IT certification opinions...

[mlomker]

My attempt to get a masters degree didn't end well so I think I should once-again beef up my resume with some certs.

I'm undecided what to do once I complete my CCNP. Anyone care to offer an opinion on the paths that I'm considering?

---
CCNP, CCIE R/S (16 months and an easy $10k spend)
CCNP, CCNP: Security, CISSP (this year, for cheap)
CCNP, CCNP: Security, MCITP: Enterprise Admin (a year, for cheap)

[Matt D.]

CCIE only if you are dedicated to completing it. I only know one person who has even attempted it and completed it, but he's certifiably nuts.

Security is never a bad thing, I'd maybe consider looking into wireless and VOIP certs.

[DoughtCom]

A+ alllll the way

[tpunx99GSX]

It really depends on what you want to do. If you enjoy working on Cisco appliances and want to be a routing guy, go for the CCNP etc.
I would say, only do CCIE if you A) get a company to pay for it, or B) are looking to work for Cisco. I once heard a statistic that something like 80-90% of CCIEs work for Cisco. (you probably know this, but the 10k doesnt include hotel and airfare to take the test).
The CCIE was part of my plan when i was getting out of college, but decided against it because i choose the path of MS Admin.
I would say you should do the MCITP regardless of what cert path you go, as this will help no matter where your career path goes.

[tpunx99GSX]

Originally Posted by DoughtCom

A+ alllll the way

lol if you are planning on working for best buy Geek Squad. hahaha

[mlomker]

Originally Posted by Matt D.

CCIE only if you are dedicated to completing it.

There's the crux--motivation. It was so easy to get through the certs and bachelors when I was younger because each step was a big pay raise. Even a CCIE wouldn't do much for me on a percentage basis.

It'd also require changing jobs for sure since I don't use a fraction of the skills in my current position...I'd forget it all after a few years.

[Matt D.]

Originally Posted by mlomker

There's the crux--motivation. It was so easy to get through the certs and bachelors when I was younger because each step was a big pay raise. Even a CCIE wouldn't do much for me on a percentage basis.

Keep in mind that Cisco revamped the CCIE labs last year and no one was passing them, and at the same time they removed the CCIE statistics from their website. What was once their most prestigious certification may now be just another sheet of paper to hang on your office wall.

[mlomker]

Originally Posted by tpunx99GSX

I would say, only do CCIE if you A) get a company to pay for it, or B) are looking to work for Cisco.

My company values experience over all else, so they won't pay for anything. At this point I'm approaching this for job hunting purposes, in case something goes awry here.

I think I'm technically still a Win2k MCSE. I had lots of certs at one point but let them expire due to a combination of working on my masters and being lazy. I didn't finish the masters before credits started expiring so now it's time to refocus on the certs.

Previously held: Master CNE, CCNP, CCDP, CISSP, MCSE + Internet (2000), Compaq ASE, and yes...the A+. lol.

[tpunx99GSX]

Originally Posted by mlomker

My company values experience over all else, so they won't pay for anything. At this point I'm approaching this for job hunting purposes, in case something goes awry here.

I think I'm technically still a Win2k MCSE. I had lots of certs at one point but let them expire due to a combination of working on my masters and being lazy. I didn't finish the masters before credits started expiring so now it's time to refocus on the certs.

Previously held: Master CNE, CCNP, CCDP, CISSP, MCSE + Internet (2000), Compaq ASE, and yes...the A+. lol.

I have never really relied on certs, as i have not seen a benefit in it. Ive never been turned down on a job due to lack of certs. Seems a lot of companies now days are valueing experience over certs. Think of it like this:
If you are a hiring manager for an IT department...
Would you rather have a kid fresh out of college with a CCNA and some microsoft cert.
or
Would you rather have a guy with 6 years expirence in the field with similar technologies that you currently own.

This has been something i have been fighting with throughout my whole career. I got an associates degree, but have found that college is very limiting when it comes to resources available. I have used very little from what i learned in college. Century college is VERY deep into Cisco, yet i have rarely ever touched a Cisco router in the field. But loaded up my resume with technologies that i have learned in the field.

[DoughtCom]

Originally Posted by tpunx99GSX

lol if you are planning on working for best buy Geek Squad. hahaha

Everyplace I've worked at, if they see A+ on the resume they throw it out, pretty funny.

[polishmafia]

So wait, you're telling me those commercials featuring Justin from PC Pro Schools is just a scam!? Noooooo!

LOL

[mlomker]

Originally Posted by DoughtCom

Everyplace I've worked at, if they see A+ on the resume they throw it out, pretty funny.

When I worked for Sovran (a consulting shop in Eagan) they required every employee to have the A+. At the time I was MCSE/CCNP and all the techs laughed because it is joke outside of a rank newb.

Sovran had a salary scale that rewarded certs (and they paid for books & exams). They love advertising how heavily certified their staff are. Fortune 500 companies don't have to sell me to their clients so it's a different ballgame.

[scheides]

I have no certifications, but if you're gonna do it, go big or go home. I've completed a ton of CCIE labs and even did one at the interview for the job I just started today. Worth it.

[tpunx99GSX]

you should get your MOUS Cert. Now thats goin big.
http://certification.about.com/od/mous/l/bldef_mous.htm

[tehehodi]

haha yes pete, it is. DAMMIT! :/ oh well, live and learn. At least i have something? haha. I have some server 08 active directory and configurations books if you'd like to look through them sometime mlomker. also have a great study tool to study for MCITP and other various cert tests out there. I'm starting to like linux/unix a lot..

[mlomker]

Originally Posted by scheides

I have no certifications, but if you're gonna do it, go big or go home.

An acquaintence just dropped me a line. I thought you had to be former military to get a contract job in Afghanistan/Iraq (due to security clearances). He said if I renew my CISSP that I'd be a shoe-in for a position.

Hrm. I'm going to pick up the CCNP on the way to CCIE. I don't see any reason not to. You have to pass the written, anyway. Failing that fucker by a couple points (twice) is how I lost my CCNP/DP in the first place.

[mlomker]

Spoke to a recruiter and it sounds like all contracting jobs require a Security+. That and a CCNA and I can apply. They say I can take exams on base to keep moving along.

I love to travel and really need a change. I'm going to pursue this.

[tehehodi]

^Good luck! Sounds fun!

I didn't think so many people were in the IT field on this board! Awesome! So....any leads for an entry level newb? haha

[scheides]

Nice dude, go for it! Stay in touch on this, very interested to see how this turns out for ya!

[bramagedained]

Just a small FYI, the CompTia certs are no longer lifetime as of 1 Dec 10.

For some reason, the Army is a fan of their stuff. Despite being almost a joke, N+ and A+ might be good to have.

For my job, which is mostly maintenance/repair of highside equipment we do
some of the networking too. By 2012 we're all supposed to have at least N+ and Security+. It's strongly encouraged to have CCNA as well.

As far as I know, all of the jobs that touch the network require a Secret clearance at the very least. Those they will pretty much hand out to anyone that isn't a fellon or currently has a warrant somewhere. The investigation isn't super time consuming and there's no polygraph. On the other hand, my Top Secret investigation took 6 months, they sent investigators out to 3 different states to talk to people I listed as aquantences and I was polygraphed.

DOIM is the main IT "group" the Army goes through, ITT is the most prevalent contractor I see here in Afghanistan.

Networks above Secret are managed by a government agency. Almost everyone that works for them is prior service military.

Contracting with the Army overseas=$$$. Every one of them I've talked to over here makes more than 100K/year. Even the generator mechanic down the road.

I know as soon as my contract with the Army ends in August of next year I'm going to be a contractor doing the exact same job I do now.