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Home > Archive > Security+ > March 2004 > Are CompTIA certs worth it or a waste of time?
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Are CompTIA certs worth it or a waste of time?
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| s2kfan 2004-02-14, 1:54 pm |
| I am looking to start looking to study for certifications outside of Cisco. I noticed that Security+ is an elective to some of MS tracks. I don't really know much about CompTIA, but being in the industry for a long time, I've never seen any of the companies I've worked for take it seriously.
I see many A+, but they are usually applying for tech support or integration.
Is it worth it? Are you more likely to get a raise from it? | |
| Supertech 2004-02-14, 2:02 pm |
| Aside from the knowledge gained in pursuit of certifications, it demonstrates a commitment to ongoing professional developement. It helps differentiate yourself from others. While perhaps not directly correlated to pay increases, it can help you get noticed more.
So yes, I think they are worth it. I like CompTIA because it has wide industry support, vendor neutral, and you don't have to jump on the recert treadmill. | |
| Tarzanboy 2004-02-14, 11:19 pm |
| CompTIA is an entry-level cert provider. HR departments use them as baselines to locate people with the minimum skillset required to perform the appointed job. It is an interesting trend to note that some certifications are becoming universally required, such as A+ and Network+.
Ultimately though, whether it is worth it or not is up to the individual and their goals.
Cheers,
TB
Post Script: Admit it, Supertech, you like CompTIA because their certs don't expire.  | |
| Supertech 2004-02-14, 11:51 pm |
| quote:
Originally posted by Tarzanboy
Admit it, Supertech, you like CompTIA because their certs don't expire.
Isn't that what I said? | |
| Luchnia 2004-02-15, 7:47 am |
| I know a man that was interviewing candidates for a position at a very large corporation. He had a large amount of resumes. The first thing he told me that he did was cull out all the resumes that did not at least have the A+ cert. He said that eliminated all but few resumes! Can you imagine the good techs that were tossed aside because they did not have the A+? Indeed companies are following this path.
Many companies today simple will not hire if you do not have at least the entry level A+ cert. They are believing this to be a minimum cert to have. Even a seasoned tech should go get this if he is out of a job. It could make the difference between landing a job and not.
Persoanlly, most of the CompTIA certs are way overpriced and a waste, but only to a certain degree. As the other gentlemen stated they do show the persuit and a certain amount of knowledge. I will admit they have helped me tremendously in having calls for positions, and allowing me to pick up things that I would not normally see in a work environment. After all, there are basics that we all use in the IT world.
A good preliminary path might be: A+, CCNA, and MCP at a bare minimum. Most will look somewhat favorable at someone who has these few certs.
Peace. | |
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| I currently have my MCSE for NT,W2K and W23K. Being a little microsoft cert. heavy, I decided to obtain my A+ and N+ for marketability reasons as well as, as Supertech and Luchnia have stated, proving that I am willing to expand my knowledge in other areas.
I personally know CISCO CCNP engineers who would never think of looking at a Comptia certification. I also know some CISCO engineers who have been turned down because they did not have said credentials.
Unfortunately the Comptia are a bit expsensive but in the spirit of being technologically well rounded with a vendor nuetral certification, I think its worth it.
My 2 cents worth.
SB4
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| Luchnia 2004-02-24, 3:48 pm |
| SB, seems like a very wise move on your part. If you think about it, the CompTIA A+ is not all that tough anyway and it certainly does not hurt anyone to further their knowledge a bit. People get a bit proudful thinking the A+ is below them.
I like to go back and often review the certs and various subjects I have studied. You can only imagine how much MORE you get after reviewing again. You pick up all sorts of things you might have missed. I recently went back over my 2000 MCSE study materials with a new approach and really picked up more things. I am sort of busy now with server 2003, but I plan to go back and pick up the A+ update materials to see what has been added.
Peace. | |
| s2kfan 2004-02-28, 6:29 pm |
| So these certs never expire and are pricey?
How much is the exam? Is that what makes it pricey? | |
| Supertech 2004-02-28, 8:27 pm |
| Discount vouchers make the price much more paletable and considering you won't have to recertify, the price is right in line with any other program. | |
| s2kfan 2004-02-29, 3:42 am |
| Is the exam more than $1000?
Everyone keeps talking about cost, Cisco ones are only $125-$175 for most exams. | |
| Supertech 2004-02-29, 10:31 am |
| CompTIA prices:
The CompTIA Security+ is exam is available to CompTIA corporate members for $175 USD and non-members for $225 USD.
$40 discount vouchers available here: | |
| s2kfan 2004-02-29, 3:02 pm |
| Is it the same for all CompTia exams? That's not expensive, expecially since you have all said you don't have to recert. | |
| jdmurray 2004-03-03, 1:23 pm |
| quote:
I know a man that was interviewing candidates for a position at a very large corporation. He had a large amount of resumes. The first thing he told me that he did was cull out all the resumes that did not at least have the A+ cert. He said that eliminated all but few resumes! Can you imagine the good techs that were tossed aside because they did not have the A+? Indeed companies are following this path.
Oh yes, this is very common. Have you ever worked as a department manager, advertised to fill a req for a tech or a programmer, and had 400-600 resumes land on your desk in a few days time? No manager on Earth has time to digest that much information in a timely manner! Instead, the manager must define a set of filters to reduce the number of considerable resumes to a workable level (years of industry experience, level of education, certs, willing to travel or relocate, etc.)
Sure, good people get missed, but what manager (or fast-tracking, manager-wanna-be-flunkie) wants to spend their lunch hours and weekends reading through hundreds of resumes?
You gotta show your boss that those time-management classes paid off in at least one way. |
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