[deleted]

[[H]exx]

[deleted]

 

[Fint]

Any CCNP-level test will also renew your CCNA.. the CCIE tests are much harder than CCNP-level tests.

Net+ and A+ are useless compared to a CCNA. Linux+ might be worth something small if you are going for a Linux-job. There are a lot more jobs that want a MCSE than any other cert you listed, so I think that'd help the most for a job hunt.

 

[ne0-reloaded]

I'm in a similar position like you, or at least i was a year ago. Although the A+ should be a walk in the park for you I'd recommend getting it. The main reason being while you're in school you should be able to get a co-op and get some work exp under your belt. exp is more important than any cert. more than likely you'll start out in a help desk/technician role, but honestly would u rather be answering phones as a student or a college graduate. the MS certs, while not as prestigious, are good to get. If you're used to MS's server line, active directory, and exchange, you should be able to get an MCSE with some studying.

The cisco stuff on the other hand is different. A cisco cert speaks a lot ONLY if you have the work exp to back it up. generally employers wanting ccna/ccnp level people aren't looking for people fresh outta college. there are exceptions to that rule, but it's a small one. the ccna, isn't the easiest cert to get honestly (glad i passed mine), and the ccnp is a whole lot harder. generally you'd have to drop at least a 1k for a good lab to play with for the ccnp(unless u can use that stuff at work). the ccna can be passed with a router sim. the ccie is a whole nother beast. you're not gonna get the ccie without years of exp, and years of practice. i've read the passing rate for first timers of the ccie lab exam is around 2% (pepole working with cisco gear for 10+ years have failed the exam). but if you get it your 1337 beyond words.

so if i was you, and didn't have a job yet i'd hit up my co-op office at my school for some positions. meanwhile go for the a+ if you want to (it'll help for the lower level jobs), get some MS certs (MCP just looks good on a resume), and get the ccna only if 1) you really want to learn about networking or 2) you might actually get a job requiring it.

network+/server+ is a waste of time, so don't even bother. linux+ im not sure of. ive never seen a job requiring or requesting it. the RHCE is more popular (red hat cert).

hope this helps

 

[Fint]

One thing you have to define is your career path. Do you want to be the guy who configs and handles the routers and switches, or the guy who does Exchange and Group Policy? Depending on what you want to do should shape what certs you get... I don't care if you have a MCSE, if you don't have at least an CCNA you aren't getting 'enable' on my Cisco equip.

 

[Stinn]

Honestly if the CCNA is going to be so easy to get why not get it anyway. Once you have it any professional level or specialist level exam will renew it so even if you don't go right to the CCIE you can take your CCNP switching exam or something and renew it. You'll need to know all the CCNP stuff for the R&S ccie anyway.

 

[ne0-reloaded]

well if that's the case, you should get the ccna just to get it. it was hard as fuck for me, because when i started studying for mean, i wouldnt no the diff between dhcp and dns if my life depended on it. Fint made a good point tho, tailer ur certs for the direction u wanna go.

 

[Fint]

The Net+ is to network as the A+ is to hardware... from what I remember, its like "which of the following is an IP address" or "what is the defination of a subnet mask". If the CCNA is middle school, Net+ is kindergarden.

 

[ne0-reloaded]

The Net+ is to network as the A+ is to hardware... from what I remember, its like "which of the following is an IP address" or "what is the defination of a subnet mask". If the CCNA is middle school, Net+ is kindergarden.

more like pre-school where they tell you "It's ok to eat your crayons, just take the paper off first"

ive seen or heard of a job that required, recommended, or suggested the net+

 

[PHiZ]

Well just because your CCNA expires doesn't mean that it doesn't still look good on your resume. Remember nothing is set in stone, it is all how you sell it to your job prospect. You put the date that you achieved the test. People not in the know that it expires, it won't matter. People who are in the know, will ask if it expired or if you renewed and you tell them the truth. They know how minor the revisions to the Cisco lineup are, and that if you passed one test you may be qualified, even if you aren't certified...

You're a business major? :shrug: Its going to be tough soliciting advice as that is a pretty nonstandard career course. However, I'm sure business will love to have an IT person who understands the endevour that they are supporting. But let's face it, you're bound for managment.

Consider maybe focusing on some other things too. HIPPA compliance ISO9001, any other data protection standards you can think of. Niche markets always make the most money, because there is little competition and high demand for your skills...

-PHiZ

 

[BobSutan]

Consider maybe focusing on some other things too. HIPPA compliance ISO9001, any other data protection standards you can think of. Niche markets always make the most money, because there is little competition and high demand for your skills...

-PHiZ

Careful with that specilization though. If those niche jobs fill up you could find yourself waiting a while for a job to open. Depending on the field you specialize in also depends on how in-demand your skills will be. A great area right now, and for the foreseable future, is security. Not just network security, but information security in general.

 

[4saken]

Dont specialize in anything, that will be the biggest mistake you can make. You know whats big now? The administrator who knows, Active Directory, Exchange, *nix, Security(firewall), Hardware, and Cisco. If you arent able to dabble or be proficient in all of these, it wont matter what certs you have.
I think right now a Cisco cert of some sort is most important off the bat. But dont underestimate the strength of an MCSE etc. You can take your NET+ and A+ and ALSO have them count toward one of your tests on the MCSE track. So that is a no brainer.

But like previous posters have said, the certs only speak for you if you have experience, so regardless of your degrees/certs etc, you will most likely have to start in an entry level helpdesk position. You can work quickly up the ladder depending on the company, make sure you do your homework on advancement potential.

I thought i was a linux/windows/etc guru when I got a promotion to the Network Administrator group in my company but i soon learned i didnt know crap, but i have been here 5 years now and the knowledge i have learned on the job is 10000 times more than any cert/schooling/other could have possibly taught me.

 

[BobSutan]

Dont specialize in anything, that will be the biggest mistake you can make. You know whats big now? The administrator who knows, Active Directory, Exchange, *nix, Security(firewall), Hardware, and Cisco. If you arent able to dabble or be proficient in all of these, it wont matter what certs you have.

Its a foregone conclusion that you should be proficient in many areas. Its the foundation of any good IT professional and is required before undergoing any specialization. Without a good baseline level of knowledge you're merely a one-trick wonder, which typically don't last long in today's environment. Yes there are some old dinosaurs still working, but they've also got years, if not decades, of experience doing what they do.

A simple analogy I like to use is comparing IT to the medical field. Even the most specialized professionals, such as a neurosugeons, have to get through med school like the rest of the herd.

Also, being a jack-of-all-trades, master of none is good for small to medium sized buisnesses/networks. However, in any large enterprise network each section you mentioned--AD, Exchange, Security, et al--will usually be split off into their own shop. Diversification is the norm in the organizational structure of today's businesses. To say being proficient in all means not needing certs is a fallacy. If a network shop is looking for a CCIE, your 10 years of Windows administration and/or MCSE isn't going to cut it.

 

[Amanda]

I know I'll probably find myself in management...that's what I'm in school for...but, I'd also like to be a very knowledgeable manager, and not just a "ok you do this, you do that, etc etc." It's kinda hard for me to explain -- I see managing as knowing what your people are good at, and telling them what to do...of course keeping up moral, and pushing papers....and knowing each person's job and being able to at least do most of it myself...

With that attitude: You'll be a great manager.I will always trust and admire a manager that not only knows what he's doing, but what his employees are doing. You'll know the limitations, what can and can't be done. I like a manager that will help out and do something that the little guys do. The "I won't make you do anything I wouldn't do" attitude. Great job.

I say go for what you know. You know CCNA: Take the test. You get experience with MS server: Take the test. Well rounded. You can configure your servers to put as little pressure on the router as possible... To me, certs = resume material. After that, they are worthless. I think if you take the test, you're just proving what you already know. You're usually not gaining anything from taking the test. Except for the entry on your resume... And the card...

Amanda

 

[4saken]

Its a foregone conclusion that you should be proficient in many areas. Its the foundation of any good IT professional and is required before undergoing any specialization. Without a good baseline level of knowledge you're merely a one-trick wonder, which typically don't last long in today's environment. Yes there are some old dinosaurs still working, but they've also got years, if not decades, of experience doing what they do.

A simple analogy I like to use is comparing IT to the medical field. Even the most specialized professionals, such as a neurosugeons, have to get through med school like the rest of the herd.

Also, being a jack-of-all-trades, master of none is good for small to medium sized buisnesses/networks. However, in any large enterprise network each section you mentioned--AD, Exchange, Security, et al--will usually be split off into their own shop. Diversification is the norm in the organizational structure of today's businesses. To say being proficient in all means not needing certs is a fallacy. If a network shop is looking for a CCIE, your 10 years of Windows administration and/or MCSE isn't going to cut it.

I wasnt meaning to say w/o experience certs mean nothing. I am just pointing out you can have all the Cisco certs you want and it wont get you a job over someone with years of cisco experience with no certs. It is a given that having 10 years of windows experience isnt going to help you get a job looking for a CCIE.

 

[Schro]

Have you considered the CISA or CISSP?

I guess it depends on what you ultimatly want to do - IT Audit may be worth looking into. There is a very informative thread in the Genmay section (if you're a subscriber) from a few months back if thats very informative.

 

[ne0-reloaded]

With that attitude: You'll be a great manager.I will always trust and admire a manager that not only knows what he's doing, but what his employees are doing. You'll know the limitations, what can and can't be done. I like a manager that will help out and do something that the little guys do. The "I won't make you do anything I wouldn't do" attitude. Great job.

I say go for what you know. You know CCNA: Take the test. You get experience with MS server: Take the test. Well rounded. You can configure your servers to put as little pressure on the router as possible... To me, certs = resume material. After that, they are worthless. I think if you take the test, you're just proving what you already know. You're usually not gaining anything from taking the test. Except for the entry on your resume... And the card...

Amanda

the cards are pretty cool i cant lie. plus ms sends u a lapelle (sp?) and some other MS stuff. whenever i pass a test my gf buys me a nice picture frame to hang on the wall. shes been pushing me to finish my mcse so she can buy me a really nice one.

on topic tho, being a manager that knows his shit is really rare. the director of my dept has no previous it background. this is problematic because hes sometimes held at the mercy of the consultants. he does a good job making sure everythings working ok in the dept, but if he had more it background, i think we coulda skipped some problems weve had.

ive always viewed the manager/director as the go to guy for the tough questions (even above sr level admins). that was b4 i got my first job in IT tho. now i realize that theyre just suits and figure heads. they get paid to make sure u do ur job, even if they dont know what the hell ur doing half the time

 

[Boscoh]

In a wee bit late, but I'll offer what I can.

I'd say go ahead and get your CCNA, and take at least one test for the MCSE 2k3. This will get you a CCNA and an MCP. From there, take one test at a time toward the full MCSE, and also try to take at least one test for the CCNP (or CCSP, since you mentioned security). You can put all this stuff on your resume, and saying that you're working towards two well-respected certs at once, in two different areas of the IT realm might look pretty darn good. It'll also save you a little time and money if you choose to head off in the direction of networking or Microsoft - you won't have spent all the money finishing up a cert that probably wont be applicable if you specialize.

I passed my CISSP exam back in February, and even though I'm an "Associate" because I dont have the requisite experience, it's basically just as good as a full-blown CISSP in terms of getting me interviews and respect from potential employers.

A little note: a couple areas that are going to be real hot in the next few years are workforce mobilization, storage networking, and voice/video over IP. They're hot now, but will probably be even more hot in the next few years. Security isn't going away, but you bring up a point about saturation in security jobs. It'll be more of an issue when you graduate. You've got to find ways to differentiate yourself from the other candidates coming out of school with similar degrees and certs. Volunteer. Get involved. Do stuff for your university; get on every computer-related club and volunteer effort you can. I did, and I haven't had an interview where that stuff was not commented on, in a good way. Since you're going to be a manager, taking more public-speaking classes, getting involved in debating, and generally improving your presentation and speaking skills will help set you apart.