IT Certifications and Careers (Official Discussion Thread)

[Theabbot]

The VP of my department asked me to submit my training budget for 2013. I just got my CCNA. I'm thinking about getting certs in VMWare 5, Active Directory and Sharepoint. Any of you guys get any of these? I'm just trying to expand my skill set. Increase my potential for job opportunities. I'm sitting on 8+ years of support experience, and about 3 years of network admin experience.

 

[↓R↑LYB]

Right now I will advise you to look for a low level computer job and do network+

After that tackle the CCNA from there you are on your way bruh
You can also look into juniper certifications if you like (JNCIA) which is similar to CCNA.

@FastEddie215 Skip the network+, shyt's worthless. You won't find a single job asking for it. Read the book if you want, but don't waste any money on the cert.

 

[Chris.B]

@FastEddie215 Skip the network+, shyt's worthless. You won't find a single job asking for it. Read the book if you want, but don't waste any money on the cert.

Network+ is worthless but it gives you basic network overview so that you don't get overwhelmed with the CCNA.

Some people are different they can dive into the CCNA and roll with no problems.

I guess that question we should be asking is, what kind of a learner is he?

 

[IVS]

Started studying for CCNA. Aiming for taking the test before the end of the year. We shall see.

 

[Theabbot]

Started studying for CCNA. Aiming for taking the test before the end of the year. We shall see.

Make sure that you get a firm handle on subnetting.

 

[ahomeplateslugger]

i have an interview for a desktop support/system admin position tomorrow and just getting over a cold

 

[ahomeplateslugger]

been a while since I last posted here but I just passed my A+ cert. got an 885/900 on the 701 and 830/900 on the 702. I have no experience so for the guys who can help me out would you advise me getting my network+ and security + certs next? or move on to other certs?

most jobs dont ask for network+ but ive been told its better to have than not have.

whether you get it or not you should still read and learn the material if youre not familiar with networking. i knew the basic with cables, routers, switches and all that but learned a lot more of the advance stuff you'll find in a company.

 

[↓R↑LYB]

Network+ is worthless but it gives you basic network overview so that you don't get overwhelmed with the CCNA.

Some people are different they can dive into the CCNA and roll with no problems.

I guess that question we should be asking is, what kind of a learner is he?

Even if he couldn't handle the CCNA material, it still worthless to spend money on the network+ certification. I wouldn't even recommending buying the damn book, just DL the torrent. Taking the ICND1 would be better route to follow.

 

[↓R↑LYB]

most jobs dont ask for network+ but ive been told its better to have than not have.

whether you get it or not you should still read and learn the material if youre not familiar with networking. i knew the basic with cables, routers, switches and all that but learned a lot more of the advance stuff you'll find in a company.

That's good advice, but it's not really practical. The average company isn't going to hire a new dude in any sort of networking position without at least 2 years exp under his belt. Not even for a junior role.

The easiest route for dude is to just try to get a help desk job in some capacity, and that means getting some Microsoft certs. As a level 1 tech/help desk you're 99% more likely to be asked to do some basic Windows/Office troubleshooting than you would be asked to troubleshoot routers/switches/firewalls/etc.

He can go for his CCNA, network+, security+, etc. But no one is gonna hire dude for any networking or security job considering he has 0 experience. I always give new cats trying to get in the game the same advice. Get your A+ because it's always a requirement. Learn about the Windows OS, Office apps (mainly Word, Excel, & Outlook), and basic networking (what's an IP address, what's a default gateway, what's DHCP/DNS).

That's the path I used to get my 1st help desk gig. I had my A+, MCP, CCNA by the time I had my 1st one, but for my actual job, the CCNA was pretty worthless since them nikkas wouldn't even let be breathe on a router/switch, and with good reason.

But hey why listen to me, I'm just another lost nikka

 

[FastEddie215]

That's good advice, but it's not really practical. The average company isn't going to hire a new dude in any sort of networking position without at least 2 years exp under his belt. Not even for a junior role.

The easiest route for dude is to just try to get a help desk job in some capacity, and that means getting some Microsoft certs. As a level 1 tech/help desk you're 99% more likely to be asked to do some basic Windows/Office troubleshooting than you would be asked to troubleshoot routers/switches/firewalls/etc.

He can go for his CCNA, network+, security+, etc. But no one is gonna hire dude for any networking or security job considering he has 0 experience. I always give new cats trying to get in the game the same advice. Get your A+ because it's always a requirement. Learn about the Windows OS, Office apps (mainly Word, Excel, & Outlook), and basic networking (what's an IP address, what's a default gateway, what's DHCP/DNS).

That's the path I used to get my 1st help desk gig. I had my A+, MCP, CCNA by the time I had my 1st one, but for my actual job, the CCNA was pretty worthless since them nikkas wouldn't even let be breathe on a router/switch, and with good reason.

But hey why listen to me, I'm just another lost nikka

So basically just skip the Network+ cert, get a helpdesk job with the A+ cert and while there study and go for the CCNA instead? I definitely do not want to spend money on a Network+ cert if you say it is worthless.

 

[JT-Money]

So basically just skip the Network+ cert, get a helpdesk job with the A+ cert and while there study and go for the CCNA instead? I definitely do not want to spend money on a Network+ cert if you say it is worthless.

It really depends on the IT job market where you live on which direction you should take. If live in an area with an lots of IT jobs I would go straight for the CCNA. These days you can end up in an helpdesk job and be stuck there resetting passwords for idiots and morons 8 hours an day. That kind of experience is just as worthless and won't get you an higher paying IT job.

If I had taken the same advice people gave me I would still be working in an help desk job. But I quit after only 7 months because to me it was an waste of time. If you've got the aptitude why set your sites so low just because everyone says so? You never know when an position might open where an company is looking for an entry level Cisco networking applicant. Don't think that only the most experienced candidate gets every job. A lot of it comes down to willingness to learn and how well you can interview.

 

[FastEddie215]

It really depends on the IT job market where you live on which direction you should take. If live in an area with an lots of IT jobs I would go straight for the CCNA. These days you can end up in an helpdesk job and be stuck there resetting passwords for idiots and morons 8 hours an day. That kind of experience is just as worthless and won't get you an higher paying IT job.

If I had taken the same advice people gave me I would still be working in an help desk job. But I quit after only 7 months because to me it was an waste of time. If you've got the aptitude why set your sites so low just because everyone says so? You never know when an position might open where an company is looking for an entry level Cisco networking applicant. Don't think that only the most experienced candidate gets every job. A lot of it comes down to willingness to learn and how well you can interview.

JT you are right about that. I live in Philly and I hear the job market is good. I have my A+ cert so next step is to land a helpdesk job and study for the CCNA. Any recommendations on how I should Study? books,cbt nuggets etc

 

[↓R↑LYB]

So basically just skip the Network+ cert, get a helpdesk job with the A+ cert and while there study and go for the CCNA instead? I definitely do not want to spend money on a Network+ cert if you say it is worthless.

Yeah, network+ is worthless, read the material if you want, but don't waste a penny on the actual cert.

It depends, if you really want to get into infrastructure networking then yeah start on your CCNA. If you're not sure, I wouldn't recommend getting the CCNA. Mainly because by the time you'll be able to use that CCNA knowledge, you're cert would have more than likely expired, and you'll have to get it over again (which is what happened to me).

You gotta remember, networking also includes working on servers, which includes shyt like Active Directory, Exchange, Sharepoint, DNS, DHCP, web, SQL, etc. Ultimately you'll have to figure out if you're a server or infrastructure guy (or if you bout dat life, be both).

Either way, get a help desk role. After that, get as many certs as you can down whatever path you chose and try your hardest to get the fukk up outta help desk breh.

The MCITP track (which is being replaced by the new MCSE 2012 track) goes over pretty much everything concerning Windows networking features. They cover Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, VPN, file/print, etc. So if you want to learn server networking, that's a decent place to start. You can install vmware, install the server 2008 OS, and get practicing pretty much anything you want to give you some real experience working with the technology.

 

[se1f_made]

Yeah, network+ is worthless, read the material if you want, but don't waste a penny on the actual cert.

It depends, if you really want to get into infrastructure networking then yeah start on your CCNA. If you're not sure, I wouldn't recommend getting the CCNA. Mainly because by the time you'll be able to use that CCNA knowledge, you're cert would have more than likely expired, and you'll have to get it over again (which is what happened to me).

You gotta remember, networking also includes working on servers, which includes shyt like Active Directory, Exchange, Sharepoint, DNS, DHCP, web, SQL, etc. Ultimately you'll have to figure out if you're a server or infrastructure guy (or if you bout dat life, be both).

Either way, get a help desk role. After that, get as many certs as you can down whatever path you chose and try your hardest to get the fukk up outta help desk breh.

The MCITP track (which is being replaced by the new MCSE 2012 track) goes over pretty much everything concerning Windows networking features. They cover Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, VPN, file/print, etc. So if you want to learn server networking, that's a decent place to start. You can install vmware, install the server 2008 OS, and get practicing pretty much anything you want to give you some real experience working with the technology.

Above poster hit the nail on the head. Helpdesk can be a black hole if you aint on your grizzly. If you plan on making close to 100k, only way is to advance past the helpdesk. If you plan on graduating from entry level to system admin you'll have to know server and networking infrastructure principles. I'm working towards the MCITP and getting the CCNA next. These two certs will definitely make your resume look better to recruiters no matter what path you decide to take in IT

 

[acri1]

I'm working on my MCITP too, I've been slacking and need to finish it by the end of the year and see if I can find anything.

Been on the helpdesk for a while and I'm tired of networking printers, fixing Outlook, removing viruses, and resetting passwords.

Economy sucks in Michigan tho.