What to focus my studies on?

I'm looking for some insight as to what to focus my studies on. Linux, Unix, Mac, Windows, Cisco, among the many other things. I'm only 23 so relatively young into this field and extremely curious about people's insights. So far, my current job deals with a strictly Windows environment (server 03/08 ) so I have some experience with that.

Thank you for your time as I know it's a rather broad question, sorry. =/

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Comments

Bl8ckr0uter

Focus on what you see yourself doing in 2-3 years and what it will take to get you there. I'm kind of in the same boat as I want to be a *nix/security admin but I want to learn Windows decently because of (ego) issues with my fellow admin here. I'm 22 by the way.

loxleynew

Have you tried anything else? Cisco(networking) / Linux (security) / Unix? It's hard to say because it depends on what you like to do. If you are still unsure then it's easiest to go the windows route until you feel really comfortable around computers then branch out into networking or security or stay with system stuff.

phantasm

What you should focus on is entirley up to you. You stated that you work with Windows, do you like it? If so then I'd look at a few Microsoft certifications such as MCITP:SA or MCITP:EA. If you want some Linux exposure then install a VM on your home computer and start messing around with Linux.

As for Cisco, well networking is separate from Sys Admin. So decide which route you want to take and go from there. Either way a Network+ is a good start. It will expose you to various network technologies without going vendor specific. In the end it all comes down to what you prefer.

Clockworks

I heard that MS and CompTIA's N+/Security+ certs are going to require renewing every so often. Is this true? What about MBAs, does it matter what school you go to?

Bl8ckr0uter

Clockworks wrote: »

I heard that MS and CompTIA's N+/Security+ certs are going to require renewing every so often. Is this true?

Comptia yes starting Jan 1 next year. A+ is going to require it as well. MS I don't think so.

Clockworks wrote: »

What about MBAs, does it matter what school you go to?

You might want to follow this thread:
http://www.techexams.net/forums/jobs-degrees/56620-mba-thread.html

phantasm

Clockworks wrote: »

I heard that MS and CompTIA's N+/Security+ certs are going to require renewing every so often. Is this true? What about MBAs, does it matter what school you go to?

If you do the Sec+ by the end of the year it is a lifetime cert. Not sure if this applies to Net+ as well. In regards to MBA's, the answer is two fold. Yes it matters where you go for the degree, but mostly in Ivy league schools. Everywhere else, it matters not. In other words, if you have 2 MBA's, one from Harvard and one from the University of Arizona applying for the same job, the Harvard guy will more than likely get it. Providing the employer can afford it. lol.

In the end it all depends, if you want to be a tech then stick with the certs for now. If you want to be in management then I would look to an MBA.

Clockworks

MBA it is then, hopefully from a Ivy-league school. Also, how do I get myself more familiar with Unix? Are there certs for Unix and how difficult are the exams and to learn it?

Bl8ckr0uter

Clockworks wrote: »

MBA it is then, hopefully from a Ivy-league school. Also, how do I get myself more familiar with Unix? Are there certs for Unix and how difficult are the exams and to learn it?

Good information in this thread:
http://www.techexams.net/forums/general-certification/56473-unix-linux-ccna.html