Wow, never thought this thread would still be going. :) Anyway, I just wanted to take a minute and thank everyone for there input, as it seems like there are a lot of people in the same position as myself. I agree and if I could do things over, I would have definitely finished college, but in my situation, I couldn't do it, due to financial issues. Being 25, living alone and supporting myself with a full time job, I just don't have the time to go back to school and finish my degree. I am thinking that in my case, it would probably be most beneficial to get some certs for now and, <grin> if things slow down </grin>, may be able to go back to finish this up.
-----Original Message----- From: Tom.Gray [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Monday, April 08, 2002 11:42 AM To: MS-Exchange Admin Issues Subject: RE: WLKMMAS Hmmm. Certs are just that -- Certifications for a specific item/entity/product. Certs are great if you want to focus on that particular part/parts of IT. They are not necessary, but every cert course I've taken I've learned at least one nugget from the course, and probably 10 from the folks taking the course with me. But, a college degree can do many things for you: 1) Lots of jobs (not just IT) want that BA, BS, etc "or equivalent experience" Proving that experience may be easy, but many a hiring person doesn't want to take that time to prove to the HR folks this was good. Basically, it makes it easier to hire you. (certs help here also) 2) Having a degree in Computer Science can be very helpful. Sure, you didn't learn how to install Win2k, Exchange or configure a router, but you probably (hopefully) learned the theory behind routing, programming, operating systems and such. Database theory, probability, etc. Heck, even ethernet protocols and such. When you have to troubleshoot a large problem, having some background in all those areas can come in handy. 3) Getting thru college proves you can deal with "the system". They have to manage your time, follow the rules, get the forms done correctly, take the classes, deal with all the good (and not so good) instructors/professors etc. In the real world the skills you obtained doing all these come in handy. 4) College, unlike the workplace, is a great place to "co-mingle". This is usually frowned upon in the workplace! (grin) But in the end, real world experience and your own personality/work ethic should provide you the vehicle to travel down your career path! The rest is just a bunch of options that might make the journey easier! Good Luck Tom Gray, Network Engineer (CCNA, CBE, BS-LSU) All Kinds of Minds & The Center for Development and Learning University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Internet: [EMAIL PROTECTED] AT&T Net: (919)960-8888 -----Original Message----- From: Ray Zorz [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Monday, April 08, 2002 9:21 AM To: MS-Exchange Admin Issues Subject: RE: WLKMMAS Wow. I unfortunately put a lot of my time and energy into a company and product line that, after 10 years, pretty much disappeared. I've had a tough time getting motivated to keep up with the latest I guess. -----Original Message----- From: Snook, Kevin S (ITD) [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Monday, April 08, 2002 1:58 AM To: MS-Exchange Admin Issues Subject: RE: WLKMMAS Ray, Like you, I never planned any of this! I guess the only thing a degree has helped me with is having a formalised approach to problem-solving and project work. For my last degree, I worked on network security algorithms but whilst I was at the college I helped in the college's labs with the networking and admin. Since I've left college, I've never touched a network security job again. So even with a relevant research degree, there's no such thing as a "projected career path". I'm quite happy with what I've achieved and know that I've worked hard to earn something. That's the satisfaction of degrees to me. But I'm also as satisfied with the fact that I've built up a small company (which is being sold) and hopefully helped a few people along the way. The thing that means the most to me though is that I've gained freedom of choice through my hard work. I'm retiring from computing at the end of this year. I crave new challenges now. Kevin -----Original Message----- From: Ray Zorz [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: 05 April 2002 18:42 To: MS-Exchange Admin Issues Subject: RE: WLKMMAS Well, of course, YMMV. And I wouldn't trade my college years for anything primarily because of the social aspect. But career-wise, unless you consider that the guy that gave me my first real job ($4/hr. fixing printers) gave me a shot because I had a degree (Business) and was therefore trainable, it hasn't helped much. Of course, I could've tried to find something else. Getting into IT wasn't a dream of mine at the time (1978). It was the first job that I could find. -----Original Message----- From: Paul Green [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Friday, April 05, 2002 10:25 AM To: MS-Exchange Admin Issues Subject: RE: WLKMMAS If someone asked me, I would tell them to go to college. Personally, I think a college degree is a nice thing to have no matter what field you go into. I'm 21 and like many, my experience was gained through not having a social life when I was a teenager ;) (Though things have changed now), I am still gaining tons of experience. I left as an assistant here to work for Microsoft as a contractor when I was 19. After a year there, and loving it, I decided I just wanted to go back to school and finish up a 4 year degree- in whatever it may be, and probably return back to the Redmond area. In the meantime I landed a position back at where I was an assistant, as their admin and have gained even more experience, while attending college. I have no certs, but it's something I figured I would try to get as well, to get them out of the way. Why not? At any rate, I feel a college degree is worth it. paul green seattle -----Original Message----- From: Ray Zorz [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Posted At: Friday, April 05, 2002 8:54 AM Posted To: Exchange 2000 Server Conversation: WLKMMAS Subject: RE: WLKMMAS I'll agree that getting a college degree, or certs, does not guarantee competency. Not all doctors and lawyers are competent any more than all MCSE's are competent. You still have to prove yourself. The problem is somebody has to give you a chance. Unfortunately, having MCSE's on staff is part of the marketing hype used to sell services. You, and other MVPs, have kind of transcended the need for a MS cert, but you're probably more the exception rather than the rule. It does seem, though, that many of the MVPs do have MS Certs. I don't know what I'd tell a high school senior that wants to get into a technical career. -----Original Message----- From: Missy Koslosky [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Friday, April 05, 2002 9:25 AM To: MS-Exchange Admin Issues Subject: Re: WLKMMAS Re: b) I don't think that's true in most cases. Many of the great consultants I work with (or have had working for me when I was in a regular company) didn't have degrees. And I don't have a degree (or any certs, for that matter), and I certainly seem to have had zero problems finding a job with a "large consultancy". BUT... I do think that college degrees are valuable things, and wouldn't mind having one. Finding time to go back and get one at this point is something I'd like to do, but other things keep cropping up and I haven't dedicated myself to doing it yet. Missy Koslosky Sr. Technology Consultant Compaq Global Services ----- Original Message ----- From: "Snook, Kevin S (ITD)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "MS-Exchange Admin Issues" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, April 04, 2002 9:16 AM Subject: RE: WLKMMAS a) You won't be able to get a job outside the US - most countries require a minimum academic qualification for immigration now (there are exceptions - Canada and Australia being the main ones) b) Simple fact is though you won't even get invited for interview at a lot of companies. Most large consultancies are like this. So to say you can "choose your own career path" is simply not true. -----Original Message----- From: Ely, Don [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: 04 April 2002 14:16 To: MS-Exchange Admin Issues Subject: RE: WLKMMAS I would have to disagree with you there... The certifications I hold are worth more than any outdated college degree and I'm moving right along in the ranks. If done correctly, one can choose their own career path. Don Ely Network Engineer Tripath Imaging, Inc. (336) 290-8293 - Direct (336) 516-4519 - Mobile [EMAIL PROTECTED] - email http://www.tripathimaging.com -----Original Message----- From: Lesaca, Wally R. [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Wednesday, April 03, 2002 9:39 PM To: MS-Exchange Admin Issues Subject: RE: WLKMMAS It's good you know so many things. But always remember, you will always remain a handicapped when it comes to degree earned. Companies always look for candidates who are college/degree holders. Career paths are well defined. Much better if you will go back to college and prepare yourself for a brighter future. God bless! > -----Original Message----- > From: Mike Zatkalik [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] > Sent: Thursday, April 04, 2002 9:43 AM > To: MS-Exchange Admin Issues > Subject: RE: WLKMMAS > > LMFAO!!!!!!!!!! On a side note, just because I am interested in > knowing a little about people before I start trying things people > suggest, what is "your" background, ie MSCE, MCP, MBA, MD, no > college/never graduated with a degree? The reason I ask is I went to > college for 1 1/2 years, ran out of $$$$$$$ and left college, decided > I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life, so I started working > with computers and just kept with it. I have no certifications, all > my knowledge is based on real world situations and reading through > groups like this and "playing" on test machines. I have been able to > mess with a lot of different technology such as: wireless networking, > SAN's, ip based phones, POTS/PBX lines, AS400's, SCO, Linux, DOS, 9x, > NT/2k and much more. That being said, is there any real reason to > have something on paper saying I am a MCSE, MCP, CCNA, GOB (Good ol' > Boy), etc? If you were hiring someone, how much weight does paper > have in regards to real world of IT/IS? I am content with my current > position as sys admin, but just curious as my parents are still asking > me if I plan to go back to college at some point, I am a youngin, 25. > I don't think, at this point in time, there is ANY reason to get a > degree, but think that maybe some extra letters on my name might get > me more money/better title/more respect. Hope I don't get flamed for > stealing the thread, but I thought this kinda fit in with the OT bone > head questions. Thoughts or comments please? > > Thanks, > > Mike > > -----Original Message----- > From: Kevin Miller [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] > Sent: Wednesday, April 03, 2002 5:38 PM > To: MS-Exchange Admin Issues > Subject: RE: WLKMMAS > > > My child at age 2 " daddy if I came from inside of mommie, and you and > mom made me, where you ever in mommie? > > How is that for an answer? > > --Kevinm CHFR, M, WLKMMAS, UCC+WCA, And Beyond http://www.daughtry.ca/ > For Graphics and WebDesign, GO here! > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Clayton [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] > Sent: Wednesday, April 03, 2002 2:15 PM > To: MS-Exchange Admin Issues > Subject: RE: WLKMMAS > > > Kevin, I'm an MCSE. Where do babies come from? > > -----Original Message----- > From: Kevin Miller [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] > Sent: April 3, 2002 6:13 PM > To: MS-Exchange Admin Issues > Subject: RE: WLKMMAS > > > In a fit or rage from answering extreme bone head Questions from > MCSE's I added a ton of letters after my name with a tag line of "More > letters after my name makes me SmArTER" Oh man did I get flamed on > that one. In true Don Ely style I flamed back, But in the end gave up > the tag line. keeping some of the letters. Over time others have given > me new letters with meaning and here they are. > > WLKMMAS=William Lefkovics Kevin Miller Mutual Appreciation Society [1] > UCC+WCA=Urban Computer Commando + Wall Climbing Ability [2] > > [1] an inside joke between William and my self > [2] Late on an all weekend upgrade, had no keys to an office that held > some servers. I managed over the wall in the drop ceiling to get stuck > above the door in the small hole, for about 10 minutes. Finally made > it out and went back up and tried again. This time making it over. > > That is my story and I am sticking to it.. : > > > www.wlkmmas.org > > --Kevinm CHFR, M, WLKMMAS, UCC+WCA, And Beyond http://www.daughtry.ca/ > For Graphics and WebDesign, GO here! > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Tim Boswell [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] > Sent: Wednesday, April 03, 2002 1:49 PM > To: MS-Exchange Admin Issues > Subject: OT: WLKMMAS > > > OK, I've been trying to hold it in, but it's no good.... > > What the hell does that acronym mean??!?!? I checked Google and the > only results I saw involved Kevin!! Is this some bizarre practice of > putting random letters after your name to try and look qualified? If > so I gotta try it (my boss genuinely wouldn't catch on....ever) > > Tim Boswell QWE+RTY, UIOP(2.0), SkillDrill Certified (hey, that last > one's genuine too!) > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Kevin Miller" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: "MS-Exchange Admin Issues" > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Sent: Tuesday, April 02, 2002 4:05 PM > Subject: RE: Exchange server reboot simple q > > > I like you = ] you got Spunk.. When you don't have " Broke ass shit " > -Don Ely Why touch it? > > --Kevinm CHFR, M, WLKMMAS, UCC+WCA, And Beyond http://www.daughtry.ca/ > For Graphics and WebDesign, GO here! > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Brent Hudson [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] > Sent: Tuesday, April 02, 2002 6:32 AM > To: MS-Exchange Admin Issues > Subject: RE: Exchange server reboot simple q > > > It aint broke yet so I aint fixin nuthing.. > > -----Original Message----- > From: Ray Zorz [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] > Sent: 02 April 2002 04:31 > To: MS-Exchange Admin Issues > Subject: RE: Exchange server reboot simple q > > > wow, no service packs. that's wonderful. > > -----Original Message----- > From: Brent Hudson [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] > Sent: Monday, April 01, 2002 11:28 PM > To: MS-Exchange Admin Issues > Subject: RE: Exchange server reboot simple q > > > The only reasons to reboot are: > 1) A badly setup server > 2) A lazy / Ignorant / uninformed administrator > 3) Real hardware problems.. > > I've and exchange 5.5 box in another office that has not been rebooted > since July 2000 (and that was a faulty UPS causing a power out).. > > Later > Brent > > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] > Sent: 01 April 2002 09:12 > To: MS-Exchange Admin Issues > Subject: RE: Exchange server reboot simple q > > > > I don't reboot unless I absolutely have to. This includes network > equipment as well as servers. If you have to reboot things on a > monthly basis for "network stability", there is an underlying problem > that should be addressed. > > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > -K.Borndale > IT Manager > Sybari Software > 631.630.8569 -direct dial > 631.439.0689 -fax > http://www.sybari.com > "One man's ceiling is another man's floor" > > > |---------+----------------------------> > | | "Joe Irvine" | > | | <jirvine@tbopayro| > | | ll.com> | > | | | > | | 04/01/2002 11:53 | > | | AM | > | | Please respond to| > | | "MS-Exchange | > | | Admin Issues" | > | | | > |---------+----------------------------> > > >--------------------------------------------------------------------- > >-- > >---- > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -| > | > | > | To: "MS-Exchange Admin Issues" > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > | > | cc: > | > | Subject: RE: Exchange server reboot simple q > | > > >--------------------------------------------------------------------- > >-- > >---- > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -| > > > > > I cold-boot my entire network once a month.. it works wonders for > network stability. > > > Thanks! > > Joe Irvine > Director of Information Technology > The Business Office, Inc. > (609) 597-1155, Fax (609) 597-2860 > www.tbopayroll.com > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Paul Green [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] > Sent: Friday, March 29, 2002 10:46 AM > To: MS-Exchange Admin Issues > Subject: Exchange server reboot simple q > > > Just curious-- how often do people reboot their exchange servers? Or > do you? Our exchange server has been up for 7 months straight now w/o > a reboot. I am wondering if it would be a good idea to reboot it every > now and then-- free up any memory leakages, etc.. Is it necessary, or > can I let it just keep chugging away until it is necessary? Any > input, thoughts, etc. would be great. Thanks. > > paul green > seattle > > > --- > Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. > Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). > Version: 6.0.343 / Virus Database: 190 - Release Date: 3/22/2002 > > > List Charter and FAQ at: > http://www.sunbelt-software.com/exchange_list_charter.htm > > > List Charter and FAQ at: > http://www.sunbelt-software.com/exchange_list_charter.htm > > > > > > > List Charter and FAQ at: > http://www.sunbelt-software.com/exchange_list_charter.htm > > > List Charter and FAQ at: > http://www.sunbelt-software.com/exchange_list_charter.htm > > > List Charter and FAQ at: > http://www.sunbelt-software.com/exchange_list_charter.htm > > > List Charter and FAQ at: > http://www.sunbelt-software.com/exchange_list_charter.htm > > > > List Charter and FAQ at: > http://www.sunbelt-software.com/exchange_list_charter.htm > > > List Charter and FAQ at: > http://www.sunbelt-software.com/exchange_list_charter.htm > > > > List Charter and FAQ at: > http://www.sunbelt-software.com/exchange_list_charter.htm > > List Charter and FAQ at: > http://www.sunbelt-software.com/exchange_list_charter.htm > > > > List Charter and FAQ at: > http://www.sunbelt-software.com/exchange_list_charter.htm > > > List Charter and FAQ at: > http://www.sunbelt-software.com/exchange_list_charter.htm List Charter and FAQ at: http://www.sunbelt-software.com/exchange_list_charter.htm List Charter and FAQ at: http://www.sunbelt-software.com/exchange_list_charter.htm List Charter and FAQ at: http://www.sunbelt-software.com/exchange_list_charter.htm List Charter and FAQ at: http://www.sunbelt-software.com/exchange_list_charter.htm List Charter and FAQ at: http://www.sunbelt-software.com/exchange_list_charter.htm --- Incoming mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.344 / Virus Database: 191 - Release Date: 4/2/2002 --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.344 / Virus Database: 191 - Release Date: 4/2/2002 List Charter and FAQ at: http://www.sunbelt-software.com/exchange_list_charter.htm List Charter and FAQ at: http://www.sunbelt-software.com/exchange_list_charter.htm List Charter and FAQ at: http://www.sunbelt-software.com/exchange_list_charter.htm List Charter and FAQ at: http://www.sunbelt-software.com/exchange_list_charter.htm List Charter and FAQ at: http://www.sunbelt-software.com/exchange_list_charter.htm List Charter and FAQ at: http://www.sunbelt-software.com/exchange_list_charter.htm