Another: Is it worth it? Thread

So, I graduated from college four and a half years ago with two majors that have nothing to do with IT. I landed a part time job with the Geek Squad that turned into a full time job for four years, spending my last year as the Geek Squad Manager. I recently departed that position for an opportunity with a local police department's IT Department as a Computer Systems Specialist where I do some basic troubleshooting and help desk kind of stuff.

I am looking to move into IT Security or maybe some kind of Cloud Computing and Technology field. I've always had stuck in my head that I should go for the trifecta and branch up from there. What is your opinion? Should I go for A+, Net+, and Sec+ before moving on to CCENT, CCNA, MCSA, and CEH? Or should I skip the A+ and go for Net and Sec along with the others?

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Comments

chrisone

Have you reviewed the topics of A+? Do you feel you have 4 years worth of experience from the topics you see on that exam? if so then I would not waste time on that exam.

Net+ and Sec+.......mmmm it will help you get CCNA/MCSA/CEH but it is not needed. Net+/Sec+ are baby steps for your entry level exams of CCNA/MCSA/CEH.

I guess depending on your age and time you see yourself dedicating to studies will dictate if you need to just jump straight into CCNA/MCSA/CEH. Getting into Cloud computing or IT Security and being good and marketable at it, would need minimum 3-5 years of studies and certs. Getting CCNA/MCSA/CEH is entry level stuff and you will need to show more to be competitive in the market as you at best get junior positions with those certs. It will take you at least a year or year and a half to get those three certs. 2nd year of studies should be mid tier exams , third year professional/advance level exams. I see three years commitment of certs/study here, that's all I am saying.

Think of the bigger picture and if you are willing to see it through.

Mended_Eagle

I've reviewed the material. Done several practice quizzes. A lot of the material was refresher from my experience or even just personal research from fixing computers since I was in high school. I'm still fairly young so it's not an issue with timeframe. It's more that, if I can save a few bucks not taking it and put it towards another cert, I want to do that. Net/Sec being baby steps to the other entry levels is fine. I'm okay starting with those as a foundation, especially since I'm willing to put in the time to get where I want to be.

I've spent so much time looking at the CompTIA IT Road Map that I'm just making sure I'm not doing myself a disservice skipping A+

materwelon

im in a similar situation and i decided to skip the A+. im focusing all of my time and money on pentesting and im getting ready to take the EJPT course. i dont think A+ will help u get a job in info sec because the certification is geared towards a help desk role. imo u should start with Security+ and go from there

Falls_Tech

I just completed my A+ yesterday. It was right for me but if I were you I'd skip it.

yoba222

I agree with chrisone. A+/Net+/Sec+ is a great foundation. If I worked at Geek Squad for 4 years, however, those certs made sense 2 1/2 to 3 years ago. I would aim for CCENT. If you live or plan on living in an area with DoD jobs, don't rule out the Sec+. That cert opens many doors to get into US gov contractor jobs.

As for your non-IT undergrad, consider a masters in IT/Information Systems down the road. For quite a few colleges the policy is that you'd have to take a couple of leveling courses to get into the program. By no means do you need a computer science degree to qualify--lesson I learned late into my master's degree.

Mended_Eagle

Why would you recommend IT/IS over Comp Sci?

tmtex

I am surprised Geek Squad Hired you without the A+

yoba222

Mended_Eagle wrote: »

Why would you recommend IT/IS over Comp Sci?

I never thought about it. I guess no schools near where I live offered a CS masters. What I was getting at is you don't need a CS degree to get a masters in something computer related, be it CS or IT. But you'd have to live with taking an additional 5 or so courses.