What should I do in the mean time?

Ryan9764

Okay, the the spiel. I going to centriq, not really a college but classes that help you get certified. The classes is 8 months long, and m-f from 6pm to 10pm. When I complete centriq, I should come out with a+, mta networking, security+, ccent (if I work really hard and study.) Here my question. Should I start early and start studying for my a+ or should I chill? On one hand, I want to chill and relax until I start this intense training at centriq but on the other hand I want to start studying and be ahead. I don't have a job yet but I going to focus on my studies when I go to centriq. Thank you for your input.

yoba222

You're going to pay someone else to show you how to study for entry-level certs. You're deciding whether or not you should slack off until that someone else begins. No offense intended; just trying to put things in a different perspective.

Ryan9764

I not paying for it. The instructor gives you hand on exp and have high percentage of jobs when I finished. The certs come with it and you get unlimited tries.

Cisco Inferno

how long is the gap? it should give you a head start. 8 months is going to alot to do the 5 exams you listed.
Get A+ out of the way now. This stuff is not easy.

jrisbrook

yoba2222 is right. mta networking fundamentals might even be below entry level. I would go A+ Net+ Sec+ and then CCNA if I were you. all 3 CompTia exams have a reasonable amount of overlap and will really give you a solid foundation in I.T. Those certs alone will get you a good job if you know how to put together a good resume and have decent communication skills for phone interviews. With only a Net+ and a good resume' posted on indeed I wouldn't even consider a face to face interview for less than 20$ an hour. Get your A+ and immediately start job hunting. Don't waste time waiting or trying to complete a free course. Go out into the world and make your bones. "In bunsiness you never get what you deserve, only what you can negotiate."

E Double U

I would enjoy the time off. Some people (myself included) get bit by the cert bug pretty hard and don't stop once they get started. This is me since 2013: CCNA Security -> CCNP Security (4 exams) -> CISSP (passed on 3rd attempt) -> GCIH -> C|EH -> GCIA (currently) -> CISM (next).

If you have a social life then why not live it up. But if you lack hobbies and absolutely have nothing to do then it definitely wouldn't hurt to get started early.

TheFORCE

E Double U wrote: »

I would enjoy the time off. Some people (myself included) get bit by the cert bug pretty hard and don't stop once they get started. This is me since 2013: CCNA Security -> CCNP Security (4 exams) -> CISSP (passed on 3rd attempt) -> GCIH -> C|EH -> GCIA (currently) -> CISM (next).

If you have a social life then why not live it up. But if you lack hobbies and absolutely have nothing to do then it definitely wouldn't hurt to get started early.

Your hobby is certs E Double U.

Ryan9764

Depends. You take like a month of classes than a self study week, than you go to the next course and you have a self study week. Like i said, you do get breaks but not long. The course is pretty intense.

Ryan9764

E Double U wrote: »

I would enjoy the time off. Some people (myself included) get bit by the cert bug pretty hard and don't stop once they get started. This is me since 2013: CCNA Security -> CCNP Security (4 exams) -> CISSP (passed on 3rd attempt) -> GCIH -> C|EH -> GCIA (currently) -> CISM (next).

If you have a social life then why not live it up. But if you lack hobbies and absolutely have nothing to do then it definitely wouldn't hurt to get started early.

I don't really have a social life except studying. But there stuff I want to do like turn the upstairs room into a retro room. Maybe get some of my games from backlog complete.

Ryan9764

Oh yeah, I started to go to the gym. I want to lose some lbs also. I have a set goal before I start centriq.

EANx

If you have other productive things and goals then shoot for them. It's always good to mix things up a bit.

dhay13

I got my A+ and Net+ in 2010 then didn't do another cert until March of last year. My last 12 months I have done Sec+, CISSP, Solarwinds SCP, Six-Sigma white belt, and Nessus Fundamentals (cybrary micro cert). I have also completed about 10 FedVTE, cybrary, and Skillsoft courses in that time. I know most of these certs are hardly worth mentioning but stll been a pretty busy 12 months for me

Cisco Inferno

E Double U wrote: »

I would enjoy the time off. Some people (myself included) get bit by the cert bug pretty hard and don't stop once they get started. This is me since 2013: CCNA Security -> CCNP Security (4 exams) -> CISSP (passed on 3rd attempt) -> GCIH -> C|EH -> GCIA (currently) -> CISM (next).

If you have a social life then why not live it up. But if you lack hobbies and absolutely have nothing to do then it definitely wouldn't hurt to get started early.

but you probably doubled your salary in that time!

E Double U

@TheFORCE - I hate to admit it, but I think you are right lol

@Cisco Inferno - I didn't double the salary, but I was able to relocate to another continent on a highly skilled migrant visa

@Ryan9764 - No social life - study away!

yoba222

If you have no job, no certs, no work exp you shouldn't be relaxing.