CCNA or other certifications..

[Transition]

I'm looking into possibly getting some certifications. Not too sure what certifications would be valuable in finding a good paying job. I'm currently working as a co sys admin / graphic artist for a wholesaling company which actually pays pretty good for my experience and age - but i want to be able to walk away from the job some day with the ability to migrate into another job (mind you i only have a high school edjoomakashun). I'm interested in networking and i'm trying to determine a good starting point for certifications, and what certs have "real world" value.

 

[wyvrn]

CCNA is probably most popular networking cert, most big companies use Cisco equipment. Networking + might be another possibility, it covers stuff like tcp/ip and cabling standards. I haven't taken that one but hear it's pretty easy. Really anything with your experience would help. I am taking the CCNA next week but the only experience I have on routers is in class, so finding a job is going to be difficult in current economic climate.

 

[wnied]

Well right off the bat:

CompTIAs A+ Certification is a must for some companies. Its a basic certification that shows your capable of tearing apart and repairing a computer. Also Networks+ or Server+ are good to accompany the A+.

Microsoft MCSE in Windows2000. Most companies I have encountered want this certification when reviewing system admins or IT personnel. Usually used in conjunction with whatever brand of server the company uses. (i.e Compaq Proliant, HP SBS, etc etc)

Those are just a few off the top of my head.
Hope this helps,
~wnied~

 

[Transition]

How is the testing for CCNA's done? Is this something you can just study independently and take an exam for? Or is some level of schooling required?

 

[BillGates]

Cisco and Unix is where the big bucks are - so if you want that, take the path of one (or both) of those. I need to start catching up on certs - I've taken a bunch of classes but not the certs to go along with them. I think I have all of the MCSE courses done, but only 2 of the exams. Cert Exams = $$$$$$$$$

 

[Soybomb]

Unless you have real world experience most certs don't have any real world value so try to get them as a pair.

edit: don't do it for the money, do it because you like it.

 

[wyvrn]

A+ isn't a networking cert and the Win2k certs concentrate more on the OS than the network. They are great certs, but since he said networking I was assuming he meant those that concentrated on maintaining networks than personal computers and servers.

Originally posted by: wnied
Well right off the bat:

CompTIAs A+ Certification is a must for some companies. Its a basic certification that shows your capable of tearing apart and repairing a computer. Also Networks+ or Server+ are good to accompany the A+.

Microsoft MCSE in Windows2000. Most companies I have encountered want this certification when reviewing system admins or IT personnel. Usually used in conjunction with whatever brand of server the company uses. (i.e Compaq Proliant, HP SBS, etc etc)

Those are just a few off the top of my head.
Hope this helps,
~wnied~

 

[brtspears2]

A+ is an easy, fairly cheap cert
Networks+ is pretty easy, average priced cert.

Everything else is pretty darn expensive. They are useful to help get you in the door with your resume.

 

[Transition]

How do i test for stuff like A+, Networks+, MCSE, CCNA, etc?

 

[wyvrn]

You can take and pass this certification like you can most others just by self-studying. That includes downloading brain dumps and using the transcender tests. But I would highly recommend signing up for classes as they will GREATLY increase your understanding of the material.

Originally posted by: Transition
How is the testing for CCNA's done? Is this something you can just study independently and take an exam for? Or is some level of schooling required?

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: Transition
How do i test for stuff like A+, Networks+, MCSE, CCNA, etc?

There are certified testing areas that allow you to take these. Usually its at my local community college. Not sure if there are certain dates though, or whether you can go whenever you want.

 

[Transition]

Thanks everyone..

 

[wyvrn]

The testing is done on computer in various testing centers, some are adaptive (next questions is based on your answer to current one, you cannot go back and change your answers) and some are not. All of the basic ones you see mentioned here do not have any sort of lab requirement that I am aware of. CCNA, for example, is just a 60 question test you have to score an 86% on to pass. There are multiple choice, fill in blank, and scenario questions. When I took MCSE tests for the NT 4 track, they were the same way.

You sign up at one of two national testing centers, Prometric and VUE (check google). They pretty much have tests multiple times each day, and many many locations. They cost average $100-130 an exam. CCNA, network+ are one exam each. A+ is two easy exams. MCSE is either 6 or 7 exams.

Originally posted by: Transition
How do i test for stuff like A+, Networks+, MCSE, CCNA, etc?

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: wyvrn
You can take and pass this certification like you can most others just by self-studying. That includes downloading brain dumps and using the transcender tests. But I would highly recommend signing up for classes as they will GREATLY increase your understanding of the material.

Originally posted by: Transition
How is the testing for CCNA's done? Is this something you can just study independently and take an exam for? Or is some level of schooling required?

Luckily my school provides a free 2 year course to help you get certified, which also counts towards credits. We also get a voucher to take the test for I believe only $50 I'm currently in Semester 3 of the Curriculum, and I can recommend one book to help you studying: Cisco's CCNA Exam Guide #640-607 by Wendell Odom. But I suggest trashing the CD that comes with it because it is pure crap. While you can pass the test through self-studying, the Curriculum that Cisco provides for sponsored classes is a huge asset. Also there are plenty of Study Guides and nots that can be found that have a lot of useful information.

 

[wyvrn]

Supposedly the CCNA curriculum is available online for life, also. I still have access to it though my last class was over a few months ago. This also means you get access to updated curriculum as CCNA test changes and you need to recertify. If you take the CCNA classes, you get to take the test at a discount, mine is 50% off.

I highly recommend the Exam Cram line of books to help you study for certifications. I think they are the best.

Originally posted by: BigJ2078

Originally posted by: wyvrn
You can take and pass this certification like you can most others just by self-studying. That includes downloading brain dumps and using the transcender tests. But I would highly recommend signing up for classes as they will GREATLY increase your understanding of the material.

Originally posted by: Transition
How is the testing for CCNA's done? Is this something you can just study independently and take an exam for? Or is some level of schooling required?

Luckily my school provides a free 2 year course to help you get certified, which also counts towards credits. We also get a voucher to take the test for I believe only $50 I'm currently in Semester 3 of the Curriculum, and I can recommend one book to help you studying: Cisco's CCNA Exam Guide #640-607 by Wendell Odom. But I suggest trashing the CD that comes with it because it is pure crap. While you can pass the test through self-studying, the Curriculum that Cisco provides for sponsored classes is a huge asset. Also there are plenty of Study Guides and nots that can be found that have a lot of useful information.