Hello all. Looking for some direction

Im 26 years old and have worked for about 4 1/2 years total in the IT field. Both jobs were basically IT Technician/Help Desk/Desktop Support. I do not have any certifications at all at this time. I'm trying to figure out where to start and it is very difficult to figure out being that there is so many certifications. Any input would be appreciated. I am out of work at the moment and have been applying constantly.

Thanks,

Nick

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RouteMyPacket

Where to start?

1. Where do I want to go?
- The Mall
- Look up directions to get there
- Take steps to get there, get in car, take a bus, take train etc.

Destination
Research steps to get there
Start taking steps toward that destination

You have to have a goal or destination before you can start researching on how to get there. So start there

onmyway

I know for sure I want to go somewhere to the networking field overall if that helps...

RouteMyPacket

That is a blanket statement, what does "networking field" mean to you? What type of Engineering?

It all starts here with Routing & Switching, the foundation to everything network related:

https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/docs/DOC-17401

Then the question would be:

Do I want to be a Voice Engineer?

https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/docs/DOC-8279

Do I want to be a Security Engineer?

https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/docs/DOC-13753

etc. etc. etc.

onmyway

I feel like most go A+, Network+ and Security+ first. Is this true?

onmyway

RouteMyPacket wrote: »

That is a blanket statement, what does "networking field" mean to you? What type of Engineering?

It all starts here with Routing & Switching, the foundation to everything network related:

https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/docs/DOC-17401

Then the question would be:

Do I want to be a Voice Engineer?

https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/docs/DOC-8279

Do I want to be a Security Engineer?

https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/docs/DOC-13753

etc. etc. etc.

Forget this particular post

ryanw4130

Have you done any schooling? If you have no certifications under your belt, I would recommend A+ and Security +. A lot of jobs now days require you to already have an A+, and a lot certification exams also require you to have already obtained an A+ before you can take their exam. I say Security +, because in my experience, a lot of government base jobs require it. If you see a lot of jobs that ask for a net+, then be my guess, but after the A+ and Sec+, you might as well skip the Net+ and jump right into your Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA). If you have your CCNA, then there really is no reason to have a Network+.

PS. There are a few other entry level Cisco certs you CAN obtain, but I would just jump into the CCNA. I have a co-worker who has no network experience and no prior Cisco certifications or training, and he just received his CCNA, with a few months of studying. Remember, if you want to get into networking, you fist need to be able to properly configure a business class router and switch, and most of the time, those are going to be CISCO.

onmyway

I have a 4 year bachelors degree in Technology Management. At school and at my jobs I didn't learn enough about Networking as I wanted to.

Did you friend have ANY other certs before CCNA. I don't think I can right now by myself configure it properly. MY parents said they would pay for me to go to a cert school for it so that would help big time.

ryanw4130

He had an A+, but that is it, and that's not saying much. I wouldn't expect you to configure a CISCO router or switch properly now, that is what the certifications and school is for.

onmyway

There's a school by me called Technical Institute Of America. I'm thinking about doing there program.

CCNA training in NYC, CCNA course in NYC, CCNA class in NYC, CCNA class in New York City, CCNA training New York City

onmyway

Don't think theres a need for CCENT before CCNA?

Jon_Cisco

I don't think you should pay for a boot camp. It's not going to teach you enough and is really for people that just want the certification.

If you already have a few years experience there is not need to take A+ Net+ Sec+ unless you want them or a specific job is requesting them. However it would not be a bad idea to pick up the books and study the material.

If your interested in Networking I would suggest starting with a book on Network+ or CCENT. You can decide about actually testing after you get into it a little.

Good Luck!

onmyway

I'm going to get the book first. CCENT/CCNA. I will be probably doing the boot camp though after reading the book and seeing if its what I want to do.

What do we all feel about this book?

http://www.amazon.com/CCENT-ICND1-100-101-Official-Guide/dp/1587143852/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420659581&sr=8-1&keywords=CCENT