What certs to start with ?

wierdal

Sorry if this has been asked before.

I am currently working in IT support. I have a degree in Computer Science from ITB and want to further my education to ensure I can keep my job. However I am not sure where I should start. I haven't done a lot of research into this so apologies if I seem lazy asking these questions

I was thinking of starting with the MCSA and MCSE as we do a lot of stuff with Microsoft server. Is this the best starting point, or for CV purposes etc, should I do a COMPTIA A+ first or is there other server stuff that should be completed first ?

After this I would like to go on and study vCenter stuff, some VEEAM and maybe work up to Citrix.

Thanks for any help you guys can suggest.

Wierdal

Cuddlesworth

Start small and work your way up.

Start with a A+ and Network+ Move onto a CCENT/CCNA and equivalent Microsoft exam~(fecked if I know which one at this stage).

VCP requires you to attend the course, circa 2k. Citrix is relatively specialised and would generally require a level of experience along with the cert when applying for roles.

In general though, do certs for your current role first followed by the role you want to move into. Don't cert yourself far past your current role, it looks suspicious to any interviewer.

wierdal

Cuddlesworth wrote: »

Start small and work your way up.

Start with a A+ and Network+ Move onto a CCENT/CCNA and equivalent Microsoft exam~(fecked if I know which one at this stage).

VCP requires you to attend the course, circa 2k. Citrix is relatively specialised and would generally require a level of experience along with the cert when applying for roles.

In general though, do certs for your current role first followed by the role you want to move into. Don't cert yourself far past your current role, it looks suspicious to any interviewer.

So I shouldn't ignore the comptia ? I wasn't sure what exactly they covered but if they will make me look better I'll do them.

Cuddlesworth

wierdal wrote: »

So I shouldn't ignore the comptia ? I wasn't sure what exactly they covered but if they will make me look better I'll do them.

They are easy certs and should take a week or two of study at most. I picked them up myself after finding out I was passed over for two jobs because I didn't meet their requirements, which listed in one job A+ and the other job, Network+ & A+. Never underestimate the stupidity of HR in job roles they know nothing about.

Kinet1c

Cuddlesworth wrote: »

Start small and work your way up.

In general though, do certs for your current role first followed by the role you want to move into. Don't cert yourself far past your current role, it looks suspicious to any interviewer.

+1

Start small to get your study routine working for you and confirm that you have the commitment to follow through to the end.

Then go for something a little higher up like MCSA/CCNA/VCP.

Krusader

Cuddlesworth wrote: »

They are easy certs and should take a week or two of study at most. I picked them up myself after finding out I was passed over for two jobs because I didn't meet their requirements, which listed in one job A+ and the other job, Network+ & A+. Never underestimate the stupidity of HR in job roles they know nothing about.

This is why I'll be renewing mine.

ObeyTheSuit

Agreed.

I once unsuccessfully applied or an SCCM admin role where a HR lady provided feedback. Apparently I didn't get an interview because there people with a ‘higher technical’ skillset had applied.
Upon feedback I informed the HR rep that had administered SCCM 2007/12 for 5 years with a user base of 500-600,000 ..... there was a long pause. Simply put they don't know what they are looking at, it's techno mumbo jumbo to them and they don't realise that I.T is somewhat of a trade also. Heck even when I applied for my permanent residency in Aus I didn’t need a degree in I.T as it’s was seen by the Federal Gov as a trade.

Now to answer your actual question:

I do agree the CCNA and an MCSA is helpful but if you’re going to specialize in networks then I wouldn’t bother with server certs for the time being. One thing to bear in mind with my advice, Ireland is a small country and it’s been a good few years since I’ve worked there (Jan 2008 to be exact).
Irish companies expect you to be a bit more of an all-rounder where large global enterprises\Government which I work in now are very role based (network guy, SCCM Guy, SharePoint Guy…etc.)

It depends what your goals are, what do you like doing? Networks? Servers etc. As a fellah who has an MCSA, I would advise you go for your MSCA first and foremost. If you want to do Windows servers this is the most direct path but I find there is a lack of knowledge on the subject. People still seem to think that there is one MCSE, not true.

First you need to pick what MSCA you want to do, there are two different types Windows Server 2012 and SQL Server 2012. Depending on which one you do it will open up pathways for you to do specific MCSE’s of which there are 5 to choose from.

MCSA Server 2012 - MCSE Desktop Infrastructure
MCSA Server 2012- MCSE Server Infrastructure
MCSA Server 2012 - MCSE Private Cloud
MCSA SQL Server 2012 - MCSE Data Platform
MCSA SQL Server 2012 - MCSE Business Intelligence.

2 MCSA, 5 MSCE.

Google image Microsoft certification pathways. There is a nice colour coded flowchart showing all the exams you have to do.