Which CompTIA certs are worth getting?

C.Fountain

Hello everyone!

I am about to get my Associate's degree in Network Technology and Information Systems Security, and I kind of feel like now is a great time to look into getting certified. I feel like my knowledge is a bit lacking for the degrees I'll be getting. We spent a lot of time getting hands-on experience with virtually no lecture/conceptual study. I mainly coasted through my classes since I was able to catch on to the concepts quickly.

CompTIA seems like a good way to expand my basic knowledge while also adding to my resume. I'm just not sure which ones to get. The "triad" (A+, Network+, and Security+) are definitely on my list, but what else should I get? I currently have a list of 14 certs I'd like to get from CompTIA. Can you guys tell me which are actually worth it?

CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP)
CompTIA A+
CompTIA Cloud+
CompTIA Linux+
CompTIA Mobile App Security+
CompTIA Mobility+
CompTIA Network+
CompTIA Project+
CompTIA Security+
CompTIA Server+
CompTIA Storage+
CompTIA Cloud Essentials
CompTIA Green IT
CompTIA Social Media Security Fundamentals
Strata IT Fundamentals

Thanks for any help!

N2IT

I always thought A+ was a good one to get. It seems to still be recognized, I see senior positions requesting that the applicant have this (not always). Security + is a nice one as well if you plan on getting into that realm of IT or applying for federal jobs. Network + taught me the most, but I had a huge knowledge gap there.

DoubleNNs

CompTIA certs are expensive, and have little ROI after your first 1-2 years in IT.

The few CompTIAs that seem to hold some weight in the job market are the A+, Security+, Linux+, and possibly in the future the CASP. The rest might make good resume padding and give you good foundational knowledge, but i don't know if you can say they are "worth getting."

DoubleNNs

N2IT wrote: »

Network + taught me the most, but I had a huge knowledge gap there.

I also learned the most from the Net+. It allowed me to confidently answer questions on interviews, but the certification itself always was completely overlooked in job aps/interviews.

JockVSJock

http://www.techexams.net/forums/casp/83538-complete-waste.html

GLaD0S11

I actually don't see any of these exams as a waste. They are really helpful if you're just starting to get your foot into IT. I would not recommend these to people who have been in the industry for years and years but they give a good foundation to build upon with more vendor specific certifications. I actually learned a lot from the Net+ that has helped me when going through MCSA:2008. Anything outside of the A+, Net+, Sec+ might not make the most sense from a financial perspective, but they are definitely good learning tools. Not everyone can just jump right into IT and begin with significantly more difficult Microsoft and Cisco exams.

All that being said, I definitely wouldn't recommend getting 14 CompTIA certs. I'd say get 2 or 3 generic ones like A+, Net+, Sec+ or Linux+ and by then you'll have a good foundation and a better understanding of what you'd like to do. From there you can choose a specialization. Most people on here choose Microsoft for Server admin and Cisco for Networking/Security.


Good luck with everything!

FloOz

Since your already getting a degree in Network Technology and Information Systems Security why not get your Network+ and Security+ then branch off from there into either networking or security or both Going any deeper into CompTIA is honestly a complete waste of time and effort. You are much better off going for your CCNA or some higher level security cert.

You could also get the A+ if you are trying to find an entry level IT job. However I think the Network+ and Security+ are much more beneficial too you.

Goodluck on whatever you decide!

N2IT

I wouldn't go wild on these certifications. I would consider 1 and then deep dive from there. e.g. Security +, CISSP or Network + CCNA or something like that. I wouldn't get the trio just to get the trio. I would consider getting one tops. (That's just me)

What about taking the 3 free VMware certifications? CompTIA are expensive.

DoubleNNs

Those VMware certs aren't free anymore, unfortunately. And having taken one myself, I wouldn't recommend anyone pay to take them.

Anonymouse

My A+ has carried me pretty far despite no degree. I have been told I'm just lucky though.

Dakinggamer87

N2IT wrote: »

I always thought A+ was a good one to get. It seems to still be recognized, I see senior positions requesting that the applicant have this (not always). Security + is a nice one as well if you plan on getting into that realm of IT or applying for federal jobs. Network + taught me the most, but I had a huge knowledge gap there.

I agree the A+ was great when I first started out in IT and knowledge wise Network+ helped me the most. I'm interested in getting my Linux+ next year in addition to Security+!!

Dakinggamer87

DoubleNNs wrote: »

Those VMware certs aren't free anymore, unfortunately. And having taken one myself, I wouldn't recommend anyone pay to take them.

Luckily I got them for free!!

LittleBIT

I don't believe people when they say that A+ is a waste or CompTIA in general. When compared to Microsoft certs or vendor certs, well duh. But there are some who make 65+ (Thats right, $65,000) on the outside with ONLY an A+....

And most, if not ALL companies require A+ at a minimum.

Again, they are vendor neutral certs, and they are just there to show that you know 'something'. Everyone who bashes on these certs, if you look at what they currently have, are wayyyy above and beyond Net+ and A+ and Sec+... CISP, MCSE's, CCNA's.

Not to mention, A+ specifically, covers a wide arrange of technical stuff, not just basics. Which is why there are 2 tests instead of one. It used to be hardware and software, not the case as much anymore. The two tests cover many, MANY topics.

If you need a cheap, easy cert to get to get your foot in the door, CompTIA is the way to go. I have Server+ just because I felt like getting it, there was no incentive for it at all, but if emplloyers are looking at peoples resumes, and I have one cert above someone else... well hopefully it'll play in my favor (not saying it would).

Remember though Experience > *

DoubleNNs

People only bash on CompTIA because of ROI.

For the Net+ you pay $300 and study for ~4 weeks.
For the CCNA you pay $300 and study for ~8 weeks.

They both cost the same price in dollars, but the CCNA will open up infinitely more doors for you and teach you more. By skipping the Net+, thats the difference between getting your CCNA in the Winter vs Spring. If it's your first cert, it's the different from making 45K (CCNA) your first year in IT vs 20K (Net+) your first year in IT. No one says that CompTIAs are bad. In fact, people usually recommend getting them when starting out, but not to stay at the CompTIA level too long. It's just that you have to commit time and money into them that you could put elsewhere. Spending 2 years getting 14 CompTIA certs is a huge waste.

Also, you say that people recommending skipping the CompTIAs are at a much higher level because you see them with much higher certs. You know, it could all be perception. Someone w/ the CompTIA trio vs someone w/ a CCNA and MCTS could both have the same amount of experience. But the fact that you think of them as being more advanced than someone w/ CompTIAs just proves how skipping right to higher level certs is more beneficial.

Additionally, there are people like me. I have all the CompTIA certs and don't regret getting any one of them. However, I do realize that if I had gone straight into Cisco and MS right off the bat, I'd most likely be farther in my career by now.

DoubleNNs

LittleBIT wrote: »

If you need a cheap, easy cert to get to get your foot in the door, CompTIA is the way to go.

CompTIAs are easy (in relation to other certs) but they are not cheap.

C.Fountain

Thanks everyone! I definitely think I'm going to shrink that list down. I might just do A+, Net+, Sec+, Linux+, Server+, and Cloud+. Those six seem like a good way to expand my knowledge and pad my resume. I have five more months before I finish my Associate's degrees, so I can try to fit one cert per month or so.

Dakinggamer87

C.Fountain wrote: »

Thanks everyone! I definitely think I'm going to shrink that list down. I might just do A+, Net+, Sec+, Linux+, Server+, and Cloud+. Those six seem like a good way to expand my knowledge and pad my resume. I have five more months before I finish my Associate's degrees, so I can try to fit one cert per month or so.

I would recommend: A+, Network+, Security+, Linux+ and skip Server+ and Cloud+. If you want a cloud certification go after VMware just my opinion.

I'm only going after Linux+ just to be certified in Linux and Security+ because of the degree hehe..

N2IT

CompTIA are expensive. I would start off with A+ and see what type to hits you get.

Dakinggamer87

N2IT wrote: »

CompTIA are expensive. I would start off with A+ and see what type to hits you get.

They are I was lucky at my college I got them heavily discounted when I took my A+ and Network+.

LittleBIT

DoubleNNs wrote: »

CompTIAs are easy (in relation to other certs) but they are not cheap.

Of course. Yeah, the price is hefty for the test I agree. But if you land a job that pays $30,000 (from $20,000), whats $300 over a year? Thats the way I look at it anyways, the investment is worth it's weight, but thats only IF you land a job that will pay very well.

Good luck on your future certifications.

Corndork2

A+ / N+ is a great way to get your foot in the door in IT. Also, adding Security+ makes a big difference. Those three combined are a great combo to enter into the industry at a respectable salary. I wouldn't go too much further into CompTIA after that. Once you attain those three certs you most likely have all the basic skills you'll need. I'd move on to vendor specific certs after getting those three

veritas_libertas

I don't feel the love that I used to for CompTIA. In my mind you could get the same results by going after a Microsoft certification. That being said, if you are in the military or a military contractor that might be different. If you are doing it for knowledge than just get the certification book and read.

Corndork2

veritas_libertas wrote: »

I don't feel the love that I used to for CompTIA. In my mind you could get the same results by going after a Microsoft certification. That being said, if you are in the military or a military contractor that might be different. If you are doing it for knowledge than just get the certification book and read.

I agree the CompTIA certs are no where near as valuable as a Cisco, Microsoft, Juniper, etc cert. However, if someone is going to grab a CompTIA book and take the time reading it, they may as well take the two hours and 150.00 to get the CompTIA Paper to strengthen their resume.

Now I also have to assert that I would never go for a CompTIA cert over a vendor specific cert. For example I would never recommend N+ over CCENT, or Linux+ over RHCA

N2IT

Let's assume the individual wants to land a job as a desktop support or help desk tech. (This is usually the entry point for most people who come on here, at least that is my perception). It would be wise to spend the extra time to study for the CCNA, MCSA, or even just get a Windows 7 certification. While these are not "entry" level they are not professional either and with some effort and dedication can be obtained. IMO not only would that strategy help you in the immediate future, but would scale to your career. Dare I say throughout your whole career. (Most people I know don't want to stay on the certification train) They want to get something of value (CCNA e.g.) and go about their career. ***Just my two cents.

DoubleNNs

Edit: Post deleted. I'm coming off sounding like a broken record.

PsychoData91

Just throwing it out there for my opinion. Comptia Certs are expensive at full price. My college is a CompTIA academy though. I'm looking at doing the "triad" and possibly a few others. At the academic pricing
A+: 2x$86=$172
Network+:$133
Security+:$185 (This one's still kinda expensive)

Couple other's I'm looking at squeezing in before the year ends and they're retired
Server+: $215 (I know, but it doesn't expire. And a lot of companies in my area are only big enough to have a 1-2 person IT department which means the execs and HR are hiring and that looks good to them)
HealthCare IT Technician: $64 (Essentially A+ with some healthcare type patient confidentiality and HIPAA contexts, but it doesnt expire either. And it's cheap)

Full price for all these: $1313
My Price: $769
41% off.


Also, I have most of this knowledge from my degree anyways. These are probably going to collectively have me studying for 2 months total for A+,Net+, Sec+,HIT,Server+. And the best part is all of those listed get renewed by the other certs I'm going to look at. Sec+ gets renewed by taking an SSCP, Net+ gets renewed by taking any CCNA. That kind of thing. A+ basically gets renewed by everything it seems like. So, if you're starting out and going to continue, why not grab something that will tag along WHILE you continue. Now, if you are already at a higher level, then dont bother. Or at least get your company to pay or get a school/partner discount.

chrispatton

Among all the compTia exam..storage+ helped me a lot in my career and opened a wide variety of database roles...i followed standard documents from internet
...specially marathon series books from amazon.com
can be purchased from the following link:
Amazon.com: CompTIA Storage+ Marathon: SG0-001 Practice Test eBook: M: Kindle Store

fuz1on

After passing Sec+ and Cloud+, I am getting numerous replies and recruitment attempts for Sr. Cloud Security engineer and architect. I truly realize the power of certification and this is after working in IT for around 15 years in Silicon Valley. I can't wait for the future opportunities that can be possible with more and more diversification in certification.

*edit*

Also, so many businesses are looking to migrate their enterprise setup to an electronic, paperless medium which makes Storage+ and Cloud+ incredibly attractive in a market that is still in its' infancy. Likewise is the sentiment of many new cloud/virtualization adopters who don't want to be tied into a specific vendor.

bigdogz

If you are going into DoD then there are some certifications that are compliant to 8570 such as A+, Network+, Security+, and the CASP.

If you are interested in obtaining a Associates and/or Bachelors degree these can help you skip some of the classes that you would need otherwise which speeds you up in the process of getting your degree faster.

Good Luck!

fuz1on

bigdogz wrote: »

If you are going into DoD then there are some certifications that are compliant to 8570 such as A+, Network+, Security+, and the CASP.

CASP is amazing because it gets you IAT Level III, IAM Level II and IASAE Level II. That's almost CISSP level.

discount81

fuz1on wrote: »

After passing Sec+ and Cloud+, I am getting numerous replies and recruitment attempts for Sr. Cloud Security engineer and architect. I truly realize the power of certification and this is after working in IT for around 15 years in Silicon Valley. I can't wait for the future opportunities that can be possible with more and more diversification in certification.

*edit*

Also, so many businesses are looking to migrate their enterprise setup to an electronic, paperless medium which makes Storage+ and Cloud+ incredibly attractive in a market that is still in its' infancy. Likewise is the sentiment of many new cloud/virtualization adopters who don't want to be tied into a specific vendor.

I am interested in doing Cloud+ and maybe Project+ via the online proctoring, it's $99 each and I'm sure I will at least learn something valuable, even if it does not lead to a new job right away.

Also I'm not aware of many well known Cloud certifications right now, an OpenStack cert is 300 clams, and I am not willing to pay that much for an exam unless it is from the major players, Microsoft, Cisco, Oracle, VMWare etc