Passed SY0-401, where to now?

ypark

Good morning TE!
I am a long time reader/visitor but I haven't really posted much here. After studying for Sec+ on and off for over a year, I finally took it and passed. Used Darril's book as the main material along with a Udemy video. I'd say Darril's book is pretty much all you need to pass.

I know these topics have been discussed over and over in TE but I am somewhat in a unique situation. I work in a local community college as IT support and my duties include being a test proctor for PearsonVue, Prometric, Certiport and iBT. As a test proctor, I cannot take any Cisco or Microsoft exams until 6 months from the date I resign from proctoring, which I will be doing in a few days. CompTIA also have changed their restrictions for proctors few months ago to something similar to Cisco and Microsoft. CompTIA has given a grace period for proctors until the end of June (this is what pushed me to finally take Sec+ and I will be resigning by the end of the month).

So the long story short, I cannot take Cisco and Microsoft exams until February of 2016. Since I will be resigning before their new policy kicks in, I am allowed to take CompTIA exams. I am more interested in Sys Admin path but still debating. I'm also looking to change jobs soon too. What would be a good certifications to shoot for next? As a reference, I have A+ and Sec+ without a college degree. I am about 30 credits away from getting my bachelors in Information System Management.

NetworkNewb

If you're interested in the Sys Admin path, you should either start studying for the MCSA 2012 or RHCSA depending which environment you like. Set up a test environment and start studying now and once your 6 months expires pass those tests right away!

ypark

Thanks for your input NetworkNewb. MCSA 2012 is definitely one of the certs I will go for once I am eligible to take it. I am looking for other relevant certification I can study for in the mean time.
Do you have any recommendations as far as other certs I can get right now? I was looking at VMWare and Linux+. How difficult are these exams and are they worth it as far as securing a better job is concerned? Any other certifications I should be aware of and consider?

Again, thanks in advance for your reply.

DAVIS NGUYEN

Congrats!

sheiky

Congrats..!

I am starting my MCSA 2012 from this week on. I recently fiished VCA-DCV also. I advise you to try VCA-DCV and Linux Foundation courses where you can take the exams online. My two cents.!

https://mylearn.vmware.com/mgrReg/plan.cfm?plan=41162&ui=www_cert
https://www.edx.org/course/introduction-linux-linuxfoundationx-lfs101x-2

Jamesweb

Congrats on your Pass on Security+!

ypark

Thanks for all the responses!

sheiky: Congrats on VCA-DCV! How did you prepare for the exam and do you have any tips? I am leaning toward VCA-DCV as my next cert but I have no idea where to start. Any books or online resources you can point me to? I do have ESXi 5 at work that I can tinker around with too.

sheiky

Thanks. You have to finish VMware Data Center Virtualization Fundamentals from VMware (free)
https://mylearn.vmware.com/mgrReg/courses.cfm?ui=www_edu&a=det&id_course=189018

I also went through CBT Nuggets VCA-DCV training course.
https://www.cbtnuggets.com/it-training/vmware-vca-dcv

Finally give a practice test via VMware website around 15 questions.
https://mylearn.vmware.com/mgrSurvey/assess.cfm?item=49245&refer=0&p=0&ui=Full

I think you should be good. Good Luck.

Dakinggamer87

Congrats!!

ypark

sheiky wrote: »

Thanks. You have to finish VMware Data Center Virtualization Fundamentals from VMware (free)
https://mylearn.vmware.com/mgrReg/courses.cfm?ui=www_edu&a=det&id_course=189018

I also went through CBT Nuggets VCA-DCV training course.
https://www.cbtnuggets.com/it-training/vmware-vca-dcv

Finally give a practice test via VMware website around 15 questions.
https://mylearn.vmware.com/mgrSurvey/assess.cfm?item=49245&refer=0&p=0&ui=Full

I think you should be good. Good Luck.

Wow that's awesome. I'll get started on those right away. Thanks! Did you use any other material to study for VCA-DCV?