New to IT

Arthurg81

Hi all, I'm new to this forum and IT in general. I'm trying to make a career change. Currently out of work and have taken the opportunity to get some certs and enter this field. I have recently obtained my A+ and Net+ also taking the CCNA 200-120 next week. My major problem is not having any experience and also no degree, my question is what kind of position could I reasonably expect or look for with these 3 certs, A+ Net+ and CCNA (assuming I pass lol). My hope is to get some valuable experience and add more certs onto my resume while on the job, mainly Cisco because I enjoy networking logic. Any feedback greatly appreciated!

networker050184

What career are you changing from? Anything that can possibly transfer over? That will make a big difference.

Assuming you have zero transferable skills, but can sell yourself and your people skills something like helpdesk, NOC, customer support etc. would be obtainable.

Arthurg81

Construction management and sales, so yeah people skills and everything else that goes along with a demanding management position. I will try to spin that onto the resume for sure.

DoubleNNs

Help Desk/NOC/Technical Support.

The people skills would transfer well into those positions as well.

Are you in north or south jersey? There seems to be tons of job openings right now in the North Jersey area. I'm sure the amount will die down as the holidays approach, but will probably increase even more at the beginning of the new year.

adam220891

Wish we could get some of those jobs down here in SJ.

Lots of contract jobs in philly, though. Hopefully can find something permanent within the next month.

OP, I'm kinda in the same boat. No experience, since I work at Lowe's right now. Going to be getting a degree and the CCENT by the end of the year in addition to the A+, N+, and MTA I already have, but employers know it's one thing to read about the stuff and another thing to actually do it.

Arthurg81

I'm in central Jersey. Going to start looking very soon but would sure like to have the CCNA on there before I start looking. Going for the composite 200-120 next week, but have been getting replies that its a bad idea to take the composite 200-120 CCNA. Being told better idea to through the CCENT ICDN1 and 2 test route. What do you guys think?

DoubleNNs

I think the best way to gaugee whether you can handle the composite exam is to attempt practice exams - even if just the ones in the books you're studying. That should give you the best idea on how prepared you are for the exam.

How have you been doing your labs? Packet tracer? GNS3? Physical equipment? Have you labbed extensively? The ICND2 is very troubleshooting intensive (going thru the material now) and the composite is supposed to be very time constricting.

Arthurg81

I had a 5wk/3 days a week class with a good instructor that just ended. Using packet tracer to lab, and doing labs at home as well. No physical equipment, probably not necessary for CCNA. I've seen some of the stuff that could be thrown at you in the composite exam but you never really know it might end up being much more difficult than I think. I do know the time constrain problems associated with it, so now I'm getting nervous and questioning myself. Maybe better to cancel my 200-120 and just go for the ICDN1 first. Up until I joined this forum I was confident in my ability cuz I was scoring high on sample tests. I don't know what to do!!!

DoubleNNs

Did you already pay and schedule the exam?

If so, take it.

Even if you fail, you'll get valuable practice and a printout which will identify your weak areas and tell you what you have to study harder on.

If you pass, you celebrate. You'll have the exam behind you and be able to go on to the next one.

Arthurg81

Yup paid and scheduled. Thanks DoubleNNs for the supporting words. Ok gotta get off the forum now and study!! Lol

adam220891

Good luck with the test. I hope to take the ICND1 next month. How much was your class? My school's Advanced Networking class uses the ICND1 book, but I graduate so if I pass, there's no ICND2 class waiting. I asked the lady at the place I took my MTA exam at, and they offered a class for 1400. Think I'd rather buy the book and the CBTnuggets and self study at that price.

Arthurg81

the class was 1500, instructor was really good, I sat in on a class before I took it to see how he was.

adam220891

Thank you. I guess the price I heard was not out of the norm.