New to the IT world and in desperate need of advice...

GWadejr34

Hello everyone, I'm new to the world of IT and will be going for my BS - IT Security with Western Governors University online. I've put in countless hours of research about online universities and it appears that WGU is a very good choice. However, this will be my first attempt to get into the IT field and I'm looking for advice in regards to the best preparation for my certifications and which ones are actually worth going for. I have specific certs that I have to obtain as they are required for my degree, they are as follows: CCNA, CCNA Security, CIW Pro, CIW Asso, CIW Database design specialist, A+, Project+, Security+, and MCTS.

I will be shooting for my CISSP, but I understand that I have a long way to go before I need to worry about that one. I guess my question is what is the best path, outside of the degree requirements, to follow as far as necessary certifications. Please note that braindumps are not an option for me; I plan on being able to back up anything that's on my resume. This may seem like a broad question because I am a little over whelmed by all of the information associated with the IT field, but I want to make the best choice and I feel that hearing real responses from people in the field is the best way to prepare my self.

Also, does anyone have experience with the CCNA virtual labs by Wendall Odem. I am working in Iraq so I am a bit limited in regards to what I have access to at the moment.

Thank you in advance for your time and patience with these questions.

veritas_libertas

I guess the biggest question is what path do you want to take? The Microsoft or Cisco path?

Please note that braindumps are not an option for me; I plan on being able to back up anything that's on my resume.

That would be a good thing since most everyone here would eat you alive if you asked for them...

GWadejr34

I'll be taking the Cisco path although I have to take the MCTS as a requirement for my degree. I would also like to go for my MCITP-EA to be a little more rounded. My focus will be in security though, but I'm not sure what I'll be studying with networking because I'm still learning about the different routes available to me. Since the CCNA and CCNA Security are also required for my degree, I plan on following up with the CCSP and CCIE (understanding that this will take 2-4 years).

Outside of security, I'm not sure what I should be looking at or if I should be looking at anything else. My plan is to master one area but gain as much experience in another as possible to be more of an asset to a company while also setting myself up for greater opportunies within the same company or another if there is a significant chance of advancement.

I'm currently googling books (not many book stores where I work) to research different material and begin studying before my classes start so that I at least have a basic knowledge of the material and concepts that I'll be covering.

veritas_libertas

GWadejr34 wrote: »

I'll be taking the Cisco path although I have to take the MCTS as a requirement for my degree. I would also like to go for my MCITP-EA to be a little more rounded. My focus will be in security though, but I'm not sure what I'll be studying with networking because I'm still learning about the different routes available to me. Since the CCNA and CCNA Security are also required for my degree, I plan on following up with the CCSP and CCIE (understanding that this will take 2-4 years).

Outside of security, I'm not sure what I should be looking at or if I should be looking at anything else. My plan is to master one area but gain as much experience in another as possible to be more of an asset to a company while also setting myself up for greater opportunies within the same company or another if there is a significant chance of advancement.

I'm currently googling books (not many book stores where I work) to research different material and begin studying before my classes start so that I at least have a basic knowledge of the material and concepts that I'll be covering.

Sounds like you have a good plan going. I would focus on Cisco or Microsoft primarily. It's really hard to master both.

Have looked around to see if there is an ISSA group in your area? That is a great place to network with security minded folks.

Hyper-Me

I see they updated the Sec degree.

Beforehand the only Security stuff it had was Sec+ and one of the old MCSE Security exams, kinda lame.

Glad to see CCNA:S on there, now.

veritas_libertas

Hyper-Me wrote: »

I see they updated the Sec degree.

Beforehand the only Security stuff it had was Sec+ and one of the old MCSE Security exams, kinda lame.

Glad to see CCNA:S on there, now.

Agreed. I considered the (what I call) Cisco path but realized I enjoy servers much more than network infrastructure.

GWadejr34

veritas_libertas wrote: »

Agreed. I considered the (what I call) Cisco path but realized I enjoy servers much more than network infrastructure.

Just wondering, but what are the main differences between working with servers and networking? Hopefully this isn't too broad a question.

mikedisd2

GWadejr34 wrote: »

Just wondering, but what are the main differences between working with servers and networking? Hopefully this isn't too broad a question.

Networking is LAN and WAN; dealing with routers, switches, firewalls, VPN and generally making sure bits travel from here to there.
System admins ensure continuity and improvement of the servers and the services (DCs, DNS, file/print server, etc) they provide. This will include all the applications (Exchange, SQL, Sharepoint) and maintenance/upgrades.
There will always be a certain amount of crossover and roles vary alot with companies.