what to study outside of class?

[j115511]

Hey, i just finished my first semester towards an associates degree, I only took a couple classes while working full time. I will be going to school full time next semester. I was looking into going into networking, maybe becoming a network admin someday. I was just wondering what things i should/could study from home to get a little ahead of the game? What are a few essential programs I need to know? Also i was told by one of my teachers that i should probably wait to get certifications after the degree is finished. Any feedback would be helpful. thanks

 

[office politics]

A+, Net+, and a MCP should be easy to get while still studying for a degree.

You'll want to stay hip to the latest trends in networking. Virtualization, Cloud Computing, MPLS, Mobile Computing

Learn 'em, Love 'em, Live 'em


apps? hmmm, snort, prtg, netflow, anything made by gfi

Network World

and the links in my sig for reading


edit - here a free study guide for mcts configuring win 7

http://www.techist.com/forums/f42/680-test-configuring-win-7-free-ebook-dwnld-224312/

 

[Lexluethar]

I agree, A+ and/or Net+ are the beginning ones to get. You could also get an MCP in Windows 7.

 

[Peter.Cort]

Sharepoint and other microsoft programs are definitely things that can help round out your overall computer knowledge as well as appeal to employers. stuff like word, excel, powerpoint, are essentials to know purely because of how much you might be troubleshooting. Other than that some programming can't hurt, knowing basic python, visual basic, mysql and even java/php. That also will really round out your experience and make you more desirable to companies looking to hire IT people.

As far as the certs go I'd agree with your professor, wait until you get your degree, or at least until you take some classes specifically for those certs.

 

[j115511]

Thank you all for the information. It really is overwhelming when starting out. There is just so much information to sort through, its hard to tell where to begin and what to focus on. Hopefully as time goes on it will get easier

 

[Lexluethar]

If you focus on what you enjoy doing most - you can't go wrong.

 

[kmote]

If you focus on what you enjoy doing most - you can't go wrong.

This is great advice. I would say that IT is a particularly painful industry to be doing something that you find boring.