What's the benefit of achieving 'the trifecta'?

[Brian Ford]

Looking at various forums most noticeably Reddit, students discuss and target the goal of achieving 'the trifecta'; or A+, Network+, and Security+. Since these are three foundation certifications; what's the benefit? Is it a bragging rites thing? I noticed that some university programs - WGU was one - seem to require or encourage their students to go this route.

 

[Carlos Miranda]

It's a basic foundation towards higher certs. I have all 3, and I am glad I did. The CompTIA exams are a bit less than some of the others, I like to dip my feet in the shallow pool (price-wise) before spending 2 -3x more. So I would recommend them.

 

[Gregory Childers]

A+ is basic hardware and software. The box and the applications on the box. Basic troubleshooting.
Net+ is basic networking. How to connect devices and to get them to share information.
Sec+ is basic security. How to maintain the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of your assets.

I'd consider them the BARE MINIMUM foundational knowledge to work in tech.

 

[jasoneckert]

A+, Network+, and Security+ are also the the most popular CompTIA certifications (by numbers).
Consequently, they are also the most commonly recognized and requested by employers.
And the primary purpose of industry certification is to increase employment prospects (i.e., certification usually equates to more callbacks for jobs that candidates apply to).
For those looking to secure their first IT job, the trifecta is a nice combination of certifications that is geared towards exactly that purpose

 

[Rick Butler]

I just talked to a 15 year old girl today, who has been picking my brain at getting into the IT industry. She wants to get into Cyber. I gave her a book on the ITF+ and told her to read it through completely twice before coming back to talk more. Not too common to see a young person laser focused on things, but the trifecta, to me, is the way up, certification wise, no matter if she goes cyber, infrastructure, or data management. From Sec+, she can pick and choose her destiny from there, but the skills in the core track are essential in any of those career fields.

/r

 

[Jarrel]

Looking at various forums most noticeably Reddit, students discuss and target the goal of achieving 'the trifecta'; or A+, Network+, and Security+. Since these are three foundation certifications; what's the benefit? Is it a bragging rites thing? I noticed that some university programs - WGU was one - seem to require or encourage their students to go this route.

Upon getting A+, Net+ and Sec+, you can surely brag that you know the fundamentals of computing, networking and security! But aside from that, when you get the trifecta, you not only get the 3 certs but the stackable certs as well!

• CompTIA IT Operations Specialist (A+ / Network+)
• CompTIA Secure Infrastructure Specialist (A+ / Network+ / Security+)

Plus, the title of CompTIA Secure Infrastructure Specialist!
So what are you waiting for? Sign up now!

Sorry for the marketing tone. Can't help it

 

[Fanuel]

Upon getting A+, Net+ and Sec+, you can surely brag that you know the fundamentals of computing, networking and security! But aside from that, when you get the trifecta, you not only get the 3 certs but the stackable certs as well!

• CompTIA IT Operations Specialist (A+ / Network+)
• CompTIA Secure Infrastructure Specialist (A+ / Network+ / Security+)

Plus, the title of CompTIA Secure Infrastructure Specialist!
So what are you waiting for? Sign up now!

Sorry for the marketing tone. Can't help it

for sure, no need to wait

 

[Brian Ford]

The reason I raised the question was to assess whether there is benefit to candidates seeking certification other than the stackable certifications? I work with candidates, some of whom are expending significant personal resources or in a program that is paying for their training to achieve the certifications in order to improve their employment prospects. My advice for these candidates is always to achieve and pay for their first certification and then find a job where your employer will invest in you and help financially achieve additional certifications.

Of course this is (probably?) completely different for instructors.

 

[Jarrel]

The reason I raised the question was to assess whether there is benefit to candidates seeking certification other than the stackable certifications? I work with candidates, some of whom are expending significant personal resources or in a program that is paying for their training to achieve the certifications in order to improve their employment prospects. My advice for these candidates is always to achieve and pay for their first certification and then find a job where your employer will invest in you and help financially achieve additional certifications.

Of course this is (probably?) completely different for instructors.

Learning is the primary objective.
Getting the certification proves you meet the objective.
Stackable certs is just the icing on the cake, so to speak.

It is indeed great to find a company that supports one's professional development. For the first few years of a person's career, it is great if a person has the option to select a company that teaches, over a company that pays well. For many cases, it's neither.

For that matter, I always tell my students that they should primarily be responsible for their own career; whether self-supporting or supported by others.