#30DaysofThreads
When I tell people how many #IT #Certifications I have, I get asked two questions

- How did you get all of them?
- How did you afford all of them?

Then they think I am lying when I tell them it cost me under $500 bucks for the first 7 - 10 certs I got.

(1/?)

* Full Disclosure *

I know prices have went up since I got these but it can still apply

First, look up ALL the IT certs you want/need to advance in your field. For example, if you are just starting out, you will need A+, Net+, Security+. Find the cost of the exams & books

Next, go to your boss & find out what the training budget or policy is. If they don't have one, they need one. ESPECIALLY if you are in tech. So for this example, My boss agreed to reimburse me for EVERY certification exam and training materials I get as long as I pass.

This next part is important, if they agree to this, MAKE SURE YOU GET IT IN WRITING or they have the policy in writing and signed by whoever is in charge of the policy.

Save up and buy the exam voucher and a couple highly rated & recommended books and practice tests on the certification. You can find them used on Amazon for a lot cheaper than brand new. Or get the Kindle E-Book version. Make sure to get the book AND practice exams

You will spend no more than $500 dollars for the voucher + a couple books & practice exams. Now put in the work to read and study.

After you read & take notes, go online to Cybrary or Professor Messer where you can find some cert training videos for free. Take some more notes and pay attention to the points of emphasis. Once done, do the practice tests.. DO ALL OF THEM!

For examuple, I take the practice test the first few times with every question in the question bank. After I am done, I look at which exam objectives I was weak and re-read & make some flash cards to better understand

*example

Once you pass the practice exams with a 95 or better, Schedule the exam.....study and prep some more and pass. Once you pass, take your receipts to your boss and get reimbursed.

T

Take the reimbursed money and repeat the process, Move to the next cert in line and pay for it with the check you got for reimbursement. You can repeat this SEVERAL times w/o adding anymore $$$ to it.

For under $500 bucks you can go from noob to Microsoft CERTIFIED Windows Sys Admin. Once you want to advance to more certifications, assuming you play your cards right & GET your promotions/raises with your trainings/experience, you will be making more money to afford them.

Now it is important to make sure you gain the REAL WORLD experience with your certs, You DO NOT want to be paper certified. You want to make sure you can do the work that comes with the certs

In one year, I was able to get my MCSA for Windows Server (3 certs), Windows 7 (2-3 certs) and re-do my Sec+ after I let my old one lapse.

Spend the $$$ once
Pass the exam
Get Reimbursed
Flip it
Repeat

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