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I supposed the best place to start is a brief background:
I graduated in 2009 with a bachelor's degree in management information systems. I have been working in IT for almost 3 years, most of the time as the systems admin for a small business (10-15 computers, 2 servers). My boss told me last week to start looking into certifications I may want to get, money isn't an issue so I can do whatever training is needed, get the proper resources, and pay for the tests without issue. I probably have about a year to get whatever one's I want.
I haven't seriously looked at what certs are out there for about 2 years, until today. I hope some of the IT professionals here on TL can help point me in the right direction, or at least where I need to start. I plan to stay in the systems admin field.
From what I can tell, it's between these certs: Microsoft, Cisco, CompTIA, and International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium.
I know that CompTIA recently changed their certs to last for 3 years instead of for life which isn't an issue per se, but I'd rather not have to take tests every 3 years :p
I think networking, server management, security, and areas similar to those are going to be the most important for me.
So what certs have you gotten? Are you happy with your choices of certs? What certs do you think would be 'best' for me?
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I'm not an IT 'expert' but I do have a the Cisco A+ Cert, and I from what I've been told and from what I've researched that and the M$ Cert are usually the most useful.
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The ComTIA ones are good, even if you have to do them every few years. I'm working my way to my bachelor's degree in Technology Information Systems and I just finished up my A+ through ComTIA and I'm working on my Network+ one as well, from all the jobs Ive looked at those two seem to come up the most at least for entry level stuff, which I know is a little behind what you're at but whatever.
I have a friend whos kinda helping with certs and stuff, he said to look into the Microsoft ones if I was interested in doing sys admin stuff.
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After some more studying up on what certs I want to get, I think I decided to stick with the vendor neutral CompTIA, at least at first. I will begin pursuing these certs (in this order): Network+, Security+, and Server+. It's very possible that on my way I will be given some advice that changes this plan but hey, at least it's a start.
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When I was a CS major I was debating whether to take A+. I decided to hold off even with the announcement. Now after switching to IT I kind of regret waiting on that decision, but I'm sure there's several that are good complements to doing this such as to not have to wait on yourself to renew.
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i have Net+ and A+ certs. Useful for getting entry level, but don't waste your time if you have already gotten into the field. If your looking for sys admin go for microsoft certs. I currently love routing, and networking, so im working on my cisco certs. It really just depends on what you want to do.
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EPT
