Is A+, Net+ really neccesary?
I have pondered the above question for many days? now and the short answer is that it depends.
Let me explain why the question came up and why I believe that there is no generic answer for everyone.
My school ECPI currently gives each student three vouchers for certificates and those three vouchers are primarily used for A+ and Net+ certification test through Comptia. However, I spoke with several teachers, students, and alumni from ECPI and they all said that A+ and Net+ will only get you in the door of a company which I already have done, and that those certs only proved that you have a basic understanding of hardware and networking which my experience already shows. So after hearing that I started to question whether I wanted to use my vouchers for those certs or if I should try and go for more focused certs such as MCITP or Linux+. This question has boggled my mind for a couple of reasons.
1. If I am a MCITP shouldn’t that say that I have more skills that just A+?
2. Which ones will my employer appreciate more?
After thinking about this I realized that it really has nothing to do with the certs themselves but rather what I plan to do, and with that knowledge I decided that hardware is cool but I don’t need a cert to prove that I know how to change the toner cartridge in a printer or install a HD, I would rather tell my boss “Hey, I am a Microsoft certified IT professional”.
So after I found out what was right for me I say that everybody else needs to look at what certs matter to them. If you have never changed a printer cartridge or being able to rattle off the speed of firewire is important to you then defiantly go for the A+ that’s why there are so many. But be sure that you know what the certs are saying about you.
I would also like to say that this post is an introduction to a bigger question that I have. Which matters more Certifications or Degrees, Which does a company recognize more someone with an associate?s degree but high level certs or someone with a Bachelor?s but only introductory certificates?
As a footnote if any of you have read through my blog or know me personally and can think of a certification that you think would better suite me let me know, make a comment and I will check them out.
Thanks for reading
David Bates
After some more research I found that if you are going for an MCA that an A+ or Security+ cert can be counted as an elective test. So if you already have an A+ or Security+ MCA may be the cert for you.
Dave