Maximum PC

I am currently going for my associates for computer information systems. While I am getting my degree I want to start completing certification courses to make myself more educated and broaden my availability. How do I go about picking which certifications I need to complete first and in what order. Should I start out with A+? I am hoping to complete the certs on the computer with cd-rom and books. What is the best set to choose from?

Thanks for your help!
Mancow

What do you want to do? What jobs are in your area? Computer Information Systems covers a lot of info. You might want to focus on what the demand is in your area.

I am not focused on what my area has to offer. I want to enjoy my work. Here is an exact description of what I want to do. http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos268.htm (more towards the support specialist side)


Thanks again,
Mancow

Enjoying your work won't help much if there's no work to be had. That's why you need to at least have a general idea of the demand in your area.

In re. the support specialist. You'll get different opinions on this. A lot of the phone work has been outsourced to other countries though. Your best bet (unless you can find a small company) is a field tech.

My take on those sorts of jobs is that they are entry level (aka low paying) stepping stones to higher paying jobs elsewhere. They are not usually high paying jobs. You rarely see high end tech support types because those that are knowledgeable enough to fix the problems are in enough demand that they can make much more money doing other jobs.

If your heart is set on it, I'd start off with A+ type certs. That'll get you in the door for PC troubleshooting. After that, Networking type things are usually good (troubleshooting and setting up networks). I don't know that I would spend the money on Cisco certs unless I was sure I wanted to go down that path. Especially if there are no jobs in the area.

mancow, if you want to be known for knowing your s*%* then go for system adminstrator/network adminstrator. MCSE cert. will get you mass knowledge and money.

the support specialist is rather weak. its customer telecom service. sitting at a computer walking people through your companies trubleshooting software. when your an admin, head and oversee a companies network, you have full control, and lots more versatility then a supprot specialist. and you get to take home more then there companies department managers

i'd startoff with A+ if you can get it in 6 motnhs or less while your going to school for MCSE. dont spend too much time on A+ as thats more so geared towards computer repair. as a system admin in a big company, you dont waste time fixing comps too often, you just buy new ones.

hope this helps, and good luck.

Don't knock the support specialist job, though. It is a decent way to get your foot in the proverbial door.

oops, gotta go, got a customer calling...

true it gets your foot in the door to that industry but not that company. ive never seen a company ACTUALLY hire from within. so take it as face value and put the support position on your resume, but dont get upset when they hire from outside for the network admin position

the company I work for does. In fact, lots of phone jockeys, after working in other departments in said company, wind up in the IT department. I guess it helps if said company provides, among other things, internet services