IT Certifications and Careers (Official Discussion Thread)

[Double J]

Looks good on a resume, and i already bought the book & scheduled my test. Plus i know most of it already

I want it just to have it.

Fair enough

I was just wondering cuz I got my A+ scheduled for next week and I was trying to figure out what to go for after that. Any suggestions?

 

[Silkk]

Fair enough

I was just wondering cuz I got my A+ scheduled for next week and I was trying to figure out what to go for after that. Any suggestions?

Network + cause its a super easy transition

 

[Double J]

Network + cause its a super easy transition

Alright sounds good.

One other question though. Did you take the A+ recently? If so what are the simulation questions going to be asking me to do? I feel pretty confident about everything else but I'm not really sure what to expect from those.

 

[Silkk]

Alright sounds good.

One other question though. Did you take the A+ recently? If so what are the simulation questions going to be asking me to do? I feel pretty confident about everything else but I'm not really sure what to expect from those.

I took it in march, same questions you see online will be on there. Mostly situational

Make sure you memorize motherboard components tho

 

[Hahahaha]

Fair enough

I was just wondering cuz I got my A+ scheduled for next week and I was trying to figure out what to go for after that. Any suggestions?

Unless you plan to go for the CCNA after Net+ I'd go for the 70-680 (Win 7 desktop client) exam. It's a pretty tough exam so don't underestimate it.

 

[Hahahaha]

I read 2 books on the 70-410 exam, built a full lab and realized taking the test would be a waste of my time and money.

I manage a desktop team but trying to fool proof myself for future jobs in case something were to happen. I think I might switch gears and go down the security path as I will be pretty involved with audits and disaster recovery plans going forward.

 

[Ugo Ogugwa]

that would be me breh...Business Analyst Manager

I was just offered a gig as a Senior Business Analyst at a business outing. Do you manage a team of business analysts? If so, do any of your folks have their own direct reports?

 

[patscorpio]

I was just offered a gig as a Senior Business Analyst at a business outing. Do you manage a team of business analysts? If so, do any of your folks have their own direct reports?

First off congrats ..i have contractors that report to me that carry out some of the projects I manage for my client. Yes they have their own direct reports as well. Next year once I'm done with my final deliverable of the year I'll be looking to hire some interns to do some of my grunt work while I focus on new deliverables

 

[Luken]

the work environment is the sickest place to learn and pick stuff up, im practically an outlook and citrix expert now.

 

[Scott Larock]

ittl certification, am I spelling this right?

Unless you plan to go for the CCNA after Net+ I'd go for the 70-680 (Win 7 desktop client) exam. It's a pretty tough exam so don't underestimate it.

Wouldn't it be better to be A+, N+ for entry level than A+ CCENT? I don't see employers mentioning CCENT period.

 

[krexzen]

ittl certification, am I spelling this right?


Wouldn't it be better to be A+, N+ for entry level than A+ CCENT? I don't see employers mentioning CCENT period.

CCENT is 1/2 of the CCNA which means you'll have some understanding of Cisco routers/switches. Someone who knows Cisco (even a little) will be preferred over someone who just knows networking concepts. You'll most likely learn more with the CCENT anyway because it will require you to actually lab and implement networking concepts and protocols. You'll get a lot more out a test that requires you to configure OSPF, EIGRP, RSTP, etc, than on test that just requires that you memorize a brief overview of the concepts.

If you want to ease yourself into Cisco or Juniper then taking the network+ isn't a bad choice (this is what I did). IMO the two exams really aren't comparable. One test only requires memorization. The other test requires understanding.

 

[DIMES]

Could I realistic get an entry level desk support with an A+ and network+ with no experience?

Would a degree in information systems help me more than these certs?

@krexzen

 

[Scott Larock]

CCENT is 1/2 of the CCNA which means you'll have some understanding of Cisco routers/switches. Someone who knows Cisco (even a little) will be preferred over someone who just knows networking concepts. You'll most likely learn more with the CCENT anyway because it will require you to actually lab and implement networking concepts and protocols. You'll get a lot more out a test that requires you to configure OSPF, EIGRP, RSTP, etc, than on test that just requires that you memorize a brief overview of the concepts.

If you want to ease yourself into Cisco or Juniper then taking the network+ isn't a bad choice (this is what I did). IMO the two exams really aren't comparable. One test only requires memorization. The other test requires understanding.

I'm speaking a job, thats my goal entry level desktop support. I have the A+ and a 2 year, I need another cert, I'm doing the ccent but I don't see employers asking for it. I was debating stopping and doing the N+ because it's more known for entry level. The ccent might gain more respect in terms of knowledge but I'm speaking just straight jobs right now.

 

[krexzen]

I'm speaking a job, thats my goal entry level desktop support. I have the A+ and a 2 year, I need another cert, I'm doing the ccent but I don't see employers asking for it. I was debating stopping and doing the N+ because it's more known for entry level. The ccent might gain more respect in terms of knowledge but I'm speaking just straight jobs right now.

The ccent is more practical because it means you know Cisco(an industry giant). Outside of basic networking knowledge the network+ is probably not going to do much for you. Not many job applications list it. It is usually overshadowed by the A+ and Security+. IMO the network+ is a foundation cert to help you prepare for bigger and better networking certifications.

If your goal is just desktop support, then forget Comptia altogether and go with Microsoft certs (far more impressive).

I'm not telling you not to get the network+, but just keep in mind that it is not a resume boasting certification. Employers looking for desktop support want Microsoft/Linux certified candidates. Employers looking for network guys want Cisco/Juniper certified candidates. They want people certified in the software/equipment that they use.

Also think of the CCENT as 1/2 of the CCNA (Like the 801 exam for the A+). Unless you're short on time or money you should probably proceed towards the ICND 2 for your CCNA right after you get the CCENT. Even with the CCENT you can put Cisco on your resume (ie knowledge of Cisco, experience configuring eigrp/ospf, good understanding of Cisco ios, etc.).

Whichever path you choose I wish you luck breh. The more the knowledge you gain the better you'll be.

 

[Scott Larock]

The ccent is more practical because it means you know Cisco(an industry giant). Outside of basic networking knowledge the network+ is probably not going to do much for you. Not many job applications list it. It is usually overshadowed by the A+ and Security+. IMO the network+ is a foundation cert to help you prepare for bigger and better networking certifications.

If your goal is just desktop support, then forget Comptia altogether and go with Microsoft certs (far more impressive).

I'm not telling you not to get the network+, but just keep in mind that it is not a resume boasting certification. Employers looking for desktop support want Microsoft/Linux certified candidates. Employers looking for network guys want Cisco/Juniper certified candidates. They want people certified in the software/equipment that they use.

Also think of the CCENT as 1/2 of the CCNA (Like the 801 exam for the A+). Unless you're short on time or money you should probably proceed towards the ICND 2 for your CCNA right after you get the CCENT. Even with the CCENT you can put Cisco on your resume (ie knowledge of Cisco, experience configuring eigrp/ospf, good understanding of Cisco ios, etc.).

Whichever path you choose I wish you luck breh. The more the knowledge you gain the better you'll be.

Okay, I may as well continue with the ccent, then jump into microsoft.

1. I don't have a home lab, I got some bosom virtual lab software.
2. The ios commands are hard as hell

I don't know if the ccna will be overkill on my resume, looks too much for helpdesk, desktop support but since I already started it, might as well finish it.