[Advice Needed] What Certification Should I Start With?

Hi Everyone,

I am currently looking at different certifications however, i'm not sure what the best way to go is.

I have books for both CCNA and MCSA 70-410. However, i'm not sure where to start. I heard somewhere that the MCSA is pretty difficult and is more challenging than the CCNA. In addition to this, the CCNA would allow me to specialise where I want to go...I think? Is CCNET worth it also? Should I complete this first?

I have already completed module 1 of CCNA at college.

But then reading further into different certs, I found secruity+ and a+. However, I heard a+ is only for getting your foot in the door. I am currently employed therefore, is this still worth it?

I would like to become a network engineer / network secuirty engineer eventually, however i'm not sure which one to complete to get me on the right path.

Thanks for your time.

Many thanks,
Simon

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hurricane1091

Depends. I have the CCNA R&S and am getting ready to take the CCNA Sec. I like it, but only have a year of IT experience and just have started looking for a CCNA job and haven't found one. Way more MCSA jobs out there but it is boring. I will likely get the MCSA though unless I find a CCNA job in the next couple of months.

izzyiz426

This is also very interesting im wondering the same thing.

Thechainremains

this is an easy Decision. CCNA.

Why? I have an MCSE in Server 2012 R2, and I got $10,000 less because i didnt have a CCNA. And also if you notice most jobs that are Network Oriented couldnt give a RIP that you know Microsoft Products. They do not care. As far as experience goes, it really doesnt matter if you manage to get a CCNA and you LEARN the material. Do not listen to anyone who tells you experience over certs, because they dont know what their talking about.

In fact, I am going to get my CCNA in the next 40 something days, because i want to add the $10,000 to my salary.

Spend more time elevating in Cisco than Microsoft.

hurricane1091

Thechainremains wrote: »

this is an easy Decision. CCNA.

Why? I have an MCSE in Server 2012 R2, and I got $10,000 less because i didnt have a CCNA. And also if you notice most jobs that are Network Oriented couldnt give a RIP that you know Microsoft Products. They do not care. As far as experience goes, it really doesnt matter if you manage to get a CCNA and you LEARN the material. Do not listen to anyone who tells you experience over certs, because they dont know what their talking about.

In fact, I am going to get my CCNA in the next 40 something days, because i want to add the $10,000 to my salary.

Spend more time elevating in Cisco than Microsoft.

I don't want to go again this poster. He has an MCSE, which is very respectable. Just from my experience, go on career builder and see how many jobs there are relevant to the CCNA (many will ask for it, hell my current job did and I don't even use it here, but I mean jobs that actually involve doing that work) and compare it to jobs where you will put the MCSA/MCSE to use.

In my area and experience it is that there are many more jobs involving Systems Administration and server knowledge. But you want to be a network/security guy anyway, so you should really focus on the CCNA regardless. Forget the A+ if you already are in the field, that's useless at this point. Start with the Net+ if you're truely clueless. Otherwise, pursue the CCNA.

Simrid

Thechainremains wrote: »

this is an easy Decision. CCNA.

Why? I have an MCSE in Server 2012 R2, and I got $10,000 less because i didnt have a CCNA. And also if you notice most jobs that are Network Oriented couldnt give a RIP that you know Microsoft Products. They do not care. As far as experience goes, it really doesnt matter if you manage to get a CCNA and you LEARN the material. Do not listen to anyone who tells you experience over certs, because they dont know what their talking about.

In fact, I am going to get my CCNA in the next 40 something days, because i want to add the $10,000 to my salary.

Spend more time elevating in Cisco than Microsoft.

Great, thanks for the advice. Im leaning more towards doing a CCNA.

I'm not sure if it's worth paying for classes or learning myself though...any advice?

Simrid

hurricane1091 wrote: »

I don't want to go again this poster. He has an MCSE, which is very respectable. Just from my experience, go on career builder and see how many jobs there are relevant to the CCNA (many will ask for it, hell my current job did and I don't even use it here, but I mean jobs that actually involve doing that work) and compare it to jobs where you will put the MCSA/MCSE to use.

In my area and experience it is that there are many more jobs involving Systems Administration and server knowledge. But you want to be a network/security guy anyway, so you should really focus on the CCNA regardless. Forget the A+ if you already are in the field, that's useless at this point. Start with the Net+ if you're truely clueless. Otherwise, pursue the CCNA.

I can start to see a trend here. Although very intresting to see your view on it. Perhaps I just need to bite the bullet and do both.

Thanks for the advice.

hurricane1091

Simrid wrote: »

Great, thanks for the advice. Im leaning more towards doing a CCNA.

I'm not sure if it's worth paying for classes or learning myself though...any advice?

I got started on the CCNA through an advanced networking class in college. Kept going after the semester ended and took the CCENT. Kept going for the CCNA by using CBT nuggets videos, googling and reading stuff, and using lab sims. Don't pay someone.

N2IT

Read all the replies and the OP, CCNA IMO.