My Version of the WGU Story....

jibtech

Laying out a full update here, with the general plan I am using. As stated above, my impression is that the CCNA exams will require the most prep time, so I am working to knock out as much as possible early, to give the CCNA classes as much time as possible. I also just had the first call with my student mentor, to ensure he was on board. We just scheduled our second call for Wednesday, so we can get all of the pre-assessments unlocked, etc.

With that said, here is the plan:

Completed:
Orientation (ORA1)


Ready for Assessment:
Introduction to IT (C182)
Critical Thinking and Logic ( C168 )
Spreadsheets ( C268 )
Web Development Foundations (C779)

Working on:
Business of IT - Applications (C179)

Up Next:
Operating Systems I (C697)
Operating Systems II ( C698 )
Networks (C480)
Business of IT - Project Management (C176)
Principles of Management (C483)
Technical Communication ( C768 )
Fundamentals of Interconnecting Network Devices (C246)
Interconnecting Network Devices (C247)
Designing Customized Security (C299)
IT Capstone Written Project (C769)

That's it. 15 classes between me and my degree. With the term officially beginning on 7/1, I am planning on testing through Intro to IT, Critical Thinking, Spreadsheets, Web Dev Fundamentals and Business Applications during the first week.

I will take the month of July to prep for the two CompTIA certs (Linux+ and Network+), with the Project+ and Principles of Management in August. That leaves September through December for the CCNA and Capstone.

jibtech

For those who may be following along intending to do the same, I have structured my terms in the degree plan as follows:

Term 1:
Orientation
Intro to IT
Critical Thinking and Logic
Web Development Foundations
Spreadsheets
Business of IT - Applications

Term 2:
Operating Systems I
Operating Systems II
Principles of Management
Business of IT - Project Management
Networks

Term 3:
Technical Communication
Fundamentals of Interconnecting Network Devices
Interconnecting Network Devices
Designing Customized Security
IT Capstone

I am just looking at the first two terms as being 1 month long, instead of 6 months long.

p@r0tuXus

You seem quite confident in knocking out L+ and Net+ within a month's time and the ITIL/Proj+ within another month. Are you experienced with all of the above?

jibtech

p@r0tuXus wrote: »

You seem quite confident in knocking out L+ and Net+ within a month's time and the ITIL/Proj+ within another month. Are you experienced with all of the above?

I have a good deal of experience in these areas. There is another thread talking about the pros and cons of working for an NPO. One of those pros is that you work on a very small team, so you get exposure to a wide range, and you hold a large number of responsibilities.

With regards to Linux, I started playing with it in 1999. I know this, because I just ran across a post I made to the comp.unix.advocacy newsgroup back when I was first starting. (When people say that what you post on the internet is there forever, they weren't kidding.....)

I have been involved in networking since 2003, with varying levels of intensity. I am more concerned about the somewhat sporadic nature of the Net+ exam that others have reported, rather than the actual knowledge.

I first got involved with project management in 1998, and was exposed to a strong system in 2001 at Procter & Gamble. Since that time, I have found that I received more opportunities to work on project management when I worked for smaller organizations. When your team is small, effective project management is a must. Through various partnerships, I have had a chance to work with ISO 9xxx, ISO 14xxx and ISO 27xxx. I also worked extensively with Six Sigma through the federal "Mentor-Protege" program with Northrop Grumman. As far as ITIL, I first started working with it in 2012, but I have also worked with COBIT.

I am sure I have gaps in my knowledge set, but I am really working towards filling those gaps, rather than learning a completely new skill. So far, the content has been more review than new learning. I expect that to continue until I get to the details of the CCNA material. I have not spent a lot of time in a Cisco environment, so I don't know how much overlap exists. (An example: Over the years, I have always preferred the HP ProCurve series over Cisco switches, so that is what I used.)

Most importantly, I am someone who learns quickly in a self-directed environment. That cannot be stressed enough. I spend my mornings sending and responding to resumes, then spend 80% of my day studying. I know/hope a job will curtail that some, so I am compressing as much of that studying in as I can, before that becomes a factor.

Who knows. Maybe this won't work out as I planned, and this thread will become a roadmap of what not to do. But, it is the plan I have in place, so it is what I am working from.

jdancer

p@r0tuXus wrote: »

You seem quite confident in knocking out L+ and Net+ within a month's time and the ITIL/Proj+ within another month. Are you experienced with all of the above?

LOL, OP has 20+ years of IT.

Project+ & ITIL is just memorizing stuff. Not really rocket science.

oscp

Is anyone here familiar with the differences between the ITsec degree and the cybersec degree WGU offers?
I've laid out the basic classes I would need to take from straightline and whatnot but for the most part they don't seem very different. Once you finish your gen ed reqs, the cybersec degree seems to be a little more focused on sec related material and less on basic computer classes like the ITsec, but they honestly seem so similar I'm wondering why they even offer both considering how limited their number of degree programs are.
Can somebody with a BS in ITsec from WGU take the MS in Cyber security from WGU? Seems like this may be slightly faster and easier than the route of going BS in cybersec to MS in cybersec.

From a hiring managers perspective, is a bachelors in IT:Security any different than a bachelors in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance?

p@r0tuXus

jdancer wrote: »

LOL, OP has 20+ years of IT.

Project+ & ITIL is just memorizing stuff. Not really rocket science.

Firstly, you're entirely right as I'd forgotten those details given the length of time I've followed this thread. Oversight on my part, no mis-credit unto OP. The L+ and N+ material in a months' time seemed like it could require more time from someone who mostly had MS certs. Perhaps their experience wasn't in these other two areas. I'm glad to hear that's not the case, as I've been messaging with OP and am really rooting for them. Hoping to follow in their footsteps with some of this execution.

jibtech

And we are off to the races! Well, kinda....

It is now 68 minutes into my first term of enrollment at WGU. What better plan than to officially enroll in the courses, and get the first set of assessments scheduled, right?

Heh, suckers.

When I try to enroll through the degree plan, it tells me there was an error enrolling, and still shows me as "cleared to start".

Hopefully, this is just a matter of not being able to enroll until normal hours. Either way, I have sent an email to the Help Desk, and it should get clarified fairly quickly. I still have access to the pre-assessments for C168, C182 and C268, as well as the CIW practice tests for C779. Will work on those tonight, and hopefully all will be resolved tomorrow.

Also need to figure out how long I need to wait for the webcam, or work out a local testing center for next week.

Time to get this show moving.

adrenaline19

Get used to the WGU problems. They are just a well hyped University of Phoenix rip-off.

Hopefully, you get the first of many problems resolved soon.

Cert Poor

jibtech wrote: »

Knocked out another this morning. I just passed the CIW Database Design Specialist exam (1D0-541).

I know the CIW exams are much maligned, but I can definitely say this covered databases far better than the Microsoft MTA Database Fundamentals that I passed for the first database class at WGU. Just a comparison from someone who did both.

So that brings me to:

Completed:
Data Management - Foundations - Complete (MS 98-364 MTA: Database Fundamentals) - 3 credits
Data Management - Applications - Complete (CIW Exam 1D0-541) - 4 credits

The transfer guide says the CIW 1D0-541 certification satisfies both classes, but will WGU allow one cert to transfer to two classes? I'm thinking I'll just take the CIW Database cert instead of the MTA and get a two-fer.

If WGU doesn't allow this, I'll have to get both the MTA and CIW like you did.

Keep up the amazing progress, by the way. This thread is motivational.

jibtech

Woke up this morning and everything works. I am now officially enrolled!

Cert Poor wrote: »

The transfer guide says the CIW 1D0-541 certification satisfies both classes, but will WGU allow one cert to transfer to two classes? I'm thinking I'll just take the CIW Database cert instead of the MTA and get a two-fer.

If WGU doesn't allow this, I'll have to get both the MTA and CIW like you did.

Keep up the amazing progress, by the way. This thread is motivational.

Thanks! Glad you like it!

As far as WGU allowing one cert to knock out two classes, yes. The Security+ and A+ both knock out two classes each. As far as the CIW certificate doing so, I would be dubious personally. Between the two, the CIW test is far more comprehensive and is a better test of your knowledge.

Having done both, you can easily pass the MTA if you can pass the CIW, and the cost for the MTA is pretty minimal.

If you are studying for the the CIW, the uCertify material is fantastic.

PJ_Sneakers

adrenaline19 wrote: »

Get used to the WGU problems. They are just a well hyped University of Phoenix rip-off.

Hopefully, you get the first of many problems resolved soon.

Pay no attention to this guy.

faintingheart

Welcome to WGU Jibtech. I hope you enjoy the journey.

jibtech

Sigh. My kingdom for a camera....

With July 4th falling last Tuesday, I am sure the mail system was affected. Nonetheless, I am sitting here on 7/10, waiting patiently for my camera to arrive.

In the meantime, I have done all of the coursework and studying for C168, C182, C268 and C779. Pre-assessments are passed where applicable. I am also hitting 100% on the uCertify prep and practice tests for C779.

I have scheduled the CIW exam for 7/12 at the local testing center.

Since I can't go any further, I am now working on C179. I took the pre-assessment prior to studying, and just barely missed the cutoff. I am studying hard and hopefully, I will be putting this on the list of tests to take as soon as the camera arrives.

Unfortunate delay, but not a major deal breaker, and it should be over soon.

Okay! Back to the books!

shimasensei

jibtech wrote: »

Sigh. My kingdom for a camera....

With July 4th falling last Tuesday, I am sure the mail system was affected. Nonetheless, I am sitting here on 7/10, waiting patiently for my camera to arrive.

In the meantime, I have done all of the coursework and studying for C168, C182, C268 and C779. Pre-assessments are passed where applicable. I am also hitting 100% on the uCertify prep and practice tests for C779.

I have scheduled the CIW exam for 7/12 at the local testing center.

Since I can't go any further, I am now working on C179. I took the pre-assessment prior to studying, and just barely missed the cutoff. I am studying hard and hopefully, I will be putting this on the list of tests to take as soon as the camera arrives.

Unfortunate delay, but not a major deal breaker, and it should be over soon.

Okay! Back to the books!

Great update! I know how you feel, I'm waiting for the camera as well...I've been ready to take my assessment since last week!

jibtech

Woohoo!! The camera is here!!

Eating something for a late lunch, and the test taking begins. First up will be C182 - Introduction to IT.

jibtech

C182 - Introduction to IT completed and passed. Onto the next one.

Overall status below...


Completed:
Orientation (ORA1)
Introduction to IT (C182)


Ready for Assessment:
Critical Thinking and Logic ( C168 )
Spreadsheets ( C268 )
Web Development Foundations (C779)
Business of IT - Applications (C179)

Working on:
Operating Systems I (C697)
Operating Systems II ( C698 )

Up Next:
Networks (C480)
Business of IT - Project Management (C176)
Principles of Management (C483)
Technical Communication ( C768 )
Fundamentals of Interconnecting Network Devices (C246)
Interconnecting Network Devices (C247)
Designing Customized Security (C299)
IT Capstone Written Project (C769)

jibtech

C168 - Critical Thinking and Logic passed.

Next up is C268 - Spreadsheets.

Completed:
Orientation (ORA1)
Introduction to IT (C182)
Critical Thinking and Logic ( C168 )

Ready for Assessment:
Spreadsheets ( C268 )
Web Development Foundations (C779)
Business of IT - Applications (C179)

Working on:
Operating Systems I (C697)
Operating Systems II ( C698 )

Up Next:
Networks (C480)
Business of IT - Project Management (C176)
Principles of Management (C483)
Technical Communication ( C768 )
Fundamentals of Interconnecting Network Devices (C246)
Interconnecting Network Devices (C247)
Designing Customized Security (C299)
IT Capstone Written Project (C769)

jibtech

After a number of issues last night with Examity, I finally got to take the exam for C268 - Spreadsheets. That exam sucks, but I got through it with a pass.

On a side note, I can't say enough good things about Mick in Assessment Services. Despite multiple issues, he never lost his sense of humor or friendliness. And, I think he owes me a cupcake....

Anyways, next up is the CIW certification for C779. Incidentally, for those who are reading this and might be pre-accelerating, the CIW test that exempts the need to take C779 is 1D0-520 Web Design Specialist. However, once you enroll, the test you take for C779 is 1D0-61B Site Development Associate. Not even close to the same class. Just a heads up.

Completed:
Orientation (ORA1)
Introduction to IT (C182)
Critical Thinking and Logic ( C168 )
Spreadsheets ( C268 )

Ready for Assessment:
Web Development Foundations (C779)
Business of IT - Applications (C179)

Working on:
Operating Systems I (C697)
Operating Systems II ( C698 )

Up Next:
Networks (C480)
Business of IT - Project Management (C176)
Principles of Management (C483)
Technical Communication ( C768 )
Fundamentals of Interconnecting Network Devices (C246)
Interconnecting Network Devices (C247)
Designing Customized Security (C299)
IT Capstone Written Project (C769)

jibtech

C779 - Web Development Foundations complete.

On to C179!!

jibtech

C179 - Business of IT - Applications complete.

Starting C697 - Operating Systems I now for the first test of the Linux+ cert.

Immediate goal is Linux+ and Net+ by 8/5. Tough goal, but I am focused.

Wish me luck!

Tjaljew

Great progress
Wish you all the luck man.

jibtech

Just a quick update. Cranking through Operating Systems I, which is the first test for the Linux+. I expect to take the exam at the end of this week.

On a related note, I was just approved for the WCG grant in Virginia, to take the CISSP course. Tuition includes the 5 week course, as well as the cost of the exam. The course is normally $1,740. With the WCG grant, the course is reduced to roughly $520. Being unemployed, I have also applied for the FANTIC grant, which will being the total cost to right around $100. The class starts on Monday, 7/31.

Short version, first half of the Linux+ by Friday, second part next week, and starting CISSP on Monday.

Whew.

Ertaz

jibtech wrote: »

Just a quick update. Cranking through Operating Systems I, which is the first test for the Linux+. I expect to take the exam at the end of this week.

On a related note, I was just approved for the WCG grant in Virginia, to take the CISSP course. Tuition includes the 5 week course, as well as the cost of the exam. The course is normally $1,740. With the WCG grant, the course is reduced to roughly $520. Being unemployed, I have also applied for the FANTIC grant, which will being the total cost to right around $100. The class starts on Monday, 7/31.

Short version, first half of the Linux+ by Friday, second part next week, and starting CISSP on Monday.

Whew.

Awesome man.

jdancer

jibtech wrote: »

...starting CISSP on Monday.

Whew.

A good free CISSP resource is Kelly Handerhan's course at https://www.cybrary.it/course/cissp/

You can download the MP3s and listen to them anytime. Has great info.

jibtech

First test for the Linux+ (LXO-103) is scheduled for tomorrow morning at 10 am. Consistently hitting 92-100% on the practice tests through uCertify.

Will also be hitting the practice tests through Linux Academy tonight. Also starting to study for the second test (LXO-104).

jibtech

Got to the testing center about 30 minutes early this morning. They went ahead and signed me in, and I passed LXO-103!!

Next up is LXO-104 to finish the Linux+.

stryder144

Woohoo!!!

shimasensei

Great progress man. Good luck on the CISSP as well!

jibtech

LXO-104 is scheduled for 11 am tomorrow morning.

I would really like to have Linux+ behind me, when I start the classes for CISSP tomorrow evening.

Plus, I have Network+ up next, with more to get through. Will update with results when the test is done!