IT Certifications and Career

[SnowShael]

Ok, so, I am 18 years old. I am already 20/91 credits after 1 quarter for my Associates Degree in network services.

I've earned my Comptia A+, Network+, and Security + certification.
I've earned my CCENT, my CCNA (test 1 and 2) and an beginning to study for my CCNP but am unsure of what I feel passionate about specializing. Tbh, Security isn't my thing, if that helps.

I've started taking classes on Cisco Labs and the MCSE (Server 2003) 7 test roulette, with self study time for my Server 2008 Exams. Starting fresh, might do the full MCITP track but... I have a feeling in 2010/2011 server 2003 and 2008 with be mixed in usages depending on where I plan to work, great.

Also, I've got a list of different Linux, Juniper and general application and OS certif's that just sort of flower my resume, but I only put on the big ones and use these as general knowledge, haha.

What should I do? I've got a job doing low-end stuff for a startup company and I'm the sole man that connects them to themselves, their clients and the internet, so the experience is Farking fantastic and the pay is 46,500/year contract with benefits. Ah, decisions, decisions.

*Puts on nerd glasses*

EDIT: Also, anything beyond my associates path transfers into 45 credits of liberal art shit and 45 credits more of very vague comp science theory and revamped microsoft server/client information systems and some technical classes mixed in with 5 credits of C++, 5 of java... etc and I believe I'd be better off making experience, internships, etc.. for 2 years rather than go over 20,000 more in debt for what's relatively a useless set of skills, besides the programming which I am taking on my own time as credited classes as well.

[EvGa]

Can't really help you out, I'm only in my second year of a B.S. Computer Science degree, but wanted to ask.. how hard was the CCNA exam and how much did you study for it?

[woutR]

Looks to me you just want a pat on the back. "Oh gee, wtf should I do? I'm only 18 but already swimming in degrees and points, oh btw my job pays 46.5k + benefits"
What is it that you want from us?

[_Equal_]

Keep the education path, you want the degree unless it's from a completely crap school (and useless). A good mix of education and experience will win over a guy with twice the experience about 70% of the time, imo. This way you have a broader skillset rather than right away heading for network (which isn't bad).

[Sharp324]

A general rule, the certifications are rather useless, but employers love seeing them, plus all it takes is a little studying and the money for the tests.

[SnowShael]

Looks to me you just want a pat on the back. "Oh gee, wtf should I do? I'm only 18 but already swimming in degrees and points, oh btw my job pays 46.5k + benefits"
What is it that you want from us?

Chill out, I'm just not sure how I should approach college; a 2 year associates course, or go to a state school for a 4 year BA in Network Sciences, Comp Sciences, etc, or gain the experience only or find a compromise between all of them.

Some people are telling me experience and hands on work is better time investment than a 4 year school, others are saying 2 years is enough to start a career, some say its better to start low with the necessities and go from that point onward, and was hoping for some feedback. If I just asked the question without providing my cert list or skillset, it would be a very straight forward answer "SCHOOL!!!!".

[Jstar1]

where do you live? TBH I thought low level programming jobs were all shipped to india.

I suggest staying in school. Getting into that school mindset after a couple years is really hard to get back into. Plus a 4 year degree is much more solid and easier to move up the ladder with. If money is an issue have your FAFSA done and look for scholarships, grants, etc.

[Toasty]

I doubt anyone here has got enough experience to properly help you.

I'll be starting a degree next year in Web Development (mainly Web Programming). It seems you have to be very fortunate or work EXTREMELY hard and get a LOT of experience behind you these days to do any good without the qualifications.

[Psychedeelic]

whoa theres ALOT of qualification you got there.. I was lazy to even get the main qualification here called ECDL.. I still have 2 years to go and take the exams meh.. mainly Windows applications, Microsoft Office blah blah..

luckily, the university I'm in right now will give me 2 big qualifications when I'm done with it, and one of them is programmer (well mainly accountant though lol), but I don't see myself doing programming, it's the thing I least like doing

anyway, what I think, you should finish school first, you can never know how the laws and everything changes nowadays, so you might just find yourself jobless in few years, no matter how qualified you are and how much experience you have. 4 years won't kill you

[EvGa]

Can't really help you out, I'm only in my second year of a B.S. Computer Science degree, but wanted to ask.. how hard was the CCNA exam and how much did you study for it?

[SnowShael]

Can't really help you out, I'm only in my second year of a B.S. Computer Science degree, but wanted to ask.. how hard was the CCNA exam and how much did you study for it?

The exam I took was 2 parts- ICND 1 and ICND 2, which simplified is CCENT and then a second exam for a fully certified CCNA.

For the CCENT, I uses the Sybex Books, CBT Nuggets for ICND-1 (a video, no fluff overview of the terminology, topologies, basic config commands, network basics, securing using SSH, port forwarding, routing, switching, different hardware, SUB NETTING AND BINARY MATH!!!), this along with purchasing a 2600 2611 router for 20$ on ebay and 2 switches, lots of Cat5e cables *switches were 24port fastEthernet and 2 Gigab. ports*, and from there I followed the book, the videos, took notes, redid the basics, commands, etc until it was all memory, but one thing I did that you will all find very usefull..

I used multiple computers on my lan network ( i never used net connectivity in my labs, modem is way to far away =) ) and simulated my own FTP, SMTP, etc... "server" from a machine running server 2003/2008, got them all to connect via mah router, set the vlan correctly for the switches, made it so the machines could communicate to each other, transfer files, email, etc... everyone on my network, access the router via ping and ssh2 login, secured all passwords, and made a "small business" functioning network. The key is to be able to do practical, real application, real life things using what you can apply from your know how. All of this was with training and reading from my CCENT ICND-1 Exam preparation and skill set preparation ONLY.

If I had to personally recommend material, it's what I listed, and having 1-2 routers and 2-4 switches and at least 5 computers (Hyper V can create virtual windows, so one machine can act as... lots the best idea from that is to get a nic that has 4 ethernet ports on it, a LOT cheaper than buying 5 machines ) and if you cannot afford your own lab, then I can list Router simulation software and such.

Pm me if anyone wants links or sources for good study material as well.

Now, for ICDN-2...

=) Really, take your CCENT first, if you fail, refine how you learn, study and apply. If you pass, theres really no way you can NOT prepare for the exam at this point, you'll know what I mean.

[ezos]

It is really all about what you want to do for a career. Do you want to have an "IT job" doing something along the lines of network security, information protection, systems admin, etc.; or do you want to move into product development and support? I collected a lot of certs when I was younger, then went back to get my B.S. in Cognitive Science and a subsequent masters. The IT grind gets a bit tedious around year 5 and I felt that I was wasting my time with repetitive tasks when I could have been doing something that has more impact on my end users experience. For anyone that is a "alpha-nerd computer bad-ass", who actually possesses social skills, and doesn't want to get stuck in the IT black hole I would recommend going into a specialized field in the computer or cognitive science industries. (i.e. HCI, AI, UX, etc.)

[EvGa]

Thanks for the reply Shael, extremely helpful. I honesty don't know what I want to do in the IT field yet, programming, networking, etc.. but was looking into Cisco certifications to go along with my B.S CS degree (and just because I want the networking knowledge). "Can't hurt" is my reasoning also.

Try for the CCIE, I hear that's fun..