Certification Path

[Sysnative Windows Update]

Hi,
I don't know where to put this, so please excuse me and move if needed.

I'd appreciate some guidance in terms of my career advancement and career path in general from people who've been in the field.

Background: MTA: Windows OS Fundamentals + nearly a decade of fixing computers (started as a kid), have a BSc. in IT, will enroll in my 4th year in the IT Master, but honestly, my uni is more "humanity" oriented than technically, so 90% of the things I have learned, I have learned on my own.
Currently attending Windows Update Academy and Malware Removal Academy.

My question would be, what would be a good step forward for a person who's looking to work from home because of health issues? I'm particularly interested in Security/Forensics.
I have a strong desire to learn. Please feel free to recommend some literature which could prove useful for me. I know that there are certifications in security, but I'm not certain which one to take. Security+ seems like a good baseline.

As a side note: I know the very basics of programming in Python and my maths level is practically non-existant.

 

[Digerati]

what would be a good step forward for a person who's looking to work from home because of health issues?

Are you looking to be an independent consultant in your own business? Or work for a company, but from home?

It would probably be best if you can hire on with a consulting firm first. I don't know how it is in Croatia, but here in the US, working for yourself can be a real challenge in terms of making enough money. When you work for a company, benefits often count more than actual pay. This is particularly true when it comes to health insurance, the premiums for which can be prohibitive when working for yourself. If you have, or plan to have a family, company benefits (insurance, paid vacation, sick pay, retirement plans, etc.) can really be important.

Sadly, I am not sure the WU or MR academies are will help much in terms of resume/CV material because they are not "accredited". You could certainly mention them with your experience.

When I was making my way through the corporate IT world after I got out of the Air Force in 1995, the corporate world was screaming for IT people, CompSci, programmers and anyone with experience. Even as an electronics technician with a degree in Electronics Management, my experience working with computer hardware and networks got me a great job at a big software development company even though I knew nothing about programming.

The problem is, universities really ramped up their IT programs and started pumping out IT grads right and left. So when I retired (again) 10 years later from that company, new hires with similar qualifications earned considerably less than I did when I first hired on. Even with people, it is a supply and demand thing.

IT is still, and likely will always be a growing field, but there typically is a lot of competition for any open slots. So you really need to stand out. Security is the way go. So I think your interests there is spot on. Forensics is a totally different area, however - even though related. Remember, IT is many industries within many industries. The demand for experts in forensics is much less. Now if you are interested in Law Enforcement with an emphasis in forensics, that may open some lucrative doors. But not sure working at home would work however, as chain of custody issues may get in the way.

As for specifics for what you need to do today, I recommend you talk to your professors, and your school's IT people and ask them where the jobs are. Check the "help wanted" sources in your area and see what companies are looking for.

 

[Sysnative Windows Update]

Thank you. I think you've jumped a bit ahead. I'm looking for a good educational program (certification) to get myself accredited in the field. I'm not looking for a job yet as I currently have one as a translator, and it's good, because I have some extra money to spend.
So, I'd like to now what educational path would be recommended for me.

As for working from home, the problem is I need help to move around, so it would be much more convenient for me not to depend on anyone else for the work I do.
I do agree that academies are not CV material, but you have to admit that one can really learn a lot which can be helpful not only in that area, but in others as well.

I'd love to hear what Corrine has to say about this.

 

[Digerati]

I'm looking for a good educational program (certification) to get myself accredited in the field.

have a BSc. in IT, will enroll in my 4th year in the IT Master,

You seem to be on a great education path to me. Understand that certifications expire or become obsolete. Degrees never do. For example, I have several certs on Novell NetWare but development on that stopped in 2009. I also am totally certified to maintain AN/GSA-135 Air Traffic Control Tower Communications Consoles and their associated VHF/UHF receivers, transmitters, and transceivers. But that equipment is long gone so those certs are useless today. But my degrees are still worth everything they were on the day I graduated.

As for working from home, the problem is I need help to move around, so it would be much more convenient for me not to depend on anyone else for the work I do.

Sorry to hear that but it probably would still be better to work for a company than self-employed - not just for the benefits, but for "personal networking" (business contacts and such). Finding a company that will let you work from home is another issue. Many do it, but many have found it really does not work and have stopped doing it.

IBM is ordering its work-from-home employees to stop working from home.

but you have to admit that one can really learn a lot which can be helpful not only in that area, but in others as well.

I totally agree! I am not discounting their value or importance. I am just saying they go more with the extent of your "experience" rather than "education" qualifications. And there is nothing wrong with that - experience counts a lot. Some say 2 years experience is worth 1 year of college. I think there is a lot of truth to that.

 

[Sysnative Windows Update]

I never meant working from home as in to be self employed, but work for a company, of course, just from home and not from within the company itself.

 

[Digerati]

I never meant working from home as in to be self employed, but work for a company, of course, just from home and not from within the company itself.

A lot of companies do that. My son has been working for a big bank for 10 years with the last 8 from home. It has it's advantages and disadvantages. He sure saves $$$ on gas and wear and tear on his car, but you don't get that sense that you can leave your home worries at home in the morning or your work worries at work at the end of the day.