Am I headed in the right direction? **Thanks in Advance

Hello everyone, for the last few months I've been studying Network+ in attempt to transition out of the food service industry.

But, in attempt I've noticed that Network+ without any experience might not get me a job right away "When I say job I'm referring to geek squad or something equivalent".

I'm 18 and just starting up on college with an appetite in computing.

Although I'm not sure where to leave my mark, I've been told that you cannot go wrong with A+, but is there anything that can help me stand out?

I don't mind "going for the gold" but I would like to start out learning something hands on.

My major is I.T with a Concentration in Systems and Security which is what lead me to Network+. But after studying it, I can't really see a future with it due to the fact that A+ seems to be requirement a.k.a (No one is going to let you touch a network without experience or background knowledge)

What would you recommend?

Thank you for the help!!

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N2IT

GamingCrazy wrote: »

Hello everyone, for the last few months I've been studying Network+ in attempt to transition out of the food service industry.

But, in attempt I've noticed that Network+ without any experience might not get me a job right away "When I say job I'm referring to geek squad or something equivalent".

I'm 18 and just starting up on college with an appetite in computing.

Although I'm not sure where to leave my mark, I've been told that you cannot go wrong with A+, but is there anything that can help me stand out?

I don't mind "going for the gold" but I would like to start out learning something hands on.

My major is I.T with a Concentration in Systems and Security which is what lead me to Network+. But after studying it, I can't really see a future with it due to the fact that A+ seems to be requirement a.k.a (No one is going to let you touch a network without experience or background knowledge)

What would you recommend?

Thank you for the help!!

A+ is where you should really start.

Repo Man

My 2 cents:

If you've been studying hard the past few months I would just take the network+. If you aren't comfortable taking switch to A+ or MS client exam.

N2IT

Repo Man wrote: »

My 2 cents:

If you've been studying hard the past few months I would just take the network+. If you aren't comfortable taking switch to A+ or MS client exam.

Agreed I didn't explain myself well. If you have been studying Network + finish that up, but then I would move onto A+.

GamingCrazy

Yeah, while I'm good at memorization the logical basis of the Network+ is killing me right now, I have 12 days to prepare solely for the Network+ and I don't want to be iffy taking it,

What would you guys do? I have MeasureUP practice exams,

Thanks!

Mike-Mike

if you already have a book, I would think 12 days is a good amount of time to really crack down and read

skyline

12 days SHOULD be enough time to study for Net+.

I will go against the grain and say DON'T go for your A+. There is very little bang for your buck with this exam. I have it....

Instead my suggestion is after Network+ would be Security+ or MCP. Either of those will give you a greater reward and catch the attention of the HR goons more then a A+ will.

My 2cents worth

cyberguypr

+1 on skipping A+. I refused to do it because I never saw the value. Go for MCP.

Priston

If your looking to get a retail pc repair job to get you through college the A+ certification is required from some of the companies. I'd say go for both the A+ and Net+. If your struggling with the net+ you might want to put it on hold and get the A+ first, then come back to the net+.

N2IT

I would really try to stick out Network +. I learned quite a bit and I am sure you will too.

GamingCrazy

Thanks guys! I have today and tommorow all day to study and then 2-3 hour periods after that I'm going to give it my best!

Does anyone know if N+ can be a entry level into a job, and if so, what?

Thanks!

N2IT

GamingCrazy wrote: »

Thanks guys! I have today and tommorow all day to study and then 2-3 hour periods after that I'm going to give it my best!

Does anyone know if N+ can be a entry level into a job, and if so, what?

Thanks!

Tier 1 Help desk type position. Maybe with a lean to networking. I would suggest hitting the job boards and getting an idea for what is out there.

badboyeee

GamingCrazy wrote: »

Thanks guys! I have today and tommorow all day to study and then 2-3 hour periods after that I'm going to give it my best!

Does anyone know if N+ can be a entry level into a job, and if so, what?

Thanks!

If you are trying for a Geek Squad type of job, I would think the A+ would be more suited for it since its a little more a PC Repair Technician job rather than a Network Technician job. It would be great for you to have both the A+/N+ tho. Then go for the Sec+ to get a head start on your IT Major.

joshmadakor

Although it can be expensive, I would suggest -EVENTUALLY- getting A+. Its WIDELY recognized and isn't that hard to pass if you put the time in to study it. For the time being, finish up Network+ though, since you already started that. If you finish Network+, you can more than likely skip the network portion for your A+ studies.

it_consultant

Network+ and a MS Client exam should put you in a good position to apply for, and get, a tier 1 position. I really like the Network+ course material, it has a LOT of on topic material that you will use over and over again. Its like CCNA (CCNA being harder) except it actually covers things you will do on the network as a technician, like mapping network drives, provisioning shares, etc.

blittrell

My two cents is this, Go to College and finish that. Do whatever it takes to get that done. If you want Certs go to WGU to earn them on the way. Certifications are good for entry level full time jobs but in 20 years you will be kicking yourself for not concentrating on college.

At last count I think I had between 15-20 certifications, after 17 years in Technology and all the experience and certifications I have acquired I am still stuck at not having a degree. For a lot of good jobs it is not what you know it is either who you know or what degree you have, certs are nice and it will bump your resume to the top of the stack but the degree will get you on the stack to begin with. Now I am talking about 100K+ jobs, although I am a little higher then that without a degree it is because I have worked in the same place for 15 years(who you know).

Don't get me wrong, I am no fan of degrees, I see a lot of idiots come out of colleges and a lot of sharp tacks as well, it all equals out in my mind but the HR person really, REALLY likes to see that BS, or even a BA on the resume.

Sounds Good

how do you become a MCP? i thought that role was retired

Repo Man

Sounds Good wrote: »

how do you become a MCP? i thought that role was retired

Once you pass any microsoft exam you have the MCP title. You can still get the MCP certification by passing the XP exams.

Dclown

I suppose in a sense MCP was retired. Now, you pass a MS exam and you are tagged MCTS..

It's all the same.. Pro / Tech Specialist...

Something like that...

GOOD LUCK!!!

Sounds Good wrote: »

how do you become a MCP? i thought that role was retired

Sounds Good

Dclown wrote: »

I suppose in a sense MCP was retired. Now, you pass a MS exam and you are tagged MCTS..

It's all the same.. Pro / Tech Specialist...

Something like that...

GOOD LUCK!!!

you think its wrong to put MCTS/MCP on a resume if technically you've never had the MCP?

Dclown

When you take and PASS a MS exam, You will be adding each designation you receive from MS to your resume. Which I would hope to doing soon myself

Sounds Good wrote: »

you think its wrong to put MCTS/MCP on a resume if technically you've never had the MCP?

Sounds Good

Dclown wrote: »

When you take and PASS a MS exam, You will be adding each designation you receive from MS to your resume. Which I would hope to doing soon myself

yes, but i'm referring moreso to the MCP part. since MCTS is a relevantly new certification, do you guys think it would be wrong to put MCP along with MCTS just for recognition?

GamingCrazy

Thanks guys, I'm taking a break and posting now, I've been taking the MeasureUp practice exams and closely looking at what I know and what I do not know.

I am making around 75-85% on the MeasureUP but I'm not sure if they're the best certification preperation software because I obtained it freely,

Anyhow, with 11 days to go I will be battling Finals and this Exam along with 30 hours of work, I'll do my best and hopefully that is enough

Quick Question: What is the %centage to pass the network+ exam? I know it's 720 or something out of 900, but how many questions does that refer to being right over being wrong (Correct/Incorrect)?

Thanks everyone, you are inspiring me to go for the gold!

tomahawkeer

GamingCrazy wrote: »

Thanks guys, I'm taking a break and posting now, I've been taking the MeasureUp practice exams and closely looking at what I know and what I do not know.

I am making around 75-85% on the MeasureUP but I'm not sure if they're the best certification preperation software because I obtained it freely,

Anyhow, with 11 days to go I will be battling Finals and this Exam along with 30 hours of work, I'll do my best and hopefully that is enough

Quick Question: What is the %centage to pass the network+ exam? I know it's 720 or something out of 900, but how many questions does that refer to being right over being wrong (Correct/Incorrect)?

Thanks everyone, you are inspiring me to go for the gold!

Measureup is actually VERY good, at least for CIW, A+, Network+ and Security+. Ive not used it for anything else yet. Very similar questions to what you see on the certification exam itself.

Network+ the 720 = 80% correct. Which means you can miss no more than 20

badboyeee

tomahawkeer wrote: »

Network+ the 720 = 80% correct. Which means you can miss no more than 20

Also note that they would throw in at least a couple "beta" questions. So if you see a question entirely weird, don't freak out about it, it won't be counted.

VAHokie56

Are you interested in networking? you will most likely find what IT path you want to specialize in once you start getting in the field. I went A+ --> help desk --CCNA --> Network Engineer , choose to skip the Net+ but that's just me!

Sounds Good

badboyeee wrote: »

Also note that they would throw in at least a couple "beta" questions. So if you see a question entirely weird, don't freak out about it, it won't be counted.

for my A+, there were 10 questions that were beta. so the entire test was out of 90 questions and 900 points. 10 points each. same probably goes for Network+.

i do have a question about the beta questions though. if you get them right, do you get points for that?

SteveLord

Sounds Good wrote: »

for my A+, there were 10 questions that were beta. so the entire test was out of 90 questions and 900 points. 10 points each. same probably goes for Network+.

i do have a question about the beta questions though. if you get them right, do you get points for that?

No you do not.

ATL-TECH

make sure you study whats in the objectives, only study what you don't know

erpadmin

Sounds Good wrote: »

i do have a question about the beta questions though. if you get them right, do you get points for that?

One thing to keep in mind about beta questions...even though your gut could be telling you it's a beta question, you don't know for sure if it is a beta question. (I had a few of them on my Security+ that looked like they belonged more for A+...pretty sure I nailed them). Just answer all questions as best as you are able to.

Having said that, to echo Mr. Lord, no, beta questions do not count for scoring...