Is It Worth to do MCSD

[Soniya]

Hi .......I am Unemployed at present ......and i have been suggested to clear my MCSD(with VB as the main core exam ).....is it Worth...........anybody knows if it can help me get a job as i am not an Computer Graduate

[chrisjk]

I'm considering also, although it costs £££/$$$

[nullus]

i don't think my comment covers any of the options for this, because i wouldn't say having an MCSD is essential to get a job, but it can be a very useful thing to have. employers love to see that on a CV (resume).

[CiberTHuG]

<asbestos>Depends on the job you want. If you want a crappy little RAD job in an MS shop, sure.</asbestos>

If you want a real programming job, well... that just requires loads and loads of knowledge.

[RSINGH]

I think an MCSD is more useful for those who are working and want to change jobs. Its also useful for negotiating a pay rise if you get it while with an employer. I know many people who wanted to get into IT and got an MCSE. Employers often told them that without experience it was not worth that much. Now I don't wish to put you off because thats a different qualification but I think employers hold a similar view in regard to the MCSD.

May I ask how much IT experience you already have? Also as you say you want to 'clear' your MCSD are you saying you've already passed some of the components. Just teh fact that you have will count for a lot coupled with experience.

Again its all about experience. Having said that there's no harm in having it as it shows commitment to the field.

Ciberthug - There's nowt wrong with RAD jobs in MS shops, they pay the bills and you have to get on the bottom rung somehow

For the record I haven't got any of the MS qualifications although I've been on several of their courses.

[Soniya]

Thankx Singh for your reply...well no i haven't appeared for any exam so "clearing ("well sorry about my english") is yet to happen"

[Soniya]

well Thank You Nullus it seems nowadays having a "credit" on CV is Important......it was helpful hint........

[RSINGH]

well sorry about my english

No problem - stick around this board and you will see a lot worse

Good luck with the job hunting

[Bjwbell]

The $ and the & symbols are the symbols for the Dollar and the Pound; so he was just saying it costs money.

[Nucleus]

*Chuckle*

Yeah Chris you need to clean up your act.

[InvisibleDuncan]

Having your MCSD is never going to hurt. If two people with very little experience apply to me for a job as a junior programmer, and one of them is MCSD - I know which I'd choose.

I've found that it's opened doors for me - although I chose not to go through them.

[nullus]

yeah, i didn't have any commercial programming experience before the job i have now, and due to the fact that i got my MCSD, several employers were interested in me. a guy from an agency i spoke to said "if you didn't have 'MCSD' on your CV, i wouldn't have taken a second look". so it can be a very good thing to have to get in to the market, but after that, experience is what counts the most.

[DerFarm]

In the for what it's worth column, I don't care about the MSCD (although I think it would be helpful) but I would NEVER hire someone who had a (4yr) degree in CS for any kind of programming/analyst position.

And yes, Virginia, I DO hire at my place

added later: Actually, I think if you could show some questions and response that YOU did on the other forums in your CV, presumably as an attachement, that would be as impressive as any paper certificates. It would make me look twice, anyway.

[HarryW]

So, if someone had a degree in CS you'd turn them down purely because of that?

Do you mean if they had just the degree and no experience?

[Soniya]

Hmmmm Thankx .......................so now i think i know that it really worth to have a MCSD.........if improves knowledge...esp.....you CV is enhanced.......................


And regarding Chris........it is awkward (well it must be strange for you to know this)to read a thing like "kick the a....e"......................so i did not like anyways i think that's fine..............

[Gary.Lowe]

I don't have any degree's or programming qualifications.

I had been working as a floorlayer since I left school up untill 3 years ago when I got into computers.

I learnt everthing I know from books and and help files.