CCNA Security or CCNP R&S ?

I have Boson practice exams and access to the Boson practice labs for CCNA Security. Unfortunately, I don't know what path I'm going to take in IT at this point. Networking interests me the most, but of course we can't always go where our interests lie. As of right now, I'm unemployed so I'll likely take whatever job I can get, even if it's just pulling weeds in someone's yard.
On one hand, I have training materials for CCNA Security. But on the other hand, I still have to pay $650 out of pocket for the exams (assuming 1 fail, 1 pass). Would it be better to just press forward on CCNP R&S?
On one hand, I have training materials for CCNA Security. But on the other hand, I still have to pay $650 out of pocket for the exams (assuming 1 fail, 1 pass). Would it be better to just press forward on CCNP R&S?
Comments
Yeah, I have CCENT and CCNA R&S. That was where I left off before I went the security route. Got a few security certs and worked for a security start-up for a while before realizing it was all wrong for me.
I think instead of either, better to get a job first and then work out your next cert. Plus that way you can take advantage of the job's work environment and any cert reimbursement plans to shape that cert study decision.
Security+, eJPT, CySA+, PenTest+,
Cisco CyberOps, GCIH, VHL,
In progress: OSCP
Yeah, but I need something to study while I'm looking. I don't necessarily have to take the exams while unemployed, but I want to be working toward something. I feel like I have a lot more power over learning than I do over whether or not I have a job.
I live in a major tech hub, so pretty much everything is in demand around here. I just suck at getting jobs.
I've known several people in that situation, it's not that they didn't have skills or experience; the people they had previously worked for loved them. Rather the problem was marketing and presentation. If you're in a hub with lots of jobs, I'd suggest you take a solid look at your resume style instead of raking up more certs that will be ignored. Are you trying to be fancy? Is your resume more than two pages (more than one with less than seven years experience)? Are you listing what you think makes you impressive instead of what the manager would be looking for? (and honestly, that last line makes me rethink a certain part of my own resume so thank you.)