A few questions about A+/Network+, from a new member.

Howdy everyone! I found this site just a few minutes ago, and immediately registered so I could participate in this community. What an awesome find!

So here's the deal. I'm currently attending DeVry in Kansas City as a sophomore. My degree program is C.I.S. with an emphasis on "systems security analysis" (I want to be a white hat

), and I've been thinking that I don't want to wait until I graduate to ditch my job at QuikTrip. I'm looking at getting both the A+ and Network+ certs from CompTia, but I just had a couple questions regarding them before I dive in.

1.) What kind of money can I reasonably expect to make with an A+ cert? A Network+ cert? Both certs? I make a bit over $12/hr at QuikTrip, and would really like to see an improvement in my income (though, who wouldn't?).

2.) Will having obtained one cert help me in pursuing the other? If so, which cert do you recommend I get first?

3.) I'm very unfamiliar with the big names in test preparation, and the sheer variety of books, software, etc. out there has me a little intimidated. Any suggestions on who puts out good material?

Thanks in advance for any answers to these questions.

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Comments

SephStorm

mmm.
I cant help with question 1, my employer pays a flat rate, though there are promotions points for certifications including A+/Net+

2. I would suggest A+, as you should ideally know about your hosts before you learn about the network. I took my net+ because of the structure of my class, but I had already taken prep classes for A+ and had a number of years experience.

It's been a year since I took A+/Net+ so I will leave that to more recent examines on question 3.

earweed

Welcome to TE!
First off you're probably going to start out,if you're lucky, at about what you're making now. The A+ may help you get your first job but then it's up to you to be on the ball and constantly learning to advance. People generally get the A+ first as that is the more recognized and then the Net+. If you decide to get the Sec+ it tends to build more off the Net+.
For books on the A+ Mike Meyers All in One is good. As far as test preperation goes stay away from brain ****, check out any test vendor on certguard.com before purchasing.
Test vendors: transcender, selftest, ucertify, preplogic are all safe
Video training: the big 4 are trainsignal, CBTNuggets, Labsim/testout, and Learnkey

bradtechonline

The_Adm0n wrote: »

Howdy everyone! I found this site just a few minutes ago, and immediately registered so I could participate in this community. What an awesome find!

So here's the deal. I'm currently attending DeVry in Kansas City as a sophomore. My degree program is C.I.S. with an emphasis on "systems security analysis" (I want to be a white hat ), and I've been thinking that I don't want to wait until I graduate to ditch my job at QuikTrip. I'm looking at getting both the A+ and Network+ certs from CompTia, but I just had a couple questions regarding them before I dive in.

1.) What kind of money can I reasonably expect to make with an A+ cert? A Network+ cert? Both certs? I make a bit over $12/hr at QuikTrip, and would really like to see an improvement in my income (though, who wouldn't?).

2.) Will having obtained one cert help me in pursuing the other? If so, which cert do you recommend I get first?

3.) I'm very unfamiliar with the big names in test preparation, and the sheer variety of books, software, etc. out there has me a little intimidated. Any suggestions on who puts out good material?

Thanks in advance for any answers to these questions.

Depends on where you live. Start looking on jobs sites, and see what they are requiring. A+ will help you out with getting a help desk or client support job. It used to mean more back when I first got it but it has became a little watered down in value.

Devilsbane

I don't know that these certifications "earn" you more money. I think with them it just makes it easier to get a job. With A+/Net+ you are probably looking for a help desk type job that will make you maybe 30k a year.

I think these tests are really more of a stepping stone. Build some confidence by passing some tests, and build a foundation of knowledge that you can expand on.

For example: Net+ likely won't get you a networking job. But it will introduce you to the world of networking, and set you up for a CCNA. Many people will say that you don't need a net+, just go straight for the CCNA. But if you are new to the field, that is a very large bite that you are taking. I would advise to take the smaller bite first to build confidence and knowledge.

motogpman

Also keep in mind that the A+/Net+ can be requirements, contractually speaking, for service accounts for the major manufacturers. It will help the compnay "sell" their services if it can show they have X amount of certified employees. They are good for entry level positions and as others have stated, will help build on other higher level certs.