Cert Path

chuckzito

I have a BS in Security Systems(It was a lot more theory then practical work). I got my CCNA the summer I was graduated college and also got my first real IT job as a network/system engineer and a small consulting firm. I worked there for 2 years and in that time passed the 70-270 and 70-290. I put off certifications for a while I was looking for a new job. I took a new job about 6 months ago for a network/system engineer position at a financial firm. My new job is almost entirely Windows Server 2008 and TS and soon will fully be a 2008 shop. I want to get back in to study mode for certifications but I'm not sure what I should go for. For one thing my CCNA will be expiring soon but to be honest it has not been put to much use in my past 2 jobs. Sure it helps overall but there is such little minor changes that are ever made to the router/switch infrastructure where I have worked. Before taking my new job I was going to take the 70-291 and Sec+ exam to get my MCSA, but now with 2008 and the new certs I'm not sure if I should bother completing my MCSA or go for the 2008 certs and or if I should renew my CCNA or upgrade. I love my new job so far but eventually if the raises and bonuses don't pay off I will have to look for a new job in a year or two. I also really would love to get in to the security field but it seems it is impossible to break in to and even if I do it would be a jr position and my pay would go down again.

Any suggestions?

RobertKaucher

chuckzito wrote: »

I have a BS in Security Systems(It was a lot more theory then practical work). I got my CCNA the summer I was graduated college and also got my first real IT job as a network/system engineer and a small consulting firm. I worked there for 2 years and in that time passed the 70-270 and 70-290. I put off certifications for a while I was looking for a new job. I took a new job about 6 months ago for a network/system engineer position at a financial firm. My new job is almost entirely Windows Server 2008 and TS and soon will fully be a 2008 shop. I want to get back in to study mode for certifications but I'm not sure what I should go for. For one thing my CCNA will be expiring soon but to be honest it has not been put to much use in my past 2 jobs. Sure it helps overall but there is such little minor changes that are ever made to the router/switch infrastructure where I have worked. Before taking my new job I was going to take the 70-291 and Sec+ exam to get my MCSA, but now with 2008 and the new certs I'm not sure if I should bother completing my MCSA or go for the 2008 certs and or if I should renew my CCNA or upgrade. I love my new job so far but eventually if the raises and bonuses don't pay off I will have to look for a new job in a year or two. I also really would love to get in to the security field but it seems it is impossible to break in to and even if I do it would be a jr position and my pay would go down again.

Any suggestions?

Finish the MCSA, upgrade the CCNA to CCNA:Sec, then work on the 2008 certs. You are half way done with the MCSA. You would be silly not to finish it.