IT Certifications and Careers (Official Discussion Thread)

[Sonny Bonds]

Okay, I only have A+ and about a year of help desk-esque experience. I'm also tired of being underpaid. I stayed because the company I work for has all their employees on-site at a really good company. I'm moving to Atlanta (from New York) soon and I'm wondering what my next step is. I figure my next job is going to be help desk. I've been studying the network+ material because even I feel like my knowledge of networks is weak. After that though, I'm not sure what to do next.

I'm interested in systems administration. So... MCSA: Windows 2012? Then learn Linux and then eventually RHCSA? I guess what I'm asking is: If you had a bunch of free time in between job searching, what cert would you get? I figure with the downtime I'm about to have it's time to step it up and go for a more difficult cert.

Where and how did you start breh breh

For A+: Search YouTube for "Professor Messer A+." There's also a book by Mike Myers. I was lucky because I got a job like a month or 2 after I got the cert. On the other hand, the pay is pretty awful and it distracted me from getting more certs.

From what I've read in this thread, the typical path is:
-CompTIA A+
- Network+ (don't necessarily have to get the cert, but the information is necessary)
- MCSA: Windows 7
While you're doing all this you should be hunting for a help desk job because experience trumps all in IT.
After that, you start to narrow your focus and specialize in whatever aspect of IT you're interested in. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, I still pretty early in my career.

 

[The God Poster]

Okay, I only have A+ and about a year of help desk-esque experience. I'm also tired of being underpaid. I stayed because the company I work for has all their employees on-site at a really good company. I'm moving to Atlanta (from New York) soon and I'm wondering what my next step is. I figure my next job is going to be help desk. I've been studying the network+ material because even I feel like my knowledge of networks is weak. After that though, I'm not sure what to do next.

I'm interested in systems administration. So... MCSA: Windows 2012? Then learn Linux and then eventually RHCSA? I guess what I'm asking is: If you had a bunch of free time in between job searching, what cert would you get? I figure with the downtime I'm about to have it's time to step it up and go for a more difficult cert.


For A+: Search YouTube for "Professor Messer A+." There's also a book by Mike Myers. I was lucky because I got a job like a month or 2 after I got the cert. On the other hand, the pay is pretty awful and it distracted me from getting more certs.

From what I've read in this thread, the typical path is:
-CompTIA A+
- Network+ (don't necessarily have to get the cert, but the information is necessary)
- MCSA: Windows 7
While you're doing all this you should be hunting for a help desk job because experience trumps all in IT.
After that, you start to narrow your focus and specialize in whatever aspect of IT you're interested in. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, I still pretty early in my career.

Thx breh. Let me ask before you started what was your skill level?
From all acct is seems like Houston and atlanta are the hot spots

 

[Llcoolbay]

About to take this A+ labsim on testout.

Trying to have that done before i graduate next spring, make getting a job less stressful.

Anybody can tell me whats it like?

 

[tofuspeedstar]

I guess I should get my MCSE in Exchange since I'm in Exchange engineering now.


Time to go hit up boss man for funds.

 

[Ice_MF_Mike]

I guess I should get my MCSE in Exchange since I'm in Exchange engineering now.


Time to go hit up boss man for funds.

Na, if you work in Exchange engineering now, get your mcse in security. diversify yo skills brethren.

 

[Sonny Bonds]

Thx breh. Let me ask before you started what was your skill level?
From all acct is seems like Houston and atlanta are the hot spots

I was using a computer before I knew how to read. Then, I started playing computer games and my learning slowed to a crawl. So, I was nerd who could (for the most part) build his own computer.

 

[aXiom]

Just passed CCENT with a 947/1000

Bout to grab this CCNA in about a month

 

[SHO-NUFF]

Just knocked a 960 off that bytch less than an hour ago, coli fam salute, give us love and daps!

Just pass CCENT with a 947/1000

Bout to grab this CCNA in about a month

 

[aXiom]

Just knocked a 960 off that bytch less than an hour ago, coli fam salute, give us love and daps!

Congrats breh.. +rep

The simlet questions had me looking at the timer like

I swear a nikka was sweating bullets.. Luckily I became a god at subnetting, so that's where I made up my time

 

[SHO-NUFF]

Congrats breh.. +rep

The simlet questions had me looking at the timer like

I swear a nikka was sweating bullets.. Luckily I became a god at subnetting, so that's where I made up my time

mayne. i thought i knew subnetting, until after my first attempt...
I got that blocksize chart memorized now tho

 

[Evil genius Jay]

About to take this A+ labsim on testout.

Trying to have that done before i graduate next spring, make getting a job less stressful.

Anybody can tell me whats it like?

it not hard...

 

[KOohbt]

Working on my ccna

 

[kevm3]

Ok brehs, im thinking bout changing my career path up. Im pretty good with technology/smart etc.
Read about the first 15 pages and need some fresh thoughts.

Where do I need to start to get into it. The first couple pages mentioned java & web design. Is that still on point. I would prefer something without being a math wiz.

Cert vs Degree. Mainly looking for online courses. Alot of recent set backs keeping me from #blackexcellence

Would prob say programming is what im interested in.

@FreshFromATL @Silkk @semtex @kevm3
I see its alot of good books posted so far. Where should I start

In regards to programming, the breakdown is for the web, you will definitely need to learn HTML/CSS, which technically aren't programming languages, but they are necessary. After you learn those two, then pick up Javascript, which will be needed for 'client-side' programming. Client-side programming is pretty much programming for the browser.

When you get more advanced, or you really start to get an idea of what you are wanting to do, you can pick up something like C# or Java for the ability to make desktop applications and server-side code. Server-side code is where you start interacting with databases and the such.

Pretty much everything is becoming interconnected now and have some elements of dealing with the web in some form or fashion, so you at least want to know HTML and CSS and dabble with Javascript.

If you want a general purpose language that is highly employable, Java is definitely a huge option. C# is nice as well, but Java typically has more jobs.

One thing you will need to find out is your preferred way of learning. Some people prefer videos. I much prefer to read books. If you're getting started with html, go to codecademy.com and work through their HTML/CSS track and then try out the Javascript one. After that, I can recommend books.

 

[Mook]

so im going back to school and picking between these:

http://i.gyazo.com/fb0d99d3ad090acd4f296f7acb69893d.png
http://i.gyazo.com/f40dd870f43c7f2d031b1c3bf0c706fa.png


and

http://i.gyazo.com/88c071d6a3192eec46a5f0b125f89021.png
http://i.gyazo.com/895070e86880e5849cd7c3766827a9f9.png

Security looks shaky

 

[Bernie Madoff]

Okay, I only have A+ and about a year of help desk-esque experience. I'm also tired of being underpaid. I stayed because the company I work for has all their employees on-site at a really good company. I'm moving to Atlanta (from New York) soon and I'm wondering what my next step is. I figure my next job is going to be help desk. I've been studying the network+ material because even I feel like my knowledge of networks is weak. After that though, I'm not sure what to do next.

I'm interested in systems administration. So... MCSA: Windows 2012? Then learn Linux and then eventually RHCSA? I guess what I'm asking is: If you had a bunch of free time in between job searching, what cert would you get? I figure with the downtime I'm about to have it's time to step it up and go for a more difficult cert.


For A+: Search YouTube for "Professor Messer A+." There's also a book by Mike Myers. I was lucky because I got a job like a month or 2 after I got the cert. On the other hand, the pay is pretty awful and it distracted me from getting more certs.

From what I've read in this thread, the typical path is:
-CompTIA A+
- Network+ (don't necessarily have to get the cert, but the information is necessary)
- MCSA: Windows 7
While you're doing all this you should be hunting for a help desk job because experience trumps all in IT.
After that, you start to narrow your focus and specialize in whatever aspect of IT you're interested in. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, I still pretty early in my career.

Good post.