Which Degree/Certs are good for?

exe

Thanks for looking at my thread I had some quick questions pertaining to my future (12th Grade) at the moment.

Currently working on N+ and A+ Certs

But, I'm not sure I even need that...

Goals:
Short Term: IT Technician "Best buy,Frys,etc".
Long Term: Management as a IT Project Leader or IS Manager.


I was looking to obtain a B.S in Computer Information Systems next year (Associates for cost benefit and transfer to G Tech or UGA "I have a 4 year scholarship".

Question:

What certifications would be viable to me, am I taking the right major? I remember reading MCSA would be relevant with N+certification but is that the right career path?

2.) Can I list my two semester at Grayson Tech (Technical School) for Computer IT and Networking as experience?

3.) Thankyou

NetAdmin2436

1) A+ and Network+ are always good starting points if you want a career in IT. Other then them being sorta expensive, you really can't go wrong with getting them early in your career. They will definitely help you understand fundamentals better.

2) You should not list your college as experience, at least I wouldn't. But for sure list them under your education section in your resume.

3) Your welcome

exe

This is a little off topic, but what is the difference between Cisco and Microsoft as far as certifications (I'm sure there is much to explain but was just looking for a cut down on it).

PC509

exe wrote: »

This is a little off topic, but what is the difference between Cisco and Microsoft as far as certifications (I'm sure there is much to explain but was just looking for a cut down on it).

Totally different technologies.

Cisco is basically a hardware networking direction. You'll be doing 99% networking. No administering of users, no servers... just networking. And Cisco networking at that. Routers, switches, firewalls.

Microsoft is mostly administration. You'll be using software, group policy, active directory, adding/removing users, permissions... Things like that. Servers, Server OS's...

That's not 100% normal. Usually, you'll criss cross between the two roles in a position (the more you know, the better you'll be!). But, that's generally the basics. But, that is a start. Personally, I'm getting my MCSA and CCNA. Well rounded. Even if I don't go in the MS direction (or Cisco), at least I know the basics of the others, which will help in my other endeavors. I'll probably stick with Cisco and go for my CCIE in the future, though.

Good luck!

exe

PC509 wrote: »

Totally different technologies.

Cisco is basically a hardware networking direction. You'll be doing 99% networking. No administering of users, no servers... just networking. And Cisco networking at that. Routers, switches, firewalls.

Microsoft is mostly administration. You'll be using software, group policy, active directory, adding/removing users, permissions... Things like that. Servers, Server OS's...

That's not 100% normal. Usually, you'll criss cross between the two roles in a position (the more you know, the better you'll be!). But, that's generally the basics. But, that is a start. Personally, I'm getting my MCSA and CCNA. Well rounded. Even if I don't go in the MS direction (or Cisco), at least I know the basics of the others, which will help in my other endeavors. I'll probably stick with Cisco and go for my CCIE in the future, though.

Good luck!

Yeah man CCIE looks like a difficult field with only 20% passing and all.

Salary wise.... oh knoes he said it<< which direction looks better?

Note: I'm not directed salary wise but it' always something to consider, Based on what I overviewed was that MCSE starts out making decent money but Cisco makes more farther down in the long run. I could be completely wrong though, It could be expereience that ways out the factor of salary.

I'm interested in networking in general but I also like administration, while Cisco seems to have a brighter future. Does anyone know any good websites for explanation between the technologies that are available today?