stuck.

I have an associates' degree in Network Administration & Security

At first, I was gonna go ahead and get my A+ and Network+ and then get my specialist certs after a little work experience, maybe in helpdesk, etc.

I am prepped for the Network+ and then I just recently got the exam cram for the A+ and I didnt know how basic A+ actually is. I was talking to one of my professors and he said having a degree and 2+ certs might make me overqualified.

I would like to start out at help desk and work my way up into a specialist career (security analyst, linux server admin, ...) I want to skip the A+ altogether, the only reason I was considering it, is to have it on my resume for the helpdesk job.

Being that just now, I have an AAS in Network Admin & Sec... What should I do? I dont want to be overqualified nor underqualified $:\$

Find more posts tagged with

Free for TechExams community: Cybersecurity salary guide

Compare cert salaries and plan your next career move

Button

Comments

rogue2shadow

rsty wrote: »

I have an associates' degree in Network Administration & Security

At first, I was gonna go ahead and get my A+ and Network+ and then get my specialist certs after a little work experience, maybe in helpdesk, etc.

I am prepped for the Network+ and then I just recently got the exam cram for the A+ and I didnt know how basic A+ actually is. I was talking to one of my professors and he said having a degree and 2+ certs might make me overqualified.

I would like to start out at help desk and work my way up into a specialist career (security analyst, linux server admin, ...) I want to skip the A+ altogether, the only reason I was considering it, is to have it on my resume for the helpdesk job.

Being that just now, I have an AAS in Network Admin & Sec... What should I do? I dont want to be overqualified nor underqualified $:\$

In my op having a degree and certs wouldn't make you overqualified for help desk (unless you walked in with like a CCIE :P). If you're going to skip the A+ make sure to grab the Security+ as well. Since the Sec+ is built upon the Network+ and A+, it can generally be assumed you some idea as to what you're doing A+ wise (don't quote me completely). Grabbing the A+ wouldn't hurt by it comes down to ROI (return on investment) and whether or not you believe that A+ will help get you into the front door.

Currently the A+/Net+/Sec+ combo is set to turn into a Continuing Educational program come Jan 1, 2011. If you would like to achieve life time status of each cert you must complete them before December 31, 2010.

In other regards, if you ever decide to take the MS route, the Security+ will serve as an elective towards completion of either the MCSA/MCSA or the MCITP:EA/SA. If Network administration and Security is what you're truly interested, try to plan/figure out what aspect of Security interests and guide your future path from there (on top of your newly to come work experience). Just like general IT, Security changes by the minute and is a lifelong learning process.

My advice, apply everywhere; it never hurts. If you need help with your resumé, anonymize your current resume and post it on the forum for critique. If anything government is in your sights, take a look at JD's blog:

IT Certifications and DoD Directive 8570.01-M | TechExams.net Blogs

This details the requirements of all individuals working if any Information Assurance capacity.

Degree wise, definitely press on to a bachelors degree. Experience is foremost but having a bachelors open some extra doors up (a lot of companies have a set requirement that candidates have one mainly in IT or related/any discipline; usually you can mix and match exp and degrees reqs).

rsty

Alright, thanks alot for the reply.

Heero

two entry level certs and an AAS is not overqualified for an entry level job. In fact, it is just about right, or maybe a little more. Being overqualified normally means you have to be substantially overqualified for it to affect your employment chances.

Hypntick

Yeah overqualified is a L1 help desk job and a guy gets hired with a CCNP and the 3 main Comptia certs. He had just moved to the area and that was all he could find on short notice. Was there maybe 3 weeks before he found something much more suited to his skill set.

Heero

Keep in mind, you can omit whatever qualifications you want if you actually are overqualified...

rsty

rogue2shadow wrote:

If you would like to achieve life time status of each cert you must complete them before December 31, 2010

This is why im in such a hurry. Unfortunately, im only prepared for the A+ and Network+. I just finished a security+ class but I dont want to rush into more than I can handle. My goal is to achieve my CISSP during my career, so would it be bad to have 2 infosec certs? I think im going to go with the A+ and Network+, your right, about the ROI.

Hypntick wrote:

Yeah overqualified is a L1 help desk job and a guy gets hired with a CCNP and the 3 main Comptia certs.

This is good! At least he got hired. What im worried about, is being beat by the high school graduate that took computer hardware/software electives.

Heero wrote:

Keep in mind, you can omit whatever qualifications you want if you actually are overqualified...

word.

Thank you everyone... I needed to hear all this.

Priston

With an AAS degree and 2 certs I'm underqualified for most of the "entry level" jobs in my area. Last week I finally got an interview, I was one out of six selected for interviewing so i'm praying they pick me and give me an offer.

rsty

Good luck.

Of course its not all about your degree/certs but also how you present yourself. I think I have that down very well.

Also, Im not sure if this would count as exp... That I work in building maintenance right now and run all the cable for my building and all the antenna work for all buildings (gps, wifi, LORAN). Mounting antenna, installing lightning arrestor. Crimping N-type antenna cable, F-type, BNC, RJ-45, punching 110 block. Ive done the basic routing, switching but most of that is done by the IT team.

Ive become to think that this type of installation is pointless as far as exp goes. Its all about maintaining, etc. Is this completely useless exp that I have?

Priston

rsty wrote: »

Good luck.

Of course its not all about your degree/certs but also how you present yourself. I think I have that down very well.

Also, Im not sure if this would count as exp... That I work in building maintenance right now and run all the cable for my building and all the antenna work for all buildings (gps, wifi, LORAN). Mounting antenna, installing lightning arrestor. Crimping N-type antenna cable, F-type, BNC, RJ-45, punching 110 block. Ive done the basic routing, switching but most of that is done by the IT team.

Ive become to think that this type of installation is pointless as far as exp goes. Its all about maintaining, etc. Is this completely useless exp that I have?

Its better than no experience and i'm sure it will help you pass the network+. You could also list it as "building maintenance / network cable technician"

citinerd

rsty wrote: »

I have an associates' degree in Network Administration & Security

At first, I was gonna go ahead and get my A+ and Network+ and then get my specialist certs after a little work experience, maybe in helpdesk, etc.

I am prepped for the Network+ and then I just recently got the exam cram for the A+ and I didnt know how basic A+ actually is. I was talking to one of my professors and he said having a degree and 2+ certs might make me overqualified.

I would like to start out at help desk and work my way up into a specialist career (security analyst, linux server admin, ...) I want to skip the A+ altogether, the only reason I was considering it, is to have it on my resume for the helpdesk job.

Being that just now, I have an AAS in Network Admin & Sec... What should I do? I dont want to be overqualified nor underqualified $:\$

I would (and did) do the A+ and NET+. While they are the lower lever certs I have 2 reasons why you should...
1) I have seen many Help Desk/Destop Support jobs ask for at least the A+.
2) Together they count as a elective for MCSA/E (now I know this cert is old but still in demand)

And if you are good at either you should be able to knock them out quick.

Anonymouse

Go for it. Kinda weird your professor would say that. They typically tell you to advance yourself in life.