First cert?

[count_0]

Hello all,
As many other new guys here, my question boils down to which IT certs should I do first. I'm hoping that people in the field and with experience will be able to provide some advice or point me in the right direction, I would greatly appreciate it.

A little background: general passion for computers, started out by playing around with everything from X/HTML to Turbo Pascal to Photoshop, then I signed up for an associates degree in Computer Science at the local college (2nd semester so far, 4.0gpa) so now I'm learning Java and math, then gonna do databases, C++ and ASM later on. I've also worked 8 months at GeekSquad and I actually did a decent amount of tech work as far as the job allows. However I recently got transferred to the sales floor. Recently I've also taken up playing around with Linux (went from Ubuntu 10.04 to #!) and did mostly stuff like very basic system maintenance (installing from source, compiling own kernel, etc.) and some basic networking (mostly wlan stuff). My main aim is to be a coder/commsec specialist, however I assume that getting a few certifications would allow me to at least move away from retail and work in the IT world, meeting people and working with technology. I could do tech support, but I'd strongly prefer to get into system/network support (more tech, less people than tech support).

Right now, I've scouted out a few certifications like:
A+ - Sounds like a good first step, but after 8 months in GeekSquad, I think I have a decent amount of experience fixing Windows boxes hardware and software side.
Linux+ - Sounds handy as a stepping stone, I dunno if it's possible to get a job with it though.
CCNA - More expensive, longer and harder than the other two, but offer the best employment opportunities. Are there any more certifications I should take a look at? Something from Microsoft maybe?

I'm looking to leave my Best Buy job by the end of this year and use the money to get at least 2 certifications during 2012, whilst also continuing to pursue my CompSci degree. I'm hoping that getting one or two of them would allow me to not go back into a retail job in late 2012. I would be grateful for any and all input. Thanks!

 

[Peter.Cort]

A+ is definitely a good basis. It's one of those things that shows you have a good working knowledge of hardware which is what you'll get in tech-support most of the time other than answering questions, which your working in geeksquad definitely helps with. As I said in an eariler thread about geeksquad and it's effectiveness as a source of pc experience, most employers should take it with a grain of salt, due to the fact that more often than not it's more customer service and sales than actual tech work. But by having your A+ and 8 months experience it will definitely put you far ahead of someone with either A+/geeksquad experience. Usually tech support is the bottom rung in the IT world and you put in your hours there and then go up from there mostly because it gives the employers some solid feeling about what you're capable of and if you're capable to do a sysadmin/networking engineer etc type position, but I can tell that you wouldn't be kept in a helpdesk position for very long if you were adamant about moving up.

CCNA is a tough cert if you're not taking classes for it, there's just a lot of stuff and little things that you need to be able to be successful, but you're right, it is a mega cert if you can get one, and really opens the doors to a lot of opportunity.

Linux+: More and more companies are turning to open source software, mostly because it's free, both for running major servers to just end user applications and support, there's a whole lot out there now for linux in all aspects so that area is really picking up. Having just linux+ is like any other single cert, you're limited with what you can do, but if you have like a couple MCST (microsoft certified technology specialist) certs and a linux+ there are a lot of companies that will look for both and love to hire you.

If you throw working programming knowledge into the mix, you're really setting yourself up to be in high demand, there are jobs in most fields for sys admins, networking architects and engineers, database programmers and web developers, not to mention coders. All of which will start with a help desk type spot and then once you have experience you'll be able to move up and really get into what you want to do.

Hope my lengthy post helps, I'm in the same boat as you, worked for circuit city in sales and firedog for 8 or so months, did helpdesk stuff, and am getting my associates in computer networking this spring. I'm right in the middle of trying to lock down a job, so if you have more questions please feel free to ask away! We've got a lot of in the field professionals here who started just like you and I'm sure would love to share their experiences!

 

[count_0]

Thanks a lot for the information! I also looked into a few other CompTia certifications and I found they also have Network+, which is much easier than CCNA although not as "good".

I have to evaluate my knowledge of networks and see which one would be better to aim for. I still haven't researched the MS certifications, but it looks like I'm gonna go for A+, Linux+ and either CCNA or Network+. This should allow me to put my foot in the door a bit better than working at Geek Squad. I was also thinking about looking for volunteer/charity work, I know there are non-profit organizations which need technical help and they usually have to get the lowest of the low like people who wouldn't even be hired for a Geek Squad job. That would def. look good on my resume.

I'm thinking that even an A+ cert would give me more job opportunities than no certification at all, and combined with Linux+ and Network+/CCNA, it should open up much more doors for me even before I get my degree, which I'm gonna get 2nd quarter of 2013.

 

[Sheepykins]

i bypassed the A+ because it was basically proof that you could turn a computer on.
Net+ is good, you learn alot and yeah it is easier than the CCNA but its a good place to start if you'd like to learn a little bit about networks, security, IDS/IPS and transmission rates and cabling (though some like me question the criteria on coax when i havent seen a coax network in 15 years) and its industry recognised.

CCNA is a little harder and unlike the network+ is not a multiple choice exam, so if you cant tell me why PAP is worse tha CHAP and show your working well....

also look at some microsoft certs, they help to boost a CV

 

[count_0]

Thanks Sheepykins! I've heard different stuff on the A+, some say that it's easy but still useful for young ones, others say "it's basically proof that you can turn a computer on", so I'm still undecided if I wanna invest time and money into taking it.

I checked out some of the Microsoft certifications and it looks like MTA in Windows Server Administration Fundamentals sounds pretty good. I also checked out the MCTS certifications and they require a lot of exams (counted like 7-8 for the server MCTS) but it's definitely something I'll look into a bit later on. Still doing my research, so far it seems like I'm gonna do A+ (maybe) -> Network+ -> Linux+. After that I'm gonna consider MS/Cisco certs and I'm also gonna be done with my associates degree.

Armed like that, I think I should be able to find a job

 

[Sheepykins]

Dont fall into the trap of buying into boot camp courses, or ones that guarantee a pass in 6 days etc.

Whilst they do, their instructors teach you to pass the course rather than learn the criteria. Self study will get you further.
you can do A+ but honestly if you can put a computer together and make it work right, you wont need it.

 

[count_0]

Thanks Sheepykins!

I was actually thinking about self-learning for all of those. I mean sure, courses are cool, but I just end up reading the book and practicing on my own most of the time, cause I don't just mean to pass the test, I really wanna learn something.

Ah, just what I thought about the A+. The only thing is, I was hoping it would show other people that I know how to do it. Still have to look through the materials I acquired, thanks for the help!

 

[Sheepykins]

for people who dont know what A+ is, its wasted and for people who do know what A+ is, having the network + (a better course) would be worth far more.

Its really entry level stuff, if you feel your CV/resume could benefit then sure, if not i wouldnt waste the money but that ofc is my opinion