2012 Certification Plans

Last year around this time we produced a couple threads on 2011 plans:
http://www.techexams.net/forums/general-certification/59004-2011-certification-plans.html (Bl8ckr0uter) 10/10/10
http://www.techexams.net/forums/security-certifications/58374-q4-2010-2011-security-cert-objectives.html (Paul Boz) 9/21/10

How are you all progressing with your certification/degree goals and what does 2012 hold for you?

- r2s

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Comments

N2IT

Dakinggamer87 wrote: »

2011:

MCP
MCSA

2012:

MCSE (if I didn't complete it in 2011)
CCNA

Those two (MCSE, CCNA) would really boost up your resume and give you a strong understanding of Cisco and MS technologies. Good luck!

advanex1

2011 - Got my CCENT/CCNA.

Plans for 2012 are to obtain my CCNP. I will probably slow down a bit after that and check out CCNA:Sec, CCNA:V, and CCDA. After that, I'll figure out what track I'd actually like to go down. I know that CCIP interests me quite a bit as well, but if I did that, I wouldn't want to take time off to backtrack to security/voice/ccda.

We will see how it goes, it's all up to the wife and the kiddo's. I have nothing but time, CCNP is priority though. I need to renew my Sec+ and Net+ eventhough I have the lifetime certs, I'd like to stay current.

onesaint

I'm still up in the air, but tentatively the plan is:

2011 (4th quarter)
CCNA

2012
RHCSA (possibly RHCE)
Sec+
ITILv3

Cpl.Klinger

So far in 2011:
A+
Network + (by mid-December, through school)

Planned for 2012(1st half):
CCENT
Security +
Starting on MS stuff

I'll evaluate where I'm at by the end of the 1st half and go from there for the 2nd half of the year.

jovan88

CCNP Security is my top priority

earweed

Still kind of early to say.
2011- Planned
Finish MCITP:EA and WGU (done)
CCNA (feel ready for test but keep having schedule conflicts, had to reschedule recently as had a job interview come up)

2012
Definitely pursuing Exchange cert
Maybe a CCNP (not sure, didn't really catch Cisco bug though it's kind of interesting)
Try to get the VCP5 (they'll probably have 6 by the time I get to it)

effekted

For 2012 I'll knock out CCNA and likely CCNA:S. Then it'd be a toss up between either a systems cert (MCITP:SA/RHCSA) or deeper into networking (emphasis on Juniper, BGP, MPLS, QoS).

yuddhidhtir

2011

MCSA [ completed]

2012

1] CCNA [ for sure]

2] MCITP [If required]

universalfrost

since there is still a lot of time in 2011 , and I have been buys lately on certs, I also have a microsoft voucher that expires in December, so I was thinking of either the 70-640(s) or the 70-680 (s) and that should be done by fist week in November, then on to CCNA renewal (might do the icnd 1 and 2 route). I should have those done by the end of the year.

1st quarter of 12 is CISSP... no way around it, i have been studying and putting it off this entire year. I want to have it done by April 1... After that I will finish the MCITP for 2008 and for win 7... after that i was thinking of ccnp and then once i am done in late summer either PMP or cwna and cwsp (i have a non expiring voucher for cwsp)....

motogpman

Hello everyone, been away for awhile. Promotion and projects have taken up most of my time, but now I am able to get back on the cert track.

2011:
scramble to finish 70-294 and 70-297 to finish MCSE
Start WGU

2012:
WGU
CCNA
PMP

Someone asked about the PMP cert. in one of the replies. The last I researched, the average increase in salary is about $10k, but could be based on if you change jobs. Not bad for one cert. After starting to read the PMP prep book, obtaining the hours for the cert and then staying awake while reading the material is a challenge. I can say though, that I wish I would have had this cert prior to the last project I completed, moving our HQ office. That project must have aged me 5 years and this would have saved me quite a bit frustration.

Glad to be back, seeing some of the usuals still here, and good luck everyone on your mission!

joehalford01

2011:
A+ and Network+
I'd like to knock out the 70-642 before the end of the year, at the same time, I'd like to read through all the MCITP material before attempting to cram for a test.

2012:
MCITP: EA for sure, I'd love to have this level of Knowledge for work.
Security+, I've read all the material and I'd love to knock it out but I want more new knowledge instead of test cramming. Plus I realized that if I don't "need" the paper cert for my current job, I can wait and knock it out late next year to extend the C.E credits for my A+ and Network+ certs. Seems like it be a better of use of my resources.

gcarroll357

I have been toying with the idea of certs but really see that I need them to get my foot into the door for an actual IT role, therfore I have been/will be doing the following:

2011:

A+

2012:

CCNA (by end of Summer)
Windows 7 (by December)
Possibly Linux+/Security+ between Summer and end of the year

stlsmoore

Only thing I knocked out this year was CCNA: Voice and that was way back in January. I'm prepping for the CCNP: Voice now; I've never had a harder time figuring out what material I need to study for a test. Gonna probably have to cough up 1k-3k since most of the Cisco equipment I used for the CCNA: Voice before the big change aren't able to use a lot of the cool new 8.x features I'm sure to be tested on. I'm going to try and borrow as much as I can from work though

Ahriakin

2012 - Hopefully the JNCIE-SEC (and JNCIP-SEC if I don't get it this year)

advanex1

2012 Modification -

CCNP
CCIP
CCDA (would love to be able to do the CCDP as well but we will see about the time requirements for these 3)

alexfox

CCNP
CCNA Sec
CCNA Voice
Starting in CCIP

powerfool

Planned 2011:
CCSP/CCNP Security - Completed
CEH/CNDA - Completed
PMP - Still on the list
VCP4 - Currently pursuing
MCITP EMA 2010 - Added - Still pursuing MCTS exam
CCIE Security Written - Removed
MCM Exchange 2010 Written - Added but postponed

This was a pretty ambitious plan. For my personal development plan, I only needed to get my CCSP/CCNP Security completed, but work priorities necessitated the MCITP EMA 2010, and really solidified the need for VCP4. So, following is my revised list:

2011 Revised:
MCITP EMA 2010
VCP4
PMP - Stretch goal

So, for 2012? Well, I will need to rethink some of my more ambitious goals. I also imagine it will be time to hit some more MS exams:

Planned 2012:
PMP - If not completed in 2011
EDIT: VCP5 - January/February to avoid having to take "What's New..." course:/EDIT
MCM Exchange 2010 - Hopefully I do the written, at least... if not, also the lab
Windows Server 8 (or 2012) beta exams

I have so much that has been going on it is getting difficult to manage. My work projects have become strenuous because I have had had to do real studies to prove out decisions related to WAN conditions for Exchange 2010. In addition, the Exchange 2003 environment has really been thrust upon me, even though I am supposed to be tier 3 support for it... seems like I am all levels. The UCSC VMware course isn't as self-paced as I anticipated... it is self-paced, but the mid-term and final exams are scheduled and I must wait for the semester to end before I get my voucher. Grad school is getting aggravating, too.

I may throw in some smaller stuff as filler, but I cannot imagine adding much onto my plate for next year. I am not likely to have a summer break from school, as I would like to graduate from my program in December; plus, my summer break this year was supposed to be productive, getting the MCITP EMA 2010 completed and the PMP... and that turned out great

. Plus, I have some home improvement projects that I want to get completed, too (outdoor kitchen and hot tub, bathrooms, kitchens, and flooring for the whole house... and maybe window replacement with added security for ground level windows and doors).

Thxlbx

Since I am going to WGU, my cert plans for 2012 are pretty agressive, since almost all of the classes I have left involves certs. Starting a new term Nov 1st, and here are my cert plans for 2012:

Project + (possibly might get done by end of 2011, will see)
Windows 706-680
CIW Database
CIW Web Specialist
CCNA

and more after that, once I figure out my next term and the term after that.

Slowhand

I haven't been on the certification-horse for a while now, mainly because of school. I had planned to finish up the MCSE 2003 track, but I think I'll skip that and go right to 2008, (clock's ticking,) and I'll probably finally knuckle under and get some experience on Exchange. I'd also love to get back to the CCNP track at some point, if I can.

Q4 (of 2011)

70-680

Then 2012 will (hopefully) break down something like this:
Q1

70-648
70-643 (Start the work, at least. Might go into Q2.)

70-647 to complete the MCITP: Enterprise Administrator cert.
Start work on 70-662

Finish 70-662
70-663 to earn MCITP: Enterprise Messaging Administrator 2010

Finish any certs from above that I'm lagging behind on.
Get back to studying for the ROUTE exam or possibly look ahead to whatever new certs Microsoft has for the next version of Server.

We'll see how it goes, but that's the plan. I'm also looking for a part-time job to help with school expenses, as well as studying for my classes, so it may be a little slower-going than what I've got here.

Shanman

Since I am finishing up school and hopefully starting a new job I will be concentrating on that and reading my Network Warrior book. In the spring I will be looking to start certs again. Here is what I have planned for the end of this year.

CCNA security
CCNP R&S

techie2012

Sec+
CCNA:Sec
CCNP

jmritenour

Late January/early February - VCP5
Between January & June/July - wrap up MCITP:EA (through WGU)
Late summer/fall - finish BS at WGU.

Then I'm DONE for the year. I'm taking a much needed break from pursuing certs after that. In 2013, I'm going to star looking into certifying on Hyper-V, and maybe start a master's program.

Edit: If I don't pass CISSP this year (December), I will take another crack at it late next year.

petedude

Nothin'. Just flat nothin' in 2011.

Actually, that's not quite true. I did finish some nifty CIW certs and my Project+. I just didn't get anything done on the MCITP, and my huge other cert wishlist for the year (and for 2010) went completely by the wayside.

I'm hoping for 2012. . .
MC something something
possibly renew my CCNA
Would like to get my Perl cert
Would like to get a MySQL cert

Can daydream and blue-sky all to heck to generate a huge wish list, but any of that would be VERY unlikely to happen, given other work/home/more college stuff on the horizon.

Psoasman

I was planning on WGU in the spring, but talked my wife into letting me start early. I am studying for the 640 and 642 now, but may have to put those aside, once I get my transcripts evaluated. Definitely want to add some Cisco certs along the way. Depending on what transfers over, I may need to update my CompTIA N+ and S+.

snadam

I'm Planning for CCNA by EOY 2011. I was originally going CCENT/CCNA route, but have recently changed my tactics and going for the 1 exam. Because of this, chances are this will be spilling over to 2012. After that is complete, I'm aiming for MCTIP:EA upgrade path. Then, I will start looking in to finishing up my degree. While I don't believe I am going to get all of this done in 2012, at least I have a plan

.

PS: Wow, it's been a LONG while since I've posted. How is everyone?

vCole

snadam wrote: »

I'm Planning for CCNA by EOY 2011. I was originally going CCENT/CCNA route, but have recently changed my tactics and going for the 1 exam. Because of this, chances are this will be spilling over to 2012. After that is complete, I'm aiming for MCTIP:EA upgrade path. Then, I will start looking in to finishing up my degree. While I don't believe I am going to get all of this done in 2012, at least I have a plan .

PS: Wow, it's been a LONG while since I've posted. How is everyone?

I thought I was reading an old thread at first!! Haha! (vCole = formerly FadeToBright)

2012 Plans for me:
-MCITP:EA
-Maybe a storage cert
-VCP4/5 (Would love to get this one)
-Start CCENT/CCNA

carwashguy

2011 security+ done. I'm also shooting for ccent by end of year. 2012 CCNA and maybe start looking at CWNA.

veritas_libertas

2011

Project+ and 70-642 next week if everything goes well.

2012

CIW Web Design Specialist and Database Design Specialist

I have decided that I want to take more foundational classes such as programming and relational database classes before I decide what I want to do next. Therefore I have changed from having an emphasis at WGU to going with a B.S. in IT without an emphasis.

onesaint

veritas_libertas wrote: »

I have decided that I want to take more foundational classes such as programming and relational database classes before I decide what I want to do next. Therefore I have changed from having an emphasis at WGU to go with a straight B.S. in IT.

This has been a thought that has crossed my mind more than once recently. Our industry moves and evolves at such a rapid pace, having a more generalized degree may benefit you over the long run. I'm still in debate though.

Slowhand

snadam wrote: »

PS: Wow, it's been a LONG while since I've posted. How is everyone?

Good to see the old-timers sticking around.