12:58 Im with you on this, I thought I was crazy thinking this but once you get in I.T you know how incompetent people are with computers, I couldn't believe how this people use a PC everyday and their critical thinking just numbs out when the Internet disconects because the LAN cable is unplugged or their screen isn't showing anything because it's turned OFF or they don't know how to save a document in a speficic folder. Certs are there to convice HR that you know computers...then again what does HR know about computers?
Great video and I agree on this. I have earned 5 Comptia Certs (A+, Network+, Security+, Pentest+, CySA+) and realize Comptia is merely a way to get past HR. Homelabbing and experience are the best ways to learn imo. Like 6:18, I wish Comptia certs was more something like the CKA where the exam is solving real world issues instead of multiple choice questions.
I spent a long time studying for the A+ exam. After I got the A+ I landed an entry level help desk job. I am being completely serious in that nothing in the A+ exam really applied to or prepared me for that job. I literally learned everything on the job just through the direct experience of grinding through problem tickets everyday for two years. Flash forward and I started studying for the CCNA. I don't know what peoples thoughts are on the CCNA and I know there are people that think its crap as well but I really enjoyed the experience and felt that I learned SO much more because the CCNA curriculum kind of actually makes you go through labs and get hands on. I felt I was actually learning something that would directly apply to the job and low and behold it did. I then started down the RHCSA route. Same type of experience. Basically after the CCNA and RHCSA I told myself I would never take another Comptia exam as it was simply not worth the time, effort and money. Full disclosure however I ?probably? would not have gotten that first job without the A+ so.... still think its recommended for new people to the industry if nothing more than a HR filter.
But that’s the thing. You’re paying comptia for essentially nothing other than a title because they’ve coerced enterprise / gov facilities to make that a hard requirement. Why have a middle man to take our money for a lack luster experience cert?
The A+ is there only to get you into help desk. The A+ teaches thee absolute bare bone basics of IT. To you, it was probably worthless, because you already knew this information. But It did it's job. The information was not pertinent to your help desk, but the role of help desk varies a lot. That said, It probably could use updating though...
The A+ is there only to get you into help desk. The A+ is there to prove you know the absolute bare bone basics of IT. This tells recruiters that you are capable of learning IT, and they can feel comfortable hiring you. The information might not even be pertinent to your help desk role, but the role of help desk varies a lot. That said, It probably could use updating though...
You don't have to have Security+ specifically to work on gov networks. There are eight different companies that have certification exams that will cover a variety of levels for the 8570 baseline certs. Any of these certifications are equal to Sec+ in terms of being IAT 2: CCNA-Security CySA+ GICSP GSEC CND SSCP
Good video, I have my comptia A+, Net+ & Security+ and would like to make a few points. If you go on indeed and type in any one of these certifications you will get thousands of matches and significantly increase your chances of getting past HR. Another thing you mentioned was multiple choice questions not being a good measurement of competence which I would agree with but comptia has been doing better about this and typically there is 3-5 Pbqs per exam ( performance based question ) this would be were they put you in a simulated environment and you would actually have to type commands configure routers, firewalls etc. At the end of the day tho they are expensive and only demonstrate a surface level understanding of any of the concepts.
"At the end of the day tho they are expensive and only demonstrate a surface level understanding of any of the concepts. " Yes, that's the point. You have a surface level understanding, so people know you are capable of learning the role. Then you get hired and get real experience. Without certs, hiring competent people would be a lot more difficult.
Subbed - I appreciate the intellectual honesty. I've always been a hobbyist, building my own gaming pcs, opnsense router + basic 'homelab' (basically just a NAS w/plex) for filesharing and media streaming. Nothing fancy, but practical and I learned a lot by doing it. I've wondered about the value of these TIA courses, and the people I've met who had A+ certs never seemed to know as much as I had learned through doing. It felt like a waste of money and it sounds like it is. I agree with you that the money would be better spent on more homelab equipment and experimentation with direction to achieve a goal. I would rather spend money on a vlan switch over the basic unmanaged one I have now, and another box to run some sort of virtualization infrastructure, as opposed to spending that money on training for a cert and taking the test. It's unfortunate that the certs help pass the HR filter, as it really perpetuates the industry as you mentioned, and doesn't feel beneficial overall. Too bad it's basically an unthinkable task to ask for better trained HR.
Start from the employer and work backwards. Imagine I owned a computer repair shop. I would LIKE someone with a list of CompTIA/Cisco/Juniper/Microsoft/Google/Amazon/VMWare/etc or equivalent degree, BUT I will take someone with no certifications/degrees if they are the best or only candidate that applied to work at my shop. The caveat with hiring someone with no certs/degrees, I may not be confident in the hire with no certs or degrees. They may be a natural computer wizard, great... but could be a liability if a customer is making complaints, and I have nothing to fall back on.
its crazy because im enjoying studying for the ccna but i was gonna switch to a+. thank you for turning me onto the optiplex, bought one today (didnt realize hardware really was THAT cheap except for the monitors). looking forward to actually getting my hands dirty.
I had a Security+ cert that expired just last month. I did not renew it because I have learned much more studying for and passing the RHCSA. That alone helped me understand security much more than the Security+ ever did.
I agree as someone who is actively in the process of getting my A+. Mind you I havent paid for any of it. I've been gifted the book and vouchers for the exam. My question is what are the alternatives to break into the IT industry? Any comprehensive lesson plans someone can recommend. I don't have a money at the moment for buy myself a home lab.
It may be dog shit , but you , as a potentially employee , cant express this to any employer with a positive outcome lol. You won't get a job like that. If you are able to some how prove your actual skills would be a different story. Here's the thing. In order to do the hands on or even the multiple choice - you need the information. A multiple choice is merely a test of the knowledge I'm pretty sure they're not claiming it's an assessment of their skill rather then knowledge to be able to acquire a skill or accomplish a task. Ultimately I do agree , but I understand why and how we got here. A+ and Sec+ are a literal foot in the door , you still have to showcase a skillet to obtain or keep a job you might obtain with these certifications
Just failed today .... The basic stuff i knew was on it ..... But it was bullshit my opinion ..........used examtopics ......profesdor messor youtube.....and cybersynergy .....
The fact that we must have it to get jobs is the main reason why people get it, just for a job and money to have a roof over their heads. But you are arguing on a more meaningful/deeper level that such a cert, which is SUPPOSED to be a determining factor of someone's capabilities and knowledge with tech, simply aren't as such. Well said. I believe the matter is still more important to people, as dumb as it may seem. Same for college as you said. Doesn't matter, that's just "how it is" unfortunately. Perhaps not a "complete" waste of time and money, but disappointing to say the least. I will aim to learn true fundamentals... if only I knew how. I think the best/main way is simply experience in actually doing things. Hell I just want to be more knowledgeable on computers, I don't know what I want to do as a career lol. I am really into electrical engineering which I need a degree for though. No problem I guess....
Getting a cert for knowledge = valuable. Getting a cert to get past HR = priceless.
12:58 Im with you on this, I thought I was crazy thinking this but once you get in I.T you know how incompetent people are with computers, I couldn't believe how this people use a PC everyday and their critical thinking just numbs out when the Internet disconects because the LAN cable is unplugged or their screen isn't showing anything because it's turned OFF or they don't know how to save a document in a speficic folder.
Certs are there to convice HR that you know computers...then again what does HR know about computers?
Just even running A/V for a youth event at church this evening proved that to me. It was insanity from the get go... And I know what I'm doing.
How do I tell if the computer is plugged in?????
Great video and I agree on this. I have earned 5 Comptia Certs (A+, Network+, Security+, Pentest+, CySA+) and realize Comptia is merely a way to get past HR. Homelabbing and experience are the best ways to learn imo.
Like 6:18, I wish Comptia certs was more something like the CKA where the exam is solving real world issues instead of multiple choice questions.
yup
I spent a long time studying for the A+ exam. After I got the A+ I landed an entry level help desk job. I am being completely serious in that nothing in the A+ exam really applied to or prepared me for that job. I literally learned everything on the job just through the direct experience of grinding through problem tickets everyday for two years. Flash forward and I started studying for the CCNA. I don't know what peoples thoughts are on the CCNA and I know there are people that think its crap as well but I really enjoyed the experience and felt that I learned SO much more because the CCNA curriculum kind of actually makes you go through labs and get hands on. I felt I was actually learning something that would directly apply to the job and low and behold it did. I then started down the RHCSA route. Same type of experience. Basically after the CCNA and RHCSA I told myself I would never take another Comptia exam as it was simply not worth the time, effort and money. Full disclosure however I ?probably? would not have gotten that first job without the A+ so.... still think its recommended for new people to the industry if nothing more than a HR filter.
But that’s the thing. You’re paying comptia for essentially nothing other than a title because they’ve coerced enterprise / gov facilities to make that a hard requirement. Why have a middle man to take our money for a lack luster experience cert?
The A+ is there only to get you into help desk. The A+ teaches thee absolute bare bone basics of IT. To you, it was probably worthless, because you already knew this information. But It did it's job.
The information was not pertinent to your help desk, but the role of help desk varies a lot.
That said, It probably could use updating though...
The A+ is there only to get you into help desk. The A+ is there to prove you know the absolute bare bone basics of IT. This tells recruiters that you are capable of learning IT, and they can feel comfortable hiring you.
The information might not even be pertinent to your help desk role, but the role of help desk varies a lot.
That said, It probably could use updating though...
You don't have to have Security+ specifically to work on gov networks. There are eight different companies that have certification exams that will cover a variety of levels for the 8570 baseline certs. Any of these certifications are equal to Sec+ in terms of being IAT 2:
CCNA-Security
CySA+
GICSP
GSEC
CND
SSCP
Good video, I have my comptia A+, Net+ & Security+ and would like to make a few points.
If you go on indeed and type in any one of these certifications you will get thousands of matches and significantly increase your chances of getting past HR.
Another thing you mentioned was multiple choice questions not being a good measurement of competence which I would agree with but comptia has been doing better about this and typically there is 3-5 Pbqs per exam ( performance based question ) this would be were they put you in a simulated environment and you would actually have to type commands configure routers, firewalls etc.
At the end of the day tho they are expensive and only demonstrate a surface level understanding of any of the concepts.
Certs get ones foot in the door, but labbing/creating is the only way to truly learn something.
"At the end of the day tho they are expensive and only demonstrate a surface level understanding of any of the concepts. "
Yes, that's the point. You have a surface level understanding, so people know you are capable of learning the role. Then you get hired and get real experience.
Without certs, hiring competent people would be a lot more difficult.
I also dislike Pearson. I absolutely hated their music theory method years ago when I taught at a community college. It was unbelievably awful.
Subbed - I appreciate the intellectual honesty.
I've always been a hobbyist, building my own gaming pcs, opnsense router + basic 'homelab' (basically just a NAS w/plex) for filesharing and media streaming. Nothing fancy, but practical and I learned a lot by doing it. I've wondered about the value of these TIA courses, and the people I've met who had A+ certs never seemed to know as much as I had learned through doing. It felt like a waste of money and it sounds like it is. I agree with you that the money would be better spent on more homelab equipment and experimentation with direction to achieve a goal. I would rather spend money on a vlan switch over the basic unmanaged one I have now, and another box to run some sort of virtualization infrastructure, as opposed to spending that money on training for a cert and taking the test.
It's unfortunate that the certs help pass the HR filter, as it really perpetuates the industry as you mentioned, and doesn't feel beneficial overall. Too bad it's basically an unthinkable task to ask for better trained HR.
Subbed for being real on the swig 😂 appreciate your wisdom
Start from the employer and work backwards.
Imagine I owned a computer repair shop.
I would LIKE someone with a list of CompTIA/Cisco/Juniper/Microsoft/Google/Amazon/VMWare/etc or equivalent degree, BUT I will take someone with no certifications/degrees if they are the best or only candidate that applied to work at my shop.
The caveat with hiring someone with no certs/degrees, I may not be confident in the hire with no certs or degrees.
They may be a natural computer wizard, great... but could be a liability if a customer is making complaints, and I have nothing to fall back on.
its crazy because im enjoying studying for the ccna but i was gonna switch to a+. thank you for turning me onto the optiplex, bought one today (didnt realize hardware really was THAT cheap except for the monitors). looking forward to actually getting my hands dirty.
CISSP is the same way but every security job is listing that as a requirement. This is the game we play.
I had a Security+ cert that expired just last month. I did not renew it because I have learned much more studying for and passing the RHCSA. That alone helped me understand security much more than the Security+ ever did.
I agree as someone who is actively in the process of getting my A+. Mind you I havent paid for any of it. I've been gifted the book and vouchers for the exam. My question is what are the alternatives to break into the IT industry? Any comprehensive lesson plans someone can recommend. I don't have a money at the moment for buy myself a home lab.
10:15 the magical bourbon spoke wisdom here 😂
That's what happens when politicians get involved.
It may be dog shit , but you , as a potentially employee , cant express this to any employer with a positive outcome lol. You won't get a job like that. If you are able to some how prove your actual skills would be a different story.
Here's the thing. In order to do the hands on or even the multiple choice - you need the information. A multiple choice is merely a test of the knowledge I'm pretty sure they're not claiming it's an assessment of their skill rather then knowledge to be able to acquire a skill or accomplish a task.
Ultimately I do agree , but I understand why and how we got here.
A+ and Sec+ are a literal foot in the door , you still have to showcase a skillet to obtain or keep a job you might obtain with these certifications
Thanks for the heads up
Just failed today .... The basic stuff i knew was on it ..... But it was bullshit my opinion ..........used examtopics ......profesdor messor youtube.....and cybersynergy .....
The fact that we must have it to get jobs is the main reason why people get it, just for a job and money to have a roof over their heads. But you are arguing on a more meaningful/deeper level that such a cert, which is SUPPOSED to be a determining factor of someone's capabilities and knowledge with tech, simply aren't as such. Well said. I believe the matter is still more important to people, as dumb as it may seem. Same for college as you said. Doesn't matter, that's just "how it is" unfortunately. Perhaps not a "complete" waste of time and money, but disappointing to say the least. I will aim to learn true fundamentals... if only I knew how. I think the best/main way is simply experience in actually doing things. Hell I just want to be more knowledgeable on computers, I don't know what I want to do as a career lol. I am really into electrical engineering which I need a degree for though. No problem I guess....
What about network+ ?
Pretty much
So your saying your verable skills are low.
Interesting