IT Certifications and Careers (Official Discussion Thread)

[KOOL-AID]

need help from yall brehs, started of in networking for college then when i switched schools went the coding route, (i never wanted to code as i knew it wasn't for me) as that was their main focus. that didn't work out and now i wanna go back to the networking side of things and go for certs rather than a school degree in CS tbh. familiar with the basic cert routes but should i mix-match cisco with microsoft or other alternative certs based on my desired specialty, or stick to one specific and maybe sprinkle others here and there for support? Would yall recommend skipping the CompTIA entry certs and just starting at the CCENT and go up? Done with bs'ing and not being on my purpose and grind its time to change and take control.

 

[psgchisolm]

need help from yall brehs, started of in networking for college then when i switched schools went the coding route, (i never wanted to code as i knew it wasn't for me) as that was their main focus. that didn't work out and now i wanna go back to the networking side of things and go for certs rather than a school degree in CS tbh. familiar with the basic cert routes but should i mix-match cisco with microsoft or other alternative certs based on my desired specialty, or stick to one specific and maybe sprinkle others here and there for support? Would yall recommend skipping the CompTIA entry certs and just starting at the CCENT and go up? Done with bs'ing and not being on my purpose and grind its time to change and take control.

Are you in IT or have IT experience? If not you should get the A+ and try to get a help desk role. Once you have that go for Cisco certs if you are sure you want to do networking.

Another thing is that you should start learning enough python to make scripts because the networking world is going to SDN(Software defined networking)

 

[Obreh Winfrey]

Another thing is that you should start learning enough python to make scripts because the networking world is going to SDN(Software defined networking)

Dudes need to learn about OpenDaylight and ONAP and all of the stuff surrounding that space if they want to be useful for SDN at Telecom companies.

 

[KOOL-AID]

Are you in IT or have IT experience? If not you should get the A+ and try to get a help desk role. Once you have that go for Cisco certs if you are sure you want to do networking.

Another thing is that you should start learning enough python to make scripts because the networking world is going to SDN(Software defined networking)

no not in a IT gig and that was gonna be my plan, do both CompTIAs and go from there in networking. probably gonna get cloud cert on the side cuz it interests me and will increase my value. as for coding python, java and sql will probably be what i mess with have experience in C and php/webdev along with apple app development so those other three should be easy to get started on

 

[KingTut]

Bro, I'm actually trying to get into Help Desk lol. Is it as mentally draining as people say it is? I assumed you would be able to get into Desktop Support with the certs u got though. Network+ would probably put u over the top. I have my A+, but I'm studying for Network+ and planning on taking it in 3-4 weeks.

Helpdesk sucks dikk breh. You sit at a desk all day helping a bunch of entitled fukks who constantly blame you for every single problem they have with their computers. They forget their passwords every 3 days, don't know how to restart their computers, or recover files from the recycling bin.

Helpdesk is literally hell man. I'm lucky I was only there for a few months, some of my co workers were on the helpdesk for over 5 years. I don't know how they do it, I bet those dudes are still sitting there to this day just wasting away.

If you have the A+ already just embellish your resume a bit and apply for Desktop Support jobs. You don't wanna do helpdesk unless you absolutely have to.

 

[satam55]

Helpdesk sucks dikk breh. You sit at a desk all day helping a bunch of entitled fukks who constantly blame you for every single problem they have with their computers. They forget their passwords every 3 days, don't know how to restart their computers, or recover files from the recycling bin.

Helpdesk is literally hell man. I'm lucky I was only there for a few months, some of my co workers were on the helpdesk for over 5 years. I don't know how they do it, I bet those dudes are still sitting there to this day just wasting away.

If you have the A+ already just embellish your resume a bit and apply for Desktop Support jobs. You don't wanna do helpdesk unless you absolutely have to.

What's the difference between Helpdesk & Desktop support again?

 

[Hahahaha]

need help from yall brehs, started of in networking for college then when i switched schools went the coding route, (i never wanted to code as i knew it wasn't for me) as that was their main focus. that didn't work out and now i wanna go back to the networking side of things and go for certs rather than a school degree in CS tbh. familiar with the basic cert routes but should i mix-match cisco with microsoft or other alternative certs based on my desired specialty, or stick to one specific and maybe sprinkle others here and there for support? Would yall recommend skipping the CompTIA entry certs and just starting at the CCENT and go up? Done with bs'ing and not being on my purpose and grind its time to change and take control.

My general recommendations are always to skip the CompTIA certs unless you have zero experience/degrees. The knowledge in studying them is valuable but don't think they are worth the money anymore since they expire. I think you are going to get much better return with a CCENT/CCNA or Windows 10 cert.

For your long-term plan, I'd do one of 2 things (or a mixture of the two):

• Get both MS/Cisco certs and try to get into a MSP. The jobs here suck and don't pay great, but you learn a ton quickly and can then switch jobs after 1-2 years.
• Focus on one path. The real money comes from specializing in one area

 

[el_oh_el]

I took Switch twice last August and failed. I put the book down until June. I would say about 3 months fulltime since June but I went over the material last year as well.

My job pays for the Cisco platinum learning library so I used the Lan switching bootcamp course and the actual Switch course on there, Boson practice tests, and the 3750 config guide.

I work with L3 switches all day at work so that helped a lot as well. Reviewing the 3750 config guide helped the most.

Damn..im not looking forward to this test then as you have some pretty good resources, and still failed it twice

 

[KingTut]

What's the difference between Helpdesk & Desktop support again?

Helpdesk is where you sit at a desk and answer calls or chats all day and help end users with their issues usually by RDP. Desktop support is where the helpdesk escalate issues that they can't fix themselves i.e. installing software or hardware on computers, fixing printers, etc. so you're not just sitting at a desk all day.

 

[Youseenmywork]

Goals for next year

A+
Net+
Sec+
Linux+

 

[slikkp]

Damn..im not looking forward to this test then as you have some pretty good resources, and still failed it twice

You'll be good just make sure to read the sections of the config guide that map to exam objectives. Use whatever study guide you use for theory but all the requirements/compatibility info is in config guide.

Make sure you hit AAA, port security and SPAN hard.

 

[Billy Preston]

Helpdesk sucks dikk breh. You sit at a desk all day helping a bunch of entitled fukks who constantly blame you for every single problem they have with their computers. They forget their passwords every 3 days, don't know how to restart their computers, or recover files from the recycling bin.

Helpdesk is literally hell man. I'm lucky I was only there for a few months, some of my co workers were on the helpdesk for over 5 years. I don't know how they do it, I bet those dudes are still sitting there to this day just wasting away.

If you have the A+ already just embellish your resume a bit and apply for Desktop Support jobs. You don't wanna do helpdesk unless you absolutely have to.

Appreciate the tips bro. When you say embellish on my resume, do u mean add more experience? I already have the A+ and plan to take my Network+ in 3 weeks, but I don't have any actual work experience. Thought about either doing help desk for half a year or taking an entry level tech position at Fryes or some retail spot just to gain to experience.

 

[KingTut]

Appreciate the tips bro. When you say embellish on my resume, do u mean add more experience? I already have the A+ and plan to take my Network+ in 3 weeks, but I don't have any actual work experience. Thought about either doing help desk for half a year or taking an entry level tech position at Fryes or some retail spot just to gain to experience.

I assume since you have the A+ you know how to build/replace parts on a PC and typical stuff like that. On my first help desk resume I put down that I had my own small business where I built PCs and attended to calls to repair home PCs at affordable prices. Basically even if you don't have hands on experience with something but you know you can use it or learn it very quickly just say you have experience in it. I had no experience in Active Directory but claimed it on my resume but they trained us in it anyways.

 

[Hahahaha]

I assume since you have the A+ you know how to build/replace parts on a PC and typical stuff like that. On my first help desk resume I put down that I had my own small business where I built PCs and attended to calls to repair home PCs at affordable prices. Basically even if you don't have hands on experience with something but you know you can use it or learn it very quickly just say you have experience in it. .

As a hiring manager, any one who puts this on a resume gets from me by default. Its honestly on 75% of resumes and generally bs. If you put something on a resume be prepared to get grilled on it. If you can't back it up I'm not hiring you. I'd rather hire someone who is honest and seems to care first than lies on a resume. Any decent manager can see through a BS answer very easily.

 

[KingTut]

As a hiring manager, any one who puts this on a resume gets from me by default. If you put something on a resume be prepared to get grilled on it. If you can't back it up I'm not hiring someone. I'll someone who is honest and seems to care first.

If I put something on my resume I always make sure I'm prepared to answer questions about it. I guarantee you've been finessed before.