Quote Originally Posted by ephekt View Post
The only certs that actually mean anything are the higher level Cisco and Juniper ones, RHCE and CISSP if comsec is your thing. Everything else should be left up to your employer. I have a laundry list of certs, most of which are worthless and are not on my resume, and haven't spent a penny of my own money. And never will.

I've also been part of the hiring process at a couple jobs, and honestly, entry level techs with a laundry list of certs isn't impressive at all. I've never come across a decent company that didn't favor experience and problem solving skills over paper certs.

Vendor programs are one of the few good reasons to certify. Promotions are the other. Most people accumulate certs because their employer requested and paid for them though, not the other way around.
Like Harner, that's not a job I'd be looking for in the first place. And, yes, I would turn down a job if they would not let me certify after being hired, on their dime.
That is what I am talking about, they hire you, you have 3 or 6 months to get the cert, and they pay for it.