Best beginner Certifications

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

I'm trying to get a little educated for a new career. I have an old A+ book. Third Edition. I've read some of it. Tried the CompTIA online example quiz A+ 701 and it seemed fairly easy. The Network+ I am no where near confident.

What are the best start-off certifications to get?

 

[sourceninja]

I'm trying to get a little educated for a new career. I have an old A+ book. Third Edition. I've read some of it. Tried the CompTIA online example quiz A+ 701 and it seemed fairly easy. The Network+ I am no where near confident.

What are the best start-off certifications to get?

A+, Net+, Security+ are all good entry level certs. You could also look at the Microsoft Technical Associate certs.

There isn't a lot of value in them overall, but they will at least show progress and a design to build skill.

 

[Ketchup]

Depends on what you want to get into. I see job apps saying they require this and that cert, even if they have nothing to do with the job.

Experience is king. See if you can find little temp jobs in your area and build on those, if you can. I have seen that work very well for folks. Of course, depending on circumstances, that is not always possible.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

What software tools would I need to even begin to learn/understand for general helpdesk type support.. I'm just now trying to understand Remote Desktop Connection. But for other examples a friend suggested Wireshark. I've also seen ViewBluescreen, and WhoCrashed, being suggested in other threads - never used those either..

 

[Ketchup]

If you are talking regular PC help desk, and you feel that a cert is necessary, A+ would be the way to go.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

If you are talking regular PC help desk, and you feel that a cert is necessary, A+ would be the way to go.

Ok, thank you 🙂

At this point I don't even know how to use Remote Desktop connection on a W7 machine.

I have a potential job working with VoIP

 

[Ketchup]

Ok, thank you 🙂

At this point I don't even know how to use Remote Desktop connection on a W7 machine.

I have a potential job working with VoIP

Cool. I have a friend who got a job in that (actually with an internet provider including that) and last time we spoke he is enjoying it. He is working on an IT degree at nights (I think it's network admin) and getting certifications as he goes. I think he is working on Ciscos ATM.

BTW, the reason I sound hesitant about the certs is that everybody is saying they want this and that cert. Some jobs really need it, some jobs just think they can get somebody better this way, whether or not the job really requires it. So don't be hesitant to send in an application just because you don't have an certification they are asking for.

Case in point: my job is second level support for the POS system in several grocery store chains(register, controllers, etc). Before this job, the only related thing I had done is work in a grocery store for a few years.

I have another friend who is senior network administrator for a credit card company. He got to where he is with no certs, and his gotten a couple over the past year because he wanted to.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

I basically want to feel confident at what I do, or what I want to do. It can kinda be nerve racking going into something unfamiliar. I was confident at what I did before, but 1-3% raise over 2-3yrs doesn't even match the annual increase for the cost of living.

 

[Ketchup]

I basically want to feel confident at what I do, or what I want to do. It can kinda be nerve racking going into something unfamiliar. I was confident at what I did before, but 1-3% raise over 2-3yrs doesn't even match the annual increase for the cost of living.

Preaching to the choir, lol! Good luck.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Preaching to the choir, lol! Good luck.

Thanks for your help, and sharing examples. I hope this new 'world' will be fun!