I'm 19 year old with 5 months left before i graduate college with an AOS in IT. I have CNA, A+, and Net+ and no actual job experience but alot of hands on at school. I wanna work in the networking field, what will be the best next cert for me?

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Peace Out
-=PotatoHead=-
A+, CNA, MCP, MCSA, Net+

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I would say CCNA. It is well respected and it is only one test, whole the MCSE is seven. It wouldn't hurt to have them both, however.

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I'd say Server+ first, but CCNA is a close second. I think the Server+ hardware knowledge (much of which is applicable to some PCs these days as well), the additional network and server issues covered (those not in the CompTIA exams you've had), and the vendor neutrality is more applicable to an entry-level job for someone just getting out of school. The CompTIA exams are great to give you "the big picture", which is typically what you will need when first entering the field.

CCNA is a good choice, too since there is so much Cisco out. However, it is doubtful you will be getting oodles of hands on with Cisco products at entry level, so it may not be as initially useful. However, CCNA is more recognized than Server+ at the moment.

I think you'd be doing well with either of these first. Obviously I prefer Server+ some. Save the Engineer certs until you get through some of the one test one cert earned exams, or until you get some on the job experience. The advanced certs don't mean much to an employer if you have no actual experience.

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I think a degree in Computer Science would open many more doors than paper certs without experience.

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Nick

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A CS, IS and EE degree look good to me, too.

Otherwise, go to your first MCP, MCSA, MCSE... then, but it all up to your career goals.

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Kill All Suffer 2 Reborn

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Impressive PotatoHead


I'd go for CCNA next. 1 exam and you are well prepared for it with your Network+ knowledge. You can do it before your graduation. After you graduate you have plenty of time for the long track certs

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Warfare Systems
Better Die Standing Than To Live Upon Your Knees

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Thanks for the advice guys/gals - i think im heading to CCNA world.

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Peace Out
-=PotatoHead=-
A+, CNA, MCP, MCSA, Net+

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