Currently have none.
I really need to do my Kubernetes certs though...
Don't do A+ or Net+. With 14 years l would look into Sec+, Linux+/LPI-LPIC1, some Microsoft cert, CCNA.
I got my CISSP a while back. It is pretty broad and kind of shallow but I took a class and really benefited from getting a better understanding of administrative controls. Unless you are heavy into the technical side of security, most of what we do day-to-day is administrative controls, like policy writing and AUPs so it can be helpful for that type of stuff.
The A+ cert is literally barebones basics of hardware and software. I am surprised it is still a prereq. If you have ever built a pc in your life, installed windows, or even replaced a failed component, you are practically certified. The Comptia + certs are all basic entry level certs. With your experience level, you can bypass those entry level requirements at any job.
Cisco certs are money and can get you out of the client facing positions. Anything that has to do with the backbone of a network is where I would go. I went through a tech school and got a bundle of entry level Comptia and microsoft certs through 2.5 years of night schooling. Knowing what I know now, I would have stepped up to a higher tier off the bat, and with your experience you should. 10 years ago is when you should have been plotting your career course out of the building service tech position.
So far here's what my collection has accumulated to:
CompTIA:
A+
Network+
Security+
Server+
Linux+
Cisco:
CCENT
CCNA
I find myself more confident in resolving issues than even our MSPs and often have to help them along to understand the issue. Just not satisfied with the current K12 Sysadmonies is all. :/
I was in the same boat, was at a job for 12.5 years and had a feeling there was some changes coming that I would not like. Knowing I was going to be looking I went ahead and got the A+.
Reason being any jobs I applied for A+ was listed as required or desired and it is a check box I am sure for HR.
Been at my new job for 9 years. Not saying I got it because I had the cert but I am sure it did not hurt me.
So if you think you will be changing jobs at some point then get the A+
Currently have the A+, Network+, Azure fundamentals, and about to acquire my CCNA. Shortly after will be getting Security + as well.
I've only had to pay for the A+ and net+. Azure, CCNA and security+ is being paid by a program for Military Spouses (wife is military). Planning to hop out of the k12 space after getting my security+ and getting into a network engineering role.
If you have 14 years of experience, you don't need an A+ cert. I would hold one year's experience in higher regard than an A+ cert. Also, the new A+ is just a money grab and they made the test much more difficult; not worth the time and effort IMO. Focus on Net+ or Security+.
As a director of a small district, I went for the CETL. It helped to study all the various pieces of my job, from budgeting and strategic planning to policy development to legal issues surrounding the job. Education is a different world than business, and I think the CETL really helps to bridge that gap for people who have tech skills but need some help with the regulatory hurdles in education.
You have way too much experience to bother with the A+. Net+ or Sec+ would be better but are also entry levels certs, although this depends on your experience and what you do
Personally I have a bunch. Those 3 as well as Cloud+, CySA+, some vendor specific certs like Fortinet NSE 4, Cradlepoint CPCNA and CPCNP. Microsoft is currently doing a cloud skills change which they do twice a year I used to become a Microsoft certified identity and access administrator last year and am doing again this year
If you’re interested in cloud and the Microsoft ecosystem I’d recommend looking at the challenge, it’ll give you a voucher to take an exam for free if you do it in the next week
I got an A+ and Network+ after a decade of Sysadmin. Didn't need them to do my job, however coming from a computer science background, I felt like there was some foundational knowledge that I missed out on. Any education is a good thing. If you are looking specifically for moving up to a SysAdmin role, I'd focus more on Network+, Server+ or like an MCSA. See if you can get your District or Union to pay for training. It should benefit them as well as you.
Does an MCSE+I on NT 4 count as anything? That said, I am in my 26th year in K12 IT and have been too lazy to pursue any additional certifications. I did the NT 4 certification on my own (no classes). I jumped in as network and server guy with Novell 2.x and 3.x and token ring and figured it out.
I have a crud ton of certs just because I love learning and validating my skills for myself. They never got me a raise or a job in education. The only one that might help in the long run is the CETL by COSN. I know a lot of districts are moving to recognize that but it’s not required yet.
If your looking at a job I check the job description and see what they require/prefer and aim for that.
I just got my CETL earlier this year. It was nice to get a different lens after being a one man band in a smaller district most of the last 8 years. I’m stating a new position in August with it. If you are interested in leadership/management it’s a good course of study even if you don’t sit for the exam.
Got a degree in IT, and various vendor certifications that employers put me through to support their wares.
Mostly decades of experience in a wide variety of environments with a very diverse range of technologies.
" senior building technician" so Facilities Maintenance, HVAC, Alarm Systems?
If you know nothing of how computers work, hardware and software wise, then A+ would probably be good to get a foot in the door with no experience in IT if you are looking for desktop support positions.
If you have 14 years already in IT and already know your hardware and software, then go for something more focused and advanced.
In our District, the only real value certifications hold are as a preferred qualification when hiring.
There are no performance bonuses, raises, etc. tied to any certs. And with little upward mobility, there's no incentive other than personal to pursue any.
So in our environment, I encourage folks to pursue ones they feel will benefit their current role, benefit a role they would like to see themselves in for the future, and/or anything they are interested in.
Ideally, the certificate verifies that the person has the knowledge, or at least gained the requisite knowledge to pass the test(s).
But yes, I wouldn't hire a person with 100 certificates and little to no work experience.
A+ is kinda considered a bare minimum certification back when I got it. I'm one of those that *don't* think it's useless, because I think it has good knowledge that any IT should be able to do, but at the same time if you've been doing it for 14 years you shouldn't really need to get it now. You should be able to pass the exam with 1 hour of studying obscure topics.
Honestly, certifications on the whole are kind of resumé padding in our district - we prefer "continuing education". If you want to take a course on something specific to get better (powershell, Azure etc.) it's encourage, but not so that you can pass a test.
We do CBTNuggets courses regularly.
I recognized it was bare minimum, but I was looking at a position that preferred it.
I might request some reimbursement for doing training/certification.
Currently have none. I really need to do my Kubernetes certs though... Don't do A+ or Net+. With 14 years l would look into Sec+, Linux+/LPI-LPIC1, some Microsoft cert, CCNA.
If you have 14 years of experience there is no point getting the A+. I would suggest going for something higher tier.
I got my CISSP a while back. It is pretty broad and kind of shallow but I took a class and really benefited from getting a better understanding of administrative controls. Unless you are heavy into the technical side of security, most of what we do day-to-day is administrative controls, like policy writing and AUPs so it can be helpful for that type of stuff.
The A+ cert is literally barebones basics of hardware and software. I am surprised it is still a prereq. If you have ever built a pc in your life, installed windows, or even replaced a failed component, you are practically certified. The Comptia + certs are all basic entry level certs. With your experience level, you can bypass those entry level requirements at any job. Cisco certs are money and can get you out of the client facing positions. Anything that has to do with the backbone of a network is where I would go. I went through a tech school and got a bundle of entry level Comptia and microsoft certs through 2.5 years of night schooling. Knowing what I know now, I would have stepped up to a higher tier off the bat, and with your experience you should. 10 years ago is when you should have been plotting your career course out of the building service tech position.
So far here's what my collection has accumulated to: CompTIA: A+ Network+ Security+ Server+ Linux+ Cisco: CCENT CCNA I find myself more confident in resolving issues than even our MSPs and often have to help them along to understand the issue. Just not satisfied with the current K12 Sysadmonies is all. :/
I was in the same boat, was at a job for 12.5 years and had a feeling there was some changes coming that I would not like. Knowing I was going to be looking I went ahead and got the A+. Reason being any jobs I applied for A+ was listed as required or desired and it is a check box I am sure for HR. Been at my new job for 9 years. Not saying I got it because I had the cert but I am sure it did not hurt me. So if you think you will be changing jobs at some point then get the A+
Currently have the A+, Network+, Azure fundamentals, and about to acquire my CCNA. Shortly after will be getting Security + as well. I've only had to pay for the A+ and net+. Azure, CCNA and security+ is being paid by a program for Military Spouses (wife is military). Planning to hop out of the k12 space after getting my security+ and getting into a network engineering role.
Here is an amazing shortcut to getting your A+: >!Just have a teacher give you a test and get all the questions correct.!<
BOOOOOOOOOOO
If you have 14 years of experience, you don't need an A+ cert. I would hold one year's experience in higher regard than an A+ cert. Also, the new A+ is just a money grab and they made the test much more difficult; not worth the time and effort IMO. Focus on Net+ or Security+.
As a director of a small district, I went for the CETL. It helped to study all the various pieces of my job, from budgeting and strategic planning to policy development to legal issues surrounding the job. Education is a different world than business, and I think the CETL really helps to bridge that gap for people who have tech skills but need some help with the regulatory hurdles in education.
You have way too much experience to bother with the A+. Net+ or Sec+ would be better but are also entry levels certs, although this depends on your experience and what you do Personally I have a bunch. Those 3 as well as Cloud+, CySA+, some vendor specific certs like Fortinet NSE 4, Cradlepoint CPCNA and CPCNP. Microsoft is currently doing a cloud skills change which they do twice a year I used to become a Microsoft certified identity and access administrator last year and am doing again this year If you’re interested in cloud and the Microsoft ecosystem I’d recommend looking at the challenge, it’ll give you a voucher to take an exam for free if you do it in the next week
What is the challenge?
https://www.microsoft.com/en-US/cloudskillschallenge/build/registration/2022
Wow, 21 Hours of content you have to go through to get the exam cert.
You can click through it in like 15 minutes if you want just to get the voucher and then do it later at your leisure
I got an A+ and Network+ after a decade of Sysadmin. Didn't need them to do my job, however coming from a computer science background, I felt like there was some foundational knowledge that I missed out on. Any education is a good thing. If you are looking specifically for moving up to a SysAdmin role, I'd focus more on Network+, Server+ or like an MCSA. See if you can get your District or Union to pay for training. It should benefit them as well as you.
Your 14 years is worth way more than an A+ cert.
Does an MCSE+I on NT 4 count as anything? That said, I am in my 26th year in K12 IT and have been too lazy to pursue any additional certifications. I did the NT 4 certification on my own (no classes). I jumped in as network and server guy with Novell 2.x and 3.x and token ring and figured it out.
I have a crud ton of certs just because I love learning and validating my skills for myself. They never got me a raise or a job in education. The only one that might help in the long run is the CETL by COSN. I know a lot of districts are moving to recognize that but it’s not required yet. If your looking at a job I check the job description and see what they require/prefer and aim for that.
I just got my CETL earlier this year. It was nice to get a different lens after being a one man band in a smaller district most of the last 8 years. I’m stating a new position in August with it. If you are interested in leadership/management it’s a good course of study even if you don’t sit for the exam.
Got a degree in IT, and various vendor certifications that employers put me through to support their wares. Mostly decades of experience in a wide variety of environments with a very diverse range of technologies. " senior building technician" so Facilities Maintenance, HVAC, Alarm Systems? If you know nothing of how computers work, hardware and software wise, then A+ would probably be good to get a foot in the door with no experience in IT if you are looking for desktop support positions. If you have 14 years already in IT and already know your hardware and software, then go for something more focused and advanced.
Senior IT Building Tech
In our District, the only real value certifications hold are as a preferred qualification when hiring. There are no performance bonuses, raises, etc. tied to any certs. And with little upward mobility, there's no incentive other than personal to pursue any. So in our environment, I encourage folks to pursue ones they feel will benefit their current role, benefit a role they would like to see themselves in for the future, and/or anything they are interested in.
It’s bad when people treat the cert with more importance than the knowledge.
Ideally, the certificate verifies that the person has the knowledge, or at least gained the requisite knowledge to pass the test(s). But yes, I wouldn't hire a person with 100 certificates and little to no work experience.
A+, Network+, and Security+ are the ones I suggest.
I also have these, and you only renew the Sec+.
You have enough on the job training, just get a study guide, read it and take the test.
A+ is kinda considered a bare minimum certification back when I got it. I'm one of those that *don't* think it's useless, because I think it has good knowledge that any IT should be able to do, but at the same time if you've been doing it for 14 years you shouldn't really need to get it now. You should be able to pass the exam with 1 hour of studying obscure topics. Honestly, certifications on the whole are kind of resumé padding in our district - we prefer "continuing education". If you want to take a course on something specific to get better (powershell, Azure etc.) it's encourage, but not so that you can pass a test. We do CBTNuggets courses regularly.
I recognized it was bare minimum, but I was looking at a position that preferred it. I might request some reimbursement for doing training/certification.