IT Certifications and Careers (Official Discussion Thread)

[McTwerk]

Getting Certs are nice. But I'd recommend on focusing on obtaining the knowledge.


Security+ is nice and all, but if you dont know anything about networking/Good with at least one OS( It's Pro's & Cons). It's useless by itself.

Most people who are in security( outside of programmers ) were system administrator/network admins first. rarely does somebody jump straight into security.

I agree that you need to do more than just collect certs. You have to prove competency in the field you are trying to enter, as you said, obtain the knowledge.

I made sure to stress "entry level" in my replies to set expectations.
The certs alone won't land you a gig, but in IT certs are fairly well respected and often times a substitute for degrees. For someone trying to get into IT, the core ComTIA certs is usually the place to begin. A+, Net+ and Sec+ can help you land an entry level job.

Also agree it is tough to jump straight into security. I put in 5+ years as a SysAdmin before landing my first security job, and now have been doing ethical hacking for the last couple years.

If people are willing to put in the time (including their own time) to learn and teach themselves, along with working their way up the cert chain in the process, it can help them begin a career in the IT industry.

 

[semtex]

I'll be glad when this algorithm analysis class is over I'm fukkin sick of induction proofs

 

[Data-Hawk]

I agree that you need to do more than just collect certs. You have to prove competency in the field you are trying to enter, as you said, obtain the knowledge.

I made sure to stress "entry level" in my replies to set expectations.
The certs alone won't land you a gig, but in IT certs are fairly well respected and often times a substitute for degrees. For someone trying to get into IT, the core ComTIA certs is usually the place to begin. A+, Net+ and Sec+ can help you land an entry level job.

Also agree it is tough to jump straight into security. I put in 5+ years as a SysAdmin before landing my first security job, and now have been doing ethical hacking for the last couple years.

If people are willing to put in the time (including their own time) to learn and teach themselves, along with working their way up the cert chain in the process, it can help them begin a career in the IT industry.

I agree with everything.. Even though I dont go for Certs anymore since i'm a programmer now. But back when I was, For any cert I would always buy 2 books. 1 book that was targeted towards the cert and 1 book that wasnt but dealt with alot of the topics the cert covered.

 

[FreshFromATL]

Getting Certs are nice. But I'd recommend on focusing on obtaining the knowledge.


Security+ is nice and all, but if you dont know anything about networking/Good with at least one OS( It's Pro's & Cons). It's useless by itself.

Most people who are in security( outside of programmers ) were system administrator/network admins first. rarely does somebody jump straight into security.

Great advice! I can't stress enough when it comes down to IT, that reading and practicing >>>>>

 

[McTwerk]

Now im considering going the Database Administrator route lol

Do whatever route interests you the most, but be prepared to feel let down when the first job you have is a Jr. Sys Admin and not a Database Engineer.

Good luck in your en devours. Keep us posted as to how you are progressing, and also reach out if you need help. I am not a DBA, but do understand MS-SQL pretty well.

 

[Kartel13]

Yeah, but how do you obtain knowledge without an attractive resume? I agree that you need to start from the bottom, so certs are needed if you don't have any experience such as myself.

I, will most likely have to go the A+ route only to get in the field. It's a sacrafice but you have to start from somewhere.

 

[G-Zeus]

first CCNP-Voice test CVOICE done...

this one had me sweatin bullets....

i was like... *answer*
*answer*
*answer*
*answer*

*submit test*

940 /1000

i tell you what... know what doesnt make sens helps a bunch..
every question i could eliminate 2-3 options cuz i knew they were 100% wrong..

study hard.. take notes.. pretend your back to school.

 

[the bossman]

first CCNP-Voice test CVOICE done...

this one had me sweatin bullets....

i was like... *answer*
*answer*
*answer*
*answer*

*submit test*

940 /1000

i tell you what... know what doesnt make sens helps a bunch..
every question i could eliminate 2-3 options cuz i knew they were 100% wrong..

study hard.. take notes.. pretend your back to school.

props. which one did you take CVOICE?

 

[G-Zeus]

props. which one did you take CVOICE?

yup,

on to cipt1 now

 

[Chris.B]

yup,

on to cipt1 now

I'm already a master at voice....hit me up when you run into road blocks...

 

[↓R↑LYB]

yup,

on to cipt1 now

You going for that CCIE breh? Also on the pass

 

[G-Zeus]

I'm already a master at voice....hit me up when you run into road blocks...

 

[G-Zeus]

You going for that CCIE breh? Also on the pass

yeah but.. two years after, I have to build my foundation more..

next year i intend to either go installation or tier 3 Network Specialist.

but tier 3 is what i am gunning for.

that way i will have covered all aspect of voice and when its time to hit that CCIE,

 

[Mac]

I agree that you need to do more than just collect certs. You have to prove competency in the field you are trying to enter, as you said, obtain the knowledge.

I made sure to stress "entry level" in my replies to set expectations.
The certs alone won't land you a gig, but in IT certs are fairly well respected and often times a substitute for degrees. For someone trying to get into IT, the core ComTIA certs is usually the place to begin. A+, Net+ and Sec+ can help you land an entry level job.

Also agree it is tough to jump straight into security. I put in 5+ years as a SysAdmin before landing my first security job, and now have been doing ethical hacking for the last couple years.

If people are willing to put in the time (including their own time) to learn and teach themselves, along with working their way up the cert chain in the process, it can help them begin a career in the IT industry.

Ethical hacking, that is where I'm trying to be. I know it will be a while before I get there seeing as I am just starting out.

 

[↓R↑LYB]

yeah but.. two years after, I have to build my foundation more..

next year i intend to either go installation or tier 3 Network Specialist.

but tier 3 is what i am gunning for.

that way i will have covered all aspect of voice and when its time to hit that CCIE,

Good luck breh, going for my CCIE Security this year. Was supposed to be last year but Cisco switched it up on a nikka and upgraded the blueprint to v4. Totally threw me studying off