What is the essential IT certification in IT field?

Discussion in 'IT and Computer-Related Degrees' started by vichale, Jan 11, 2012.

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  1. vichale

    vichale member

    if you want to enter into the IT field,which IT certifications are most prefered?if you are the one,which will you choose?
     
  2. msganti

    msganti Active Member

    IT is really an umbrella term - there are many "areas" in IT...like Software, Information Assurance, Networking, Hardware etc...
    You need to decide where your interest is. There are certifications in each area (and sub-areas).

    For example, I am (and like to be) a developer and I mostly work with Microsoft products, so it makes sense for me to go for Microsoft developer certifications.

    Also, a certification adds value to your resume, but is not a substitute for experience.
     
  3. friendorfoe

    friendorfoe Active Member

    Depends on your area.

    CISSP for security, PMP for project management, ITIL for general governance and process control, Six Sigma for quality (debatable).
     
  4. vichale

    vichale member

    yes,you are right,i will begin with A+ certification,where can i get the latest materials?do you have any good suggestions?
     
  5. emmzee

    emmzee New Member

    I passed the A+ exam last month. I basically read through a study book (Mike Meyers' All-In-One CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Guide, 7th Ed) and took a whole lot of online practice tests. Search for VCE files (you need Visual CertExam Suite to open them). I passed A+ easily using the book & practice tests. The book is pretty good but it contains a whole lot of into that won't be on the test and it doesn't cover Windows 7.

    Also, these online flash cards might help. They are somewhat better than practice questions because they explain the right and wrong answers. (Uncheck the "Both sides" checkbox. Then you'll only see the questions. Click the "Term First" box to check your answers.)
    Measure Up 220-602/220-702 flashcards | Quizlet
     
  6. imalcolm

    imalcolm New Member

    I earned my A+ back in 2002. I didn't study, but computers were a hobby long enough that I took the test and passed easily.

    Not saying you shouldn't study, but I recommend getting as much practical hands on experience as possible. These days, people throw away perfectly good computers and you can probably get an older system for free which you can tear down and rebuild, install OSs, etc.

    After A+, then perhaps try for Network+.
     
  7. emmzee

    emmzee New Member

    imalcolm, that's a good point ... I already had decent experience with hardware & software, troubleshooting, networking, etc. If someone doesn't have a good background (ex, can you build a PC from scratch, diagnose a problem with Windows, use the command line, etc) then more studying would probably be required.

    I'm considering doing ITIL v3 Foundations next ... because frankly it seems pretty easy and a lot of job postings mention it. Good idea? Network+ is on my list for sometime in the future.
     
  8. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    Great suggestion. I did my MCSE NT 4.0, MCP+I, then A+ and Net+ a few months later.
     
  9. vichale

    vichale member

    wow,so many good suggestions,Thanks for your reply,I also think practical experience is more important than theoretical knowledge,I will do more practice to be skilled,and maybe I need to combine the books and practice test,hope it can be effective for my study.
     
  10. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

  11. BrandeX

    BrandeX New Member

  12. dcan

    dcan New Member

    I learned a load of ITIL about 18 months ago on my own because I thought it would be good to know for managing IT services. I'm seriously considering moving into ITIL, PMP, and CISSP and out of the technical A+/Net+/Sec+ arena. I have Sec+ but not the other two, but at this point (17 years military programmer looking to retire into civil service) I'm hard pressed to see myself reverting back to being purely a technician.
     
  13. vichale

    vichale member

    hi.dcan

    Cheer up,I believe if you keep on studying hard,you will make your dream come true.be more confidence.
     
  14. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    I am not sure there is an issue with confidence. I think it is an issue with picking what will best meet someones future.
     
  15. RFValve

    RFValve Well-Known Member

    IT certification have a very short life span. I completed few Microsoft ones and Cisco that became obsolete in less than 5 years. When I started in the IT field, people were getting Novell certifications and then Oracle but few care about these. Nowadays in more management oriented (ITIL, PMP, CISP) but the reality is that the future is really uncertain.

    My suggestion to people getting an IT certification is to get one with the intention to get into a solid industry like health care, insurance, banking, etc. Once you have a solid job, it won't matter much the type of certifications you hold. However, if you are interested in those companies that come and go (e.g. dotcom, telecomms, software ), you will find yourself getting new ones every 5 years.
     
  16. RFValve

    RFValve Well-Known Member

    Those MCSEs used to be worth something and required for big bucks jobs. Now an MCSE will just get you tech support and entry level positions.
     
  17. dcan

    dcan New Member

    Exactly. I am looking at it similar to RFValve's statement about MCSE and entry level positions. So I have Sec+ but what good is it? I thought it was cool when I got it, and I certainly learned a fair bit about security, but to be honest with my position now and where I'm looking to go the management-oriented certs are much more applicable. I made this point a while back to a someone on their first enlistment who is looking to stay over 20 years. Back when I was in his shoes I thought I would want to spend my life writing code by myself, but now what I want to do is engage with the organization, find problems and opportunities for improvement, and build teams to bridge the gap. "Teams" being as simple as me tracking down the people across the organization who I need answers from or who I can convince to take on a task or two. But the point is that the opportunity to have a true, lasting impact on an organization, the people in it, and the people it serves come from that level of involvement. And I've just begun to scratch the surface.
     

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