How recognised is CompTIA certs in UK/NI

[3lackMamba]

So I made this thread not long ago and from that I’ve decided to start studying for IT certifications. To cut a long story short I found compTIA to be the most talked about certs for getting a career in IT started, but I found that it was mostly Americans talking about them on YT and Reddit.

I’m from Northern Ireland and I’m wondering if this qualification will actually help me in getting my foot in the door, I done a job search for the likes of help desk as I assume that’s the kind of job I would be starting in, and I couldn’t find any that was looking compTIA qualifications, they all just wanted previous experience and/or an honours degree.

If anyone who is from NI or UK that knows anything about this or has experience in this, your help would be much appreciated.

 

[dlockers]

Just jump on it or something similar. It will prove to an employer you are engaged and interested, but it isn't like having a golden ticket to a role perfectly matched to what it teaches you, if that makes sense.

Folks will also mention CCNA which is good but a lot harder and a lot more focused on Networking. Microsoft ones are also very reasonable.

Again, none are specific to a tailor made role, they just make you stand out. Microsoft ones help the (smaller) employer meet their partner commitments so always stand out against CCNA/CompTIA (assuming smaller employer is too small to do proper Cisco work).

 

[Screeeech]

I’m from Northern Ireland and I’m wondering if this qualification will actually help me in getting my foot in the door, I done a job search for the likes of help desk as I assume that’s the kind of job I would be starting in, and I couldn’t find any that was looking compTIA qualifications, they all just wanted previous experience and/or an honours degree.

What do you want to do? In a perfect world, looking ahead - where do you see yourself, what sort of tech would you like to work on? Is there a specific thing you have a passion for?

It's difficult to recommend certs, based on whether it's CompTIA/Cisco/MS/AWS/whatever, unless you have a gut feeling, as to what sort of things you'd like to do.

 

[malachi]

When it comes to certs, CompTIA qualifications are the least asked for in the UK, such as A+ or Net+ its mostly Cisco, Microsoft or Amazon. Yes, when you mention CompTIA it is mostly American because its a basic requirement for plenty of jobs over there.

If you already have basic IT knowledge, then go for an Microsoft cert. But it still depends on what direction you want to go.

 

[Curio]

Got my A+ a few years ago (I'm in the US) and really did it because it was the quickest / cheapest way to get a cert on my CV. Not sure if it's changed much, but it didn't teach me anything useful - it was just an exercise in memorizing useless information. Number of pins on this connecter, speed rating of that cable, etc. I guess it's a good one to start with (especially if you're a PC enthusiast anyway...), but if you want something that carries more weight - and will actually teach you useful stuff - then go for CCNA or Microsoft.

 

[dlockers]

Got my A+ a few years ago (I'm in the US) and really did it because it was the quickest / cheapest way to get a cert on my CV. Not sure if it's changed much, but it didn't teach me anything useful - it was just an exercise in memorizing useless information. Number of pins on this connecter, speed rating of that cable, etc. I guess it's a good one to start with (especially if you're a PC enthusiast anyway...), but if you want something that carries more weight - and will actually teach you useful stuff - then go for CCNA or Microsoft.

Yep. And CCNA isn't hugely different, and it's quite hard to get, in that you need memorise random routing and switching commands, but it gives you a lot of fundamentals that stick for life - OSI Layer Model, IP subnetting, VLANing, access control lists etc etc.

Microsoft is a blessing as I mentioned in my first post as it helps the employer retain their Microsoft partner status.

 

[3lackMamba]

I’m not expecting to walk in to my dream job straight away, I know this is going to take a lot of work, I just want to make sure I’m on the right path but I understand what you mean about none being specific to a tailor made role.

To answer your question @Screeeech i don’t know yet, in a perfect world i would be focusing on the hardware aspect of computing, but I know it isn’t that straightforward. I am also hoping that the more I dive into this and learn, maybe I will find the field that I would like to specialise in.

Ill look into this Microsoft cert later tonight.

 

[[FnG]magnolia]

^

As a person who doesn't program computers, is this as obvious a conflict of interest as it sounds?

e: ah, I was responding to post #6. This is why we should use the quote function, kids.

 

[3lackMamba]

^
e: ah, I was responding to post #6. This is why we should use the quote function, kids.

Just whilst we’re on topic.. if compTIA is the entry level certs in America, what are the main entry level certs in UK?

 

[Gamefreak501]

I did a CCNA a long time ago at a local college, way back in 2012 I think. It has now lapsed, but it got me some reasonable-paid contract work for a time and gave me a better appreciation of Cisco switch programming. I have actually moved to a completely different sector now, but it was worthwhile for me at the time.

 

[Screeeech]

I’m not expecting to walk in to my dream job straight away, I know this is going to take a lot of work, I just want to make sure I’m on the right path but I understand what you mean about none being specific to a tailor made role.

To answer your question @Screeeech i don’t know yet, in a perfect world i would be focusing on the hardware aspect of computing, but I know it isn’t that straightforward. I am also hoping that the more I dive into this and learn, maybe I will find the field that I would like to specialise in.

It will take a lot of work, but it's certainly dooable - you're asking the right questions. A good place to start, would be to do some research into the various different areas, "IT" can mean literally anything, from installing printers on desks, to running cloud infrastructure, to writing code and applications. In asking which certs are best to do - it's a bit like putting the cart before the horse, you need to know what you'd like to do, what you'd enjoy doing before you can think about certs.

Microsoft certs have changed a little recently, I think they now focus more on cloud and software (Azure, etc) than the traditional MCSE style stuff. Cisco is still very relevant - CCNA is as relevant today as it always was as an entry level cert, then you have all the new Amazon AWS stuff which has surged in popularity in the last few years, any of these have affordable entry level options, for you to get into.

Just throwing it out there; There's a whole world of physical infrastructure stuff which you might find interesting, things like fibre optic cabling, data centre work, structured cabling, power, cooling etc - some of this stuff is a bit more obscure, and some of it might require a college or vendor course, but you might want to look into these things too.

 

[K.C. Leblanc]

I did A+ many moons ago and then went on to do IT in schools for a bit. I think it helped a bit but probably only because I'm not very well qualified (I don't actually have any A levels).