Confused!

So i'm really lost at the moment. I have my CCNA R&S, A+ and Network+. I eventually want to get into network security. I've only done an internship with Cerner Corp. as an "implementation engineer" and that was even before my CCNA R&S. (Got into the program through a connection). Did that for about 9 months without any salary and just lived off my savings from working at the bank while getting my Associates of Science.

Cerner Corp. is in health information systems/technology and that's the only "IT experience" i have.

Should i get my Security+, CCNA Security or finish at least my CCNP RST before getting into the "security certs"? Also, i noticed CompTIA has an HIT (health info technology) cert. Worth getting now or later?

I don't really care (at the moment) if i work for a HIS / HIT company or something else. Also, i don't have my bachelor's degree. I understand it is a HUGE PLUS in most jobs to have your bachelor's but i feel that if enough certs focusing on a specific field in IT and my Associates plus my internship experience...i should be able to land a job.

Also, just check out WGU Health Informatics and IT Security programs...i want to know if it's a well recognized Uni and worth getting my BS. in Health Informatics or Cyber Security..

Another option is if i should go for any Microsoft certs? OH MAN IM SOOO LOST RIGHT NOW!! and i don't know whyyyyy! PLEASE HELP!

FYI - im 29 years of age with plenty of anxiety issues

PS: fuz1on if you are reading this..thank you for your PM reply...please feel free to add to this but i just thought i should get more than just one opinion.

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Comments

networker050184

I'd suggest you go find a job with what you have and let it lead you down a path.

koz24

How close are you to finishing CCNP R&S?

james43026

There are no certifications and or degrees that trump real world experience mate. I would recommend you start by finding a job and working your way up. It's rare to have the opportunity to be a Network engineer / architect / administrator if you have very little job experience in the networking world, unless it's with a small company willing to take less experienced people for lower wages. The only certification that proves anything in the networking world, is something like the CCIE, and I don't recommend going for that without real world experience. I would start looking for Junior network admin / engineering positions, things along those lines, you may even find that you just need to get your foot in the door at a company and start on a helpdesk or something along those lines.

omi2123

Look for any IT jobs you can find. Even if it's a Tier II Helpdesk job. Once you are in, start your research on the next company you want to work for & build your connection. You also should get with a good IT recruiter. Create an excellent, professional LinkedIn account & slowly add people that may be helpful to get your foot in the door. I was in a low end retail business almost all my life. Then I decided, enough is enough. I finished my Net+, Sec+, CCNA(R&S) and apply for a job here at Dell, Oklahoma City. It's been a year & half since I joined Dell & I already got a Double Promotion & now I'm an Enterprise Advance Support Product Engineer. Since I got with Dell, I've also finished my CCDA & CCNP(R&S) & now working on my VCP6-DCV. I love Dell. They take care of you like family & pay is really good.

Keep your heads up buddy. Just remember, it's not all about the certification & Degree, it has lot to do with how well you can network with the right people. Good Luck!!

mkazi

wow! i thought that i posted a panic thread but THANK YOU guys so much for the input! I was thinking of applying to Dell also but in Houston. Either way, there's still a couple of weeks till i get back to the US.

So i guess i'll look for entry-ish level position with a company and rack up as much real world experience that i can and then continue with Certs when i figure out what i really want to do.

Also, Koz24 i haven't yet started CCNP RS...i just got my CCNA RS in December. However, while job hunting i'm going to start studying for it in the next couple of weeks.

koz24

CCNP R&S will take a while to get and may not provide immediate value to your resume like other certs can. I would look into CCNA Security(1 exam) and CCNA Collaboration(2 exams). You can do those 3 exams a lot faster than CCNP R&S.

mkazi

koz24 wrote: »

CCNP R&S will take a while to get and may not provide immediate value to your resume like other certs can. I would look into CCNA Security(1 exam) and CCNA Collaboration(2 exams). You can do those 3 exams a lot faster than CCNP R&S.

Hmm..that makes sense. I think i might start with CCNA Sec...however, do you think Security+ is worth it, as a pre-req to CCNA SEC or just in the case of adding value to my resume?

koz24

mkazi wrote: »

Hmm..that makes sense. I think i might start with CCNA Sec...however, do you think Security+ is worth it, as a pre-req to CCNA SEC or just in the case of adding value to my resume?

Hmm, good question. I don't know much about Security+. From my understanding it's just a general overview of all security topics whereas CCNA Security is solely network security as Cisco sees it. I don't think you need Sec+ before starting CCNA Sec, if you have CCNA R&S which you do, you should be good to go.

mkazi

koz24 wrote: »

Hmm, good question. I don't know much about Security+. From my understanding it's just a general overview of all security topics whereas CCNA Security is solely network security as Cisco sees it. I don't think you need Sec+ before starting CCNA Sec, if you have CCNA R&S which you do, you should be good to go.

heh, yeah i just check the topics and Sec+ is nothing like CCNA SEC for the reasons you stated. I need to research more before posting! Thanks though!

omi2123

You may not have to start at the bottom necessarily. Before I applied at Dell, I've created a customized LinkedIn profile in such a way that if I'm the hiring manager, how I would want to see a prominent canditate's profile. Then I added some Dell managers & high end techs on my profile. Requested for mentoring from them folks. Remember, there are plenty of people out there who has all the heavy-named certs but not everyone will get the job. You got to seperate yourself from the crowd. Also, knowing Red Hat will always give you extra edge..

mkazi wrote: »

wow! i thought that i posted a panic thread but THANK YOU guys so much for the input! I was thinking of applying to Dell also but in Houston. Either way, there's still a couple of weeks till i get back to the US.

So i guess i'll look for entry-ish level position with a company and rack up as much real world experience that i can and then continue with Certs when i figure out what i really want to do.

Also, Koz24 i haven't yet started CCNP RS...i just got my CCNA RS in December. However, while job hunting i'm going to start studying for it in the next couple of weeks.