James asks:

Greg, I'm interested in getting an entry-level Linux cert because I think it looks like an up-and-comer in the NOS market, and I'm looking to improve my marketability. I've got an MCSA and some Microsoft experience, and I've set up a machine at home with Red Hat 7.2 to play with. My question is, what would be the best Linux cert to start with? My two candidates seem to be Linux+ from CompTIA and LPI Level 1.

James, As I mentioned in an earlier column (click here), the Linux+ certification seems to be a subset of that required in the LPI exams. So as a starting point, you may want to look at it first, then perhaps consider the LPI certification later as you gain more experience. I found the LPI exams very tough-- I'm sure that if you can pass these then you will have learned a great deal in the process.

I believe that being familiar with Linux is going to be a given in the future. But if you have aspirations of being a Linux expert, you should keep in mind that there are a lot of Unix folks out there who are moving into the Linux space as well. I've seen industry analysts make the prediction that the various proprietary Unix variants over the next few years will decline and Linux will supersede them all, so it would be reasonable to expect that these skilled people will follow. So there may be more competition for the senior Linux roles than you might think, since the differences between Linux and Unix aren't that great.

Kevin asks:

I read your column "Great Expectations." This column helped me to really think about my expectation of certifications. I am just starting out in IT industry and I heard from others that A+ will be one of better certifications to get and go on with other things. What is your opinion of Microsoft certifications? Are there too many certified in this?

Kevin, The A+ certification is a good start to build familiarity with PC hardware, so I think you might find this to be useful for you at this stage in your career.

It's true that there's over 1.6 million MCPs and just under 500,000 MCSEs, but it is also true that there are a great many people in IT who work with Microsoft products. Yes, there is a flood of NT 4.0 MCPs/MCSEs who have little practical knowledge, but with the changes in the certification testing for Windows 2000, I don't think that the same is really true any more -- the bar has been raised much higher.

Make sure you checkout MCP Magazine's 2002 Salary Survey at http://mcpmag.com/salarysurveys/. As well as some interesting salary numbers, there's some good analysis about the current market for Microsoft-skilled IT professionals.

"Chuckles" asks:

I have a bachelor's in CIS from DeVry and it hasn't done me much good. Even being the first one done with programming projects didn't phase companies. I am working on several different certs at once. I am coming close to passing the SCJP exam and the first 2 exams for an MCSA (70-210 and 70-215). Yes, I am overworking myself for a dream! Next class is the 2126 for the 70-218 exam. I want to start working on SQL Server 2000 and for the VB elective for the MCDBA. I have a month between my schedule of passing the first 2 MCSA exams and the 2126 class, and during that time I want to study hard for the A+ exams. I still am aiming at something like a job in help desk or even Best Buy. I worked as a mainframe computer operator for two years and it doesn't seem to make a difference. So, after I pass all these I'll know a little about each area. Where the blazes do I go from here?

Chuckles, I can appreciate your desire to improve yourself to make yourself a desirable proposition for employers. However, I do have a concern in that you seem to want to spread yourself in so many different directions at once. In the one paragraph you mention A+, MCSA, MCDBA, and Java certifications!

The best advice for now is to be clear in your mind exactly what role you are preparing yourself for, and then complete only whatever certification exams you feel would be useful in that role. For example, the A+ together with an MCP can be a good starting point for a help desk role. Note that once you get further than that in your certification journey, the benefits of each additional certification exam diminish markedly without the practical experience to accompany it. I can see that continuing on to the MCSA may have value, but I can't see the benefit in then expanding into VB programming, Java and SQL Server as well -- at least for now. There is a great deal more needed to master these areas than simply pass an exam. Keep in mind that the exams only measure the minimum acceptable skills to be considered competent in that product.

Once you get a clearer view on where you are headed and the certification(s) you will complete to get there, you may be better off spending more time on your job hunt than pursuing more and more exams. By all means keep learning in the background say to complete your MCSA -- while you work on getting hired, but even if you were to spend months and months completing all of these certifications, I am not convinced that all of them will help much in actually getting you hired. Sure, a good technical background may be of value, but equally, in an entry-level role, so too will non-technical areas such as your energy and enthusiasm. Then, once you get hired, you can plan out your own development plan over the next few years to include whatever skills and certifications you feel will benefit you.

Do you have additional advice to share? Post your thoughts below! If you have a question for Greg, e-mail him at , with Attn: Greg as the subject line.