MCSE is for Windows Server 2000 or 2003. MCITP is for Windows 2008. first you have to think the majority of companies is using which version now. the safest bet is 2003. unless you know the company you planning to work is using 2008 or you planning to work in Vendor industry.

example: the company XYZ is using MS Windows 2003 servers in their data centre. they received your resume for technical specialist position. your technical expertise is MS Windows 2008. what would the employer think ?

but then the question is when you planning to take Microsoft exam. this year or next year ? the longer you drag, the scenario will change.

all the best in your CCNA exam. don't fail it ah. haha.

demand the salary in current company or new company ? either way, you can demand it. no harm.

Advertisement is just a guideline or benchmark. some people speaking english fast like rocket but no one understand what the person is talking about. senior position requires the candidate to have good command of english, good presentation and reporting skills because the person is dealing with corporate management. so if you want to climb up corporate ladder, better polish your english skills (don't need 10/10). no choice.

senior position not really sacrifice time with your family. very much depends on how you manage it, balance it. especially now more and more companies emphasis work-life balance to their staffs.

example: am sitting at senior level. am managing wisely for my work tasks, work priorities and the time. therefore i have enough time to do my personal things everyday.


This post has been edited by clngu: Jul 4 2008, 06:35 PM

different industries have different salaries range. am based on average salary scale. around RM3.8k.

you mean Novell Certified Linux Professional ?

i have found the information about Recertification Policy Update from Cisco website.

"Recertification is an important indicator to IT professionals and their employers, ensuring that the certification holder has kept up with current trends in networking technology. Valid certifications may be renewed indefinitely, but without timely renewal, certifications expire or become inactive. To keep certifications current, individuals should recertify by advancing to the next level of certification or passing the designated recertification exam(s)."

"Renewal requires certification holders to register for and pass the appropriate Cisco recertification exam(s). In order to recertify, exam requirements must be met prior to the certification expiration date. Individuals with an expired certification(s) must repeat the entire certification exam process in order to regain their certification(s). Visit the Cisco Career Certifications Tracking System to check the status of your certification(s)."

"Cisco advises its certification holders to make plans to recertify well in advance of the certification expiration date. To re-certify, certification holders must take and pass one of the professional-level exams or a CCIE written exam before the expiration date. Cisco will send a reminder six months prior to the date that a certification expires, and again one month before expiration."

you can get details from HERE.

The programme is open to all MSC Malaysia Status Organisations and its employees. Programme participants are to make own arrangements to undertake their chosen certification/training course and incentive will be disbursed upon successful completion. All certification/training courses must be listed in CDP Professional Development Approved List below:

CDP Professional Development Approved List - Technology based certification

Cisco - CCNA / CCNP / CCSP / CCDP / CCIP / CCVP / CCIE
Microsoft - MCP / MCTS / MCDBA / MCSD / MCSE / MCITP / MCSA / Microsoft Dynamics AX Certifications
Sun - SCJP / SCJD / SCDJWD / SCWCD / SCMAD / SCBCD
IBM - Tivoli / Web sphere / CATE (IBM System p5)
NI LabVIEW - LabVIEW Basics I / LabVIEW Basics II / Certified LabVIEW Associate Developer
CHECK POINT - CCSA NGX
PROGRESS - Character Programming / Database Administration
EMC Technology Foundations - EMC Proven Professional Certification
Database - Oracle OCA / OCP / PL / SQL Programming / IBM DB2 / Informix
ERP - SAP ABAP / BASIS / FICO / MM / SD / HR / MFG/PRO Core Distribution on eB2
Open Source - Linux LPI / RHCE / RHCT / SUSE / Linux Enterprise Server 10 / PHP, Perl, MySQL
Network - Juniper Networks Technical Certification Programme (JNTCP)
Programming - Visual Studio .NET / C#
Object Oriented Analysis & Design - UML
Hardware & OS - CompTIA A+
Engineering - VLSI / DSP / RF
MAC OS X - Apple Certified Help Desk Specialist (ACHDS) / Apple Certified Support Professional (ACSP)
Software Testing - ISTQB Certified Tester (CFTL / CTAL) / Certified Software Tester (CSTE)
WiMAX - WiMAX Forum® RF Network Engineer Certification
Cognos Customer Certification Programme - IBM Cognos 8 BI / IBM Cognos 8 Planning / Cognos 8 Controller
Others - Brainbench certification series (technology related examination only)


CDP Professional Development Approved List - Non-Vendor based certification

Project Management - PMP /CAPM / PRINCE 2
IT Service Management - ITIL
Call Centre Management - CIAC
Data Centre Management - Certified Data Centre Professional (CDCP)
Security - CISSP / SSCP / SANS / ISACA CISA / CISM
Creative Multimedia - Maya / 3D Studio Max
e-Business - EC-Council Certifications
Supply Chain - SCOR Framework
Finance & Accounting - CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting (CBA)
Help Desk - Certified Help Desk Professional (CHDP)
ISO Standards Auditor - Lead Auditor - ISO 9001, ISO 20000 & ISO 27000

IT graduate or IT professional must know IT technical certifications if you want to get the rewards, respect and recognition you deserve.

MCSE for Windows Server 2003 or 2000. MCTS for Windows Server 2008.

if the status of your ccna certification = expired, then no choice. you have to retake it. you can take 640-802 CCNA exam instead of 640-822 ICND1 and 640-816 ICND2. save exam cost.

it seem your current job is one-man show. and it sounds you have both programming and technical skills. to evaluate your situation,

1. you hold a degree of CS. just a basic qualification which everyone does.
2. you worked as programmer for 3 months. now you working as technical support for x months. just a basic skills which everyone does.
3. you have no specialty in any IT areas. may be you have. please name it.
4. you have no IT professional certificates. put you in extreme disadvantage in job hunting and career development.

conclusion = basic computer degree + little experience and skill in programming + x experience and skill in technical support + x number of IT specialties + no IT professional certificate(s) = average worker.

nowadays, employers looking for knowledge workers.

so you either get some IT professional certificates or working in Vendor industry starting from fresh again.

if you want to build your career in networking infrastructure, then you can opt for Microsoft and Cisco technologies. MCSA>MCSE or MCITP>MCTS + CCNA>CCNP.

for career in database, then you can opt for Microsoft and Oracle technologies. MCDBA or MCITP>MCTS + OCA>OCP.

my advice, do not combine both networking skills and database skills. you only can secure one job. both career have its own specialty. in large organizations, database developer/administrator and network/technical engineer are in two different teams. job scopes and functionalities also not the same.

both career, each can earn up to RM10k and above if the person holds MCA or MCM or CCIE or OCM or OCE.

can tell us which MNC/Financial/Technology Service Provider/Oil & Gas/Telecommunication/etc not using Cisco product ???