Current Events > Having trouble deciding which IT certification to go for next

(+) Yeah! (+)

I have my Google IT Support Professional certificate (which isn't really recognized, but was good for obtaining knowledge) and my A+ that I got on Wednesday.

Any suggestions? I was thinking maybe Cybersecurity but I'm still torn.

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If you want to work for any capacity with the DoD, even as a contractor, Security+ is a requirement. Some companies require it too so I'd go for that. Network+ or a basic Cisco cert are great for learning networking fundamentals but the Cisco cert will be much harder and more expensive.
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voldothegr8 posted...

If you want to work for any capacity with the DoD, even as a contractor, Security+ is a requirement. Some companies require it too so I'd go for that. Network+ or a basic Cisco cert are great for learning networking fundamentals but the Cisco cert will be much harder and more expensive.

How long do you recommend studying for the CCNA?

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RchHomieQuanChi posted...

How long do you recommend studying for the CCNA?

@CableZL could probably better answer that
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Going directly from A+ to CCNA seems like a terrible idea.

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divot1338 posted...

Going directly from A+ to CCNA seems like a terrible idea.

What would you recommend? Net+?

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RchHomieQuanChi posted...

What would you recommend? Net+?

Yes. Building fundamentals of network protocol and architecture is a good stepping stone.

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https://imgur.com/JsZG81s

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Solid Sonic posted...

Yes. Building fundamentals of network protocol and architecture is a good stepping stone.

Hmm. I'll definitely take that into consideration. Thank you.

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Godnorgosh posted...

My first IT certification was CCENT, followed by CCNA. There's no real reason you can't start there, you just have to be prepared for a lot of studying and a couple difficult exams. But that's largely what makes it so valuable.

TBQH I never really picked up Cisco routing skills. I want them but maybe not with a certification attached. I'd just like to know what I'm doing when presented with the opportunity (I've made my way through the industry without a lot of certs).

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Godnorgosh posted...

My first IT certification was CCENT, followed by CCNA. There's no real reason you can't start there, you just have to be prepared for a lot of studying and a couple difficult exams. But that's largely what makes it so valuable.

The information covered on the A+ certification versus a Cisco certification is so vastly different there is no way you should ever recommend someone doing that.

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Gogogo security+ for that sweet DoD job
also lol@ccna
don't
just go network+
or one of Microsoft's shit to do with servers or MSCA or whatever the fuck they have out now

When I started out, I decided to skip the Network+ entirely and just go straight for Cisco certs. Back when I was deciding on whether to go for Network+ or CCENT, the Network+ still went into detail about stuff from the 80s and 90s that wasn't used any more.

I haven't looked at the Network+ subject matter since they updated it, though

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Brutal_Deluxe posted...

Gogogo security+ for that sweet DoD job

I need that for my next job. I need to have it by six months into my term there.

I'm thinking of paying for some overpriced training course on their dime to make sure I don't fuck it up.

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Solid Sonic posted...

I need that for my next job. I need to have it by six months into my term there.

I'm thinking of paying for some overpriced training course on their dime to make sure I don't fuck it up.

If you're ok with over loadding yourself with info to brain dump just do a 3 or 5 day course

Brutal_Deluxe posted...

If you're ok with over loadding yourself with info to brain dump just do a 3 or 5 day course

That's the plan (or at least what I intend for it to be).

I'm actually interested in the CEU portion of the cert, though, since I could actually learn something from that. But the cert itself is just a matter of having it for me.

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Kimbos_Egg posted...

https://imgur.com/JsZG81s

I like your version of the topic better, TC should drop the computer nonsense and train to become a child eating clown

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Also, I've just started going for Cisco DevNet Associate so that I can get some network automation knowledge.

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Or do the BrutaI method: get a job in a school, marry a teacher so when she's been teaching like 10 years she makes 50k or more and in turn you do fuck all and no stress

may not work if you're not me

Microsoft has that Ignite thing going on this month, participate and you can get a free exam voucher and most certs are 2 exams.

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Godnorgosh posted...

Don't misunderstand me. If you want to go the networking route, then CCENT followed by CCNA is a solid choice and will help you stand out very well when paired with something like entry-level NOC experience. If not, then you shouldn't be going for Cisco certs or even Network+ to begin with.

Yeah, the Cisco certs should really only be done if you plan to have a career in the networking field. The CCENT has also been retired. The CCNA is now the entry level Cisco cert. They've also done away with most of the CCNA tracks and moved them into the professional level certs. The CCNA now is more general and covers a wide range of areas.

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It kinda sucks because my CCNA Security cert is now considered retired, LOL. Took me 3 tries to pass that damn exam. Oh well.

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