exams are even eligible to request one free voucher to take exam 70-240.

To qualify for the accelerated exam you need to pass 3 Windows NT 4.0 exams (70-067, 70-068, 70-073).

One core exam can be chosen from 70-219, 70-220 and 70-221.

With two electives you complete requirements for a Windows 2000 MCSE.

Two exams have to be chosen from 'Electives for Windows 2000, NT 4.0 and
3.51 Tracks' listed  at the Microsoft site. 

Q3) Do you know when any material will be available for the accelerated test Microsoft is putting out for MCSE's on the 4.0 track to test and obtain MCSE 2000 status? Till when can this exam be taken? (From Edward Storm)

ans) An official Microsoft study guide 'MCSE Training Kit: Microsoft(r) Windows(r) 2000 Accelerated' is available for this exam (Exam 70-240). This study guide can be purchased online at http://mspress.microsoft.com/.

This 'accelerated exam' to help current MCSEs or MCPs upgrade to the Windows 2000 track can be taken till December 31, 2001. It was introduced on June 30, 2000.

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Q4) I am planning to appear for the Sun Certification for Java 2 Programmer Exam. Is it worth taking this exam in the present market? Please advice. (From Surender Sharma)

ans) Java is a very popular programming language and there are good opportunities for skilled Java professionals.

Employers look for good credentials, experience and competence at work. Along with the Certificate you mentioned you would also need to get some hands-on work experience before you get a good job offer.

If you can also achieve higher Java certifications such as Sun Certified Developer for the Java Platform and Sun Certified Enterprise Architect for Java 2 you will definitely be improving your prospects.

However, more than specializing in a 'hot' technology it is your competence as a software engineer that would ensure a bright career. If you are good you will be able to adapt to changing technologies well. Becoming a good Java professional is one of the excellent ways to establish that competence.

Q5) I want to enroll for an MCP program hoping to eventually obtain an MCSD. I'm currently not working as a programmer, but I've had experience in programming. Please advice me on what path I should take and what my focus should be. Thank you. (From N. Perera)

ans) You can either focus on VB or the VC++ paths. If you have had any programming experience in C or C++ you should go for VC++. If you are new to programming VB would be relatively easier to tackle.

Share your cert-experience

This week our member "a.evans'' provides tips on how to find internships:

"a) Go for higher certificates -- few training institutes offer integrated packages A+, CCNA, MCSE to defray the cost of taking each course separately.
b) Check with your state's unemployment office to inquire about free
training.
c) Individuals, who have passed the CompTIA A+ exams, can post their resume ay CompTIA's  jobs site, Jobs Plus. This is a job seekers data bank. 
d) Employment sites such as computerjobs.com, dice.com etc. provide an option to search for entry-level jobs.
e) Learning Unix helps.''

(Can you provide any tip or feedback for others, based on your personal
experience, with issues discussed here? If so, please share your
experience with certadvisor@examsonline.com. Good contributions will be acknowledged and published. Help others to help you.)

How CertAdvisor answers questions

a) CertAdvisor tries to provide expert counsel to all questions sent to it. But as a huge number of queries are submitted, CertAdvisor prefers to group similar questions and provide a combined answer for them. The most commonly asked question usually becomes CertAdvisor's Question of the Week.
b) There is a possibility that your question has already been answered. So, before you send your question, may CertAdvisor request you to check questions that have been previously answered?
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• The expert counsel from CertAdvisor is intended to help you make the right decision. You are still urged to base your decisions on your own research and assessment.

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