Certification Journal
cknapp78
Member Posts: 213 ■■■■□□□□□□
It begins again!!!
After multiple starts and stops in my goal to certifying my career, I finally have the motivation to start for the final time!!!
Background: Been an IT consultant for over the past 18 years. Worked mostly in the Messaging/Active Directory/VOIP space going from contract to contract. Started in New Jersey. Moved to California in 2000. Back to NJ in 2003. Moved to Louisiana in 2013. Finally moved to Baltimore/Washington DC area back in October. I've seen 43 states and 7 countries. But through all this time, I have never held a certification of any kind.
Current status: Just started full time salaried role working as a DoD contractor in the Washington DC area only 4 months after having major back reconstruction surgery. The reason I am finally jumping on the certification bandwagon? It is a DoD requirement. Need to take my Security+ and CCNA-Security Exams over the next 3 months. Otherwise, no job. I figure after passing these two exams, I will be in the zone, so I will begin my journey to my Exchange, Lync (skype), and Office 365 Exams.
Also found out that my company may be putting me through F5, VmWare, and a bunch of other CyberSecurity certs as well. I guess it pays to have worked as an architect in multiple areas. Only catch is that now I have to back it up with certifications.
I will use this as my main page for logging my progress. I will also create individual study posts for my progress on each individual cert as I study for and take them. Good way to keep myself honest. Wish me luck. Going to be a crazy next 6 months.
After multiple starts and stops in my goal to certifying my career, I finally have the motivation to start for the final time!!!
Background: Been an IT consultant for over the past 18 years. Worked mostly in the Messaging/Active Directory/VOIP space going from contract to contract. Started in New Jersey. Moved to California in 2000. Back to NJ in 2003. Moved to Louisiana in 2013. Finally moved to Baltimore/Washington DC area back in October. I've seen 43 states and 7 countries. But through all this time, I have never held a certification of any kind.
Current status: Just started full time salaried role working as a DoD contractor in the Washington DC area only 4 months after having major back reconstruction surgery. The reason I am finally jumping on the certification bandwagon? It is a DoD requirement. Need to take my Security+ and CCNA-Security Exams over the next 3 months. Otherwise, no job. I figure after passing these two exams, I will be in the zone, so I will begin my journey to my Exchange, Lync (skype), and Office 365 Exams.
Also found out that my company may be putting me through F5, VmWare, and a bunch of other CyberSecurity certs as well. I guess it pays to have worked as an architect in multiple areas. Only catch is that now I have to back it up with certifications.
I will use this as my main page for logging my progress. I will also create individual study posts for my progress on each individual cert as I study for and take them. Good way to keep myself honest. Wish me luck. Going to be a crazy next 6 months.
Comments
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scaredoftests
Mod Posts: 2,780 Mod
Welcome to Maryland! Where in the area (you can just say county--)? Ah yes, the DoD requirement.. Good luck!Never let your fear decide your fate.... -
cknapp78
Member Posts: 213 ■■■■□□□□□□
Howard County. About 10 miles SW of Baltimore. Commuting to Ft. Belvoir, VA twice a week. Fun fun...
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scaredoftests
Mod Posts: 2,780 Mod
Cool (I am in Frederick County). At least it is twice a week.
Never let your fear decide your fate.... -
coffeeluvr
Member Posts: 734 ■■■■■□□□□□
Good Luck!!"Something feels funny, I must be thinking too hard. - Pooh" -
Kreken
Member Posts: 284
Need to take my Security+ and CCNA-Security Exams over the next 3 months. Otherwise, no job. I figure after passing these two exams, I will be in the zone, so I will begin my journey to my Exchange, Lync (skype), and Office 365 Exams.
You mean three exams. You need to pass CCNA before going for CCNA:S. -
Danielm7
Member Posts: 2,310 ■■■■■■■■□□
I think you can take that after the CCENT, but yes, three exams still. -
cknapp78
Member Posts: 213 ■■■■□□□□□□
Fantastic. Still waiting for the FSO to get back to me and let me know. So now I have 3 exams that are completely unrelated to my career
