First Job In The IT Career Field: Career Path Options??

[JOSEPHLB]

Well.. after 8 yrs in the military, I decided to go out and explore my options in the "real" world..

My prior experience was a Satellite/Telecommunications Tech. for about three years. I dealt with a variety of satellite lan/wan equipment, multiplexors, Cisco 2503 & 2514 routers, NT based laptops/desktops, etc...
Nothing too difficult.. just some minor administrative tasks.. nothing that requires "engineer" level expertise...

Well.. to my suprise.. after a few months of job searching, interviews, etc.. I landed a position with Keane Federal Systems as a Windows NT Desktop Technician/Consultant..
Its pretty much the average Junior Level job, so I feel luck finally has came to me..

Currently I have no certifications, but I do know that now I'm in the "real" world, I will need ( and want ) to pursue some certifications & education.

Would beginning with the NETWORK+ be a good starting point on a certification to begin my career/education path?
What are some good study guides, books , etc for the Network + certification?

Based on my research, Network+ is a good start toward working on the new MCSA certification and further MCSE..

Wrong, right?
Opinions greatly appreciated.. thanks

 

[netsysadmin]

Well if you have the basic network knowledge down already I would go straight for MCP or MCSE...Network+ is OK if you are a beginner and dont understand too much...but if you are already a Desktop Support person for a company you are basicaly doing right now what you would learn in the Network+ class....hang with the bigger people at work as much as you can....and go for your MCSE...Good Luck!

 

[PlatinumGold]

ya

skip the network+. comptia's certs are only good if you wanna teach comptia cert classes. most people have never heard of comptia.

MCSE / MCSA is cool. another option if you have the aptitude is to replace two of your MCSE electives w/ 2 sql certs = mcse / mcdba.

dba's tend to get a little more than mcse's.