Not sure where to go from here...

Hello everyone. My name is Matt. I am a 26 year old Network Administrator from Missouri. I am just kind of looking for advice on where to go certification wise. I currently hold an MCSA(Server2012) MCP, MCTS, CCNA, CWNA, A+, Network+, Security+, Server+ and I just don't know what to do next. I have thought about an RHCSA or LPI certification but not sure how relevant they are at this time in my area. Would it be more beneficial to just upgrade my MCSA to an MCSE or go after my CCNP instead? Are Apple certs worth anything? Money isn't an issue since the company I work for pays for all training/certifications. I kind of just want to milk the hell out of that while I can

. Any advice is much appreciated. Thanks and nice to meet you all

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N2IT

Matt I am in Missouri as well. The CCNP always seems to command respect and a lot of high level engineers I know possess that certification. Not to say there aren't other paths, but the CCNP is a really good one especially with the type of work you do. (I'm assuming titles can be misleading sometimes). Looking into security certifications might be a possibility too.

Master Of Puppets

In my experience, Apple certs bring no value. I can see them helping if you're in an environment dominated by that company. However, what I have witnessed regarding Apple certs is limited so take that with a grain of salt. I know a couple of people who have them and it hasn't helped them at all.

I would choose between the MCSE and the CCNP(if you're feeling pumped - maybe both

). For a typical net admin, I think the CCNP will be a great asset and will indeed drive you forward.

ptilsen

Welcome to TechExams, Matt.

RHCSA, Linux+, or LPI (bear in mind Linux+ grants LPI-1) would make you broader. That's good if you want to be a generalist systems admin/engineer. Certainly, if you already have solid Linux skills, it would make a lot of sense. On the other hand, if you want to go deeper into a different area, it would make no sense. MCSE or CCNP would be really solid picks if you wanted to specialize in Microsoft server platforms or Cisco/networking, specifically, though neither is bad for a generalist path, either. ITIL Foundations might not be bad regardless of where you go. Apple certifications probably won't do anything for you.

If you really just want to milk the training, look at training for the VCP, any GIAC cert, or CISSP. Those are going to be your highest-value training in terms of dollar amount.

Otherwise, I'd suggest you think about what you really want to do with your career. You have easily a dozen or more solid choices if you want to stay general. It gets pretty narrow if you want to truly specialize.

duffman668

Thanks for the advice guys. I really appreciate it. I think I may try the MCSE and CCNP at the same time. I may just study one in the morning and one at night. My company purchases CBT Nuggets for us to watch which are very helpful. I am slightly afraid that since I am starting school for an A.A.S in Computer Information Science in January I may be overloading myself, but we shall see. The Linux certifications have always interested me, and my goal is to be as diverse as possible, without stretching myself too thin. I just don't want to specialize in just 1 area. I also didn't realize the Linux+ gives LPI-1. So on a resume I could technically put both certs down? As far as the Apple Cert, after doing more research I think I will skip that one, just doesn't seem worth it at this point.

And N2IT "I'm assuming titles can be misleading sometimes" that is the truth! Although my title is Network Administrator I also have to: Script (VB), create small programs (normally Java), Server Administration (SQL, Exchange, Sharepoint), Fix Desktops, Laptops, Macs, Unix/Linux Terminals, Website Design, EMR Specialist, and a plethora of other small jobs. Our company has about 550 computers/laptops/thin clients and 4 WAN sites(getting ready to add 2 more by December) up to 50 miles away and there are only 2 of us in the IT department so it can be a little overwhelming sometimes lol.

You should have seen the network there before I started. At their main location they had about 350 devices on a 172.16.0.0/23 subnet. All servers, switches, printers, PC's, and IP phones were on one Vlan (the default Vlan). Not to mention they had 5 wireless AP's (Sonicpoints) at the main location broadcasting 2 different SSID's...Normally not a problem, but instead of using Vlans and broadcasting all SSID's from all AP's, they had 2 using a private SSID and 3 using Public, so wireless was spotty at best...it was a nightmare. Needless to say it is much better now lol.

Ivanjam

@duffman668 - judging from your daily routine, you seem to do more Windows system administration than Cisco networking, so just go for the MCSE and don't yourself with too much studying prior to starting your AAS.

duffman668

I see your point IvanJam, but the things I listed above were just the things I did on top of all the networking stuff. I was just agreeing with N2IT about how job titles can be misleading. All of our routers and switches are Cisco. I am also about to replace our Sonicpoint AP's with a Cisco WLC and Access Points because Sonicwall doesn't allow Layer3 provisioning at the moment, and I can't stand Sonicwall

. It is basically coming down to a coin toss at this point, although I am sure I will get both certifications within the next year or so.

petedude

Master Of Puppets wrote: »

In my experience, Apple certs bring no value. I can see them helping if you're in an environment dominated by that company. However, what I have witnessed regarding Apple certs is limited so take that with a grain of salt. I know a couple of people who have them and it hasn't helped them at all.

Well put, Master. I would also go a little further and say-- if you live in an area where there's a significant media presence (e.g. LA, New York) you might find solid niche roles whether the companies actually have lots of Apple equipment or not but a high dependency on Apple-based toolsets. There are not a lot of these roles, though, and they usually require lots of industry-specific expertise (e.g. Final Cut for film production). You have to be in a position to be able to and want to invest yourself in these niche industries to stay in these companies for any length of time-- they usually require long hours, on call support, etc.

For about a year or two, it seemed as if Apple was interested in competing in the enterprise marketplace and then they more or less pulled back. They're incorporating more enterprise-friendly features into their iPhones and iPads now, but I don't see this as a business strategy on Apple's part as much as simply a way to sell a few more devices. Until Apple makes another serious push for enterprise adoption, their certs will not have much value.

linuxabuser

The MCSE will be easy, it's only 2 tests. I'll bet you can do it by year's end. Go for your CCNP afterwards!

N2IT

Duff I am there with you. I carry the title Business Analyst but I do some development, report design and writing and requirements analysis. I've even begun to learn about modeling data. Good times with a lot of hats. Speaking of which I have been doing a lot of VBA with this position lately. It's not pretty but it works lol.

PKHComputing

I would stick with Microsoft. You already have a strong base in the MS certification track so keep building on that. Maybe start specialising in something that will be profitable should you decide to leave your current post. MCSE Virtualisation / MSCSE Cloud seem to be good choices at the moment along with System Center...

All the best and keep milking them for everything you can get!

dspielman

considering you already have MCSA 2012, making the jumping to MCSE will be the logical path since its only 2 exams. You could then move on to CCNP after that.