So what certs to dopers have? I got laid off from my crappy job recently, so while I’m looking for a new one, I ordered some training material and I’m going to work on becoming an MCSA here in the near future. The first test I’m going to take is the Exchange 2007 exam, as I haven’t used Exchange in years (ended up severly pigeon-holed at the last job) and of course most system admin jobs require it.
I’ve always been interested in Security stuff, and there are a few security test preps included in the training package I ordered:
[ul][li]Security+ [/li][li]Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)[/li][li]Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)[/li][li]Microsoft exam 70-299, Implementing and Administering Security in a Server 2003 Network[/ul][/li]
I want to get some security stuff under my belt, especially because it’ll make my criminal justice degree look less worthless. 
The only problem is that from what I’ve read on the internets, sounds like Security+ can be passed by all but the truly drunk and/or stupid, while CISSP apparently requires you to demonstrate 20 years of experience securing NSA computers before you can even take the test. Has anyone done these? I’d love to hear any thoughts.
And I’d love to hear any thoughts in general too. I’ve never placed much weight in certifications (I’ve seen a few too many bootcamp MCSEs hired at my old job that didn’t know their asses from holes in the ground), but lately I’m looking for jobs at smaller companies, where the hiring decisions aren’t necessarily made by technology wizards, and the certs look good to them. What do you think is most valuable to persue first?
For the truly curious, here’s what the study materials I ordered covers:
[ul][li]Installing, Configuring, and Administering Windows XP Professional Course Suite | 70-270[/li][li]Managing and Maintaining a Windows 2003 Network Course Suite | 70-290[/li][li]Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Network Infrastructure Course Suite | 70-291[/li][li]Planning and Maintaining a Server 2003 Network Infrastructure Course Suite | 70-293[/li][li]Planning, Implementing, & Maintaining an Active Directory Infrastructure Course Suite | 70-294[/li][li]Design Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure Course Suite | 70-297[/li][li]Exchange 2003 Course Suite | 70-284[/li][li]Administering SQL Server 2000 Course Suite | 70-228[/li][li]Designing Security for a Server 2003 Network Course Suite | 70-298[/li][li]Implementing and Administering Security in a Server 2003 Network Course Suite | 70-299[/li][li]SQL Server 2005 | 70-431[/li][li]Configuring Vista | 70-620[/li][li]Exchange 2007 | 70-236[/li][li]SSCP Certification Suite | SSCP[/li][li]CISSP Certification Suite | CISSP[/li][li]CCNA Certification Suite | 640-802[/li][li]Security+ Certification Suite | SY0-101[/li][li]Network+ Certification Suite | N10-003[/li][li]A+ Essentials Certification Suite | 220-601[/li][li]A+ IT Technician Certification Suite | 220-602[/li][li]Server+ Certification Suite | SK0-002[/li][li]Linux+ Certification Suite | XK0-002[/li][/ul]
Thanks in advance for any advice. 