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Greetings all,

Essentially, I have roughly 30 months of my Apprenticeship (and apprentice wages…) left, and I would like to add some certifications to my CV. I work mostly on SCCM/AD/GPO etc, but I’m also doing Cisco through my Apprenticeship, and would likely look at a range of different options. I was thinking something basic to start with, ensure I have a good rounded knowledge base, and then look into some more specialised options. My workplace have offered to pay for any exams (provided I pass them!) so I may as well make the most of it while I can! So any suggestions/advice would be much appreciated!

Apologies if this was posted in the wrong place or something!

Thanks in advance,

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If company is paying…take something more advanced or have more career advancement like VMware (virtualization) or AWS based (cloud computing) or even VMware on AWS…(mix both Virtualizing and cloud)

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Why not go the MS Cert (MCSA 2019 core) route as well as Adding the CCNA.

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Hi, Kaladin!

If you’d like a studypartner, feel free to reach out. I’m working on and off towards CCENT/CCNA, but I always stop studyiny for a while, and study something else.

There’s some Microsoft Certifications available that you can take, that isn’t too hard. :slight_smile:

I’d recommend setting up a little lab like I did home, to test everything you’d like. I’m fixing my VPN now soon through a ASA 5505. If you’d like to connect to some of my stuff and lab a little, as earlier said, feel free to get in touch.

I recommend that you try out Packettracer if you like networking, elsewhere setup a VM from VirtualBox with Windows Server (version) and play around. :smiley:

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Certifications on Microsoft, you can get here: Browse Credentials | Microsoft Learn

  • “MTA” is the more easier once.

Network: Cisco Learning Network

  • CCENT/CCNA for networking

VMware: VMware Certified Professional - Data Center Virtualization 2024 (VCP-DCV 2024)

  • ESXi, Vmware 6.7 etc. etc.
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I have a pretty decent size lab set up at work to practice anything I need on, so that side is covered at least. I do already have one MTA, definitely an easier path to get some qualifications done!

Thanks for the offer, it would be good to get involved with someone doing similar things to me!

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Start looking at job postings that interest you. Then review at the certifications that they are looking for and go for those.

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Hi…

to take CCNA exam, i have to pay or its free of cost??

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If you’re planning on MCSA/E certifications, steer away from MTAs as they don’t count toward any of the more advanced MS certifications.

A combination of A+, Network+ and Security+ (or the equivalents from other certifications) is a good base. Beyond that, it is more a question of where you want your career to go.

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Note! Remember that the CCNA is changing Significantly in February 2020!

I would definitely recommend doing CCNA before they change it and do MCSA/E as Larry mentioned above.

CompTIA side is probably the cheapest exam roster of these and so your third option is maybe Server+. But Server+ is I think less useful to silly employer requirements without Network+, I think.

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Aye I’m aware of this! The training provider that does the college based side of my apprenticeship has access to all the CCNA stuff, so if I focus I should be able to get it done before they change everything.

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Since you mentioned AD and GPO’s I would work towards an MCSA for Server operating systems particularity Server 2016. You will get an MTA passing the first exam. And you will only need one more exam to become an MCSE which is what you eventually want.

Look into exams 70-740, 70-741 and 70-742. To me this is a certification that covers a broad range including Hyper-V which is beginning to surpass VMWare because of the cost factor. And it will also give you a good understanding of Network infrastructures with regards to AD and managing an environment.

Here is a link to the exam criteria. I’m about to pass the last exam. And it will definitely give you a good standing when you go out for a Sys Admin or Engineer position.

Others may have a different opinion but for me this was the simplest and broadest path for a comprehensive understanding of Microsoft’s ecosystem.

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THIS. Larry hits the nail on the head in multiple ways. Pretty much exactly what I would say. MTA’s are nothing, it’s just another way for MS to get $$$ out of you. If you have little to no experience in IT, you’re better off going for CompTIA’s A+ instead. +1 for the Net+ and Sec+That being said - MCSA Server 2019 will give you both virtualization (Hyper-V) and AD. VMware VCP is another excellent choice when it comes to virtualization. If you’re leaning towards the networking side of the house, Net+ followed up by CCNA, typically Routing and Switching, at least imho.
To answer your other question from the thread: pretty much ALL cert exams you have to pay for, and sometimes they’re considerable money (imho anything above $250USD).
Good luck!

@larryshanahan

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Thanks for all the advice guys, it’s much appreciated!