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Home > Archive > General Discussion > September 2001 > If you were "given" 7 grand what certifications would your use it to pursue?
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If you were "given" 7 grand what certifications would your use it to pursue?
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| IronLfter 2001-09-20, 6:38 pm |
| This is my first post on this site and I want to start off with a hello to everyone on the board. I am a total newbie to the IT field and am looking at two tracks A+,Network+, MCSE or the CIW and Graphic artist area. My situation is as follows: About a month ago I was laid off from the company I have worked for the last nine years for. This layoff occured due to the company's filing for bankruptcy earlier this year. Anyway, to make a long story short, since I'm a dislocated worker I'm eligible for seven thousand dollars through the Dept of Labor for training and certification classes.
I'm interested in both areas of certification and feel I would do really well in the CIW and Graphic arts area because of my artistic talent. Yet, I do enjoy tinkering and would really like to be a tech as well. I guess my problem in making a decision falls in the area of wages and job availability. I live in New Mexico and have heard there is not a great deal of opportunities for CIWs. So, I'm really having a tough time figuring out which way to go.
I guess all this can be summed up by asking which track will provide me with more money and opportunities (even if it means relocating) CIW/graphic arts or A+/Network+/MCSE? Thanks to anyone in advance for your help. I appreciate it and look forward to learning a lot from everyone on this board. | |
| Pavlov 2001-09-20, 8:21 pm |
| Welcome to the forum. 
Without knowing your previous work background, you ask a difficult question. If you have worked on computers from a tech support perspective, you probably don't need to spend money on taking an A+ class. Grab a good self study guide and you can get this one.
If you are interested in possibly doing the CIW certification, then I would suggest studying for the Net+, which naturally lends itself to the i-Net+. The i-Net+ qualifies in place of the CIW Fundamentals exam and automatically gives you a CIW Associate title. Plenty of opportunity for CIW in Southern Calif.
However, in light of the latest current events, Net+ followed up with MCSE and then perhaps a stronger focus on network security, will most likely lead to $$$ (big bucks  ). Lots of companies will be focusing on creating disaster recovery plans and possibly even co-locating data-centers.
Perhaps, if you don't mind, you could share with us a bit more of your background with computers, web authoring, and/or, networking.
Again, welcome to the forum. Regardless of which path you choose you are sure to make a friend or two here along the way and you'll find plenty of folks willing to help you out when you get stuck or need motivation, or even a break  | |
| IronLfter 2001-09-20, 8:53 pm |
| Pavlov,
Thanks for the welcome aboard. I sure appreciate it. Well, I'm a total newbie to the entire field. I mean, I have "fooled" around with really light HTML, but I have never done any networking. So I'm pretty much starting from scratch. My previous job was in a grocery store so I have never done any computer tech support. Thanks and again I welcome and appreciate any comments. | |
| Pavlov 2001-09-21, 7:37 pm |
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In that case, take a good A+ class. Research the school well. Make sure you will have ample opportunity for hands-on lab time. Ask to see the lab if they don't offer to show it to you. If the equipment is older than you are, don't go there Also, be sure there are enough computers for everyone to have their own.
Then go on to Net+. This will also be more fun if you happen to have two computers to network together as you go.
Since you have no computer background, the A+ and Net+ are a good place to start. From there you can move on the i-Net+ which will help you travel down the CIW path. With your dabbling in html, this seems to be a good choice possibly.
Check out the exam requirements at www.comptia.org The biggest benefit of the CompTIA certifications is that they are vendor neutral and don't expire. They are also geared for the newbie entering IT. Best of luck to you. | |
| chodan 2001-09-23, 6:29 pm |
| I think Pavlov
is right on the money in his advice for you.
Also if you have enough money after the Comptia exams, you might look into the
Win2000 MCP on workstation or server, I think that would round out the Comptia skills with a specific OS skill.
then you can look at some premier certs as you will have a pretty good foundation in technology.
Jonathan Foster |
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