Any suggestions about certifications?

Just starting out

[peaches]

I dont know much about computers and the web just the basic. Is there any suggestions on what certifications to get first. Just where do I start.

I have windows 2000 professional.

[txbakers]

Hi. I wouldn't wory about certifications. Just get some good tutorials and a basic facility with as many technologies as you can.

Take a look at www.w3schools.com and try to become familiar with all of their lessons.

Once you have a good familiarity, I would pick one or two that interest you and gradually immerse yourself in it. There's way too much to learn everything, but you can learn quite a bit about a few things.

If I were starting anew I would look into Web Services - XML, SOAP, WSDL, UDDI and either ASP.net or J2EE.

Make it an adventure and always learn something new every day.

Have fun!

[Thors Hammer]

If your starting fresh, Make sure to bone up on CSS and XHTML. Web design is heading that way quickly.......... :)

Thor

[korkus2000]

My personal experience is that certifications don't hold too much weight in the real world. After everyone under the sun got MCSEs that pretty much killed the importance of certs. Try to build proof of experience. A portfolio is a better representation of your knowledge.

[peaches]

Thank for the tips!!!

[Acternaweb]

Have you looked at www.umuc.edu?

[richlowe]

I am the "director of computer operations and technical services" for a mulit-billion dollar company. I hire quite a few people and interview many more.

Certifications are useful. First, I scan the hundreds (and even thousands) of resumes looking for something that sticks out. A typical resume gets about 2 seconds, so you'd better make it jump out at me fast. I look at certifications in that two seconds and if I see something that applies (in my case, MCSE, MCSA, MCP, A+, Network+, INET+ and CIW among others) the resume moves to my "read further" pile. Lack of any certifications almost certainly means the resume gets discarded.

In addition, if two people have similar qualifications but one is certified, the one who is certified will be preferred. Also, a degree (BS or MS) in something computer related will get some weight over lack of that kind of education.

Of course, sample work, experience and attitude is far more immportant when push comes to shove. I just use certifications and such to weed out the massive pile of resumes I get every week.

Richard Lowe