I just passed my CompTIA Network + certification exam, and I already have my CompTIA A+.

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In the last couple years I have mostly done desktop support contracting, but I am getting sick of getting abused by temp agencies for money and I would like to break into a full time position.

I always have good performance reviews on contracts, but contract to hire is pretty much a myth; nobody seems to have a budget for full time employees.

I'm not sure where I want to go with my career but I'm thinking systems administration. I've got a linux system setup as a file server, and I've been really enjoying working with it so I would like to learn more about linux.

I enjoy programming, but I have 2 natural science degrees, and companies have so far not been interested in hiring me for programming positions. Because I don't want to go back to school, I am not really pursuing programming as a career.

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so what should I get next?
My main motivation for certification is to make myself standout so that I can successfully compete for full time positions.

I'm thinking either CompTIA's Linux+ or Security+ but I haven't heard of anybody having either one, so I'm not sure how marketable they are.


Thanks!!

There are a number of certifications you can work towards, depending your focus, most are relatively cheap, all require you to put some degree of effort in. I've listed below of the relevant qualifications for a Systems Administrator role:

Linux
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RHCE - Red Hat Certified Engineer

Windows
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MCITP - Microsoft Certified IT Professional
MCTS - Microsoft Certified Technical Specialist

Networking
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CCNA - Cisco Certified Network Associate

Getting a good number of these (for example there are multple MCITP's available) will help you stand out. IT companies are much more interested in experience and certifications than University Degrees, as it's very much more a hands-on role.

You may also want to take a look at doing some SQL certifications (either Microsoft's MCITP in SQL or Oracle's OCA/OCP) if you're interested in Databases.

Also, you can't just buy a bunch of books and take the exams, you're going to need some experience under your belt as well. So I'd suggest trying to find some sort of relevant work, even it's just 1st Line support work to help you get some exposure and customer service experience.

I hope this helps.

Sounds good. Thanks

I think I might start looking into getting some of the lower level Microsoft certifications

Quote:

Original post by nordwindranger I'm thinking either CompTIA's Linux+

IF you're looking for something comparable with L+, Linux Professional Institute(LPI) offers an entry level certs that are slightly more respected than Linux+.

Linux+ focuses heavily on Red Hat and hardware, while LPI-1 tends to focus much heavier on the CLI and various options you'd use.

RHCE is usually respected more than both, but RHCE is a mid to advance cert while L+ and LPI-1 are entry level certs. RHCE requires a lab where you fix a broken box that was set up specifically to mess with you.

Quote:

or Security+

Security+'s worth depends on the company. It's kind of hit or miss, but all security is kind of hit or miss depending on which company is looking at it.

S+ can be used as an elective for other Microsoft certs, which is fairly beneficial if you're going for a larger MS cert later.

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Another option for you is to get certified to program. Brainbench and Microsoft offers a lot of programming certs. It might help you along if programming is your main goal. If being an admin is more your thing, the above would probably be more beneficial.