Advice needed on courses/certifications

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viralbug

viralbug

Forerunner
So here's another creature swimming in the big ocean of computer engineers. :P

I'm currently doing Computer Engineering. I'm supposed to be in my 3rd year right now, however, with the way I have been studying and my awesome answer sheets have made Mumbai University to think otherwise and so I have a year down. :P

Now, since I don't have college right now for another few months, I was looking to make use of this time that I'm losing out on. :ashamed:

I want to take up a couple of courses and gather up certifications that would be useful for me in the long run. There are many fields to get into and I'm confused over what to choose.
Personally, I'm not really sure which field I want to get into. I feel IT security is something interesting, but Networking looks to be good too. I guess I'm fine with anything that has good potential and future. I don't wanna be stuck with just managing databases on a server.

So I need some advice and suggestions on what kind of courses and certifications I should be looking to do right now, something that would be of some importance in my resume when I look for a job after passing out.

Among languages, I currently have basic knowledge of C/C++, Java, VB, HTML. I'm currently also learning some PHP. Would it be helpful to learn a new language?
 
Certifications surely help you fill up your resume but they alone are not going to guarantee you a job.

When you are an engineer, you are expected to know these languages. So, an interviewer is still going to test you thoroughly no matter what certification you have done. The thing to do is to brush up on the languages you know right now. They are more than enough. Maybe you can go in for .net . But again, only learn a new language once you are thorough in the ones you know already.

If you go for Networking, you will be (eventually) managing databases on a server since that is what administrators do. But that comes at a later stage. Initially, you would be providing desktop support to your staff. No one hands over the live servers to a fresher.

I want to take up a couple of courses and gather up certifications that would be useful for me in the long run. There are many fields to get into and I'm confused over what to choose.
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That is exactly what you have to do. First decide where you want to go. Ask your seniors, neighbors how they are managing in their jobs. Their work schedule, their job profile and see what it is that you want to do.
 
you can definitely try .NET, it has a lot of scope in the coming years and php mysql are good too, and as you are having basic knowledge of jave then why don't you try to be good at it, after that J2ME etc..

and btw, my ip university doesn't have any rule of yb.. HURRAHH!! :P
 
^ It's Y.D (year down).. but you are forgiven since your university doesn't have any such policy. :P
 
Master yourself in PHP and SQL if you're interested in web development, there's plenty of scope here. Java and .NET are other options. These languages are definitely gonna help you in future. :hap2:
 
If you go for Networking, you will be (eventually) managing databases on a server since that is what administrators do. But that comes at a later stage. Initially, you would be providing desktop support to your staff. No one hands over the live servers to a fresher.
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Sei baba, this isn't true at all. I don't know anything about soft dev but when you say networking etc. it becomes a part of infrastructure management.

IT Security is also a part of infrastructure management. These are only a few verticals among others which could be Database(Oracle etc), Storage solutions, Mainframe(AS 400 etc), Accounts Management, Patch Deployment Services, Remote Desktop, Windows, Unix/Linux among many others. Freshers are being handed over live servers but yes only if you have been taken in by campus placement. Even if this isn't the case and you have certifications + skills to prove you are good, companies are willing to take you in at L1 for all these tracks.

I am myself in network security for the past 2 years, working on intrusion prevention/detection, NAC, firewalls, proxies, LBs etc for a global client. There are certifications associated with each one of these verticals. However its upto you to decide if you want to get into infra management or software development.
 
I feel that a programming/developer profile will suite you more ..

I personally recommend JAVA full-on..

Go for an SCJP .. its pretty easy to 'crack'.

Download a copy of "Kathy Sierra & Bates" and within one month you're good to go.

Jus sign up for a certification at your nearest Prometric Center.

Most high level enterprise apps are JAVA driven, so its my belief that JAVA shall always remain in 'trend' .. .NET changes ,, this into that .. 3.5 4.0 god knws whats next ..

Im not a fan as u can tell :P

Technologies like JAVA , ORACLE, SAP , IBM practically run the IT world.

SCJP you can easily get in your college time.

SCJD for later with a little more hardwork n determination.

Atb n cheerz.
 
Thank you for your inputs.

Sei said:
Certifications surely help you fill up your resume but they alone are not going to guarantee you a job.
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Ofcourse I am very well aware of that. But it's definitely good to have a few mentioned isn't it?

I myself do like programming, but as a career I'm not sure if it's something that would be appealing.

I'm pretty much deciding to go into the Network Security line. So I'm looking for something that would first give some training on the basic things about networking like LAN, WAN, NAT, protocols, firewalls, proxies etc etc.
 
Aphro_EVO said:
Sei baba, this isn't true at all. I don't know anything about soft dev but when you say networking etc. it becomes a part of infrastructure management.

IT Security is also a part of infrastructure management. These are only a few verticals among others which could be Database(Oracle etc), Storage solutions, Mainframe(AS 400 etc), Accounts Management, Patch Deployment Services, Remote Desktop, Windows, Unix/Linux among many others. Freshers are being handed over live servers but yes only if you have been taken in by campus placement. Even if this isn't the case and you have certifications + skills to prove you are good, companies are willing to take you in at L1 for all these tracks.

I am myself in network security for the past 2 years, working on intrusion prevention/detection, NAC, firewalls, proxies, LBs etc for a global client. There are certifications associated with each one of these verticals. However its upto you to decide if you want to get into infra management or software development.
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That is what the thing is. Networking is too generic a term. There are a lot of different sub-areas. But, if you are completely new to the field handling desktop calls will be a part of your daily task routine. Except CCNA, which has gained unprecedented popularity in the past few years very few people fresh out of college apply with loads of certifications. I also work in the networking field so I know. Btw, I handle Exchange related issues at the moment and I've only been there 2 months.

Secondly, as you mentioned

Database(Oracle etc), Storage solutions, Mainframe(AS 400 etc), Accounts Management, Patch Deployment Services, Remote Desktop, Windows
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All these are routinely done by my immediate appraiser. There are people who have been designated to do this but he also has to work in these areas nonetheless. He has around 6 years experience. See, what I meant was that as a Network/System Administrator, the person involved has to do all of these tasks. Sure, as the organization gets bigger the roles get more clearly defined but I was just giving the OP an example of what all is needed.

Thirdly, I'm well aware that there are loads of certifications depending on the vertical you choose. Again, as in your case you entered Network Security whereas someone else may choose MCSE or RHCE or CCNA etc.:)
 
Sei said:
^ It's Y.D (year down).. but you are forgiven since your university doesn't have any such policy. :P
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actually, it's called yb: year back in northern india.. :tongue:

nd to the op, just one advice.. if you go for any course, try to become an expert in that, that'll certainly make your ground stronger than any of the candidates even with your yd/yb..
 
viralbug said:
I'm pretty much deciding to go into the Network Security line. So I'm looking for something that would first give some training on the basic things about networking like LAN, WAN, NAT, protocols, firewalls, proxies etc etc.
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CCNA ftw.
But that needs hard work.
 
^ That's true. CCNA will clear all your doubts and make you really a more valuable candidate than any of your peers. If you study thoroughly, it won't take more than a month to become competent in it.

If you do go to an institute go to a good one. Don't try to save money at this point. If they make you practice on routers, even better. If you just want to gain information on these things, get a CCNA book and study it thoroughly. That would prepare you more than enough for most interviews. :)

hackboy89 said:
actually, it's called yb: year back in northern india.. :tongue:

nd to the op, just one advice.. if you go for any course, try to become an expert in that, that'll certainly make your ground stronger than any of the candidates even with your yd/yb..
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The OP is from Mumbai :tongue::tongue:
 
amrit_iyer said:
CCNA ftw.
But that needs hard work.
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Yup that is certainly on my mind, but I was thinking if I would need some sort of basic things before going for it.

I dunno what/where yd/yb is called. Here in Mumbai we say 'I got a drop'. :P
 
^ You could go in for the CCNA certification exam without doing a course but you would have to be really dedicated and have to practice on simulators. The only advantage of doing the course from an institute is the practice you get along with the planned schedule. :)
 
You are a BE Comp Sc student correct ? Imo you have a course book by the name -> Computer Networking by Tanenbaum, published by pearson education (one of those LPE yellow and blue books). Go through it cover to cover, understand each and every concept in it, we refer to this book even today @work when we are in doubt. Move onto Tod Lammle published by Cybex (it's the official ccna guide). I would rather suggest you take on CCENT first, then directly take on CCNAS, skip the CCNA. Google these terms you will get to know the exam details and cert path.

First thing first, go through Tanenbaum. It will take some time but once done, you will have much confidence in yourself.
 
Thanks for the suggestions guys. :)

For CCNAS, don't you require a CCNA certification first?

Going through that book would be a good idea.
 
Aphro_EVO said:
You are a BE Comp Sc student correct ? Imo you have a course book by the name -> Computer Networking by Tanenbaum, published by pearson education (one of those LPE yellow and blue books). Go through it cover to cover, understand each and every concept in it, we refer to this book even today @work when we are in doubt. Move onto Tod Lammle published by Cybex (it's the official ccna guide). I would rather suggest you take on CCENT first, then directly take on CCNAS, skip the CCNA. Google these terms you will get to know the exam details and cert path.

First thing first, go through Tanenbaum. It will take some time but once done, you will have much confidence in yourself.
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What this guy said. :ohyeah:
 
see if u really want to learn ccna,

there is one class its a non profit organiztion

the teacher over there is a director at cisco, and he teaches,if u want to become baap of network then go there,

i my self started it just now

its called RSTforum

google it

if u want more info then PM me
 
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