What next?

tommytho · 09-22-2007, 06:35 AM

Hi guys, I am a bit stuck with my career and would appreciate some honest input, im 22 and from uk. About a year ago I went for the A+ and have now have passed it, but it seems the A+ isnt all its cracked up to be and I would need to do more studying before I could get any kind of job in the IT world, the A+ is the only qualification I have by the way. So which qualification next? which one will give me the highest chance of landing a job without experience? I'm interested in all aspects of IT apart from programming, I tried my hand at C++ in college and hated it. I'm thinking about doing the network+ or MCSE or maybe MCSA? though I have been told by a friend that the MCSA is extremely difficult. Ideally a job with opportunites such as 1st line technical support would be great, though I would be willing to accept anything just to get my foot in the door. Any input appreciated.

Thanks,

Tommy.

**Cellus** · 09-22-2007, 03:15 PM

A+ is the logical foundation cert to get your toes wet, but not necessarily enough to get started. The first good job you can land would be in IT Support, either as a Help Desk Technician or Desktop/Systems Support. The Network+ certification by itself is not a "job lander" (nor are most certifications alone), but it does provide you with key information on the basics of networking, which can be lacking in other certifications yet necessary in the jobplace. An MCSA would be a good next start. Even if you do not fully complete the exams and are only a MCP, you increase the chances of getting your first support job. The more the better of course - and a MCSA/MCSE means far more than a MCP - but it'll get you down the right road. The MCSA can be difficult as it has a couple of hurdles. One of the first hurdles is the knowledge you must know - specific actions require specific things done in certain order, you will need to know not only how to navigate and troubleshoot Windows XP (a workstation OS), but also Windows Server 2003 (a server/network OS), which includes additional things in networking and other proprietary things like Active Directory, Group Policy, Access Control Lists, Domain Controllers, Network infrastructure, DHCP, DNS, Routing and Remote Access, VPNs, Terminal Services, Shares and rights and permissions, and so on, not to mention the myriad of configuration settings and tweaks and tricks you can do with them. This will be split out across several courses/exams, and until you complete all that is required to do will you finally obtain the full certification. The MCSE is much like the MCSA, having sharing some of the same courses/exams, though with a few additional courses and exams focusing more on design (eg. schema, etc.) and security.

09-22-2007, 06:35 AM	#1 (permalink)
tommytho Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 31 OS: xp	What next? Hi guys, I am a bit stuck with my career and would appreciate some honest input, im 22 and from uk. About a year ago I went for the A+ and have now have passed it, but it seems the A+ isnt all its cracked up to be and I would need to do more studying before I could get any kind of job in the IT world, the A+ is the only qualification I have by the way. So which qualification next? which one will give me the highest chance of landing a job without experience? I'm interested in all aspects of IT apart from programming, I tried my hand at C++ in college and hated it. I'm thinking about doing the network+ or MCSE or maybe MCSA? though I have been told by a friend that the MCSA is extremely difficult. Ideally a job with opportunites such as 1st line technical support would be great, though I would be willing to accept anything just to get my foot in the door. Any input appreciated. Thanks, Tommy. Last edited by tommytho; 09-22-2007 at 06:40 AM.

09-22-2007, 03:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
Cellus Moderator Networking Team Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 2,664 OS: Windows Vista Business SP1, Windows XP Professional SP3 My System	Re: What next? A+ is the logical foundation cert to get your toes wet, but not necessarily enough to get started. The first good job you can land would be in IT Support, either as a Help Desk Technician or Desktop/Systems Support. The Network+ certification by itself is not a "job lander" (nor are most certifications alone), but it does provide you with key information on the basics of networking, which can be lacking in other certifications yet necessary in the jobplace. An MCSA would be a good next start. Even if you do not fully complete the exams and are only a MCP, you increase the chances of getting your first support job. The more the better of course - and a MCSA/MCSE means far more than a MCP - but it'll get you down the right road. The MCSA can be difficult as it has a couple of hurdles. One of the first hurdles is the knowledge you must know - specific actions require specific things done in certain order, you will need to know not only how to navigate and troubleshoot Windows XP (a workstation OS), but also Windows Server 2003 (a server/network OS), which includes additional things in networking and other proprietary things like Active Directory, Group Policy, Access Control Lists, Domain Controllers, Network infrastructure, DHCP, DNS, Routing and Remote Access, VPNs, Terminal Services, Shares and rights and permissions, and so on, not to mention the myriad of configuration settings and tweaks and tricks you can do with them. This will be split out across several courses/exams, and until you complete all that is required to do will you finally obtain the full certification. The MCSE is much like the MCSA, having sharing some of the same courses/exams, though with a few additional courses and exams focusing more on design (eg. schema, etc.) and security. __________________ TSF Networking Team Virus/Trojan/Spyware Removal Help Donate!