A+ Certification

If you want to get into networking then go get a CCNA book. Go out there and download Dynamips. It's a router simulator. You will have to get someone with Cisco Online access to get the actual IOS for the routers to run. Learn how to get Dynamips set up. It'll be a chore in and of itself. You'll learn a lot messing around in an actual router IOS.
Get the CCNA cert and study for more. All the while applying for junior level engineer jobs. If you get the CCNP, paper cert or not someone will eventually give you a chance.

 

Or you could just buy some old cisco routers and set up a lab. I bought two cisco 2500 routers for like $25 each. They are old as dirt, but you can still learn the ios.

 

You'll miss out on a lot. You can't run any of the new features. With Dynamips you can even learn the switch side since the 3845 routers an have ESW cards in them.
I'm currently using this software to study for my second CCIE. I used six 2500s for my first one ten years ago and boy do I wish I had this software back then.

 

Hmmm. Sounds interesting. I do know that I can't execute some of the newer ios commands so I may decide to get that if I ever decide to go beyond the CCNA. Right now I've already bought a 2500, 2514, and 2950 Catalyst Switch.

 

Then don't worry, you'll fit right in in today's IT! :grin:

 

There's one cardinal rule in IT:

DON'T FALL IN LOVE WITH A TECHNOLOGY

Everything changes overnight.
If you're a developer, don't fall in love with a language. It's gonna be legacy someday soon.
If you're a hardware/network guy, today's hardware is tomorrow's garbage.
If you're an application admin, or you're proud of a program you wrote, lose that love because it's gonna be crap tomorrow.

Overnight change is the very nature of this business.
If you don't adapt, management will replace your job with a very small batch script.

 

That right there, is signature material.

 

A+ was useful if we're in the 90s/early 00s.

Now, you can get a job at Best Buy with it.

 

I'm in the same boat. Been doing support for the past eight years and finally gotten to the point that I really just want to change careers totally. Everything seems so overwhelming as far as these certs.

 

I think Dynamips/Dynagen is the way to go.

I don't know if we can link other forums here, but this is a good sticky on how to do it.

http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1414407

 

It's extremely broad. That's like saying I'm studying business... or work in business. Care to elaborate?!
For the most part, I think networking and project management makes more than systems or programming. I could be wrong but that's my experience.
I know a surprising number of people in those two fields that make more than $200k.

 

I think we both know the best answer would be both. You need one or the other to get into the network side straight out of college. Try and get the network+, and if its available to you, the cisco route. Those 2 would get you into an entry level network job. I would also try and intern as a network assistant somewhere if you could. On the job, hands on training is probably the best way to learn it.

Also keep in mind that even with certs, they want someone that can comprehend what they just did. Why something just happened, and what made it happen, and explain to them how to stop it from happening again. Being able to process the information will go further than just regurgitating facts.

There's so many aspects to IT, you might figure out you don't even want to go into network. There's systems development, linux admin, web admin, help desk, storage management, windows servers, etc. It's alot of fun, atleast it is for me. Good luck, and have fun with it.

 

If you are graduating with a CIS degree, you don't need to waste your money on A+. As someone that got the A+ years ago through an old job, it's essentially worthless these days. I'd only recommend it for someone just getting into IT so they can get a basic foundation. The knowledge you'll get from it won't be much more than you already know and you likely won't use most of it anyway.

Take the advice of others and go for anything Cisco related.

 

early 90's

 

I am also a technology manager in the field for 15+ years. I would absolutely not make any hiring decisions based on the A+ cert nor have I ever known anybody that values that cert.

THAT SAID, the simple act of studying for the exam can be personally challenging and is a great opportunity to learn. People who immediately disregard all certs as 'useless' is as telling to me, as a hiring manager, as the certs themselves. I'm often a little suspicious of people who tell you certs are a waste of time because that tells me, as a hiring manager, that you have the type of personality that avoids challenges.

ALSO, most IT jobs these days go through agencies. All those folks do is scavange your resume for key words. If A+ cert was given to the agency as a requirement, you'll be immediately overlooked if you don't have that listed.

Recommendation: Don't skip spring break for this. Wait till summer and then do it because there isn't a lot of value in having it as it relates to getting a job ...but it doesn't hurt to have it. Once you get it, list at the BOTTOM on your resume all of your certs including A+. Most hiring manager don't really care about what certs you have (hence the reason to put it near the bottom) but you need the verbiage on there in case somebody performs a keyword search against your resume. Also putting it on the bottom shows that you aren't "trying too hard" by listing it right at the top but does show you are willing to put in the work to get the certs.

Finally: Get more certs too. Also, and most importantly, experience trumps all certs. Not much help as you look for entry level spots but if you have summer experience or real-life things, list that as prominently as possible on your resume.