Just passed today.

Hi first time poster.

I just passed today the Network+ exam today with a score of 800 out of 900. Not a stellar score but not horrible either IMO.

I just passed my A+ last month.

My question is does anyone think I can pass the Security+ exam within a month or is that not giving myself enough time to study for it properly?

I would like to have passed the A+, Network+, Security+ and Server+ in a 6 month time frame to sort of give my bosses in my department the hint that I can do more than I'm doing now. Right now my job (I work for a city government's IT department) mostly consists of installing computers and printers, troubleshooting computer and printer issues, doing the inventory of computers for my entire city and county, making data and phone jacks hot, and random stuff with this evil system my city has called the AS/400 etc.

I would like to get into the more administrative aspects of IT than the grunt work I'm doing now. Any Tips?

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Psoasman

Congrats on passing the exam!
I would keep hitting the certs, let them know what you are doing and would like to do. It sounds like you are getting to work with a lot of technology, the more the better. Ask if there are any projects you can help out on, or shadow the admins.

Norbie

Psoasman wrote: »

Congrats on passing the exam!
I would keep hitting the certs, let them know what you are doing and would like to do. It sounds like you are getting to work with a lot of technology, the more the better. Ask if there are any projects you can help out on, or shadow the admins.

Thanks. I guess my problem is I went to school and wanted to be a network admin but I had to start off in my department first as an intern (toiling for 11 months as the intern...I still have nightmares) and now I'm the specialist (desktop technician or whatever you call it in the real world) .

I truthfully don't enjoy the A+ stuff and took it because it was pass it or lose my job. I really enjoyed the Network+ stuff but I don't get to just jump into that with my job.

I do shadow them and help with projects when I have the time but my duties don't always give me the time to do that. There is me and one other specialist and we're more or less responsible for the installing and troubleshooting of computers, printers, scanners and various applications throughout our city and county's various departments (fire, police, public works, engineering, planning, finance, the various court systems, voter registration, HR etc)

Psoasman

Be patient. I did the same thing. I switched careers and took the MCSA track and am now working as a tech,which is good, since book knowledge only goes so far. I would have been pretty lost if I had jumped into an admin position right away. I am gaining valuable experience at my current job, which I love. We take care of computers, phones, printers, POS terminals, A/V equipment, various setups. I have finished up the MCSE track at my job, which my bosses noticed.
Working with all those departments should get you some valuable contacts for networking, which is a great way to move up.

Plantwiz

Congrations!

Geek1969

Good job on the exam!! Every cert helps in this field.
I, too started as a desktop grunt for well over a year until I passed a few exams and got a lucky break at work. Have you considered either Microsoft or Cisco? An MCP cert is only one Microsoft exam--any exam and Cisco's CCENT is a step above Net+ with an emphasis on Cisco hardware. I agree with security+ and even server+ if you do not plan on moving on to MCSA/MCSE level stuff. If you do --skip server+. Depends on what you wanna do when you grow up

Norbie

Geek1969 wrote: »

Good job on the exam!! Every cert helps in this field.
I, too started as a desktop grunt for well over a year until I passed a few exams and got a lucky break at work. Have you considered either Microsoft or Cisco? An MCP cert is only one Microsoft exam--any exam and Cisco's CCENT is a step above Net+ with an emphasis on Cisco hardware. I agree with security+ and even server+ if you do not plan on moving on to MCSA/MCSE level stuff. If you do --skip server+. Depends on what you wanna do when you grow up

Yeah I never hear anyone pushing the Server+. The reason I want is that the admins at my job work with the servers. My hope is I pass that then they might let me do more in our server room.

I am considering both Microsoft and Cisco stuff after I get my Security+ and Server+. I had four MCSA classes for XP/2003 in college and a few Cisco classes.

I know my A+ and Network+ can count as my elective for my MCSA. If I get my Security+ (currently studying for it) I can use that as either an elective for my MCSE or for one of my two specialization exams if I go the MCSA: Security route right?

The problem with Microsoft is I have to travel a few hours to take the Microsoft exams since I don't have a prometric center nearby...and my car is a clunker

Manabouttown

Congrats for passing.....how long did it take you to study for exam?

How are your methods of studying?..couple hours a night or a week off work and study all day?....books and video's?...sorry for all the questions, iam just starting with Network +, and don't know where to start!!.
Can anyone tell me were i can find FREE network + study video's...i find it easier tahn ALL book work....

Thanks in advance...
Andy

Comp_ Junkie

Awsome Job.. Congrats on passing your Exam... it seems you and I share something in Common... I Recently passed. Network+, Security+ and most recent MCP....800/1000.. I currently work for a Contractor for a cable Co... we perform around 1000 to 1500 jobs daily... I was a field tech since 1985.. i took My A+ back in January 2002 as Required or I would of not been able to perform Modem Installs.... a technology that was very hot @ that time.... I have since performed hundreds of Installations bot Commercial and Residential... and also started Installing and configuring VOIP modems soon after....... on 2003 I was injured @ the job when i drunk driver ran the light and smacked into the pole where my ladder was...and Although I was lucky and Only Broke my Wrists dangling 28 feet in The air...with the cable stran wrapped around my wrists.I have since been taken off the feild but Becuase of my knowledge of the trade and My pride on work Methods..they promoted me and and made a network admin.. although I have only been @ this position for around 3 years or so i have come along way and Have and am Learning my way around Networks .. We currently work with Cisco routers and switches.. .... I have since Learned Cisco.. and took The Exam Through the Union That offers the course @ no Charge..and passed CCNA.. Though I let it Expire.. which was stupid of me...I decided to continue the certification path... I passed Security+ on April 21st 2009 and passed Network+ 2 months after in June 2009..I also just took and passed MCP 70-290 exam on Oct 21st ' and am currently studying for MCSA.. Passing the 70-291 and 70-270 will get me there... I am also work with Solaris "Sun Rey 1g" and most recent The Migration to Windows server 2008..along with supporting 35 computers and 40 sun rey clients .... Like someone stated earlier... I am always shadowing everyone learning as much as i can.... although i am 43 years old now..and should of done this 10 years ago lol .I still think its imperative to grasp as much knowledge as possible for having a cert can Only be Valued by the knowledge that supports it.......

veritas_libertas

Manabouttown wrote: »

Congrats for passing.....how long did it take you to study for exam?

How are your methods of studying?..couple hours a night or a week off work and study all day?....books and video's?...sorry for all the questions, iam just starting with Network +, and don't know where to start!!.
Can anyone tell me were i can find FREE network + study video's...i find it easier tahn ALL book work....

Thanks in advance...
Andy

Welcome to TE! I don't really know of any free Network+ videos. In fact, I doubt there are any. It's best that you get use to reading at least two books per cert, and also use the practice testing software that come with it. You could also check out the practice tests, and reading material here on TE.

Bulletz

Congrats on passing the exam! good move N+ is 1 of the exam i enjoyed

Lirin

Congrats!