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

Question of the week

Q1) What is the scope of Cisco's new certification track on Communications and Services? Who is it intended for? (From Andrew Friend)

ANS) Cisco’s new Communications and Services certifications track focuses on technologies used by service providers such as Internet service providers, incumbent local exchange carriers, competitive local exchange carriers and interexchange carriers.

Some of the diverse technologies covered by the program are Optical, Frame Relay, IP multicast, and IP routing. Candidates are assessed for their understanding of cable, DSL, content networking, or IP telephony solutions, depending on their market and job functions.

Communications and Services certifications track offers two levels of certifications: Professional (CCIP) and Expert (CCIE). This track is intended for telecom professionals who can demonstrate competencies in infrastructure or access solutions in a Cisco end-to-end environment.

For more details please visit 
http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/10/wwtraining/certprog/c_and_s/

Follow up to last week’s Cert Advisor

Q2) In MCSD program few exams are listed under both core and elective sections. Would I get both core and elective credits by passing any of them? (From P. Hermann) 

ANS) No. When you pass any of them you receive credit only once—either as a core or as an elective.

Select questions & answers

Q3) Is Citrix Certified Enterprise Administrator (CCEA) comparable to MCSE and CNE? (From TechRama)

ANS) CCEA is Citrix's flagship certification and Citrix's products are widely in use. Though CCEA is not as well known as MCSE or CNE its program requirements are comparable to MCSE or CNE. After passing the Citrix Certified Administrator (CCA) exam, candidates need to select four exams out of seven and pass them to become CCEAs. For more information about the CCEA program please visit: http://www.citrix.com/training/ccea_cert.htm

Q4) I'm a graduate student majoring in computer science. I've got I-Net+, CIW Site Designer and currently preparing for SCJM. Even with these certificates, I am unable to find a paid intern position. Would pursing some other certification programs such as Cisco or Oracle help me get a job when I receive my degree next semester? (From Lujia Pan)

ANS) With both a computer science college degree and IT certificates under your belt, we would say that you are well positioned to have a bright career in IT. 

Your college degree provides you with a good foundation in different branches of IT. You should pursue certification programs to specialize in a field for which you feel you have a strong aptitude, rather than to seek entry-level jobs. That would help you to excel as an IT professional and make you attractive for employers. 

You will find in our archives discussions on finding paid and unpaid internship positions. Unpaid internship positions may be easier to get but may provide you with a good start to acquire hands-on experience. 

Please click for CertAdvisor archives on ExamsOnline.com: http://www.examsonline.com/Resource/CertAdvisor_Archives.asp

Share your cert-experience

Wade Hoffarth and Craig McGrath respond to Jose_Nel. Last week Jose_Nel had requested inputs from ExamsOnline.com members to choose between I-Net+ and Server+ to continue with his certification training. 

Wade Hoffarth:

“I have recently faced many interviews and experienced first-hand the importance attached to certifications by hiring companies. Many of the employers I have spoken with are not really familiar with the knowledge certified by Server+. Most of them have told me that the Server+ exam material is based on the same foundational knowledge as A+. 

This perception is certainly not true as Server+ requires more knowledge and experience from candidates than the A+. So I am unsure of how this idea has spread throughout the industry.

In comparison I-Net+ is better recognized. I have heard from at least six major employers (companies with over 1000 employees) and several other smaller companies, I have applied with, that they prefer to see I-Net+ on a resume because the test deals with Internet applications and security issues. 

Unfortunately, many of these companies believe that the I-Net+ actually stands for Internet+ or IntraNet + and not Inter-Networking+. Even the technology and HR personnel in these companies had this perception. This really shows the extent of public misconception over these certificates. 

Among those who know, Server+ carries more weight. But I have to admit that I met only one person who knew the difference between Server+ and I-Net+. (He was Server+ certified though!)

That is not to say that I-Net+ may suit your plan better than Server+. But I found that I-Net+ works better for me. It has at least got me more attention by far from employers during interviewing. 

I think it is a bad idea to try to educate employers about these certifications while they're interviewing you. I let them think whatever they want about what each certification means for them. After all, who wants to tell the new boss about his or her own ignorance?"

Craig McGrath:
"This really depends upon Jose’s job role and responsibilities. Some of the certifications he may explore at this point are: CNA, CNE, MCP and MCSE."

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