Breaking Into the IT Field--Part II (Entry-Level Certifications)

In Part I of our series, we took a brief look at training you can get to help you break into the IT field. In this article we will take a closer look at entry level certifications to help you decide which path to take on the road to employment in the IT field. For each certification, I will give a general overview of the certification, how many tests are required to obtain that certification, and associated costs. While you don't need to take a instructor-led class to pass each test, if you are not a professional in the field with extensive experience in the subject, you would be well advised to consider taking the class. At a bare minimum, if money is really an issue, you can purchase one of the many study books available for the specific certification you are pursuing and study on your own. Most tests cost between $100-$200 each; you have to pay this even if you fail the test and have to take it over. The first type of certification we will look at is Desktop Certifications. They can be broken down further into Hardware- or Software- specific. You really need both specialties to effectively support a desktop system, but you have to start somewhere! Please note that I shall attempt to give you a general idea of the cost and time required for each class, and the cost of each associated test. Take the times and costs as guideliens, as you may find places that teach or test for less (or more). For example, many community colleges offer classes in some of these specific certifications that you can take for much less?you just have to beat the crowd. A good first step for a prospective IT Technician is to get a CompTIA A+ Certification (http://www.comptia.org/certification/a/default.aspx). CompTIA calls this certification an "Entry Level Computer Service" certification. It "covers a broad range of hardware and software technologies, but [is] not bound to any vendor specific products." As an added benefit, many other certifications recognize the A+ certification and accept it in exchange for part of their own training track (Microsoft, HP, Cisco, Novell, etc.). There are two classes and associated tests: 1. OS Technologies; and 2. Hardware Technologies. Each class takes 5 days, and costs around $1,195; each test costs approximately $150. To continue past this point, you need to decide a couple of things. 1. Do you want to jump into general network technologies (which all other certifications will eventually rely upon); or 2. Do you want to branch off into a specific operating system For the former, a good next step would be to get your CompTIA Network+ Certification (http://www.comptia.org/certification/network/default.aspx). CompTIA calls this certification "Network Support and Administration." It provides the "knowledge and skills needed to install, configure, and troubleshoot basic networking hardware, protocols and services." There is one class, Network+, which takes 5 days and costs about $1,795; the test costs approximately $200. If you decide not to go the network route, you need to pick an operating system. Most companies (even those that run other operating systems) will still have a great many Microsoft desktop operating systems installed. However, there are also many more Microsoft-Certified Professionals out there than for other operating systems. You could choose to certify in Windows, Linux, or even Apple Mac OS X. If you decide to pursue a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) Certification, you only need to pass one Microsoft exam. I would highly recommend that you choose one of the following two tests: 1. Supporting Users and Troubleshooting a Microsoft Windows XP Operating System, 3 days, $1,250; or 2. Supporting Users and Troubleshooting Desktop Applications on a Microsoft Windows XP Operating System, 2 days, $850 If you choose this route, it would make sense to eventually take both these exams, since these are the two tests required for the next level certification, the Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) Certification (http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcdst/requirements.asp). This certification provides you with "the skills to successfully support end users and to successfully troubleshoot desktop environments that are running the Microsoft Windows operating system." The tests for both the above courses cost approximately $100 each. The next most prevalent operating system in business is probably Linux. Here you have a variety or programs to choose from. 1. CompTIA Linux+; 2. Novell Certified Linux Professional (CLP); or 3. RedHat Certified Technician (RHCT) The Linux Professional Institute (http://www.lpi.org/en/lpic.html) offers Linux Certification in three levels (although the Senior level is under development). I won't cover it in this article, but you can read about the program in Part III of this series. The CompTIA Linux+ Certification (http://www.comptia.org/certification/linux/default.aspx) teaches the "fundamental management of Linux systems from the command line, ? knowledge of user administration, understand[ing] file permissions/software configurations and manag[ing] local storage devices and network protocols." The course takes 5 days (cost unknown), and the test costs approximately $200. The Novell Certified Linux Professional (CLP) Certification (http://www.novell.com/training/certinfo/clp/roadmap.html) is probably too advanced for an entry level student, since it covers both desktop and server administration. However, if your interest is in Linux in general, and SuSe Linux in particular, you would benefit from starting this certification track, and thus I shall cover it here. The program has two paths, one for advanced Linux Administrators, and one for those new to Linux Administration. Since this article deals with entry level training, I shall concentrate on the latter (see the web page above for information for advanced users). The CLP requires the following courses and tests: 1. SuSe Linux Fundamentals, 3 days, $1,275 (OR Getting Started with Linux); 2. SuSe Linux Administration, 5 days, $2,125; 3. Advanced SuSe Linux Administration, 5 Days, $2,125; and 4. A Novell Practicum (required practical exam), cost unknown The first three tests should be around $100 each. The last is not a class, but a required practical exam. The RedHat Certified Technician (RHCT) Certification (https://www.redhat.com/training/rhce/courses/), like the Novell Certification above, is again probably too advanced for the entry level student. In a similar manner, if your interest is in Linux in general, or Red Hat (or Fedora) Linux in particular, you would benefit from starting this certification track. There are two courses: 1. Red Hat Linux Essentials, 4 days, $2,000, and 2. Red Hat Linux System Administration and RHCT, 4-« days, $3,000 (which includes the RHCT Certification Lab Exam on the last day) RHCT and RHCE are only available in 40 cities across the US, so be sure to check for availability in your area, or be prepared to travel. If you are an experienced Linux user, you can skip the first course, but you have to pass the associated test as a prerequisite to take the second and final course. If you are interested in getting a certification in Apple technologies and Mac OS X, please visit http://train.apple.com/static/users/it.html for more information. I won't cover it here, since the training is only offered in very limited places, and has a very small degree of applicability for most businesses. You could choose to skip the desktop hardware and software route entirely, and concentrate on the network instead. It certainly wouldn't hurt to certify in CompTIA Network+ first if you choose this route, but it is not a prerequisite. The most sought-after network degree, at least at the entry-level, is the Cisco Certified Network Administrator (CCNA) Certification (http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/le3/le2/le0/le9/learning_certification_type_home.html). This certification means that you will be able to " install, configure, and operate LAN, WAN, and dial access services for small networks (100 nodes or fewer), including but not limited to use of these protocols: IP, IGRP, Serial, Frame Relay, IP RIP, VLANs, RIP, Ethernet, Access Lists." The certification includes: 1. Introduction to Cisco Networking Technologies, 4 days, $1,900; and 2. Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices, 5 days, $2,495 You can take one test for each course for $100 each, or one test that covers both courses for $125. This article has covered many of the entry-level certifications that you might consider as you start your career in the IT field. In Part III of this series, we will take a look at more advanced certifications, building on the entry level certifications that we discussed in this article. See you then!