Where to start with certifications or training?

andrewbylander · 2017-02-13T19:36:45.000Z

Hello,

I work for a smallish nonprofit (approx 100 workstations on the domain and some 200 users) where I am the Director of IT. I got the job because I was the assistant to the last one. The entire IT department consists of me. Which as you all would know, keeps me pretty busy. From managing our 7 websites to being the Server Admin, and the help desk department. All that being said I was a programmer by trade before I got here. All I know about networking and Domain Controllers, and so on comes from a couple classes in college and whatever my predecessor could show me during our 3 months of overlap.

So, question time. What training or certifications would be the most useful to help me in this position. My employer has said they would pay for some courses, I’m just not sure where to start. Windows Server? Anything about VLANs? Any advice would be very helpful.

Thanks

henry-datto · 2017-02-13T19:47:28.000Z

My suggestion would be to check out some free services. itpro.tv has a basic plan that is free to get you started. If you are serious and your company is willing to pay for it go for CompTIA Network+ that will get your feet wet and get you a cert that is used widely within the IT field. Nothing beats hands on practice so it would be wise to setup a domain at home and mess around with settings as well as possibly a Networking for Dummies book. Best practices you can learn from a place like spiceworks and asking around…or the internet (although the internet isn’t always right…so trust but verify).

jjoyner1985 · 2017-02-13T19:56:43.000Z

Before looking at training options, perhaps you consider what method of learning would be most efficient for you. CBT Nuggets videos would be a waste for someone who learns best by hands-on, physical lab environments, which would be a waste for someone who learns best through text books, which would be a waste for someone who learns best from boot camps, etc.

michael-cbt-nuggets · 2017-02-13T20:17:30.000Z

Actually, we recently added a ton of new learning tools, including video-level virtual labs with practice exercises, in-video quizzes, and instructions on how to build and use a practice lab.

https://www.cbtnuggets.com/virtual-labs

If you haven’t used CBT Nuggets for a while, you might want to take a look again. We’ve revamped our hands-on experience offerings, and they’re expanding daily.

For OP, I agree with Henry. Net+ will get you the basics. And then look at what you use often to determine your next certification. If you’re working with servers, then MCSA would be a good route.

We actually just re-did the 70-410 course.

CBT Nuggets

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And our subscription is buffet style. You get everything, unlimited access to all the videos from AWS to Server to Linux, unlimited Transcender practice exams, and all the stuff already mentioned above.

Give it a go for a week. See if you like it. CBT Nuggets

If it doesn’t suit your learning style, that’s cool, too. Plenty of resources out there. Good luck.

kyle-for-comptia · 2017-02-13T20:58:11.000Z

Hey Andrew,

Welcome to the SW community!

One place you can start is @CompTIA

A couple quick resources I wanted to start off with and put on your radar is our “which certification is right for me” which is pretty self explanatory and also our IT certification roadmap can show you which certs can validate expertise in your chosen field

I’d be happy to answer any questions you might have or provide you with anymore resources if you wanted any!

weirdfish · 2017-02-13T21:05:59.000Z

Network+ will get you started on the fundamentals of networking. Then hit Server 2012 (I’m guessing that’s what you’re using), and anything else you’re currently using hands-on.

Hold off on irrelevant topics until you’re confident that you have your workplace humming.

franklyundead · 2017-02-14T09:16:14.000Z

Maybe start with the free training Microsoft offers. They’ve improved a lot over the past years in terms of free training and evaluation software. You can start right now.
Besides that I’d say CCNA, lots of general networking knowledge in there too, plus the certs are worth something. Top it of with MCSA and you should be ready.

aaronmeredith · 2017-02-14T16:57:12.000Z

Consider the core of what you are working with. Identify your weak points. Start there then cover everything you want / need. Light on Networking? CCENT (CCNA if you actually have Cisco bits in house). How comfortable are you with whatever hypervisor ecosystem you use? Make sure you are very comfortable with it and anything you use to supplement it’s features. Your storage system probably doesn’t have a cert, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t know it well. Not knowing anything specific about your environment I’ll say you at minimum will want to be very good at the topics covered in MCSA - Windows Server 2012 as well.

CCENT, MCSA Server 2012, VCP6-DCV(if applicable) is a reasonable minimum for an all around 1 man / small team generalist and a good foundation to figure out if you may want to specialize in any particular direction.