I'm now CompTIA A+ and Network + certified

disneyjoe7

So now what....


If I was to look for another job what would it be? And what would it pay? Also I plan on being CCNA certified soon also in a month or so.


Steve

fatchowmein

Congrats! Are you working in IT now and just backfilling your certs or is this a career change?

A+ and N+ gets you a break/fix job at places like Geek Squad, Fry's Electronic, CompUSA, and Desktop Support at the Enterprise level (maybe) or a school district. Adding a CCNA without experience will improve your chances but no network support team wants you to even look at their equipment unless you've got an inside track.

Not meaning to get you down but unless you're young and cheap on payroll, you're competing against a lot of experienced unemployed folks out there. Be that as it may, keep on trucking and you'll get in somewhere, build up experience, add more certs, and move up.

Good luck,
~fat, A+, MCSA, MCSE, VCP

disneyjoe7

These Cert's are to broaden my future possibilities only and not directly related to my current work. I did it since the union got these classes and I didn't have to pay like nothing for these classes.

nguyendot

A+ and Net+ are equivalent of 6 months desktop support experience. They will get you something like a Dell call center, GeekSquad - things along those lines. Overall they're only building blocks and alone they don't mean much. CCNA is useful but not alone either. You need something like MCTIP:EA - something in the engineering or architect level before you start making any sort of money. Learning EqualLogic, Compellent..etc will make some big bucks. Cisco is a big one too. Diversify and you will succeed. I have an A+ under my belt from some time ago and it didn't make much difference. It did put me on the path to bigger things that do matter though.

disneyjoe7

Wow just what I thought, I'm just above just Fing dangerous.

ryanjoachim

Pretty soon I'll be working towards all the certificated named here, but the only ones I expect to help me out are the Microsoft ones (MCSE, MCSA, etc) and some Cisco ones.

I've been working as a tech in a school district for 4 years now, so I've already gotten all the work experience I need to move somewhere else...all I need now is a piece of paper saying I know what I know (degree).

EndersShadow

Congrats.

I keep going back and forth on if I want to get mine as well. I have a Bachelors degree in Computer Graphics, and do IT/Buisness Analyst/Program Implementation work for an big insurance company. I have heard (but havent verified) that those certs are now only good for 3 years and have to be renewed, which didnt use to be the case.

nguyendot

It all depends on who you work for. My company could care less if I do or don't have the certs as long as I know the goods. I have the equivalent of MCITP:EA but don't have the cert yet... Getting it won't bump my pay here as they already expect me to know it

It helps on getting hired though...

JimMueller

It depends on the employer. Some are gungho on certificates, others are more interested in practical experience. I've never cared for the MS classes because there are too many and the expense adds up. You're doing well with the CCNA; work towards your CCIE and rent the necessary equipment or buy it used.

Strong Bad

Haven't seen anyone mention the Red Hat Linux certs. Linux in general is HUGE today and growing steadily. The RHCSA and RHCE certs are the ones to get. Red Hat recently revamped their certification testing and did away with the typical multiple choice nonsense in favor of simulation exams. YES, you have to actually know how to use Red Hat and not just find some brain dump on the web and memorize the questions and answers. The Linux + exam via CompTIA...avoid it. It's the same Q&A nonsense and is not very respected.

I'm taking the RHCSA classes right now, even though I have about 2 yrs of Red Hat Enterprise experience. You have to be prepared and well rounded to take the Red Hat exams.

The Cisco certs are good. CCIE...VERY tough and VERY expensive. A friend has his CCIE in Voice and works for Cisco. The CCIE is a two parter. The first part is a 100 multiple choice exam. When you pass that, then you're allowed to take the 8hr hands on exam. The price of the exam is roughly $1400.00. You fail, you pay another $1400.00 to retake. There are 10 places in the world to take the exam, 1 of which is San Jose CA (the only place in the USA to take it). That means travel expenses as well.

disneyjoe7

These other plans for other Certs in the coming year. Not sure what they will be, but I remember one being quoted worth some 20k for the class maybe CCIE not sure. But that price would include test.

I work as an Electronic Technician for AT&T with 15 years in the business, any IT related job couldn't be entry level couldn't afford that reduction of income.

nguyendot

If you want more...just study up and practice it. I'm on the path right now to Datacenter Implementation. Nothing is better than first hand experience. Friends are a good place, the internet, etc. Nothing is better than hands on though. My boss gave my an EqualLogic array, two R710s and some gigabit managed switches and told me to "make it work". A few days later I knew iSCSI, VMWare, etc. Tomorrow I go onsite to install my first one - should be fun. I expect in a year I will hold an Architect level position (well I already do, but I can actually live up to it more so). The hardest part is making time, and finding the equipment. Theory and books are fine, but doing it makes you learn 100% faster.

Glowrdr

I got my A+ a few years ago, just for the hell of it. I was in the process of studying for the Net+ until they made it an expiring cert. Haven't picked up the book since.

KrazyMofo24

It's going to be hard to skip entry level IT even with certs unless you know someone. You also need to find out what area of IT you like. Have you already done a lot of studying for CCNA to be on path to finish in a month or are you just starting? Depending on what you are willing to accept as pay starting out. If you want to go networking then you might be able to find a decent paying entry level noc position after you get your CCNA and skip the helpdesk route.