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ITs... Your thought, please.

Rakewell

Rakewell

Platinum Member
To begin with,

Please... be gentle.

I've been an IT for a couple of years in the past, though I am not one now. Like many, I have absolutely no certification. I am looking to extend my potential.

I would like to be a network administrator, ultimately. I would like to do just about everything.

I currently have a very easy, well paying job which would allow me lots of time for study... AND they'll pay for tests and study materials.

Here is a list of certifications that I am looking into

- CompTIA A+
- CompTIA Network+
- CompTIA Security+
- Cisco CCNA
- Cisco CCNP
- Certified Network Administrator (CNA)
- CompTIA Linux+
- MCTS Certification

Then eventually...

- MCITP Certification
- MCM Certification
- MCA Certification

My questions are:

1.) Am I missing anything?

2.) Is there something in here I don't need?

3.) Is there anything out of order?

Thanks... And again, please... be gentle.
 
What is your goal? IT is a large field. If you were to obtain all those certifications it would have no rhyme or reason.
 
Rakewell said:
2.) Is there something in here I don't need?
Click to expand...

- CompTIA A+
- CompTIA Network+
- CompTIA Security+
- Cisco CCNA
- Cisco CCNP
- Certified Network Administrator (CNA)
- CompTIA Linux+
- MCTS Certification
- MCITP Certification
- MCM Certification
- MCA Certification
 
I'm not sure about any of the Microsoft stuff as a *nix person, but when it comes to CompTIA certs, those resumes usually go right into the trash pile for me, even if the person has other, worthwhile certs. Congrats, you spent $100+ on a multiple choice test that has every single question/answer available for memorization on the internet. Now I have to wonder if you're CCNA/CCNP/anything else is also legit. If its a multiple choice test, it gets you past HR and has no weight compared to experience. There are just too many paper tigers out there, experience is king (save certs like those from red hat, as there are no questions, just tasks)
 
C'mon, guys.

The questions I am asking are legitimate.

Telling me I'm "missing a degree" isn't helping me.

Maybe I'm not being specific enough.

1.) I would like to be a network administrator.
2.) There are holes in my knowledge of network administration.
3.) I would like to educate myself, and get a job doing this.
4.) I would like to have a résumé which lists the appropriate certifications in order to be marketable.
 
My entire career has been spent in software development & systems admin. So no real experience in network admin here, but my general impression is that certs are practically worthless nowdays.
 
Rakewell said:
C'mon, guys.

The questions I am asking are legitimate.

Telling me I'm "missing a degree" isn't helping me.
Click to expand...

That is probably the most useful advice I've seen so far.

Maybe I'm not being specific enough.

1.) I would like to be a network administrator.
2.) There are holes in my knowledge of network administration.
3.) I would like to educate myself, and get a job doing this.
4.) I would like to have a résumé which lists the appropriate certifications in order to be marketable.
Click to expand...

Skip the CompTIA stuff as others have said. CCNA is a good idea, as is MCTS or MCITP. Experience is the most important component, however.
 
Rakewell said:
What?
Click to expand...

<------ 14 years in the welding field, 8 years in IT. I got much more job satisfaction working in a welding shop, then sitting behind a desk.

Some of the worst side effects of having a non-labor intensive job - weight gain, blog pressure, lack of energy. You will probably live longer at a job that requires some kind of physical labor, as compared to sitting at a desk.

Currently my IT job pays the bills. If I ever leave this job, I will go back to the welding field.
 
Rakewell said:
OK,

I would like to be a well rounded network administrator.
Click to expand...

Trust me, no you don't. "Jack of all, Master of nothing". You'll find yourself unmarketable except to a small group of companies or maybe helpdesk somewhere.

Focus on one thing you like to do and can do well, and you'll make real money. A "well rounded network administrator" finds themselves archiving emails, terminating wall jacks, and fixing peoples idiotic problems on a daily basis.
 
Rakewell said:
Soo... You're saying I should get a degree in computer science?
Click to expand...

You should definitely get a degree. The subject of the degree is up to you, but more and more companies are requiring a degree to even get an interview. At my last two companies, they didn't care what the degree was in as long as you had one.
 
Texashiker said:
<------ 14 years in the welding field, 8 years in IT. I got much more job satisfaction working in a welding shop, then sitting behind a desk.

Some of the worst side effects of having a non-labor intensive job - weight gain, blog pressure, lack of energy. You will probably live longer at a job that requires some kind of physical labor, as compared to sitting at a desk.

Currently my IT job pays the bills. If I ever leave this job, I will go back to the welding field.
Click to expand...
What is blog pressure?
 
IndyColtsFan said:
You should definitely get a degree. The subject of the degree is up to you, but more and more companies are requiring a degree to even get an interview. At my last two companies, they didn't care what the degree was in as long as you had one.
Click to expand...

What I've been seeing for the last 3-4 years is that even a degree isn't enough to compete in the modern job pool. 100% of our new hires from that timespan have their masters degrees.
 
TwiceOver said:
Trust me, no you don't. "Jack of all, Master of nothing". You'll find yourself unmarketable except to a small group of companies or maybe helpdesk somewhere.

Focus on one thing you like to do and can do well, and you'll make real money. A "well rounded network administrator" finds themselves archiving emails, terminating wall jacks, and fixing peoples idiotic problems on a daily basis.
Click to expand...

This, and I'd take it one step further and say to avoid working for small companies for any considerable length of time. They're good to get a couple of years of experience under your belt, but if you want to specialize in something, move into a large company and you'll likely get those opportunities and paid training.
 
NuclearNed said:
What I've been seeing for the last 3-4 years is that even a degree isn't enough to compete in the modern job pool. 100% of our new hires from that timespan have their masters degrees.
Click to expand...

I've not seen any IT job require or even request a Master's degree, though the guy we hired to replace me in my old job had a JD. A base degree along with experience is more important.
 
IndyColtsFan said:
You should definitely get a degree. The subject of the degree is up to you, but more and more companies are requiring a degree to even get an interview. At my last two companies, they didn't care what the degree was in as long as you had one.
Click to expand...

Hmm...

I have a masters of music... Which is a degree...
 
NuclearNed said:
What I've been seeing for the last 3-4 years is that even a degree isn't enough to compete in the modern job pool. 100% of our new hires from that timespan have their masters degrees.
Click to expand...

Dont mean to be all poopy, but I dont have much respect for masters in IT, most of the ones ive seen are the worst technical people ive ever met.

I prefer someone with experience over someone with certs and degrees any day of the week.
 
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