Certification Advice

Conquererspledge

So my company has instituted a program where earning certain certifications triggers a $5 raise. Not the best, but free training and a 10k raise isn't the worst. Company will pay for any training and books and certification vouchers in full so long as it seems to relevant to the job. So I'm not sure what direction to take. What's required is 2 "master" level certs and 3 "lower" level certs.

So I am currently enrolled in WGU for the IT Sec program. So this will help sway my decisions.

So here is a listing of certifications that will trigger an increase.

As a reminder it goes 3 associate/entry and 2 master.

Special circumstances: CCNP counts as 2 master and 1 associate, so it would be CCNP plus 2 associate.
MCSE fulfills all requirements (3 associate, 2 master)

Master Level

Linux

Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE)
or
Linux Professional Institute Certified (LPIC-3)
or
Linux Foundation Certified Engineer (LFCE)

Microsoft

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert: Server Infrastructure (MCSE)

VmWare

VMWare Certified Professional 6: Data Center Virtualization (VCP6-DCV)

Cisco

Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Routing and Switching Certification (CCNP: Routing and Switching)
or
Cisco Certified Network Professional Security Certification (CCNP: Security)

Zimbra

Zimbra Advanced Systems Administrator
or
Zimbra Advanced Engineer

MySQL

Oracle Certified Professional MySQL 5.6 Database Administrator

Oracle

Oracle Certified Professional Oracle Linux 6 Systems Adminstrator
or
Oracle Database 12c Administrator Certified Professional

Security

GPPA: GIAC Certified Perimeter Protection Analyst
or
GCIA: GIAC Certified Intrusion Analyst
or
GCIH: GIAC Certified Incident Handler
or
GCUX: GIAC Certified UNIX Security Administrator
or
GCWN: GIAC Certified Windows Security Administrator
or
GCED: GIAC Certified Enterprise Defender
or
GWAPT: GIAC Web Application Penetration Tester

Associate levels are as follows:

Linux

Red Hat Certified Systems Administrator (RHCSA)
or
Linux Professional Institute Certified (LPIC-2)

Microsoft

Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate: Windows Server 2012 (MCSA)
or
Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate: Windows 2008
or
Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate: SQL Server 2012

Cisco

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Routing and Switching
or
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Data Center
or
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Security

Zimbra

Zimbra System Administrator
or
Zimbra Engineer

Oracle

Oracle Certified Associate Linux 5 and 6 System Administrator
or
Oracle Database 12c Administrator Certified Associate

Security

GSEC: GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC)
or
GISP: GIAC Information Security Professional
or
GCFE: GIAC Certified Forensics Examiner


So at this time, I currently hold a GSEC, Net+, A+, working on Linux+. Eventually, I will have to earn the CCNA R&S and CCNA Security. Unfortunately, that will only count as 1 associate level. So GSEC counts for another. What I am looking for is advice on how to proceed beyond that. Money is not an issue.

Here are my personal thoughts:

- I could enroll in a Red Hat Learning Subscription and attempt to earn a RHCE within 1 year (seems doable) and also enroll in a VCP class like stanlyCC unless my employer wants to pay for training (probably will, multiple people have already taken training)

- I could also try for a LPIC-3 or LFCE certificate. Might be "easier", or less time consuming, but with the drawback of no real name recognition. Might also be cheaper.

- I don't want to do a CCNP as I don't to be a paper CCNP. Same with the MCSE, since the tests seem like they are designed to trick you up and make you pay for more vouchers.

- Oracle certs may be worth it just to get something out of the way. Oracle Linux can't be that much different than other Linux distros, can it? Unfortunately, I can't find much info on Linux 5 and 6. OCA 12c could be a fun cert. Same with MySQL 5.6 admin cert. If anyone has information on oracle certs, please feel free to share information.

- Linux is definitely one of the "master" certs I want to achieve. I'm leaning towards RHCE or LFCE due to their hands-on nature. A lot of the work I do on a daily basis revolves around Linux.

This is what my list currently looks like as to what I may take.

Master:

LPIC, LFCE, or RHCE
VCPDC-6
or
MySQL 5.6 administrator

Associate
CCNA R&S/Security
GSEC
Oracle Linux Administrator? OCA 12c? Not sure.


Any feedback would be appreciated.

OctalDump

If they will pay for training, then I'd go GIAC all the way. The database certs (Oracle, MS or MySQL) are an interesting option. I've not seen much demand for database certifications at all, but the skills are still in demand.

The only ones I'd probably steer clear of are the Zimbra ones. It's just a bit too niche.

CCNP could be worth pursuing if you can get hands on working with Cisco gear - something to say that you have "experience". You could then go get new job as a network specialist.

Linux + VCP or MySQL could be a good combo. Linux + networking is good, too. Networking + Security is good.

Conquererspledge

Yup they already paid for my gsec. Might consider gcih or gced in the future. But obtaining another giac cert doesn't advance my raise possibility so it wouldn't until after I get a raise. They push networking hard (isp) and I'm a sysadmin there so knowing how our network is set up is a big plus.

trueshrewkmc

Oracle Linux sounds a little too niche. Generic Linux or Red Hat Linux would seem more useful. Oracle DBA used to be a hot title. MySQL would at least teach you some SQL syntax. If your intention is to maximize bonuses, then go with whatever you can pick up most quickly.