IT certifications?

Hey All,

Experienced IT professional here to provide some of my insights and suggestions having gone down this road for several different exams (CompTIA, Microsoft, and Cisco).


First, I think we need to start with a small reality check. I dont mean to be Debbie Downer, but when I started out as A+, Net+, and CCNA for my company, I started at 55K. So, 60K for A+ by itself is going to be a gift from the heavens, but quite unrealistic. I dont think you should count on earning 60K per year holding only an A+ certification.

The good news:
I do recommend the CompTIA A+ and Net+ exams. They offer you a very strong foundation in basic PC hardware troubleshooting, as well as entry level network troubleshooting. They are perfect for a network technician.

Once finished, I would also recommend you consider the Cisco line of certifications. They are much harder, but they are the current defacto standard for certification in the industry.

As for the concept of study materials, I suggest using the CompTIA A+ and Network+ books from ExamCram. They are only about $30-50 from Barnes and Noble (cheaper from eBay) and these certifications don't expire (at least, they didnt when I took them). They come with software to help you study, like an Adobe Flash based software that does flash cards.

Finally, I encourage you to take the exam at the real procture as a practice test. Use this as a study material. No one in the industry passes all of their exams the first time. No one. I failed my CCNA the first time I took it, and I passed the second time. I passed the CCNP the first time, but it doesnt cover anywhere near as much base knowledge as the CCNA does. I urge you to consider the taking the real exam. Go in to the exam for the first time with the only expectation as being "This is a practice test. If I pass it will stick. If not, it was only a practice test." This sets you up so that even if you fail, it is okay.

Here's why:
1. You learn what to expect next time
2. You get to see your areas of strength and weakness on the print-out that they give you post exam
3. You get to see the real exam.
4. You experience the real pressures of time, sitting in the chair, answering real questions

I wish you guys all the best in your certification endevours. There is really no luck involved in these exams. Either you know the material, or you dont. If you know it, you will pass. Happy studying!

-Annihilata
CCNP, CCNA, MCSA, Net+, A+
 
RapTure, what direction do you plan to take? Do you plan to stay with networking, routing, switching, WAN etc.? If so, going the Cisco route is the direction for that. If you plan on going the user administration, systems deployment, server configuration, AD DS, GPO deployment, etc. then going the Microsoft cert is the direction for that. The CompTIA A+ and Net + certs require CE credits, or continuing education to keep them current. Meeting the requirements is not difficult and good to do.


Disclaimer: Not stirring the pot, just playing devil's advocate in these next statements:

As with taking real exams to feel them out: exam fees can be expensive; take it once to pass. It is possible. I did and, I work with three guys that did it and will admit they are not geniuses, nor am I. I understand getting the 'well I've been here already' feeling but it can get costly taking tests more than once unless you have a 'fail it once you get a paid retake' agreement with a training course or with a school environment. If you practice as much as possible (Cisco Packet Tracer is one you can use to practice for their exams with. You can download trial versions of Server 2008 R2 to do labs in and reading TechNet is a good help as well for MS certs ), study the supplied practice tests and such on CDs that come with 90% of the books for cert tests, do the labs and reviews at ends of chapters, you will be fine and will pass, the first time. For MS tests, there is an 'anatomy' to the questions and they do make some to trick you.
 
I totally agree with Annihilata, I remember originally taking the A+ Hardware test back in 03 & passed it the 1st time (this was back before the whole idea of "essentials" & "practical application" came into actual practice & implementation). Now that A+ is spread out more with the hardware, software, & security mixed up, it does make it tougher, but that doesnt mean that it cant be learned. So I recently took a practice test online, but oddly enough I didnt fail it by much. Found that I need to work more on OS & security. Unfortunately, it didnt allow me to study the questions that I missed so that I could focus my efforts more on those specific subjects so that I didnt have to study material that I already went over.

When it comes to the $$ bit, I think RapTure is taking this a bit too far, especially for someone just coming straight outta high school. Very few young people really get that far (unless they strive for it from the moment they are pretty much born). That being said, I just turned 30 & have learned to take a more realistic approach on the amount of $$ that im seeking. When I finally become A+ certified, I will continue going after more certs, but I do hope to get an entry level help desk position (if not something close to it) w/ pay starting around $11-12 per hour (definitely wont deny more pay if its offered of course). Right now im in a mindset that I dont look at jobs in an annual income basis (I dunno maybe im just being simple minded here).
 
Wow. I thank everyone for their informative posts here. I am 22, and I have been into hardware and software PC repair for a long time.

I have just recently gotten the desire to pursue these areas for a career. I have researched certifications that I would need, and found that a+ and network+ are a good place to start. (I also intend to major in computer engineering, at least a bachelors in college)

I have found a highly reputable school in Manhattan, NYC to teach me what I don't already know, and so I can get certified in a few fields. I wish to have a hands on experience learning environment, and from student and consumer reports I've read, this schools the best for getting any PC and network related certifications in my area.


The information given here was very helpful. I'd like to especially thank Annihilata for his/her post.. Good looks.

-fabbrini
 
@Fabbrini
No problem. Always glad to help.


@Skagnatti #devil's advocate
I totally agree that a person should not walk into an exam without having studied. If you go to take the exam, you should be prepared and at least have a good chance of being successful. However, there's a big problem that I was actually trying to explain. Your playing devils advocate helped me express that better below:

The problem is "You don't know what you don't know". Basically, what I am trying to encourage readers to understand is that when you walk into an exam for the first time, you have absolutely no idea what to expect. As an example, the Microsoft exams are 100% different from the Cisco exams. An example if this is that in the Cisco exams, you can't go back! Once you click next, that's it. It's done. I also reiterate that on the Cisco exams, you have an extremely wide base of knowledge that is covered. Everything from basic Network+ material, all the way up through routed and routing protocols, and subnetting/CIDR (supernetting). For that reason, it was necessary for me to go visit the exam, and find out what areas I did well, and where I was weak. I was able to study up on those weak areas, and it only cost me gas money, and the cost of the exam itself. However, the next time I went in and took the exam, I had studied up on those weak areas, and I was able to pass.

So, this became a learning experience. I walked out having failed with a light heart because I knew at the very least that I had done my best, and that I knew what areas I needed to study to ensure I passed it the next time. Also, it set the tone for me to know what to expect the next time, because up to that point, I did not have any experience taking any Cisco exams.
 
RapTure said:
I have a compTIA A+ Cert and I'm studying for Network+ right now.
Click to expand...

Yeah im trying to get my A+ and Networking after that but my main goal right now is my A+ so that i can get a computer job faster because the places that i am applying for look at that kind of thing.
 
Its rather interesting how many people in these forums are trying to go after the CompTIA certifications.
 
How was the A+ test? I am studying for it now (kinda late, im 20) even though i have been working with computers for a while now, never had a need for a certification. Now im tired of working retail and low pay jobs so i want to start college to learn some programming and get some certifications while i can.

So far the CompTIA A+ book im reading is pretty much just review for me. I take notes but i fear im taking notes on specifics that arent too important.

OP feels bad because he is behind, he is 16... im 20... I really need to catch up!
 
EmoHz said:
How was the A+ test? I am studying for it now (kinda late, im 20) even though i have been working with computers for a while now, never had a need for a certification. Now im tired of working retail and low pay jobs so i want to start college to learn some programming and get some certifications while i can.

So far the CompTIA A+ book im reading is pretty much just review for me. I take notes but i fear im taking notes on specifics that arent too important.

OP feels bad because he is behind, he is 16... im 20... I really need to catch up!
Click to expand...
Hey EmoHz, if anyone is behind, its me! Im 30, I was previously certified A+ hardware (back in 03) & I can tell ya with a certainty that the younger you are, the better chance you have of making it bigger & better in the IT industry! However, age is only part of it. The sooner that you get into the programs and start studying the material & pass the exams, the more likely of a chance that youll get to be noticed by employers who are looking for people with your certifications & skills. Its always best to start out in the entry level help desk area, that way you get the experience you need (thats exactly where im aiming at right now).

Im also glad that this thread is getting as much attention as it has. Im rather surprised that it has received this much attention, I really didnt expect this many people to post saying that theyre trying to achieve the same, if not similar results!
 
pillar said:
Hey EmoHz, if anyone is behind, its me! Im 30, I was previously certified A+ hardware (back in 03) & I can tell ya with a certainty that the younger you are, the better chance you have of making it bigger & better in the IT industry!
Click to expand...

Not really true.

i was 28 when I decided I wanted to go back to school and finish an education I had started a decade earlier.

I was 32 when I graduated, with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. I went to work right away, and took two years off school.

2 years after I finished my undergrad, i started on my masters. I took one class at a time, while working full time (and raising 2 kids by myself). Took five and a half years.

I was 39 when completed my Masters of Science in Software Engineering.

It's NEVER to late to go back to school and learn. It's never to late to push yourself to become "better".

And the more you push, the more doors open for you.

It took me a LONG time, and a lot of struggle. Was it worth it? Yeppers, it was.
 
So it seems after 1 practice test that I suffer on the OS & security parts. My question is what are the best books to go after? I really need to study so I can pass this darn exam & get me an entry level help desk job!
 
pillar said:
Hey EmoHz, if anyone is behind, its me! Im 30, I was previously certified A+ hardware (back in 03) & I can tell ya with a certainty that the younger you are, the better chance you have of making it bigger & better in the IT industry! However, age is only part of it. The sooner that you get into the programs and start studying the material & pass the exams, the more likely of a chance that youll get to be noticed by employers who are looking for people with your certifications & skills. Its always best to start out in the entry level help desk area, that way you get the experience you need (thats exactly where im aiming at right now).

Im also glad that this thread is getting as much attention as it has. Im rather surprised that it has received this much attention, I really didnt expect this many people to post saying that theyre trying to achieve the same, if not similar results!
Click to expand...


Right now im lost, bouncing from A+ books, to python tutorials, reading up on linux... Im all over the place. I want to learn so much, but i feel like i dont have enough time. Where should i look for a entry level job like this? Right now im unemployed, trying to get a security job because thats the only high demand job in my area right now.

Id love to learn to program, or manage a network. Even just fixing computers would be fine for me. I already do it, just not legitly. I kinda slowed down on reading the A+ book because im unemployed and cant afford the test yet.
 
If anything EmoHz, I would highly suggest checking into a possibly help desk position. Those are the entry level positions that really help to get your foot in the door to possible better jobs.

Also, I would highly advise against jumping around. Right now im having a hard time still studying on the A+ material. If you really wanna get yourself in the IT world, start out with the beginning stuff (which is A+ area) & slowly build up. Since you say you're unemployed, then you should have PLENTY of time, but when you say you feel you dont have enough time, thats procrastination talking (which ill admit im guilty of that @ certain times myself). However, dont let that mindset keep you from your dreams. Just take things 1 step @ a time. I still have a lot on my plate for my future.

Im planning on getting my A+ & then gonna continue 2 Network+ & Security+. When I get a decent job in that field, make sure to set aside nuff $$ 2 build myself an ITG cabinet (Google "In The Groove", im not gonna explain it). Other than that, continue to set aside $$ 2 travel to Europe. I know for a sure fact that im gonna stay alive til at least my 80's (if I reach 90, ill be dang impressed with myself).
/rant
 
Ok so heres a nice lil update: I just received an email from ExamForce saying that theyre willing to give me as well as 4 others free A+ Practice Exam Bundles (220-701 & 220-702). If you are interested, I need you to PM me your name along with a valid email address, simple as that.
 
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