Where to start?

WeThereYet

So I'm currently in College, in my final year studying I.T

My lecturer was discussing certifications and directed me here.

My question is, what certification should I start by getting?

Additional info: I'm interested in Networking and it's my strongest subject, aspiring to be a Network Engineer.

Many Thanks,
You'll never know

coralreefguy

If Networking is your future desire...

CompTIA Network+ will lay the foundations for all future network principals. A+ is computer hardware and would be an even better precursor to the Network+ test.

From there, the CCENT/CCNA exams will bring you into the world of Cisco experience. With a home lab (you can ebay end-of-life cisco equipment for very cheap) and a few good books, you can pass the CCNA exams. As long as you study and lab there will be no issues learning the material, especially if your degree is related.

Most administrations (System or Network) usually do their time in the helpdesk. With a few basic certifications and a four-year degree you should be able to land an entry-level job. From there, you can use your experience to build yourself with more advanced certifications and move into the NOC, then into a network engineer or network admin role.

This is just one logical path, going from zero experience to an engineer. Others will have done it their own way and you too may find it to be different.

Best of luck, welcome to TE.

DoubleNNs

If you've already take Networking classes and are strong in the subject, you might want to skip the Network+ and jump right into the CCENT/CCNA.
I took the Net+ and think it laid an amazing foundation for me. However, I was coming from little to no networking experience when I took it. The only networking I knew was installing home routers and setting up port forwarding thru the GUI for online gaming.

The CCNA in combination w/ your 4-year degree should make you qualified for a NOC or Jr Network Admin job. At the very least, you should be able to land a helpdesk role (maybe look at an ISP?) and hopefully quickly move up.

Good luck!

WeThereYet

DoubleNNs wrote: »

If you've already take Networking classes and are strong in the subject, you might want to skip the Network+ and jump right into the CCENT/CCNA.
I took the Net+ and think it laid an amazing foundation for me. However, I was coming from little to no networking experience when I took it. The only networking I knew was installing home routers and setting up port forwarding thru the GUI for online gaming.

The CCNA in combination w/ your 4-year degree should make you qualified for a NOC or Jr Network Admin job. At the very least, you should be able to land a helpdesk role (maybe look at an ISP?) and hopefully quickly move up.

Good luck!

Thanks for the info,

Is the CCENT difficult? I've heard many people fail it..

Edit: what materials would I be looking at getting? :P

WeThereYet

coralreefguy wrote: »

If Networking is your future desire...

CompTIA Network+ will lay the foundations for all future network principals. A+ is computer hardware and would be an even better precursor to the Network+ test.

From there, the CCENT/CCNA exams will bring you into the world of Cisco experience. With a home lab (you can ebay end-of-life cisco equipment for very cheap) and a few good books, you can pass the CCNA exams. As long as you study and lab there will be no issues learning the material, especially if your degree is related.

Most administrations (System or Network) usually do their time in the helpdesk. With a few basic certifications and a four-year degree you should be able to land an entry-level job. From there, you can use your experience to build yourself with more advanced certifications and move into the NOC, then into a network engineer or network admin role.

This is just one logical path, going from zero experience to an engineer. Others will have done it their own way and you too may find it to be different.

Best of luck, welcome to TE.

Thanks for the useful info, I think I will more than likely skip the Net+ track, since it seems very basic from what the practice tests reveal. I will take up on the A+ though alongside CCENT/CCNA

Guess it's study material hunting time

coralreefguy

WeThereYet wrote: »

Thanks for the useful info, I think I will more than likely skip the Net+ track, since it seems very basic from what the practice tests reveal. I will take up on the A+ though alongside CCENT/CCNA

Guess it's study material hunting time

For the A+ exam I used Mike Meyer's all-in-one book . The book is a bible and covers absolutely everything on both tests.
http://www.amazon.com/CompTIA-Certification-Edition-220-801-220-802/dp/007179512X

I also recommend Professor Messer's videos. If you watch the entire course and read the book I mentioned you'll definitely pass. He's great, I've used him to pass countless exams.
http://www.professormesser.com/free-a-plus-training/free-a-plus/

This book by Todd Lammle is the go-to CCNA book, in my opinion. I also have two Cisco Press books, both are great.
CCNA Routing and Switching Study Guide: Exams 100-101, 200-101, and 200-120: Todd Lammle: 9781118749616: Amazon.com: Books

Hop over to this forum and read some of the sticky threads at the top. They'll be able to answer all your questions and help you out as you go along here at TE:
CCNA / CCENT Forums

WeThereYet

coralreefguy wrote: »

This book by Todd Lammle is the go-to CCNA book, in my opinion. I also have two Cisco Press books, both are great.
CCNA Routing and Switching Study Guide: Exams 100-101, 200-101, and 200-120: Todd Lammle: 9781118749616: Amazon.com: Books

Hop over to this forum and read some of the sticky threads at the top. They'll be able to answer all your questions and help you out as you go along here at TE:
CCNA / CCENT Forums

My friend has a Wendell Odom book he's willing to sell alongside some other equipment, as for the A+, I'm going to pray that Mike Meyers A+ Cert guide will be enough, if not then I can always resort to face planting the desk, I presume you're progressing towards CCENT also?