Looking to make a career in networking. Have some Q's though.

[kschaffner]

First of all thank you for taking the time to read this.

So, after much thought I decided I want to make a career in networking. I have been working as a Technician for about 3 years now and just want to step up in the world. I have been looking at getting my CCNA (along with CISCO NETWORK SPECIALIST
TECHNICAL CERTIFICATE OF CREDIT from my Tech School), A+ (just because some places require it) and possibly Net+ & Security+ if advisable. I was wondering if having the 3 years of actual work experience but about 5 doing repairs and building on my own would be good experience to help possibly get a job. I can also add to my tech experience by continuing to work.

TL;DR - 3 year exp tech looking to get job in networking with CCNA and A+.

If anyone has any insight or suggestions it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ElvisG]

It depends on what kind of experience you have. I lost a job to a person with no certs or degree but lots of experience in a big company. I, on the other hand, have a lot of certs, 2 years experience, and a degree. Experience is KING when it comes to getting a job in the IT field. But, if your experience is working at a mom and pop shop doing break / fix then you are going to need the CCNA to compete for a networking job.

As for the CompTIA stuff, A+ is some what worthy only for getting past HR in big companies. CCNA trumps Network+ so it's not bother. The Security+ is only good if you plan on working for the government or for any contractor that does work for the government. The rest of the certs from CompTIA are worthless unless you wanted to pad your resume'.

My advice to you would be to pick either networking or system admin and concentrate on either. Since you want to work in networking then start with CCNA and work your way up the Cisco track. See if you have any NOC positions any where near you. This is excellent way to get experience working with switches and routers.

In case you don't know what a NOC position does, here is a link.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_operations_center

 

[kschaffner]

First off thanks for the info As far as the experience goes I guess you could call it a mom and pop shop but there are 3 of them in my city IE same company 3 locations but still I would say small. I might have the opportunity to work in a hospital as IT but not sure if that would help me either. Do you know a way of narrowing down what to search for to find NOC's? Anyone else have any input?

 

[timberdoodle]

If you have very little networking experience you might want to start with the N+ because it provides you with the fundamentals. Also I agree that the A+ and S+ should probably be skipped. I wouldn't focus on a NOC position necessarily since they are usually overworked, and undereducated (read narrowly educated). If you have an opportunity to get into a hospital I say go for it. That is a good industry right now that is booming financially so it should give you some good opportunities.

Obviously I am generalizing here so take my opinions with a grain of salt. Consider any business or industry that has multiple sites or handles in networking specifically. Schools, hospitals, ISPs, small business chains, etc.