CompTIA's RFID+ and Convergence+...are they worth getting.

Norbie

Ok I just passed CompTIA's Security+ today (the joy, the rapture etc). I want to go for my Server+ next but I'm wondering what to go for after that.

I bought a book for Convergence+ and the few chapters I've read are very interesting. The problem is I can't find anything else for this exam but this one book.

I've also been considering RFID+. My department head just got back from a conference a while back where they were really hyping RFID related stuff. Is this an area in IT that is soon to blow up or is it just hype?

veritas_libertas

Norbie wrote: »

Ok I just passed CompTIA's Security+ today (the joy, the rapture etc). I want to go for my Server+ next but I'm wondering what to go for after that.

I bought a book for Convergence+ and the few chapters I've read are very interesting. The problem is I can't find anything else for this exam but this one book.

I've also been considering RFID+. My department head just got back from a conference a while back where they were really hyping RFID related stuff. Is this an area in IT that is soon to blow up or is it just hype?

Looking at the certs you have I think the next logical step would be to head towards the Microsoft or Cisco path. What is your plan? Personally I think anything other than the A+, Network+, and Security+ is a waste of money.

tpatt100

I had to google Convergence+ to find out what that was. RFID+ is a new one to me also. We are getting RFID access badges soon at work.

Norbie

veritas_libertas wrote: »

Looking at the certs you have I think the next logical step would be to head towards the Microsoft or Cisco path. I don't know what your plan is? Personally I think anything other than the A+, Network+, and Security+ is a waste of money.

I eventually want to get my MCSA and CCNA but I wanted to get a couple more CompTIA's under my belt since they never expire...plus it would be neat to get a weird cert that would sort of make my resume stand out from everyone else.

stephens316

First off, Congrads on the pass. Here are a few questions for you?

Are you in school or have work exp?
Why do you want to start the MCSA?
What are your current IT goals?
Do you have any classes on Microsoft Certs? I had classes through my college.

I have mine goals set just trying to get them right now is tough on me. If I were you I would now get away from Comptia for now to many by one company seems bad to me plus their prices are high. am currem

Microsoft has some good deals out if you are student I have made post ref them just search the general forum. I feel that you would be better off taking 70-620 Vista exam which the two for one voucher. I currently studying for it. So I can get MCITP:EA which is the new MCSE.
The 70-620 will count towards the MCSA if you go that route.

veritas_libertas

Norbie wrote: »

I eventually want to get my MCSA and CCNA but I wanted to get a couple more CompTIA's under my belt since they never expire...plus it would be neat to get a weird cert that would sort of make my resume stand out from everyone else.

Please don't take this wrong (I never try to offend) but $258 is alot of money to make your resume somehow stick out. To the common HR person it only says, "Huh, don't know what that means..." It's also more time spent with CompTIA when you could start on the Cisco or Microsoft path. I was interested in the Convergence and RFID myself I admit. If you are interested you could always just buy the books on the subject.

Norbie

stephens316 wrote: »

First off, Congrads on the pass. Here are a few questions for you?

Are you in school or have work exp?

I have been with my IT department for about 2 years. I interned with a school system's IT department for a semester prior to that.

I have two associates degrees in IT. I'm a few credits shy of a bachelor's degree in a non-IT related field.

Why do you want to start the MCSA?

In my department our department is divided into two sub-departments. One is the Operations the other the Analysis and Design. I work in Operations as a specialist...I basically install computers, printers, programs etc.

The analysts in the A&D side make a lot more money than I do. The previous department head forced them to get their MCSE or be fired. To get over there I will need either a Bachelor's degree or an MCSE. I might be able to slide with an MCSA.

The problem with getting my microsoft stuff is I need to travel 2 hours to get to the nearest prometric center. I have a junk car.

What are your current IT goals?

To make more money honestly

Ideally I would like to advance to systems administrator one day. In my current department I don't see that happening. The current systems administrator has a new baby so he won't be leaving any time soon. His assistant the network administrator is well...the less said about him the better. I feel like I'm sort of stuck in my department with no way to advance. There is no where else in my town for me to make the meager money I already make.

Do you have any classes on Microsoft Certs? I had classes through my college.

Yes I have had 4 MCSA classes dealing with XP and Server 2003. I took these in college 3 or so years ago which was before I got into the field.

I have also had two out of the four cisco classes needed to get a cisco certificate from my college plus a cisco wireless elective.

I have mine goals set just trying to get them right now is tough on me. If I were you I would now get away from Comptia for now to many by one company seems bad to me plus their prices are high. am currem

I would at least like to get Server+ before I quit CompTIA...I never get to work with the servers at work (low man on the totem pole)...maybe getting that would allow them to let me do a little more.

Microsoft has some good deals out if you are student I have made post ref them just search the general forum. I feel that you would be better off taking 70-620 Vista exam which the two for one voucher. I currently studying for it. So I can get MCITP:EA which is the new MCSE.
The 70-620 will count towards the MCSA if you go that route.

I have considered getting the Vista exam. Our previous department head (before I was hired) made everyone at my level get A+ certified and at least pass the XP exam (70-270). No one at work has the Vista exam that I am aware of. Getting that would make me both MCP and MCTS:Vista correct?

When I finally get down to getting my MCSA my plan was to go:

70-620
70-290
70-291
Use my A+ and Network+ which together I can use as my elective
70-299 plus my Security+ to give me the MCSA:Security specialization

(someone please tell if this is not a smart strategy...microsoft cert paths confuse me)

Norbie

veritas_libertas wrote: »

Please don't take this wrong (I never try to offend) but $258 is alot of money to make your resume somehow stick out. To the common HR person it only says, "Huh, don't know what that means..." It's also more time spent with CompTIA when you could start on the Cisco or Microsoft path. I was interested in the Convergence and RFID myself I admit. If you are interested you could always just buy the books on the subject.

I understand and no offense taken. I admit my thought process sounds warped after reading my post. It probably will after this post too.

The reasons why I was curious about the RFID+ cert

1. I was curious about what it entailed and purchased the transcender stuff a month or so back so I could what the questions would be like.
2. In my city's IT department the hiring and interviews are not done by HR. It is done by Our department head, my manager and the manager of our department's other sub-department.
3. The first job I ever had was part of a marketing department at Sears. One of my duties was to use an RFID device called a SNC to scan merchandise which would send the information to a handheld print device that would print out the right sales sticker. (a petty reason I know...millions of others in the workforce have a similar experience with RFID and have absolutely zero interest in it)
4. Our department head got back from a GMIS conference last week and came back down right giddy about a presentation he saw about RFID while he was there. RFID+ was really low on my list of priorities until my supervisor mentioned the idea of tagging all of our PCs with an RFID tag (might help me with the PC inventory which I am responsible for).

As for the Convergence+...I liked the book I bought on it. I want to get that one just for me because I thought the material seemed interesting. I'm weird that way. A very small part of my job deals with installing new phones for customers and making their voice jacks hot if need be. I didn't go to school to do telephone stuff. Don't know much about it but I know more than when I started. My manager is retired from AT&T and I'm a little insecure about my weakness in this area. Convergence+ deals a bit with telephony and some of the terminology mentioned in my Convergence+ book has been bandied about in my office of late due to our 311 center and all the hoops we had to jump through with the phone company to make that thing a reality.

Bl8ckr0uter

I have never seen either on a job post but if you want to do it, do it. It is your life man but just know the roi might not be very high.

I think that Linux+ maybe worth something, but (besides A+/N+/S+) I think comptia certs are just not very known. Server+ is a cert that I have seen in 1 job posting. 1.

That being said the roi may (for you) just be having the knowledge (which is always good) and you can always study the material without taking the test.

I think what people are saying (me included) is if you want to move up get the big name certs (MCSA or MCTS/CCNA/ETC) then focus on more high level when you get into a role (MCSE or MCITP:SA/EA , CCNP,CCSP) but (as Mike would say) if you see the chance to get a role that requires you to get a MCSE (or whatever) go for it and kill you MCSE. Own you career and do as little or as much as you want.

veritas_libertas

knwminus wrote: »

I have never seen either on a job post but if you want to do it, do it. It is your life man but just know the roi might not be very high.

I think that Linux+ maybe worth something, but (besides A+/N+/S+) I think comptia certs are just not very known. Server+ is a cert that I have seen in 1 job posting. 1.

That being said the roi may (for you) just be having the knowledge (which is always good) and you can always study the material without taking the test.

I think what people are saying (me included) is if you want to move up get the big name certs (MCSA or MCTS/CCNA/ETC) then focus on more high level when you get into a role (MCSE or MCITP:SA/EA , CCNP,CCSP) but (as Mike would say) if you see the chance to get a role that requires you to get a MCSE (or whatever) go for it and kill you MCSE. Own you career and do as little or as much as you want.

+1 If it really is your interest, and it will help you do your job better than go for it.