Climbing the IT corporate ladder in Atlanta (centers, to move)

[dark_knight08]

Thanks. I've been reading up on A+ and Net+, and it seems like the +A would be beneficial for someone trying to get their foot in the door. I figured that since I'm already in an helpdesk role, I may not need it. I learn a lot about hardware/software and troubleshooting everyday here as it is. I am still kind of weak in knowledge when it comes to networking however. I was told that Net+ would give me about 40 percent of the foundation needed to know for my CCNA.

[flamadiddle]

Do the Net+, then do the CCNA. The CCNA can be taken as a single composite exam or broken up into two separate exams, ICND1 and ICND2. When you pass ICND1, you become a CCENT, After you pass ICND1 and ICND2, you become a CCNA. Most Cisco certs build upon one another so once you become a CCNA, you can pursue the CCNP, which is another three exams. The holy grail is the CCIE, which is one written exam and one comprehensive lab given on site at Cisco.

If I were you, I'd start with the Net+, CCENT > CCNA and then decide if you want to go further with Cisco.

Get crackin! You can do it!

.

[NewNashville]

All People Seem To Need Data Processing...

At least that's what they taught us.

[sirrob]

I have my A+ and Net+, and it's definitely helped. I've gotten a lot of calls with those certs. But if I had to do it all over again, I would take about 2-3 weeks and study Net+, but SAVE your money for the exam, then go straight to CCENT/CCNA. Start applying for CCNA-level jobs right after you get your CCENT.

[dark_knight08]

So I've decided that I'll skip the A+, get my Net+, and then work towards my CCNA. I think I would like to be a sysadmin or someone who runs networks one day. Will my degree, work experience and a Net+ cert open any doors while I study for my CCNA? How hard is the Net+, and is there a lot of math involved?

[sirrob]

Originally Posted by dark_knight08

So I've decided that I'll skip the A+, get my Net+, and then work towards my CCNA. I think I would like to be a sysadmin or someone who runs networks one day. Will my degree, work experience and a Net+ cert open any doors while I study for my CCNA? How hard is the Net+, and is there a lot of math involved?

Some say Net+ was easier because it's only one test, vs. 2 tests for A+. It wasn't easier for me, though. It has basic math because of subnetting, but nothing more than that. Not too bad.

I have no college degree, but with A+ and Net+, they have gotten me a LOT of calls here in Indy. So with what you have now and Net+, it will DEFINITELY open doors for you in Atlanta!

Good luck!

[Larry X]

If you want to be in the management side of IT, it's best to get a Masters Degree in MIS or something similar.

[dark_knight08]

Luckily, I found this job on a job listing website. Unfortunately, it took nearly a year for that to happen. After about a years worth of experience here, how should I go about finding my next opportunity? Will Linkedin help? Also, is it too early to start networking again?

[bhammaster]

Originally Posted by dark_knight08

Luckily, I found this job on a job listing website. Unfortunately, it took nearly a year for that to happen. After about a years worth of experience here, how should I go about finding my next opportunity? Will Linkedin help? Also, is it too early to start networking again?

Dice.com , CareerBuilder etc too.

[dark_knight08]

Ive been talking with someone who is high up in the ranks of IT, and he told me that his company (Coca-Cola) and many others are beginning to move away from big data centers, and are implementing cloud technology. Because of this, there may be lesser opportunities for sysadmins and similiar titles.

Im pretty unsure of what to specialize in now. I thought that a sysadmin or network admin would be great. Im just getting into studying for my Net+, just to learn that jobs will be lost to the cloud soon. Sigh..