I’m not so clear on telecom.

Ed Tittle writes on several tech target sites (search securty, search network, etc.) – he is respected authority. For certification info, look at certcities.com and certmag.com also – Ec publishes there also.

I’m formerly MS, Novell and Checkpoint certs; also network, disaster recovery certs. Current ISACA.org CISM and ISC2.org CISSP certs. Hoping to do INCOSE.org CSEP soon.

Your idea of starting with CCNA is a good idea too. It will definitely help you get a good foundation for the rest of the certs you mention….whether it be Microsoft, Redhat, blah blah blah…most any employers networks all use routing, switches, etc. and that is a lot of what CCNA helps with.

As others have mentioned, A+ is something to go with early as well, and then Network +. If you get those covered, you will have made yourself quite marketable for now to get employed, and then be primed and ready to plow through the next level of certs, no matter which ones you decide on later.

Hang in there and by all means don’t just get the paper certs. Make em count or you will be looking for ‘another’ job later.
Your programming should look like this:

BEGIN sudanCCNAA+Network+
IF Certs=yes
THEN C:megetgoodjob=TRUE
END

Good luck!

Just my thoughts,
Best of luck to you,
Paul

Don’t limit your training by only learning how to configure a vendor’s product line. Product knowledge is not sufficient; it is only necessary. You have to understand the limitations of a vendor’s product line and how it confines your choices.

Best wishes for a great career!

William

CompTIA A+
Comptia Network+
ANY Microsoft test for MCP
MCSA
CCNA
CompTIA Security+

Here’s the logic behind it:

1. Many American firms are now requiring at a minimum A+ and Network+. These verify entry level skills.

2. Take at least one Microsoft certification to become a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP). Uusally this test is the first in the series for MCSA/MCSE: 70-210 (Windows 2000 Professional) or 70-270 (Windows XP Professional).

3. MCSA or CCNA can be done alternatively. CCNA is actually more valuable, and parts of the CCNA training will prepare you for the Net+. But the Microsoft tests help give you greater credibility overall with employers.

Now, note that these are not done overnight. You are looking at a PROCESS that takes several years. Start out with the A+ and Net+, to document your entry level skills. Use these to get you a job, and keep plugging away at certifications to demonstrate your growth and proficiency.

One word of warning though: These tests are no joke. I’ve seen many people think they can take one without preparation, and fail miserably. They are too expensive to be taking just to fail. In some cases its computer trivia, so you have to know what the test writers are looking for.

Good luck on starting the process! As someone who has done it (and still doing it), I can tell you its a lot of work, but reqarding, and will definitely set you apart from the rest of the job seeking crowd.

1) It is good to start with your CCNA; it permits you to have a broader understanding of computer network.
2) From my experience I would suggest that you get you Microsoft certification. Although Linux is important Microsoft still plays a major role in the computer world. Saying that, you should, on your own time, try master UNIX or Linux, later on you can even go for your RedHat certifications.

3) I am not too familiar with wireless technology

Finally when it comes to IT, experience matters the most. Certifications can only help you to get a job, but it won’t help you to keep the job.