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... 679. So, no Network+ certification this time round, but now I know what to expect and what I need to study. Considering I've never worked in networking and had no formal training, I think I did OK for a first attempt.
The main thing is, I got over my fear of taking the test. My earlier test - for A+ certification, that's the entry-level cert for work in IT - was some five years ago. I knew if I kept putting off the Net+ test, I'd just keep on dreading it, and I didn't want to risk it being one of those things I would never get around to doing. So I jumped right in. The test fee wasn't cheap (about half a week's pay) but I think it was time and money well spent.
Next steps are to continue self-training (there are some very good courses online at LinkedIn Learning) and get ready for school next year. I've enrolled in the local community college for a two-year program in Computer Information Science, plus lower-division credits towards a Mathematics degree.
That means I'll be starting with basic courses like Computing Concepts (maybe elementary, but I'm sure even that will fill in some gaps in my knowledge) and going on to Microsoft Server and Linux; plus I'll be re-taking Calculus 2 and 3, and Linear Algebra, and then tackling Differential Equations. That'll all be happening in calendar years 2020 and 2021.
So, I'm stoked about moving forward.
The main thing is, I got over my fear of taking the test. My earlier test - for A+ certification, that's the entry-level cert for work in IT - was some five years ago. I knew if I kept putting off the Net+ test, I'd just keep on dreading it, and I didn't want to risk it being one of those things I would never get around to doing. So I jumped right in. The test fee wasn't cheap (about half a week's pay) but I think it was time and money well spent.
Next steps are to continue self-training (there are some very good courses online at LinkedIn Learning) and get ready for school next year. I've enrolled in the local community college for a two-year program in Computer Information Science, plus lower-division credits towards a Mathematics degree.
That means I'll be starting with basic courses like Computing Concepts (maybe elementary, but I'm sure even that will fill in some gaps in my knowledge) and going on to Microsoft Server and Linux; plus I'll be re-taking Calculus 2 and 3, and Linear Algebra, and then tackling Differential Equations. That'll all be happening in calendar years 2020 and 2021.
So, I'm stoked about moving forward.
