I'm planning to take my A+ exam soon, but I'm starting to question its value in today's job market. After realizing that certifications like A+ may not be worth it, especially in a competitive environment, I'm considering if I should just learn the material without taking the exam and jump straight into studying for the CCNA. My ultimate goal is to get into cloud computing, but I know I need some sysadmin experience first. While I understand that CCNA is very Cisco-centric, I'm more interested in the networking knowledge it offers. Would it be better to forgo the A+ and Network+ certs in favor of CCNA?
5 Answers
Don’t dismiss Security+ either! It's becoming increasingly important for government jobs. It might be worth considering if you plan to go that route later on.
If you've got solid IT experience—like 0-4 years in helpdesk—then the A+ and Network+ might be essential just to get your foot in the door. But if you're more experienced, jump straight to the CCNA and skip the basics.
That makes sense! I've got some hands-on experience, so maybe I can aim higher and go for the CCNA right away.
Ultimately, certification can be a money-maker for companies. While they can help you land interviews, your practical experience is what will really count in the long run.
Exactly! I’d rather do projects and build my skills than just collect certs for show.
The CompTIA certs are decent for entry-level roles but as you progress, you'll need something more specialized. If you're aiming for sysadmin, the CCNA will definitely equip you with valuable networking knowledge.
Exactly! There are so many directions in IT, just focus on what interests you and go for the certs that will help in those areas!
I'd recommend going for the CCNA instead of the Network+. The CCNA gives you hands-on experience and really dives deeper into the concepts. Also, I've heard CCNA attempts are generally cheaper than CompTIA exams.
That's a good point! CompTIA certs often don't provide as much depth, so it makes sense to aim for something like the CCNA that's more respected.
Totally agree! The CCNA is definitely more valuable in terms of real-world application.
Very true! I'm studying for it as we speak for that exact reason.