What should my next certification be?

Currently, I have picked up the follow certifications:
• CompTIA A+
• Network+
• Security+ Certified.
• Help Desk Institute-Customer Service Representative Certified

I have been applying for jobs like mad, but it’s crazy out there. After having a great interview with the last recruiter I worked with, I found out that the company filled the job before the recruiter had a chance to fill it.

I have my A.A.S IT degree and I have been looking and applying, but no luck. I decided to make a drastic move and work full time while volunteering. I’m in talks with an organization to work as a volunteer (no pay) IT support specialist. I have been told by a recruiter that I just need experience and the jobs will come.
I work at a printing company right now, but it’s non IT related job. I want to volunteer (in a IT related role) for 6 months and then look for an IT job.

Given my current situation, what should be my next certification?
I was thinking Windows 7 70-680, but I want to see what everyone else thinks.

PS-I just wanted to say you guys have always given me the best certification advice.

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Comments

N2IT

NetworkingStudent wrote: »

Currently, I have picked up the follow certifications:
• CompTIA A+
• Network+
• Security+ Certified.
• Help Desk Institute-Customer Service Representative Certified

I have been applying for jobs like mad, but it’s crazy out there. After having a great interview with the last recruiter I worked with, I found out that the company filled the job before the recruiter had a chance to fill it.

I have my A.A.S IT degree and I have been looking and applying, but no luck. I decided to make a drastic move and work full time while volunteering. I’m in talks with an organization to work as a volunteer (no pay) IT support specialist. I have been told by a recruiter that I just need experience and the jobs will come.
I work at a printing company right now, but it’s non IT related job. I want to volunteer (in a IT related role) for 6 months and then look for an IT job.

Given my current situation, what should be my next certification?
I was thinking Windows 7 70-680, but I want to see what everyone else thinks.

PS-I just wanted to say you guys have always given me the best certification advice.

Can your AAS transition into a Bachelors degree? I think that and experience is holding you back. The volunteering is a good idea. Shows you have passion and of course you gain experience.

I would go for a BS in CIS or MIS if you can. If your credits transfer to a non for profit University.

That's my two cents.

BTW Your set up now isn't to bad man. You are right there keep up the hard work.

ibcritn

I agree that you should certainly look towards a 4-year degree.

To give you better advice on what certification you should go for I would really need to understand your career goals.

If your goals are to simply get into a IT support role then a Microsoft OS cert would certainly help.

N2IT

Sorry to be ADHD, but I wanted to bring up one more point. Try to just focus on one thing and improve that. Life is important and to get caugth up on this that and everything else is not recommended in my opinion. I would focus on the volunteer work and see where that takes you. Forget the degree, enjoy what you have, you have really done a good job. Continue on and work hard. Learn as much as you can and you WILL get a job that pays money. Once that goal has been accomplished, maybe consider a Bachelors program. Business/IT, whatever you want. You never know your company might offer tuition reimbursement.

Bokeh

Dave - Take a look at volunteermatch.com . I've seen some IT related positions lately, all volunteer of course. I checked with a few of them before the holidays, and they would like to have some folks on weekends to help with their computer labs, etc.

N2IT

Bokeh wrote: »

Dave - Take a look at volunteermatch.com . I've seen some IT related positions lately, all volunteer of course. I checked with a few of them before the holidays, and they would like to have some folks on weekends to help with their computer labs, etc.

Thanks for the website!

I just offered my services to a non profit company on the weekends in creating databases in Access.

Maybe they will call me.

chrisone

NetworkingStudent wrote: »

Currently, I have picked up the follow certifications:
• CompTIA A+
• Network+
• Security+ Certified.
• Help Desk Institute-Customer Service Representative Certified

I have been applying for jobs like mad, but it’s crazy out there. After having a great interview with the last recruiter I worked with, I found out that the company filled the job before the recruiter had a chance to fill it.

I have my A.A.S IT degree and I have been looking and applying, but no luck. I decided to make a drastic move and work full time while volunteering. I’m in talks with an organization to work as a volunteer (no pay) IT support specialist. I have been told by a recruiter that I just need experience and the jobs will come.
I work at a printing company right now, but it’s non IT related job. I want to volunteer (in a IT related role) for 6 months and then look for an IT job.

Given my current situation, what should be my next certification?
I was thinking Windows 7 70-680, but I want to see what everyone else thinks.

PS-I just wanted to say you guys have always given me the best certification advice.

CCNA would be the next step if you wish to persue networking.

go with the Win7 cert if you wish to do server engineering.

GuidoG79

NetworkingStudent wrote: »

Currently, I have picked up the follow certifications:
• CompTIA A+
• Network+
• Security+ Certified.
• Help Desk Institute-Customer Service Representative Certified

I have been applying for jobs like mad, but it’s crazy out there. After having a great interview with the last recruiter I worked with, I found out that the company filled the job before the recruiter had a chance to fill it.

I have my A.A.S IT degree and I have been looking and applying, but no luck. I decided to make a drastic move and work full time while volunteering. I’m in talks with an organization to work as a volunteer (no pay) IT support specialist. I have been told by a recruiter that I just need experience and the jobs will come.
I work at a printing company right now, but it’s non IT related job. I want to volunteer (in a IT related role) for 6 months and then look for an IT job.

Given my current situation, what should be my next certification?
I was thinking Windows 7 70-680, but I want to see what everyone else thinks.

PS-I just wanted to say you guys have always given me the best certification advice.

You should go after Windows 7 because it's always handy to have.
After that, you could think about the direction you want to follow.