Network Administrator Career

Right so looking to make a career change. I have a BA Degree in Sound Engineering and Music Technology but want to make a change over to Network Administrator. I dont fancy going back to college. Question is what certs should I aim for and in what order? I am currently self studying for comptia a+ and finding it quite easy. Was planning on network + after then ccna. Should I also do security +? ccna voip, ccnp and cnnp voip? mcipt? Would appreciate some feedback, what certs and in what order?

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Psoasman

The A+ is a good starting point. I'd do the CCNA over the Network+ though. You'll get a much higher ROI for that cert. Some of the server 2008 certs would also benefit you.

You'll most likely need to gain some experience before moving into a Network Admin role.

N2IT

Agree with Psoasman CCNA over N+

I think your first step is the CCNA and then start to apply for networking jobs. Just my two cents.

nel

If you know you want to go down the network path hit up the CCNA. I would skip the A+ and N+. They have little market value imo.

Good luck.

wadewilson

Thanks for the feedback, skip A+ completely? But it seems so easy, cant see a reason not to pick it up

N2IT

How about over 300 USD for the exam reason enough to skip it. If you like throwing money around sure go ahead, but in all honesty you'll come back to this thread in a year and wonder why you didn't listen.

If you KNOW you want to do networking why in the heck would you want a PC cert? That would be like me wanting to be a Linux Admin and picking up a ton of Windows certs. Just doesn't make much sense.

For some reason people feel you have to get certifications in order to understand and learn the knowledge. That logic doesn't make sense the only reason why I would want a certification is to capture my accomplishments on paper so my employer has some sense that I understand that type of technology. In other words to get hired.

But hey it's your money so do what you will.

petedude

N2IT wrote: »

How about over 300 USD for the exam reason enough to skip it. If you like throwing money around sure go ahead, but in all honesty you'll come back to this thread in a year and wonder why you didn't listen.

It would only be worth doing IF you're looking to start out in desktop support, then transition to networking later. There aren't many desktop support jobs nowadays that would pay that effort/expenditure off immediately. You're looking at $300 for the exam PLUS study materials, and with many desktop support jobs paying close to minimum wage you'd be hard pressed to find a job that would make you feel rich the second you walked in.

You'd actually be better off taking starter Windows support exams, then applying those toward a full MCITP/what-have-you.

coreyb80

Solid information in this thread.

PsychoFin

I Think there are a lot of general networking concepts touched on by the n+ that aren't discussed in the CCNA due to it being vendor-oriented. I would look up the free professor Messer videos on n+ to study the missing stuff.

wadewilson

Thanks for all the replies, appreciated. I've been dealing with computers since I was youngin and finding the a+ quite easy. I havnt had much dealings with networks though. Still best to go straight into ccna? Which windows start exams?

prtech

I would go with the A+ first before the CCNA. Most entry level jobs are PC repair/helpdesk jobs. I was job hunting for 3 months with my CCNA. I got the A+ and got a job offer 2 weeks later.

cmitchell_00

You can read the A+ book but, skip their two test exam it cost too much. Now you take the Network + and then CCNA composite and; you would be ready since Net + is really ICND1. I wouldn't take the Net + now a days but, I would do ICND1 -ICND2 since Cisco gives you so much material to study. I wish you the best either way and keep us posted on your development.

burfect

A lot of guys in here saying skip the A+ as it is only applicable to Desktop roles. Thing is, most Network Admin roles aren't going to let you admin a network without some hands on experience in lower level desktop positions even with a CCNA from what I can tell.

I have a degree in MIS degree and have been troubleshooting/building PCs my whole life, and I am still having trouble securing a job, even when I feel an interview goes well.

I just can't see how reccomending someone to skip the A+/low level certs is a "waste" if one has no practical experience, especially considering most who are saying have the A+?

Psoasman

burfect wrote: »

A lot of guys in here saying skip the A+ as it is only applicable to Desktop roles. Thing is, most Network Admin roles aren't going to let you admin a network without some hands on experience in lower level desktop positions even with a CCNA from what I can tell.

If you don't have a lot of experience, the A+ is a good cert. Yes, I know it's expensive and entry-level, but it will help get past HR filters. The knowledge gained from A+ provides a nice foundation. That, coupled with a CCNA and some experience working the Help Desk will get you to a good start.

wadewilson

I might just get the A+ as I am trying to break into the IT business, the closest I have is specing and building recording studios with the odd repair on some windows and mac machines. I'm finding the A+ rather easy and I have put the cash away for these certs and even plan to invest in a ccna home lab. So after A+ skip the network+ go straight to the ccna and do it in the two part way? I expect to have to start off somewhere low or even do some free work / intern to get experience.

Michael2

Definitely take the A+. It's a very important cert for getting into I.T. If I were a manager, I'd feel stupid hiring a Network Admin who has all these certifications for networking but not one certification in computer repair. You might have to go back to college to get, at the very least, an Associates Degree in I.T. if you want to progress that far in your career.

I've read "skip the Network+" a lot lately as well. I think the Cisco exams are preferable because they give you hands-on questions.

YuckTheFankees

1. Skip the A+, there's really no need for it if you want to get into networking. (Michael2: I have no idea why you would feel stupid if you hired a network admin with networking certs but no computer repair certs...makes no sense?)
2. Personally, I would study the network+ before the cisco exams. I think it lays a great foundation.
3. Take the CCNA in 2 parts, once you pass the CCENT..start applying...that's how I found my first NOC position without any I.T. experience/or a degree
4. I would wait on planning which certs you want to get beyond the network/ccent/ccna. Wait to see what products you work with once you get a networking job and go from there. You never know, they could be a juniper shop..so the JNCIA/JNCIP?JNSIP could be appealing.