best certification for a University student

Hi,

I am a university student studying BSc (Honours) in Computing. I want to undertake some certification to keep start my career. Most of the employees look for proven experience or study in a certain area. Please do not suggest comptia A+ or network + as they are over priced . I want to work as a IT desk support, technician, networking etc.

Thanks in advance.

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Comments

SteveO86

For Desktop/Helpdesk support.. The basics.. (A+, Network+).. If not maybe some Microsoft client stuff, XP or 7.

N2IT

Since you don't want to do A+ or N+, probably Windows 7.

Musafir 05

N2IT wrote: »

Since you don't want to do A+ or N+, probably Windows 7.

most companies have windows XP I don't think windows 7 is a good idea at the moment.

Can anyone suggest certifications?

N2IT

Musafir 05 wrote: »

most companies have windows XP I don't think windows 7 is a good idea at the moment.

Can anyone suggest certifications?

Then why don't you get a Microsoft XP certification then? You yourself just said most environments are using it. Wouldn't that make sense to get a certification that everyone is using?!?! You just answered your own question.

Most people I know in help desk don't have certifications.

Too_cool

Regardless of the price, the COMPTIA exams are what you need to focus on... Besides, certs will become more expensive as you advance in your career. I recommend A+ then Windows 7. "Most companies are either deploying or in the planning phase of deploying Win7."

Musafir 05

N2IT wrote: »

Then why don't you get a Microsoft XP certification then? You yourself just said most environments are using it. Wouldn't that make sense to get a certification that everyone is using?!?! You just answered your own question.

Most people I know in help desk don't have certifications.

friend please be more specific please, do you mean MCTS?

N2IT

Musafir 05 wrote: »

friend please be more specific please, do you mean MCTS?

MCTS would be the Windows 7 and Vista client exams

The MCP would be the XP certifications. 270, 271, 272

Musafir 05

N2IT wrote: »

MCTS would be the Windows 7 and Vista client exams

The MCP would be the XP certifications. 270, 271, 272

which are the bsets exams to take if I want knowledge in network, server, windows xp etc

Priston

Network:
N10-004 CompTIA Network+
640-822 CCENT + 640-816 CCNA

Server:
70-640 Windows Server 2008 Active Directory
70-642 Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure

Client OS:
70-680 Windows 7 Configuration
70-270 Windows XP

eansdad

Priston wrote: »

Network:
N10-004 CompTIA Network+
640-822 CCENT + 640-816 CCNA

Server:
70-640 Windows Server 2008 Active Directory
70-642 Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure

Client OS:
70-680 Windows 7 Configuration
70-270 Windows XP

+1 on this my only problem would be someone applying for a desktop support position with a CCNA and a degree but 0 exp and no entry level certs. I'm not an HR person but it just doesn't look right to me. The Comptia trio (while a little costly) are the building blocks of a solid tech. I would say if you comfortable with A+ material to get a Net+ and build from there. If the normal cost is to much then either go for a student disounted voucher or buy a discounted voucher. I've never heard anyone say they wised they didn't get an A+ or Net+ to start with.

Musafir 05

just to clarify I should be aiming to achieve A+ and N+?

what about CCENT?

Zentraedi

eansdad wrote: »

+1 on this my only problem would be someone applying for a desktop support position with a CCNA and a degree but 0 exp and no entry level certs.

CCNA is entry level and not terribly hard to achieve for those with no previous experience in the area.

SteveO86

Musafir 05 wrote: »

just to clarify I should be aiming to achieve A+ and N+?

what about CCENT?

As stated before.. Ideally A+, Network+.. If your goal is to get into a desktop type field.. CCENT, CCNA does not cover PC repair.

Priston, laid out a nice blue print to follow for entry level certs in the desired fields.

If you are new to networking and want to pursue that field, I would still start with the network+ to lay down the foundation and build up from there (CCNA or otherwise)

Priston

Musafir 05 wrote: »

just to clarify I should be aiming to achieve A+ and N+?

what about CCENT?

A+ and N+ are easy to achieve and look great on your resume for entry level jobs.

Then you go into specific vendors like MS and Cisco
CCNA can help you go one way
MCP/ TS:Windows 7 can help you go another way

Alot of people go for certs from both vendors to figure out what they really want to pursue.

The CCNA can be taken as a 1 part test or a 2 part test. If taken in 2 parts the CCENT is the first part of the CCNA. The CCENT alone isn't a big deal on your resume because HR and employers don't know much about it since it's new. But the CCENT can also give you a good idea of what the cisco world is like and help determine if you want to keep going for the CCNA or move onto a different technology.

qwism

Learning a lot so far. A few questions... I currently ordered the 70-271 and 70-272, they're my first exam books outside of class textbooks.

Going by Priston's recommended track below, which i'm sure has been rehashed a bunch of times throughout the forums, as a good intro for getting certs/possible getting entry level work.

Originally Posted by Priston
Network:
N10-004 CompTIA Network+
640-822 CCENT + 640-816 CCNA

Server:
70-640 Windows Server 2008 Active Directory
70-642 Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure

Client OS:
70-680 Windows 7 Configuration
70-270 Windows XP

Just to be be clear....

I understand that getting an A+ and a N+ cert is good norm for someone starting out now. So I'll want to go for those. Eansdad mentioned the comp tia trio, what would be the third? server +? security+?

I understand that the CCENT is before the CCNA and that it's a vendor specific cert, and that the N+ will give you a good primer in general for networks before heading into Cisco.

I
For the Server 2008 material, I see a lot of job posts, even for entry level work, of needing some base knowledge of Active Directory and a lot of times MS Exchange, and they go hand in hand for most of the listings. Will the 640/642 get me into Exchange also? Or what would be a good primer/recommendation.

2008 is the current for everything server wise and i feel i should be working on that, and hopefully everything's backwards compatibly with the 03/05, no? Considering no prior experience, and a person with no exp, buy a self contained instructional book, be able to get myself up to working conditions possible if i picked up the necessary/recommended MS press books or etc. that's needed.

Should I start vearing my way towards a mcsa/mcse soon after with those certs in place above, considering i want working knowledge of AD/Exchange stuff? I know i want to get vendor specific with Microsoft and I eventually want to be able to now feel like a donkey when I get there, even though I'm sure that feeling is bound to happen regardless.

Sorry for the repetitive questions, I guess i could be more clearer as I write but i'm kind of rambling at the moment and I'm about to head to lunch. But i really like the shared information and I hope to cut my learning curve down by doing less trial and error and more asking questions.