Is A+ a step backwards?

in A+
I am just getting in to the IT field. I am wrapping up my B.S. in Info Systems Security in a couple of months and just recently got my Net+ certification. I am currently working in the Operations Center for a Data Center company as an analyst. For those of you that have been in the field for a while, do you think that going after my A+ certification would be a step backwards, when I should be going after MCSA and CCNA certs instead?
Comments
Your job role sounds like you'll be doing entry level networking / desktop support / helpdesk stuff? if thats so then i would look for a cert aimed towards that. If your doing the type of work i mentioned then the mcsa/e & net+/CCNA are a good place to start.
Then i would decide which area you would like to specialise in - i.e. sysadmin, networking etc then i would focus on higher level certs in that area.
Welcome to the forums too!
Bsc (hons) Network Computing - 1st Class
WIP: Msc advanced networking
MCP >> MCSA >> MCSE >> MCSE:Messaging >> MCSE:Security >> MCITP: Domain Admin
CCENT >> CCNA >> CCNA: Security >> CCNA:Wireless >> CCNA:Voice >> CCNP
As far as what I am doing now, it is mostly a second level help desk. There's a lot to do with routing problems, DNS, email, web hosting. Troubleshooting wireless takes up a good deal of time too. There's not much, but there is a little hands on work on the servers if the engineers need help or a customer needs remote hands.
I guess I'm really thinking about it to have something to fall back on in a real emergency...
Why then did you spend the time to get Net+ and A+?
I find A+ helpful for Geek Squad/Firedog and low end help desk jobs. Do a search at monster.com or dice and you'll find it is respected in low wage IT jobs but not much elsewhere.
I was told Comptia was the way to go when I started out. I don't agree with that now, being 2009 on. I believe their exams are more difficult than they need to be as they tend to be too esoteric to be useful in the real world. Memorization of IRQs, memory address spaces, dated Novell and Apple networking come to mind.
In the end A+ takes two exams and requires more studying than people give it credit for. Microsoft and Cisco are providing much better entry level ceritifcation paths than they did even a couple of years ago (when I started), with MCTS and CCENT. They provide a very solid entry level baseline that applies to real world jobs that have fair wages. They also have great growth potential, see the paths from my earlier postings.
If you are looking for career boosting entry level certifications I believe the way to go for 2009 is....
Microsoft Certified Professional - Windows XP (70-270)
Technology Specialist - Configuring Windows Vista (70-620)
Cisco Certified Entry Level Technician (640-822)
Microsoft Certified Professional - Windows 2003 (70-290)
I hope this helps you in some way,
Nothing learned is ever a step backwards. If you think you are applying for a position where the people hiring might look down on a cert, then just leave it off your resume.
The A+ (2002 version) was somewhat easy for me because I've worked with hardware for almost 30 years. So I can see where you might need to study for something that might be more in tune with your own strengths.
The only reason not to go for it would be
A. You could spend the time studying for something more in line with your own skills and goals
B. You know the stuff, but don't feel the need to spend the $400 to sit for the tests.
I think that A+ shows that you at least have a clue about how hardware works!
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OK. I'm done defending a cert that I think is really worthwhile
I completely agree with this statement. There is so much about computer technology and IT that we just can't learn everything, but what we can do is fill in the gaps as best as possible. This will make you more versatile in whatever job role that you happen to take in the future. Never stop studying and learning about technology because once you do, that is when you become obsolete.