Noob looking for direction

[XZiled]

First off, I'd like to say hello to everyone here at the forums. Hopefully you don't find this dreadfully boring, but I'm going to give a brief history so that you may better understand my position. Thanks in advance for taking the time to read this and sharing your viewpoint.

I recently landed a job at a hospital as a Computer Operator with no real previous experience. While I don't troubleshoot many technical issues, occassional ones arise. I was always good at tinkering with my own computer, so I decided (way too late) to make a career of it. I'm 26, and I work 5pm-2am at my Operator job with tons of freetime to study etc.I have the oppurtunity to earn more money with an A+ certification, so, I'm currently studying for my A+ exam, and I'm amazed at how much there is that I don't know in full. However, I'm doing quite well, and I'm planning on knuckling down and getting some more certifications. The questions I have are as follows:

1. Is Network + a logical next step to add to my certifications?
2. How do Microsoft certifications stack up in the world of IT? Everyone here has them, but how far can I get with just these certifications and no degree?
3. Should I condition myself now to abandon the videogames? The fact of the matter is if I need to knuckle down and make this a very serious pursuit, I won't build a new PC to amuse myself with.
4. Any general advice in terms of the pursuit of knowledge for furthering my career? I'm not a person bound by a very strict desire to do something specific at work. I want to make enough money to live comfortably outside of work, maybe even a little extravagantly. I want to take a path that will make that a very realistic dream.


Thanks again for any input.

 

[glister]

Yes, Net+ would be a logical next step.
I, myself , am not a MS clone so I can't advise you in that direction (others may disagree).
Yes, unplug from the video games. Certification is an exercise in self disipline so FOCUS!
I'm a firm believer in "Everybody gets what they want." If you don't get it that's only because you didn't want it bad enough.

Best of luck in your endeavors.

A+,N+,S+,L+,I+,HTI+,DHTI+,e-Biz+,Security+,RFID+,CETma,CSS,CFOS/T,CCNT,CCTT,ACSP,ISA CCST3

 

[tfg13]

I agree with glister on all accounts. I am not MS certified, but everyone knows my knowledge of MS is right up there with any engineer, and probably surpasses some MCSE's. I work real world issues, not the world MS wants....Besides, I can sniff out a paper certified MCSE very quickly (getting certified does not necessarily translate to real world like it should).

Net+ is good to jump into after A+. If you think you learned some stuff from A+, just wait until you pick up a Net+ book! Glister gave an awesome link in a previous post to TCat Houser's study guide:

http://www.certiguide.com/netplus/index.htm

Save that link. TCat's study guide is very good for the Net+.

As glister says, put down that video game controller and study. Matter of fact, take the power cable for it to work, and leave it there. Now you'll be more free to study!

 

[CiscoGuy33]

XZiled,

To get far in this world of computers and networks it has often been said you need a nice balance of education, certification and experience. Cert Mag had a great story about this several years ago and it still makes lots of sense

MOST places concider it a must to have a BS or BA to go into management - even supevisors in some places. At some point you will want to move up!!!

Check the bennies with your new job and see what they give you for education - they might match or reinburse you for classes. Start at a community college working towards an AA or AS in the areas of networking or computers, Do just 1 or 2 classes at a time - many will help towards getting certs such as Net +, Cisco CCNA and Microsoft MCP, MCSA or MCSE.

I am finishing my BS at a state college ONLINE - I have been doing 2-3 classes a semester - took a while but I will have a BS in Technology Management.

As for your other questions - Net + is a good next step, as for Microsoft - if the hospital is a Microsoft shop or the "BIG" IT boss believes in certs then at least get MCP in what the hospital is using most (like Windows XP)

I understand what tfg13 is saying about "paper certs" so do it right and learn the stuff so that you can "talk the talk as well as walk the walk" but I say GET THE CERT - sometimes when you go for a job - HR only forwards the resumes of those that have certain certs and lets the interview weed out the "paper techs".

Hope this helps!


E.A. Broda
CCNA, CCDA, CCAI, Network +

 

[kmcferrin]

1. Is Network + a logical next step to add to my certifications?

Either Network+ or Server+. Either one makes sense. In my experience there is some overlap between A+ and Server+, and then some overlap between Server+ and Network+.

2. How do Microsoft certifications stack up in the world of IT? Everyone here has them, but how far can I get with just these certifications and no degree?

In my experience, Microsoft certifications (primarily MCSA and MCSE) are worth quite a bit more than CompTIA certifications. CompTIA certs require a general familiarity with a particular topic. The MS certs require a great deal of specific knowledge about the topics in question. And since most businesses are Microsoft shops, it definitely increases your marketability when looking for a job.

As to your second question, that depends on the employment market and your employer. I dropped out of college after two years but have worked in IT for the last 10 or so. I started as a PC tech then worked my way up through systems administrator to Network Engineer and consulting. Until two weeks ago I didn't have any certifications. Almost all of my knowledge was obtained through self study or on the job, and I don't feel like it's held me back at all (lack of degrees or lack of certs). I make about 3x what my wife does, and she does have a degree. But I am also passionate about technology, and someone who's into IT just to make a living may have a harder time putting in the same level of effort that I have.

3. Should I condition myself now to abandon the videogames? The fact of the matter is if I need to knuckle down and make this a very serious pursuit, I won't build a new PC to amuse myself with.

For now, yes. I like playing video games too, but since I started working on certs two weeks ago I've probably only logged about 30 minutes of game playing. I've even had to cut back on my hockey-watching schedule. On the bright side I have been able to pursue the certs with a laser-like focus, and in two days I will have picked up my 5th certification in 2 1/2 weeks. I wouldn't recommend to someone just getting started trying to emulate my pace, but the more focused you are on learning the skills and information then the more success you will have.

4. Any general advice in terms of the pursuit of knowledge for furthering my career? I'm not a person bound by a very strict desire to do something specific at work. I want to make enough money to live comfortably outside of work, maybe even a little extravagantly. I want to take a path that will make that a very realistic dream.

This is where you'll have the most trouble. I've run into two types of people who work in IT:

1. The type who are in IT because they love technology.
2. The type who are in IT because they know they can earn a good living.

Type 1 will almost always out-perform type 2. But there simply aren't enough type 1 people to meet the staffing needs of the industry, so type 2 people are necessary. The best advice that I can offer is learn, learn, learn. Do self-study in the form of reading books. Try to get a couple of IT industry magazine subscriptions. Read every article and make sure that you understand what's being talked about. Take advantage of free vendor training when it's available. Build a "lab" network at home with spare PCs and break it, fix it, tear it apart, and see what works. But whatever you do, keep learning. Working in IT is like being on a never-ending treadmill. You can run or you can walk, but if you don't keep up with the pace you're going to fall off.