Should I take the CompTIA Linux+ after getting my A+?
Should I take the CompTIA Linux+ after getting my A+?
Hello,
I have my A+, I use GNU/Linux a lot and I was wondering, should I go after my Linux+ certification? I have been using Linux for about 3 years daily for everything. I feel like I have pretty good knowledge, but people have said to do Network+, Security+, and then Linux+. I would still say I'm intermediate, although I want to mainly take this certification to learn more so I can start getting on the more advanced side of things. I would also like to move onto a Linux-based job.
Edit: I received my CompTIA A+ certification one year ago, and have had a job in IT for nearly a year so far.
It's not harmful, but it really depends on what roles you're trying to land.
I usually recommend going for A+ then Network+, then Linux+ for new technicians at data centers.
If you're worried about interviewing, I can say from the other side of the table that actual projects and working through issues shows experience more clearly than simply studying for and passing a cert. Even something simple like setting your desktop/server to be the DHCP server (instead of the router being the DHCP server)
I have experience testing hardware for Libreboot, and I helped test many systems for them. I'm also working with another person from the coreboot community to port four computers (two computers are already done), which will then be ported to Libreboot. I previously had a business where I sold Libreboot hardware. Currently, I'm trying to learn OpenBSD on my server for self-hosting. I have a couple of other small projects as well, but yes, I already have a few projects underway.
This may be a route I want to pursue; Network+ followed by Linux+ sounds good. I've also heard that Security+ is easier, but I'm not sure if it's easier than Linux+.
Security+ is mostly a joke, but also it primarily focuses on basic network and physical security as well as general security hygiene, not Linux or data center security.
If you're going the sysops/datacenter ops route and want to stick to CompTIA then Linux+ would be your path before specializing based on a job path that's actually hiring. But if you want to go that path ccna will help you far more than anything else CompTIA provides at the entry level. That all being said the other anon is right, certs don't have a lot of weight without specific projects you can point to in interviews to show actual application of knowledge.
Signed, a+ net+ security+ ccna holder whose doing digital trust and safety work instead of anything I'm certified for.
LinusTechTips has an incredibly recent video on this exact topic. Of course they were immediately sued or whatever so you can only watch on reuploads. https://youtu.be/IsUen26Cufs?si=b94x1EsxjLRi0Bts
I wouldn’t support the company, but I also think certifications are mostly useless.
Thanks for the reply. I'll watch the video later today. Is it really not worth going after my Network+ or Linux+? I would really like to advance my knowledge on both of these.