When I interviewed for my first-ever I.T. job, I mentioned about port numbers and the I.T. Director looks at me and says "Wow, I've been doing this for 20 years and still haven't had to remember any ports." I was as green as the grass outside is, and he hired me solely off my soft skills. Told me that if I was trainable, he could teach me all the hands-on I would ever need for that job.
I think now its different. Because I have retail exp working at walgreens radioshack and as a porter with my associates degree in IT and comptia A+ and I been getting straight rejections. Probably going to fix my resume and see what happens. Because I can't even get a t1 postion . But than again nyc is extremely competitive
Wow, this video is such an eye-opener! 😲 I've been studying for my CompTIA exams, and this is exactly what I needed to hear! The real-world insights you're sharing are pure gold-it's easy to get caught up in just passing the exam, but the way you break down how it translates (or doesn't) into real IT jobs is so valuable. I feel way more prepared now to not only ace the test but also succeed in the field. Thank you for being so real about the industry! 🙌🔥
Thank you! We're glad this video helped provide that perspective. Keep studying for your CompTIA exams, but now you'll be better prepared for what comes after. Don't forget to check out our practice resources to help with your exam prep!
Vendor-neutral certifications are usually just a baseline to getting a job. Senior positions are going to want vendor-specific certifications based on the role and the organization's environment.
Absolutely spot on! You've highlighted a crucial point - vendor-neutral certs like CompTIA provide that essential foundation, but real career growth often requires specializing based on your organization's specific needs. Thanks for adding this valuable insight!
I just wanna say THANK YOU SO MUCH !!!I was going crazy with all this material to memorize ,, those videos are gonna be super helpful ( got my exam next week)
The people skills part catches many by surprise! Technical skills might get you in the door, but it's often those 'soft skills' that help you thrive in IT. Thanks for highlighting this crucial point!
This is such a common experience! It shows how certifications help you get through the door, but the real job often focuses on specific skills needed for that role. Thanks for sharing your Amazon experience - it's a great example for others preparing for data center positions.
i’ve been in IT for close to 3 years. I have the 2nd part of my jr sys adm interview in a few days. What i’ve come to realize is these companies don’t expect you to know everything. You just have to know enough to the point where they can train you and you can catch on relatively quick
I have a comp sci degree and work for two years. All I am seeing is that if I look for a role that is even slightly different than my current role I am treated like a carrer changer who doesnt know shit at all about what hes applying for.
That's exactly the kind of contrast we're talking about! In real IT work, you'll rarely need to memorize commands - it's more about knowing where to find information when you need it. Keep focusing on understanding concepts rather than memorizing specifics.
The textbooks are bad. I would recommend Professor Messer videos before any of the textbooks I tried. Now practice questions, those are worth hunting for...==
That's a perfect example of how quickly technology moves compared to study materials! This is why understanding core concepts is often more valuable than focusing on specific versions - they'll always be changing.
I believe the criticisms surrounding certifications, especially vendor-neutral ones, are valid. While CompTIA is often the worst offender, similar criticisms can be applied to ISACA, ISC2, and IAPP based on my experience. I will say-likely to spark some debate-that the training programs for ECC certifications are exceptional if you use them to learn the material. However, I question whether the certifications justify their costs, particularly the often-maligned CEH, which I consider largely useless. Although I will admit that the CEH exam is laughably easy, I believe the scrutiny stems mainly from the name; it’s an entry-level auditing certification, not a red team certification. Nevertheless, I stand by the quality of the training programs (books, videos, and labs) offered for the CEH, CHFI (specifically the CHFI), CSA, and ECES, even though they still don’t justify the high costs. Vendor certifications are a step up. After completing a course, you will emerge with a solid understanding of platforms like Cisco, Microsoft, AWS, and Palo Alto and vendor best practices. However, there remains a gap between certification and real-world application. This is often due to poor implementation by individuals who believe they do not need any certifications (or the accompanying training) and proceed to do things incorrectly based on their previous knowledge. For example, I once worked at a company where a network admin configured every port as a trunk port and refused to implement inter-VLAN routing on the switch, insisting instead on doing RoaS. I generally concur with your assessment of organizational practices, although I can't entirely agree with some points. For instance, when you mention that businesses prefer specialists-people who can fix specific brands like Ferraris-this is true for some organizations, but most do not operate this way. In reality, many organizations will assign as many job titles as possible to an employee. They will readily switch vendors or technologies at the slightest opportunity, such as when an executive gets offered a $5 discount on a product. Additionally, HR personnel often see factors like having security clearance or familiarity with workflow platforms (e.g., ServiceNow, OneTrust, Jira) as more valuable than knowledge of specific technologies. Finally, I want to emphasize that certifications are undoubtedly a money grab, particularly vendor-neutral ones. Organizations like ISC2 and ISACA require annual dues on top of continuing education requirements, unlike Cisco, where you only pay for the exam and can maintain your certification by completing free modules or passing additional exams. Even though certifications have become quite frustrating, they remain necessary because everyone else is pursuing them. Just as obtaining a BS and quickly moving on to a Master’s has become the standard, possessing a long list of certifications is now commonplace. If your competition has numerous certifications and you have none, your resume is unlikely to pass through ATS and HR screenings, even if your knowledge exceeds theirs. It’s a vicious cycle we’ve created for ourselves.
Great point! The knowledge base becomes your reference tool rather than pure memorization. It's about knowing where to find information rather than memorizing everything.
That’s why I would really never recommend getting a CS degree and just climbing your way up from a junior admin job or helpdesk. I have an AAS in networking and an azure cert which I would say was good to get my foot in the door but I wouldn’t recommend getting any more than an AAS and a cert or two. Only a CS if you want to work for a big tech place but even then I’d argue if you are good enough they would still hire you.
You raise a great point! Certifications can definitely help get that interview, but many employers also want hands-on experience. Consider building a home lab or taking on volunteer IT projects to build that practical experience alongside your cert studies.
I agree with you tbh. In 2024 the A+ is below the bare minimum. If you’re completely new to IT and you want to land a job honestly you should take the time and learn 2 more certs because the A+ won’t really get you anywhere, not even an entry level position
@@Me-eb3wv The 3 certs alongside a bachelors will be the bare minimum it seems because everyone will have them eventually. Just for them to mean nothing ..
The exams serve an important purpose - they verify you understand the fundamentals and concepts. While they're theory-heavy, this knowledge helps you learn practical skills faster and understand why certain solutions work. Many employers use these certs as proof you've got that essential foundation to build upon.
This video is telling you that there's no way bobby boucher could learn the fundamentals of football at 30 and then become and mvp the same season.....unless they had comptia certs
Great analogy! Just like in sports, theoretical knowledge is important, but practical experience and adaptability are what make you truly successful in IT. The key is combining both!
We're glad this helped reduce some stress! Sometimes understanding the difference between exam expectations and real work can make the journey much clearer. 😊
Absolutely! CompTIA's rigorous standards help build that strong foundation, even if daily IT work looks different. It's about building both theoretical knowledge AND practical skills.
I've always believed that CompTIA is completely OVERRATED! However, that's what the Hiring Managers look for and I've been trying to enter the Cybersecurity industry for over a year, have done several projects, and took an ISC2 Entry-level Certification (which would be equivalent to the Security+ Cert) but no one gives a damn. What they want to see is on your CV/LI profiles is a CompTIA Cert, even though it won't teach you much!
"It's more about knowing where to find the information faster than having it all in your head" No. While you can search stuff up and you will for sure, you still should memorize as much as you can about everything because it makes solving very complex problems both faster and in some cases is basically the only way to solve them. If you get issue caused by multiple different services malfunctioning in some way you won't have the time to go read a book about each of them to know what to do.
Facts. In the coursera course, one of the labs is literally all about looking up error codes on the windows website to find the solution. You don't have to know exactly how it works, but being able to find the quickest solution is most important.
Knowing stuff, makes like a roadmap. You don’t need to know every street and corner, but if you know how and where to navigate, and what you are searching for, you are safe. Google and now ChatGPT helps, of course, but knowing what to look for and where, is also important. So Comptia is a good introduction that will always be there in the back of your head, so that when u get introduced to a new problem, you will have easier time fixing it.
Congratulations on passing Core 1! 🎉 You're right about the port numbers - the exam focuses on key concepts rather than extensive memorization. Good luck with your next steps!
are certifications and degrees are a way to weed out the lazy/unserious people. they only show you can commit to seeing something through to the end. the actual knowledge is on the job training no matter what industry you are in.
@@patrickcarrillo714 IT isn’t really an “industry” the way software or other industries are. IT is just the modern ledger. Reading these dumb comments makes me realise how clueless people are about their own job.
When I interviewed for my first-ever I.T. job, I mentioned about port numbers and the I.T. Director looks at me and says "Wow, I've been doing this for 20 years and still haven't had to remember any ports." I was as green as the grass outside is, and he hired me solely off my soft skills. Told me that if I was trainable, he could teach me all the hands-on I would ever need for that job.
your soft skills huh
Egghead
@@maalikserebryakov Egghead? Get out of your parents basement.
@@maalikserebryakov what’s a soft skill?
@@AhmedHassan-sp1mxtalking, like, how you work with people, writing. Smiling, lol
I think now its different. Because I have retail exp working at walgreens radioshack and as a porter with my associates degree in IT and comptia A+ and I been getting straight rejections. Probably going to fix my resume and see what happens. Because I can't even get a t1 postion . But than again nyc is extremely competitive
Wow, this video is such an eye-opener! 😲 I've been studying for my CompTIA exams, and this is exactly what I needed to hear! The real-world insights you're sharing are pure gold-it's easy to get caught up in just passing the exam, but the way you break down how it translates (or doesn't) into real IT jobs is so valuable. I feel way more prepared now to not only ace the test but also succeed in the field. Thank you for being so real about the industry! 🙌🔥
Thank you! We're glad this video helped provide that perspective. Keep studying for your CompTIA exams, but now you'll be better prepared for what comes after. Don't forget to check out our practice resources to help with your exam prep!
Vendor-neutral certifications are usually just a baseline to getting a job. Senior positions are going to want vendor-specific certifications based on the role and the organization's environment.
Absolutely spot on! You've highlighted a crucial point - vendor-neutral certs like CompTIA provide that essential foundation, but real career growth often requires specializing based on your organization's specific needs. Thanks for adding this valuable insight!
Ive been in IT for 8 months now. All i deal with is common sense dumb shit and user error.
That's IT Helpdesk in a nutshell.
@@geekatari4391 it really is
@@geekatari4391 💯
It's a depressing job tbh
Monotone and boring but easy money
I just wanna say THANK YOU SO MUCH !!!I was going crazy with all this material to memorize ,, those videos are gonna be super helpful
( got my exam next week)
This is... Scary accurate... Especially the people skills.
The people skills part catches many by surprise! Technical skills might get you in the door, but it's often those 'soft skills' that help you thrive in IT. Thanks for highlighting this crucial point!
I studied for a Data Center job at Amazon. I got it, and I never used 90% of the stuff I used to get the job.
what certification did you study for that got you the job?
@@edwardlopez9061 You don't really need anything past A+ for the entry level positions.
This is such a common experience! It shows how certifications help you get through the door, but the real job often focuses on specific skills needed for that role. Thanks for sharing your Amazon experience - it's a great example for others preparing for data center positions.
This is a very insightful video!
Thank you! We aim to bridge the gap between certification studies and real-world IT experience. Glad you found it valuable!
I still haven't gotten all of my cert or my first job but while I was in bootcamp they told me if you don't have soft skills nobody will hire you.
i’ve been in IT for close to 3 years. I have the 2nd part of my jr sys adm interview in a few days. What i’ve come to realize is these companies don’t expect you to know everything. You just have to know enough to the point where they can train you and you can catch on relatively quick
I have a comp sci degree and work for two years. All I am seeing is that if I look for a role that is even slightly different than my current role I am treated like a carrer changer who doesnt know shit at all about what hes applying for.
I'm still trying to figure out basic keyboard commands for Windows 10, which is essentially obsolete.
That's exactly the kind of contrast we're talking about! In real IT work, you'll rarely need to memorize commands - it's more about knowing where to find information when you need it. Keep focusing on understanding concepts rather than memorizing specifics.
I’m genuinely surprised that the latest version of the A+ textbook says absolutely nothing about windows 11
The textbooks are bad. I would recommend Professor Messer videos before any of the textbooks I tried. Now practice questions, those are worth hunting for...==
Companies don't always like immediately upgrading OS... Specially if they have in house built software
It does.
That's a perfect example of how quickly technology moves compared to study materials! This is why understanding core concepts is often more valuable than focusing on specific versions - they'll always be changing.
Everyone who wants to start their IT career and is asking if they should take the COMPTIA A+ certification exam should watch this video.
I believe the criticisms surrounding certifications, especially vendor-neutral ones, are valid. While CompTIA is often the worst offender, similar criticisms can be applied to ISACA, ISC2, and IAPP based on my experience. I will say-likely to spark some debate-that the training programs for ECC certifications are exceptional if you use them to learn the material. However, I question whether the certifications justify their costs, particularly the often-maligned CEH, which I consider largely useless. Although I will admit that the CEH exam is laughably easy, I believe the scrutiny stems mainly from the name; it’s an entry-level auditing certification, not a red team certification. Nevertheless, I stand by the quality of the training programs (books, videos, and labs) offered for the CEH, CHFI (specifically the CHFI), CSA, and ECES, even though they still don’t justify the high costs.
Vendor certifications are a step up. After completing a course, you will emerge with a solid understanding of platforms like Cisco, Microsoft, AWS, and Palo Alto and vendor best practices. However, there remains a gap between certification and real-world application. This is often due to poor implementation by individuals who believe they do not need any certifications (or the accompanying training) and proceed to do things incorrectly based on their previous knowledge. For example, I once worked at a company where a network admin configured every port as a trunk port and refused to implement inter-VLAN routing on the switch, insisting instead on doing RoaS.
I generally concur with your assessment of organizational practices, although I can't entirely agree with some points. For instance, when you mention that businesses prefer specialists-people who can fix specific brands like Ferraris-this is true for some organizations, but most do not operate this way. In reality, many organizations will assign as many job titles as possible to an employee. They will readily switch vendors or technologies at the slightest opportunity, such as when an executive gets offered a $5 discount on a product. Additionally, HR personnel often see factors like having security clearance or familiarity with workflow platforms (e.g., ServiceNow, OneTrust, Jira) as more valuable than knowledge of specific technologies.
Finally, I want to emphasize that certifications are undoubtedly a money grab, particularly vendor-neutral ones. Organizations like ISC2 and ISACA require annual dues on top of continuing education requirements, unlike Cisco, where you only pay for the exam and can maintain your certification by completing free modules or passing additional exams. Even though certifications have become quite frustrating, they remain necessary because everyone else is pursuing them. Just as obtaining a BS and quickly moving on to a Master’s has become the standard, possessing a long list of certifications is now commonplace. If your competition has numerous certifications and you have none, your resume is unlikely to pass through ATS and HR screenings, even if your knowledge exceeds theirs. It’s a vicious cycle we’ve created for ourselves.
Wait til people find out there’s a knowledge base for most of the practical things comptia tells you to memorize especially in help desk
Great point! The knowledge base becomes your reference tool rather than pure memorization. It's about knowing where to find information rather than memorizing everything.
That’s why I would really never recommend getting a CS degree and just climbing your way up from a junior admin job or helpdesk. I have an AAS in networking and an azure cert which I would say was good to get my foot in the door but I wouldn’t recommend getting any more than an AAS and a cert or two. Only a CS if you want to work for a big tech place but even then I’d argue if you are good enough they would still hire you.
but entry level job want couple of year of experience. certification is just help you get the job interview😢
You raise a great point! Certifications can definitely help get that interview, but many employers also want hands-on experience. Consider building a home lab or taking on volunteer IT projects to build that practical experience alongside your cert studies.
So what’s the point g of taking these exams wasting money if it’s mainly theory. There should be a practical section
I agree with you tbh. In 2024 the A+ is below the bare minimum.
If you’re completely new to IT and you want to land a job honestly you should take the time and learn 2 more certs because the A+ won’t really get you anywhere, not even an entry level position
@@Me-eb3wv
The 3 certs alongside a bachelors will be the bare minimum it seems because everyone will have them eventually. Just for them to mean nothing ..
@@Me-eb3wv Hi could you give me some insights on what other certs should be taken? Thank you
The exams serve an important purpose - they verify you understand the fundamentals and concepts. While they're theory-heavy, this knowledge helps you learn practical skills faster and understand why certain solutions work. Many employers use these certs as proof you've got that essential foundation to build upon.
This video is telling you that there's no way bobby boucher could learn the fundamentals of football at 30 and then become and mvp the same season.....unless they had comptia certs
Great analogy! Just like in sports, theoretical knowledge is important, but practical experience and adaptability are what make you truly successful in IT. The key is combining both!
This is common sense
Indeed! Sometimes the simplest truths are the most important ones to share. Thanks for the feedback! 👍
Thank you, I can breathe
We're glad this helped reduce some stress! Sometimes understanding the difference between exam expectations and real work can make the journey much clearer. 😊
I always thought this was the case, but however I’m glad comptia is still being strict
Absolutely! CompTIA's rigorous standards help build that strong foundation, even if daily IT work looks different. It's about building both theoretical knowledge AND practical skills.
You have to start somewhere
Exactly! CompTIA certifications are that crucial first step in your IT journey. They open doors that let you gain the practical experience.
I've always believed that CompTIA is completely OVERRATED! However, that's what the Hiring Managers look for and I've been trying to enter the Cybersecurity industry for over a year, have done several projects, and took an ISC2 Entry-level Certification (which would be equivalent to the Security+ Cert) but no one gives a damn. What they want to see is on your CV/LI profiles is a CompTIA Cert, even though it won't teach you much!
"It's more about knowing where to find the information faster than having it all in your head" No. While you can search stuff up and you will for sure, you still should memorize as much as you can about everything because it makes solving very complex problems both faster and in some cases is basically the only way to solve them. If you get issue caused by multiple different services malfunctioning in some way you won't have the time to go read a book about each of them to know what to do.
Facts. In the coursera course, one of the labs is literally all about looking up error codes on the windows website to find the solution. You don't have to know exactly how it works, but being able to find the quickest solution is most important.
He meant more stuff you can figure out with a quick Google bro
Yh problem solving skills are improved. Increasing your general knowledge too
Knowing stuff, makes like a roadmap. You don’t need to know every street and corner, but if you know how and where to navigate, and what you are searching for, you are safe. Google and now ChatGPT helps, of course, but knowing what to look for and where, is also important. So Comptia is a good introduction that will always be there in the back of your head, so that when u get introduced to a new problem, you will have easier time fixing it.
One thing is what you know in school and one thing is how you do or they do business.
Certifications are also another brand of software vendors to generate easy money.
I already passed comptia core 1 , self review. And questions in port number is only two 😂😂😂😂
Congratulations on passing Core 1! 🎉 You're right about the port numbers - the exam focuses on key concepts rather than extensive memorization. Good luck with your next steps!
are certifications and degrees are a way to weed out the lazy/unserious people. they only show you can commit to seeing something through to the end. the actual knowledge is on the job training no matter what industry you are in.
1:37 i feel like this is why i failed the comptia exam
also yeah i will never remember all the port numbers at all
I’m the 1kth like😭🎉
Why do most It channels have to have a old 80s vibe lmaooo
I love it tbh
Marketing you say? Problems you say? Say no more. Only do.
Solution oriented thinking.
common sense
The manager at the interview asked me what this CompTIA thing was for my first IT interview and I decided to not bother with IT after that.
If they don't know what CompTIA is run the other way EVERYONE in the IT industry should know what CompTIA is
@@patrickcarrillo714
IT isn’t really an “industry” the way software or other industries are.
IT is just the modern ledger.
Reading these dumb comments makes me realise how clueless people are about their own job.
Well that was a red flag