Get your A+ first. You may be able to get a job just with that. I got hired at a small company in a Help Desk type of role with an A+ and a CNA (Certified Novell Admin.) I started on the MCSE track taking the Network Essentials and then decided to wait and study for the 2000 MCSE rather than take the NT tests. It is up to you though. The NT4 tests will help, but it's up to you. Rob >>> "Brian L. Sanburn" <[log in to unmask]> 05/24/00 02:39AM >>> Mary, Thanks, first off, for replying. Now that you've done that <g>, I've, secondly, got a question or two more for you. My sense is that "Help Desk" will most likely be a first step for me should I continue on with this and get hired. This isn't necessarily a problem, however. But, I'm wondering if you would share more about each of the certifications you have and the one you're not too far from. Specifically, what does each certification demonstrate you've learned? How or in what areas is each being applied/utilized? In what way is each of these being worked out on the job (i.e. Internet, software, hardware, networking, etc.)? Do you consider A+ certification something to be achieved prior to other certifications, especially if ones computer knowledge is as I stated in my original posting: beginning to intermediate...)? If so, which ones? Do you feel it would still pay to earn MCSE certification even though they are to be phased out at the end of this year?...even allowing for the necessary "upgrade" to W2000 training/certification? Sorry for so many questions but.... :-) Thanks. Brian < < you wrote back to me... > > Brian, If you are interested in Help Desk, you will also need to get A+ certified. A+ Certification is a testing program sponsored by CompTIA that certifies the competency of entry-level (6 months experience) service technicians in the computer industry. CompTIA's home page is: http://www.comptia.org/index.asp?ContentPage=certification/certification.htm . Be aware that you only have to the end of this year to get your MCSE +I as these exams are being retired Dec 31, 2000. There will be no MCSE +I or MCP +I certifications anymore. All MCP's, MCSE's who are certified in NT will need to upgrade their certifications to Win 2000 by the Dec 2001 or they will lose their certifications. This is Microsoft's site on MCSE certification, you should find it useful: http://www.microsoft.com/mcp/certstep/mcse.htm . Hope this information helps Mary Wolden A+, MCP, CNA, Future MCSE ( 2 tests to go) Visit our website regularly for FAQs, articles, how-to's, tech tips and much more http://nospin.com - http://nospin.org Do you want to signoff PCBUILD or just change to Digest mode - visit our web site: http://nospin.com/pc/pcbuild.html