Hi guys and girls
I’ve been in IT for a while now but as of the last few months I have moved into a more career focused roll.
Most of my rolls previously have been 1st line remote help desk and last year doing desktop support. However I am wanting to progress and grow into something like a system analyst or grow into a position to start up my own support business.
What areas should I be looking at progressing in and certificates I should compliment this.
67 Spice ups
I would look into A+, Server +, network+. Maybe project management would help as well. keep learning all areas to become more well rounded.
23 Spice ups
Hi
You didn’t mention if have a preferred subject regarding your experience.
If you’re still not sure, I suggest starting with MCSA for Microsoft or RHCSA for Linux systems
And explore the new knowledge at work
Good luck!
6 Spice ups
Hi Guys, Thanks for the quick response.
I have looked into Network+ and have the CompTI A+ study guide, but by looking at that it looks like it is for absolute beginners?
Well I would really like to move into security and protection regarding business and Anti Virus and data protection as well as Ransomware.
I have a feeling those + Guides would be a start, I still get quite lost in the what MCSA does, I gather it just a Microsoft certificate?
3 Spice ups
Since you’re just starting out, I recommend soft rolls. Their suppleness makes them ideal for beginners. Once you’re comfortable with that, you could try moving on to a cloverleaf roll or blaa. Once you really feel confident, it might be time to try your hand at a nice kummelweck.
73 Spice ups
Mike400
(Mike400)
6
OP, besides trying the rolls Big Green Man suggested (they all go good with Bacon, by the way) you need to look at the job postings on CareerBuilder or other job board for what you want to do next and then work to meet the requirements listed in those postings.
29 Spice ups
Thanks Mike,
I guess I have always thought if I were to do that by the time I learn those skills something else would be out, also I was worried I would just end up with a mixed bag of skills that doesn’t mean I can specialise in anything.
At the moment I do 2nd line Technical support with some 3rd line areas. I was wondering what would best help me in this roll for now before building on from it?
2 Spice ups
Go with what you’re interested in. If it’s security you want, then go for security.
CompTIA has Security+, which is a good entry-level certification. It’s a damn hard certification to write, but nice to have. After that, look at either Certified Ethical Hacker, or Security Network Administration (both from EC-Council) or the mother of all security certifications - CISSP.
6 Spice ups
Figure out what you enjoy. Make connections with other local IT guys if possible through SpiceCorp or whatever. Look at job postings for the jobs you would like to have and see what certs they want/require. Get the certs and continue learning.
6 Spice ups
CompTIA is a JOKE, don’t listen to this guy.
every person ive ever had to work with that is “A+ certified” has no idea what they are doing, they always lose their job weeks/months later.
3 Spice ups
nickmiller6
(PercussiveMaintenance)
11
I understand the thought behind the CompTIA exams. When you get one you can basically say that you have some book knowledge. It’s not that they are useless, it’s just you can google almost any of their questions and usually the first response is the correct answer.
OP: Seek out the higher end certs where a simple google search wouldn’t help. The certs where you either know it or you don’t. And, if you don’t know it, you understand what is happening to at least troubleshoot.
2 Spice ups
jeffnoel
(ghijkmnop)
12
For those wondering why this is funny…
6 Spice ups
bbigford
(bbigford)
13
I would first figure out if you want to work for someone else or work for yourself.
2 Spice ups
I’d say figure out what area you want to work towards. Once you’re past the level 1 and 2 stages and wanting to progress you really need to start specialising… OH that dreaded word… but as others have mentioned, look at job ad’s and find out what companies are looking for. But look in areas you’re interested in and then see what skills and qualifications they are looking for. Also see if you can use some of these new skills in your current job or a part time job to gain some experience to help you get through the door. You need to have that extra something to get hired over someone else… That’s life.
2 Spice ups
These are EXTREMELY different roles. A system analyst isn’t even an IT person. It’s a great role, but it’s not IT. You only grow into an SA position from being a developer.
6 Spice ups
CompTIA certs are… mediocre. But don’t take the A+ being bad and apply that to the others. The Server+ and Network+ are okay. They are “first day” certs - meaning you expect people to have them before the first day of their first IT job. They are as entry level as it gets. But for what they are, they are good.
The A+, however, is NOT an IT cert at all. It’s the same “day one entry level” but for bench work (aka Geek Squad, corner computer store, Staples, etc.) This is tech related, but not IT. So of course it is useless for IT people.
8 Spice ups
Mixed bag means generalist and in the SMB space (which this is an SMB community that you are posting in) there is ONLY generalist roles. There is no such thing as a specialist in small business. Only enterprises realistically hire specialists. So if you want to specialize, you are always changing your market.
And doing IT work, if your goal is software development, is not going to make sense. It won’t hurt you, but doing IT support is not, in any way, going to prepare you to design software.
8 Spice ups
A+ is really appropriate for kids prepping for a $12/hr job at Best Buy. No one in IT should be getting it or recommending it. Sadly, many of us got it when there was less clear info on it out there.
The Network+ is a really good cert, but it is the absolute most entry level cert for IT. I expect high school kids that we bring on as interns to be able to breeze through that. It’s good to have, but it is as beginner and beginner gets.
Security doesn’t do what you are describing, not really. And to do security you need an IT career first, you don’t start going after security.
MCSA is the entry level WIndows “Admin” cert. It’s extremely junior but if your interest is Windows Admin work, it’s where you have to start.
5 Spice ups
Of the four things mentioned, two of them are for “before” he’s at the point he’s already at. The other two aren’t even in the field.
More info on the CompTIA A+ Certification:
5 Spice ups