Where to go after CompTIA?So I just got my Sec+ giving me the A+, Net+, Sec+ trifecta

DaPurpleRT · December 2010

So I just got my Sec+ giving me the A+, Net+, Sec+ trifecta. I wanted to either go for the CCNA route next or start the MS path. I am sort of leaning towards the MS path because I was asked if I had any MS certs in an interview once for a job I wish I had gotten. I was leaning to CCNA because early in my college career I passed 2 semesters of Cisco classes towards the CCNA and for some reason I don't recall, I didn't take the exam.

Mainly I am lost as tro where I should go. Are the MCSE and MCSA still active/attainable or have the MCTS/MCITP{ track superceded them? Will the MCSA ever retire (and MCSE?)? Seems like I saw on MS site they wouldn't but allt he newer ones will, so should I backtrack to these if they are available, or go the new route and just live with certs that will expire?

Also, what of my CompTIA certs can I use towards which MS exams?

I know this is a lot of questions and thank you SO MUCH in advance to anyone who takes the time to help!

-Ryan

Daniel333 · December 2010

good job.

The real quesiton is what is your experience and where are you heading? Most people will benefit from the MCITP: Server admin 2008 track and the CCNA:Security cert to get you well rounded.

Essendon · December 2010

Welcome to the site! This is one place you'll keep coming back to.

This has been debated plenty of times on this board. Whether you should start on the MS track or the Cisco track depends on your career aspirations. If you are just starting out, entry level certs on both tracks is probably the widely recommended way to go.

Only do certs which will help take you where you want to go. Dont just go about collecting a whole assortment of them.

The MCSA/E is still attainable, MS will gradually retire them over the years. Exams are usually retired when support of the product is coming to an end. Be aware that exams retire, not certs. So let's say you have an MCSA on Server 2003 and MS retire all exams on the track, you are still an MCSA. So it's not like the cert's going to expire, like the Cisco ones do. I think Cisco ones retire every 3 years.

Since it looks like you are just starting out on the certs, I'd go with the newer track i.e. MCITP. Just be aware that the MCSE still has much more brand value than the MCITP. Heck even my manager didnt know of a thing called MCITP till I explained to him what it was. It will gradually gain importance, that's for sure.

As for using Comptia certs as electives for MS exams, look here (towards the bottom) > MCSE Certification | MCSE Training | Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer

Hope this helps!

bdub · December 2010

Actually MCITP certs will expire, MCSA/MCSE certs do not expire but they can become outdate such as people with NT4 MCSE who haven't upgraded.

Cisco or MS depends on whether what you want to do. Whether you want to work with servers or more on the network side. I personally think MS certs take you further when you are just starting out but then again I don't know where you are in your career. But I can tell you MCSA/MCSE goes a long way even if you are applying for a more entry level job, a lot of Help Desk positions require you to have experience with Windows servers or at least it is a big plus that will give you the edge over the guy who only has workstation OS experience.

A+ and Net+ count as electives toward the MCSA/MCSE. So for MCSA you would just need 70-290 and 70-291 along with one of the client exams (XP, Vista or 7).

DaPurpleRT · December 2010

Also, the Cisco certs run 2-3 years for expiry don't they?

Oh, and to add a little info on my backgroind I have a BA in Business Administration - Mngmt. of IS and an AAS in Information Technology (and an AA in Arts general, lol).

I work as a Senior Helpdesk Technician at a large regional ISP. I have been here over 5 years and was here through most of my college career. They have reimbursed my certs thus far. Unfortunately the pay itself is horrid. lol

So I am leaning towards the MS exams, but am still completely on the fence about MCSA/MCSE Vs. MCITP... I love the idea of the certification itself mnot expiring, but don't want the cert to seem antiquated in a couple of years.

It looks like my CompTIA certs put me at 1 of 4 for MCSA and 1 of 6 for MCSE bdub. Does it help towards MCITP and how many total exams are there for it? What about MCTS?

Thanks in advance guys and the help thus far.

DaPurpleRT · December 2010

Oh also, if I do go the MS path, be it MCSAMCSE or MCITP,, which exam should I goto first? I was sort of thinking just get the client exam out of the way and do Windows 7.... Good thinking or are their better options?

krauser · December 2010

1. Transfer your Comptia certifications to M$.
2. Finish the MCSA track.
3. Make plans for the "E" or MCTS.

It's your choice, good luck.

DaPurpleRT · December 2010

krauser wrote: »

1. Transfer your Comptia certifications to M$.
2. Finish the MCSA track.
3. Make plans for the "E" or MCTS.

It's your choice, good luck.

Sounds like a plan, do you suggest starting out with the Win 7 test? I feel like it'd be good to use to get the MCP (you do get that after passing any actual MS exam, correct?) for general simplicity and it being most relevant to ny current job.

Also, any other thoughts and opinions still welcome.

Priston · December 2010

I'd say get the windows 7 first since it can be used for both MCITP and MCSA. After you got that you can then decide if MCSA is worth your time (No point in getting MCSA if the company you work for is using 2008 servers or plans on upgrading in 2011)

Where to go after CompTIA?So I just got my Sec+ giving me the A+, Net+, Sec+ trifecta

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