Certifications needed for entry level

JL15219

alxx wrote: »

Which one to do depends on your technical background and knowledge of operating systems and fault finding ability.

If you don't have a technical background:
A+ and or network+ or linux+ or mcp/msce self study or community college

Keep those receipts. Don't know how it works in the US,but here you can claim some training/retraining expenses on tax.


Good luck!

Thanks! And I will make sure to keep the receipts....

MrNetTek

If you want to be a Jack-of-all-Trades, get as many certs, from as many vendors as possible. Certs matter when it comes to landing that great job, or even better, that great career. Even entry-level guys and gals need a good balance, I recommend A+, MCP (in current Windows), and Network+ - the holy trinity. Eventually, the "trinity" will be upgraded to MCSA or MCITP, CCNA, and a security cert (if you want to stay a JOAT).

Eddie Jackson (MrNetTek)
Eddie Jackson - Professional Profile

JL15219

MrNetTek wrote: »

If you want to be a Jack-of-all-Trades, get as many certs, from as many vendors as possible. Certs matter when it comes to landing that great job, or even better, that great career. Even entry guys and gals need a good balance, I recommend A+, MCP (in current Windows), and Network+ - the holy trinity. Eventually, the "trinity" will be upgraded to MCSA or MCITP, CCNA, and a security cert (if you want to stay a JOAT).

Eddie Jackson (MrNetTek)
Eddie Jackson - Professional Profile

Thanks for the Great Input! But what is the MCP Cert is that the same as MCPD?

mguy

Don't fall victim to analysis paralysis.

Just choose a route and stick with it. Study everyday, get better everyday.

One day it'll pay-off.

JL15219

mguy wrote: »

Don't fall victim to analysis paralysis.

Just choose a route and stick with it. Study everyday, get better everyday.

One day it'll pay-off.

No yeah yeah I know what you mean I was just kind of clueless were to even start.......

buzzkill

I think you should start looking for appropriate entry level jobs now to see if you even get invited for interviews. Start scouring all the big job portals and give serious consideration to the sort of roles you would be interested in. I don't think doing any of the MCTS certs are a particularly good idea since they are supposed to be undertaken by people in the industry to back up their on the job experience.

I read a lot of threads on here by people who ask what certs they need to get an entry level job, but they haven't even applied for any positions yet. I'm not saying you're prevaricating against having to look for work by undertaking certification studies, but I suspect some people do.

Again, my opinion is that before doing an A+, a Net+ or a CCENT or whatever, have a hard think about the sort of jobs you want to do and apply to them right here and now - you won't know unless you try and once you start working in the IT field you will get a much better idea of the sort of certifications you will want to do.

I didn't even know what a certification was when I got my first job.

MrNetTek

Turgon wrote: »

Im going to disagree a little and vouch for the comptia hippies here but I caveat the defence by admitting I have none of these certs. They never really took root in the UK so that's my excuse. It was MCP/MCSE/CCNA/CCNP for me back in the day, with the CNA in Netware 5 thrown in..

A+ and N+ I would do, not least as so many new people have them and if you dont the question could rightly be asked..why not? So get those.
Then get the CCNA while you mull over your MS certs. The CCNA was easy when I did it 1999 and with Cisco being a relatively new thing and in hot demand people were impressed. Today the test is harder as is the preparation because things move on but it remains respected. Even if you dont plan on a career in networking it will teach you useful aspects and make a good impression on anyone hiring. Its also a doable test if you put the work in.

My 2 cents!

I totally agree, reading is not quite the same as going through the certification process. Just reading alone, instead of getting certified, is taking shortcuts - especially at the entry-level, when you should be building a strong foundation of education to base the rest of your career on. Study and schedule for your Network+ certification.

Eddie Jackson (aka MrNetTek)
Eddie Jackson - Professional Profile

JL15219

Just wanted to Thank everyone for all the great advice and suggestions.....and if you have any more advice and suggestions please feel free to post them.....Thanks again it is greatly appreciated!

MrNetTek

JL15219 wrote: »

Thanks for the Great Input! But what is the MCP Cert is that the same as MCPD?

You will obtain the MCP status by taking any single Microsoft exam. MCPD is a developer path to obtain a particular certification in a Microsoft specialty. To obtain the certified status of specialty certs, many require you to sit for more than one exam in that area.

For example, I am working towards my MCITP. The path I'm taking requires 4 exams; so that would make me a MCP 4 times over, but only 1 MCITP once all 4 exams have been completed.

Eddie Jackson (MrNetTek)
Eddie Jackson - Professional Profile

tawnymarie

My boyfriend just completed his Network+. He found most employers want that Cisco certification so he's currently working on that through WGU. WGU also does the Network+ BUT if you do a random job search you'll find that employers really like to see those Cisco Certs when it comes to networking...This is purely from observation on our end of the world (SF Bay Area)...I'm not going into networking but have found the Cisco Certs to be valuable...

--Tawny

antielvis

JL15219 wrote: »

Hello Everyone I am new to the forum as you can probably know since this is my 1st post.....I have been lurking for a couple of weeks and decided to go ahead and register and ask my 1st question. Well I guess I should introduce myself I am a 32 years old with a Bachelors of Business Administration in Finance but have had a terrible luck actually finding a job/career since I graduated 3 years ago It has been a very frustrating and depressing 3 years but I try to look at the bright side of it I have been able to take care of my daughter instead of having to put her in daycare. I have recently try to weigh my options and decided that I would like to get some certifications in IT. I actually like the IT field way more than business field why I got a business degree instead of an IT degree is a long story.

So what my question(s) what is the best combination of certifications to be able to get into an entry position since I have zero IT work experience? Was thinking something like A+ and MCTS, A+ and CCent, A+ and Net+ or any other suggestions that would be great....I guess I am trying to ask which combination would give the best opportunities to actually land a job.....I am really not exactly sure what field I would like to got into but was thinking maybe networking or maybe something like database administration..... Thanks Hope I its not a dumb question if so I apologize in advance........Thanks again

Oh forgot to ask is the A+ certification just for people who want to got into computer repair or is it just a good foundation certification to have?

The A+ certification is for more than just computer repair people. I spent some time working as a Small Business Server consultant where I developed & managed small business networks with less than 75 people. Understanding hardware was vital to my job, because it enabled me to make proper decisions re: hardware for my clients.

Beyond that, you need to decide what path you want to follow; networking or client/server support or..database support. All 3 are very different from each other and it's quite plausible to work your entire life in networking and never know how to configure Active Directory.

I would personally recommend that you take the Windows 7 path, get into desktop support and experience real world computing THEN make your decision. Companies like IBM, etc often hire contractors and will put you in a service desk role. Not exciting by any standards, but you're surrounded by specialists and you can see how things work.

JL15219

MrNetTek wrote: »

You will obtain the MCP status by taking any single Microsoft exam. MCPD is a developer path to obtain a particular certification in a Microsoft specialty. To obtain the certified status of specialty certs, many require you to sit for more than one exam in that area.

For example, I am working towards my MCITP. The path I'm taking requires 4 exams; so that would make me a MCP 4 times over, but only 1 MCITP once all 4 exams have been completed.

Eddie Jackson (MrNetTek)
Eddie Jackson - Professional Profile

Oh okay thanks for the clarification......

@tawnymarie and antielvis thank you very much for the great input....