What certs would benefit me most

I have the opportunity to have cert training paid for through the VA for one set of certs which will benefit me in my job and/or getting a better job. I'm presently trying to find an entry level IT job but have hopes of having one before I finish with WGU.
The VA has been paying for WGU through Chapter 31 Voc Rehab and I have been unable to do factory type work which I was doing due to deterioration of my knees. I currently have a non IT job and a part time job as an HDTV repairman and do PC repair and SOHO setups on the side.

So back to the topic:
I was informed that I could propose additional training after I finish WGU that would help me in either getting an IT job or to advance me once I got an IT job.
I've thought about it and was basically thinking about one of the three sets MCITP:EDA7, SQL, or Exchange certs.

Could I get some advice on which of these might be good to get. I know the exchange is important in just about any job and SQL could open a good path as there is always a need for DB admins on the job boards in my area but I have zero DB knowledge (or exchange knowledge) and would like some input.

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Comments

it_consultant

Exchange is hot right now, but thats only 2-3 tests on the Government's dime. If you want to make them pay I would say go CCNP.

earweed

I'm thinking either exchange or SQL. I'm not trying to milk as much as I can but to get something which will benefit me.
The exchange will require a lot of labbing (and more expense on my part) than the SQL and if I go SQL what track should I take. I also need to be able to present to my case manager why I need the cert and what benefits I would get from it.
The CCNP would be a REALLY long drawn out cert and would not fal within the timelines I would need to get it.

veritas_libertas

I think a combination CCNA+MCITP:EA would greatly benefit you.

earweed

veritas_libertas wrote: »

I think a combination CCNA+MCITP:EA would greatly benefit you.

I've thought about the CCNA too but without the actual hands on labbing it'd be useless for me right now. I could probably do simulators and such but I wouldn't even feel comfortable with listing a CCNA on the resume without having hands on experience. Unfortunately the finances just aren't there for a "real" Cisco lab. I have CCNA more on the "future maybe" list.
I want something that will get me into an admin type position sooner and either SQL or exchange seem to be some of the more sought after skills.

Slowhand

veritas_libertas wrote: »

I think a combination CCNA+MCITP:EA would greatly benefit you.

I definitely agree with this. Finish up the MCITP: Enterprise Administrator cert, which it looks like you're already on your way to doing, then go for CCENT/CCNA. If you still have time, I'd say looking at either CCNP or another MCITP on either SQL Server or Exchange might be a good idea. . . heck, shoot for all four and see how far you get. If the government won't foot the whole bill, a future employer might pick up the cost of the remaining lab equipment and tests.

earweed

I actually plan on doing all 4 eventually. I just have to decide which to get after the MCITP:EA so I can give a good presentation so that my case manager will approve the CBTnuggets, books, and vouchers.

Slowhand

earweed wrote: »

I actually plan on doing all 4 eventually. I just have to decide which to get after the MCITP:EA so I can give a good presentation so that my case manager will approve the CBTnuggets, books, and vouchers.

I think that you'll probably have an easier time convincing them to pay for it if you stay on the Microsoft path. You can make the case that you'll be pushing to be a Microsoft specialist, supporting their most popular products - Windows 7, Windows Server, Exchange, and SQL Server - and then go for the Cisco certs to round yourself out. That, and you'll probably be more than ready to move on to something non-Microsoft after bagging three MCITP certs.

uhtrinity

Did WGU drop the CIW SQL cert for non database degrees? If so that one is a good starter for SQL. You might also be able to add it through WGU.

earweed

They dropped it for us. They also dropped web design and Java.

demonfurbie

earweed wrote: »

They dropped it for us. They also dropped web desig and Java.

they dropped java?

what degree ya going after cause on mine it still shows java im in the Bachelor of Science, IT - Networks Administration Emphasis and its still there under akv1

i hate java if i can get out of it i would love to

earweed

I'm in network Design and Management. The same things were dropped for the Network Administration track.
Also AKV1 is JavaScript not Java.

MentholMoose

earweed wrote: »

I've thought about the CCNA too but without the actual hands on labbing it'd be useless for me right now. I could probably do simulators and such but I wouldn't even feel comfortable with listing a CCNA on the resume without having hands on experience. Unfortunately the finances just aren't there for a "real" Cisco lab. I have CCNA more on the "future maybe" list.

One reason I'd recommend the CCNA is that it provides a solid foundation of networking knowledge. It's not just about commands and configuration of Cisco devices. Many topics such as how routing works, how to subnet, NAT and PAT, and VLANs are very useful in general. If you go through the MCITP: EA, you will learn bits and pieces of these along the way, whereas if you do the CCNA you will have everything.

I think it's nice to do the CCNA and just be done with it. To pass the CCNA you have to learn the material well, so you will be less likely to forget, whereas you'll be more prone to forget things by learning it piecemeal. I did the CCNA (well, renewed it) immediately before starting the MCITP: EA, and I found it useful to not have to learn the purely networking concepts as I was going through it since I could fully concentrate on the Microsoft concepts. I renewed the CCNA in January 2009. Now I'm doing the MCSE and I just took the 291. I did not even bother reviewing any network stuff, and I aced those questions on the 291, so I think the knowledge stuck. Also it felt good to read the title of a chapter and just skip it because I already knew it.

If you're aiming to be a systems admin, I think the most important parts of the CCNA are the fundamentals, so I think studying with a simulator is appropriate. A lot of systems admin job descriptions will say "CCNA desired" even if you will never touch a Cisco device or even any network device. They want you to know the fundamentals so you can do some troubleshooting and be able to communicate effectively with the network team, and the CCNA provides that.

earweed

Hmm.........
Looks like I might just go for the CCNA. I just have to validate how it can help me to get it and then put together a plan and a list of what it will cost. I already put a thread in the CCENT/CCNA forum asking for input on a few things I may need to know before starting.

za3bour

I've just read this thread, I think you should go for Exchange Track. I will personally do this when I finish EA and Sa.

Bl8ckr0uter

What did you decide?

earweed

I'm going to go for the CCNA first (after I get the MCITP:EA) via the 2 test route. I'm going to build a hardware lab which may take a while so will probably just use GNS3 for my ICND1 studies. If I find I don't really like it I may stop at the CCNE.
Not sure yet about what I'll do after that whether it'll be exchange or SQL or maybe both.

Bl8ckr0uter

earweed wrote: »

I'm going to go for the CCNA first (after I get the MCITP:EA) via the 2 test route. I'm going to build a hardware lab which may take a while so will probably just use GNS3 for my ICND1 studies. If I find I don't really like it I may stop at the CCNE.
Not sure yet about what I'll do after that whether it'll be exchange or SQL or maybe both.

Cool. I think that will be a good fit for you.