So right now I'm working on a bachelors degree in Business. However I've always had a keen interest in the IT world. Now I'd like to start getting certifications and was wondering what do you guys consider are the top must have certifications to get your foot in the door at an entry level job?
A few years after I got my four year degree from business school, I got an MCP Microsoft certification in 2000. It opened a lot of doors, and certainly more then than a degree.
However, while certain certifications are more powerful than degrees in IT, I don't know which ones are hottest right at the moment.
In the old days there were four that were common:
MCP (from MCP, MCP+I, and MCSE)
Cisco (CCNA, CCNP)
A+
Novell (CNA)
Now there's Security+, Network+, CCISP, the new alphabet soup in the Microsoft world, and maybe not so much Novell anymore.
If you are ambitious, get more than one and also update them whether the industry says it's mandatory or not. I would hire somebody with current A+ information than somebody equal but with A+ knowledge from ten years ago.
If you go further in business and get your MBA, it's the only acceptable place to put it on a business card without being laughed out of the room. IT people love letters behind the name and any business degree coupled with an IT certification is a good thing and while IT doesn't teach business skills, there are sometimes need for managers and a business degree then puts you in contention.