Apple Certification

[xparaparafreakx]

It is worth it to be apple certified? Im 17 and I think getting certified might help me land a part time job at an Apple Store in college. Right now I work as a part time system admin doing simple help desk work and setting up Mac OS X server 10.3 for basic services.
Im thining about get an apple certified system administrator certification
http://train.apple.com/certification/acsa.html

Should I spend $450 on an exam or save it for something else.

 

[TheMonarch]

Nah, I doubt you'd need to be certified to apply for a part-time job, I guess it would help a tiny bit, but nothing worth $450. I recently applied at one of the Apple stores for part-time, and I'm in college. From what I see at the apple stores, you don't need to know that-much. Just basic computer skills, and have great communication skills. Though I think I do know more than a lot of the apple employees I see in apple retail.

 

[XNine]

Nah, I doubt you'd need to be certified to apply for a part-time job, I guess it would help a tiny bit, but nothing worth $450. I recently applied at one of the Apple stores for part-time, and I'm in college. From what I see at the apple stores, you don't need to know that-much. Just basic computer skills, and have great communication skills. Though I think I do know more than a lot of the apple employees I see in apple retail.

Only Apple-certified people can be Geniuses at the Genius bar or higher techs. Teh others at the Genius Bar are known as "Bar Back-ups." When you get Apple certified (if you work for Apple) they will not only fly you out to Cupertino campus for training for two weeks, they'll fly you back for an additional two weeks of training. Apple will reimburse you the $250 charge for the certification if you pass.

Applecare cert is the low-end. Some certifications (OS X Help Desk Admin, OS X Server, etc) costs upwards of 2500!!!

Apple will not reimburse you if you are not currently employed, and/or pass the test.

Is it worth it? Eh. Depends on what you want to do. having woprked Apple Retail, I can honestly tell you they will not help you get where you want to be, even though they say they will.

I advise against this. But that's just my opinion.

 

[TheMonarch]

Only Apple-certified people can be Geniuses at the Genius bar or higher techs. Teh others at the Genius Bar are known as "Bar Back-ups." When you get Apple certified (if you work for Apple) they will not only fly you out to Cupertino campus for training for two weeks, they'll fly you back for an additional two weeks of training. Apple will reimburse you the $250 charge for the certification if you pass.

Applecare cert is the low-end. Some certifications (OS X Help Desk Admin, OS X Server, etc) costs upwards of 2500!!!

Apple will not reimburse you if you are not currently employed, and/or pass the test.

Is it worth it? Eh. Depends on what you want to do. having woprked Apple Retail, I can honestly tell you they will not help you get where you want to be, even though they say they will.

I advise against this. But that's just my opinion.

Nice, informative post. Thanks. I didn't know that. I applied for "Mac specialist" the the SF Apple store, but frankly I'll take anything. I really don't have any intentions to "Climb the latter" at Apple, I just need some $$ and a job that (I hope) I enjoy. I didn't even know Apple claimed anything other than the offered position. As for the training, It doesn't matter if I need it or not, If I do, Apple is only a 45min. drive away from me. Its all good, especially if apple reimburses $250 back.

 

[xparaparafreakx]

I guess I will take the one test costing me $150, Help Desk Certification. Be nice to have it to show off to other wanna be tech kids on the high school campus.

 

[qzak]

you dont have to work for Apple to be reimbursed the fee for the exam. usually any company you work for will pay for your testing as long as you pass it.

 

[XNine]

you dont have to work for Apple to be reimbursed the fee for the exam. usually any company you work for will pay for your testing as long as you pass it.

Only if you work for the company at the time. You can't take the test, then get employed and expect reimbursement (unless youa rrange it with someone before hand). But I'm sure you meant that.

 

[Skilz34]

the only thing you should try to pass is gas IMO

 

[qzak]

Only if you work for the company at the time. You can't take the test, then get employed and expect reimbursement (unless youa rrange it with someone before hand). But I'm sure you meant that.

yup, i meant while your working for them