Advice on re certifying in A+ or something else like N+ or Win7...

Greetings,
I have 15 years financial application / trading floor support and 3 months ago transferred into the Desktop Support group to get more into the technology route. I did get my A+ back in 2007 and also started an associate degree program in computer information systems. I am like 4 classes away for the degree. I have come a long way already in my first three months doing full on desktop support but I would like to get better, faster.

A good co worker said not to bother with A+ again since I do already have it but I think that maybe certifying under the current objectives may be helpful. If not, I the think the next most useful cert for my desktop role would be the Win7 cert or maybe even N+.

Anyone have any suggestions or a 'this is what I would do' suggestion?
Thanks-

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santaowns

Do network plus and it will renew your a plus

Cert_ify

I may need to look into that again because I thought I saw that if it were pre 2010 the A+ will not be able to be validated like that.

Dakinggamer87

I would suggest skip renewing your A+ and move onto higher level certs to add to your resume such as the Network+ or a Microsoft/Cisco certification depending on your career path.

DoubleNNs

Don't do your A+. Since you got it in 2007, it's good for life. If you recert the A+, you'll have to keep up w/ it. If you want to check out the new objectives, maybe get a recent coy of the A+ Exam Cram and leaf thru it. Or better yet. maybe a book like: Upgrading and Repairing PCs (21st Edition): Scott Mueller: 9780789750006: Amazon.com: Books

It'll get you up to speed on the gaps between your old A+ and new material that might have arrived since then.

Then I suggest you move forward into whatever cert would help you most for work. If you work on Networks a lot but everything is going over your head, the Net+ could be a good fit. If not, I'd skip past the CompTIAs and go towards vendor certs now. If you work w/ Win 7 at work, the MCTS Win 7 might be a good start.

coralreefguy

DoubleNNs wrote: »

Don't do your A+. Since you got it in 2007, it's good for life. If you recert the A+, you'll have to keep up w/ it. If you want to check out the new objectives, maybe get a recent coy of the A+ Exam Cram and leaf thru it. Or better yet. maybe a book like: Upgrading and Repairing PCs (21st Edition): Scott Mueller: 9780789750006: Amazon.com: Books

It'll get you up to speed on the gaps between your old A+ and new material that might have arrived since then.

Then I suggest you move forward into whatever cert would help you most for work. If you work on Networks a lot but everything is going over your head, the Net+ could be a good fit. If not, I'd skip past the CompTIAs and go towards vendor certs now. If you work w/ Win 7 at work, the MCTS Win 7 might be a good start.

Definitely agree with this. Moving into the Microsoft area would probably help propel your knowledge level and career.

N2IT

+1 for Microsoft

ptilsen

Recertifying A+ would really do nothing for you. Maybe you'd learn something, but nothing of any real value, and it certainly wouldn't add resume value. Net+ isn't bad, and a Microsoft cert would be nice as well.

Cert_ify

Thanks everyone. I guess it makes sense to just brush up on current A+ objectives. N+ could be cool and I am doing a lot of Win7 now so I may just try to make a plan for the Win7 cert.