Certification Foo

[jarandhel]

So, my teacher and another computer teacher for my school both claim that I don't need to get my A+ or Network+ certifications now that I have Linux+. Their advice is to go for a CCNA next. I kind of have a feeling they're wrong, and that while the CCNA would be good it would look better overall if I had all three. (Plus whatever else I can get, I'm thinking RHCE and LPIC potentially.) You guys are actually out there in the field, what do you think? If my teachers are right, it could save me a bit of cash and effort. If they're wrong, I'd rather know about it now than a few months into a jobhunt with just a Linux+ cert under my belt.

Comments

[dogemperor.livejournal.com]

It actually depends on what you want to get into--the A+ is more useful if you're getting into computer repair. I *would* recommend getting the Network+ (and probably Security+ as well) if you're planning to go into networking at all.

CCNAs are good, but again, it's primarily a networking cert...but a pretty damn useful networking cert (and one of the certs I would like to try to get if I can ever get the funds and time up, LOL).

[jarandhel.livejournal.com]

I'm not really sure what areas I'd like to specialize in yet. I sort of think it may be best to keep my options open and build up a broad spectrum of skills. The A+ stuff would show that I know what I'm doing with hardware, and also that I'm at least familiar with installing/administering Windows-based operating systems without going into Microsoft's own certifications (which I'm not really feeling inclined to get, both because I hate Microsoft and because they seem too expensive and too much effort for something which only lasts a few years before it has to be renewed, even though the operating systems in question don't generally change that much in a few years.) The Net+ would show that not only can I administer a network, I can set one up and perform necessary maintenance. My teachers claim that if you have Linux+ most places will assume you know you're stuff with hardware and networks already, so it's like having all three, but I think they're wrong. They also claim that the CCNA is to Net+ what a Bachelor's degree is to an associates, so if I get that I don't have to worry that I don't have the lesser one, because nobody will ask about it if I have the CCNA. That one they might be right on, but I still get the feeling that overall it would look better if I got both. I think the degree analogy only extends so far with certs because advanced degrees require lesser degrees as prerequisites while certs generally do not (at least of the ones I've looked into so far.)

Security+ is a good idea, too. I'll look into that.

[draerendi.livejournal.com]

Go for it all. Though I am not in the computer field so to speak...The little I do know is more than most here. It never hurts to pad the package. If one is not handly the other may be. Ya know? A+ and Network+ are current here and not so much Linux. *shrugs* Can you have too much training?