/biz/ - Business & Finance

I have the Sec+, but desu haven't used it anywhere yet and ended up joining the Navy so now I dont need it. From the people I talked too, the certificates arent really all that. Its kinda like they dont care too much if you have it but once you get hired they will make you get it anyways. Ive heard the cisco certification is better but thats my .02

>>2898203
Go for Cisco and your MCSE, both tests are hard as fuck, but will pay off. You could most likely torrent study guides or even get study materials for free if you have Amazon prime (maybe; havn't looked). These test are also expensive; you certainly don't want to keep paying to retake them.

In the meantime, start getting experience in related fields, even if its help desk. If you're in retail, look for job postings in corporate in IT, start networking with your district managers and such. Retail is not dead-end if you play your cards right. I mean fuck, I've never heard of someone getting paid 55k in retail-- even a manager's position, so I suppose you're doing something right, or you live in a very high cost of living area.

good luck

Have Sec+ (For DoD networking), and CCNA

Sec+ is easy, and needed for most government IT jobs. Outside companies don't give a FUK about it though. Get your CCNP if you wanna do networking, or CISSP for security (which would mean policies and training). Comsec is mostly keeping the employees from making facebook posts about classified stuff. Netsec is the fun stuff.

>>2898308
Yeah high cost of living in the Northeast, 55k ain't shit. Never would have thought of MCSE or Cisco, salaries look comfy as fuck. What would you say the timetable for getting a cert would be while working full time would be? 1-2 years?

thanks anon

Those certs mainly open up the door to helpdesk jobs, which can be a stepping stone if you have a bachelors degree and study outside of work. Helpdesk jobs are not very lucrative and entry-level jobs are being offshored and outsourced, but if you job hop over a few years you can become a systems administrator or work in professional services/IT consulting on monolithic software. If you are looking to get your foot in the door, it can be worth it. It costs less than $50 for an A+ book and $300ish to take the exam. Teach yourself and don't pay for a class.

>>2898410
there are two ways you can pursue these:

>(1) Look for trusted online classes or classes in your area that prep you for these certifications (some community colleges may have them). Be aware these classes DO NOT GUARANTEE you your cert after you take them. They're only there as a tool for people who are not good a self teaching. The certifications are only after you pass Microsoft's tests or Cisco's tests.

>(2) I've been out of this area for a while now, but if I were to do it over again, start looking for books that prep you for the tests. Ensure the quality of these books by its reviews. If you're good at teaching yourself, and have computers at home to fuck around with so you can get hands on experience, this is the other route. Once you think you're ready, look for testing dates and locations for your exams.

Be aware Microsoft most likely has other exams in addition to the MCSE you may need to pass before you take that beast test. Same for Cisco.

Keep picking the brains of people that are in the field, best place to start is within your own company, especially if you work for a large retail chain.

>>2898458
I figure the tests are like taking an IT specialized GMAT.

I'm planning on making a pivot to IT in my current company. Then I'll figure out which cert makes the most sense for me and has highest demand in my area.

My days off I'll just self study and ball out on adderall. I just wish I chose this path when I was fucking 19. Could have saved so much time and money

Is ITIL worth taking

>>2898203

>am former alcoholic
Quitting drinking was the best thing I ever did and made my life 100x better.

I took the A+ and it helped me land my current job. Its only helpdesk, but Its a chill environment and I'm building skills I can use to increase my position. It's worth the effort if you're stuck in retail.

>>2898278
>Its kinda like they dont care too much if you have it but once you get hired they will make you get it anyways
seems spot on
I'd say just learn to program and get a junior developer job without wasting time and money on these certs