Passed A+, Now what next?

[rande]

Now that I've passed A+ I'm looking for the next thing which would make me most marketable or useful in an office tech/IT position. Also, our current Comp. systems admin. is talking about leaving one day, and I'd like to be able to place myself in a good position to take over from him.

Which test or tests would best prepare me for this? If someone could even name a few of them in order of importance, I'd appreciate that.

Rande

[CMonster]

I'm looking for the next thing which would make me most marketable or useful in an office tech/IT position.

believe it or not that would be a bachelors degree in a computer related field, but if you plan on taking over the sys admin position I would lean heavily toward networking and security. Have you asked the current system administrator what his background is? What does your company require?

[KiLLaJ17]

NETWORK+ --> CCNA ---> MCSE

[John Prophet]

You didnt say exactly what kind of network/computers setup you have where you work...so that could possibly influence things.

But as was said....networking in general and of course security is the big deal now.

MCSE is still one of the main basics..even though it isnt basic by any means.

Personally I would say go for the 70-210 Windows2000 MCP. That is just one of the 7 tests you need for a Win2000 MCSE. Once you pass any 1 of those tests you are considered an "MCP"..Microsoft Certified Professional. But besides that you will also learn a lot about networking, especially if you do the 70-215 next, which is Win2k server.

The best thing would be to check local community colleges for a class as opposed to just trying to get some study books and memorize (cram) just to pass the tests etc. A 70-215 class would be really good because of the labs involved..I think it would be a good foundation of nice practical stuff that would directly benefit you.

Also of course now they have the MCSA..which is like 4 of the 7 tests needed for mcse. So you could make the MCSA sort of your medium/long range goal.

Now that you have the A+ you could think of adding the N+..it is also a good broad cert covering the basics....I dont think you would actually learn as much though as compared to a 70-215 type of class....to me the N+ is sort of just learning the terminology. But, the MCSA accepts the A+ and N+ TOGETHER as the MCSA elective credit.

So you could so something like this.

Right now you are A+

ok, you could get your N+ which I think would actually be the easiest to get....probably you could get it without actually taking a class, just study the material on your own.

So you'd be A+,N+

Then you start on your way to your MCSA. (since the A+ and N+ together = one of the electives you only have 3 mcp tests to pass to be MCSA)

do the 70-210...pass that and you'll be A+,N+,MCP so at least you almost start to LOOK impressive anyway! lol.

Seriously though that is a somewhat logical roadmap.

Of course if your networking etc consists or cisco routers and such you might consider the CCNA type stuff...I cant comment to that cuz I am totally ignorant of them, lol.

And Security+ could be a cool cert..actually it is accepted as an elective for MCSA also..by itself...and security is on everyone's mind nowadays and it is really necessary to have some knowldge of basic practices etc.

JP

[bailey]

I learned today that the MCSA is swithching over to the server 2003, and we don't have the materal for that yet, se we are going to start the new year off with the CCNA course instead

[DRF138]

I just passed my A+ Friday-and have 3 days lab left in Net+
I expect to take that exam sometime in janurary, as posted above Security+ Seems to be the next logical step. Personally My reasoning is that it's not (or so I'm Told) vendor specific-and it will add to my skill set making most of the other MCSE Stuff less difficult because I'll have a solid Foundation... The Same May Be true for you...good luck
David

[kranich]

My advice is to go for Net+ and then run the MCSA course.

[Siliconjunkie]

Go with a degree. Certs are nearly worthless anymore. They are hip to people running out and getting every cert under the sun, but having no experience. Also, get a help desk job. As lowly as it sounds, you will learn alot and meet the right people.

And, keep an eye on the job market, right now tech is not a real good place to be let alone get into.

[rande]

Thanks to all. I really want to study to further my own knowledge but titles mean everything to my employers so certs. and degrees are all good. I'll take this to our comp. sys manager and see what he suggests.

BTW - is server 2003 to replace server 2000? If so, is there any material out there for it, or should I use S. 2000 guides to learn it for now? I'm asking because he once suggested I take M.S. Server 2000 and I wonder if that's out of date now.