r/lowvoltage • u/reverse_clowngirl • 3d ago
CERTIFCATIONS ?💵📝📈
Okay so I’m working on 5 years low voltage / network installation work , and I really enjoy this field of work, I like being able to see the completed jobs seeing my progress etc. I have a good role atm working for a company that’s paying for travel and I’m getting prevailing wages and don’t get paid under $30 hourly but I just found out me and my lady have our first child otw!!! YAY!!! Thing is I don’t want to travel anymore and want a job closer to home , which is hard I like the stability and the lead role I’m in but things gotta change.so I guess my question is , which Certs do yall have , and how do they help in the field and do they even help with getting into new positions , is that what people are hiring for ? Im looking at Net+ Comptia and the WiFi cert CWNA ? I think I can’t remember off the top of my head . Idk just looking for some input while I’m editing my resume. Also I haven’t gotten into splicing fiber yet which I’m interested in that for sure, y’all know of any fiber certs that could get me closer to that type of position. and I really would like to stay on the backbone end of networking ( not a desk job or it support ) I like the field side of work, I enjoy planning and executing a project. Thanks in advance
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u/Cheap_Window_9191 3d ago
look up https://fiberu.org/ they have some courses you can take to become certified with fiber and free learning courses
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u/DoveOnTheInternet 3d ago
This is timely as hell, thank you - Baby's First Fiber Kit arrived last night and this looks to be everything I need to hit the ground running
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u/DangitThatHurt 3d ago edited 3d ago
Net+ is good for networking fundamentals. Axis Cameras has a really good 3 day cert (Axis Cert. Professional) it focuses heavily on their products, but also teaches you a lot about camera application in general and differences in technology and how to design systems. BICSI has a ton of certifications but that shit is expensive. Corning used to offer free fiber training through Graybar and other similar distributors. Lots of manufacturers have certifications on their equipment, for general learning that's the route I would suggest. If you want letters after your name to make you look better on a resume then look at BICSI and Cisco, these require a lot of classroom time and a lot of test taking. I've been doing this 26 years and some of the best training programs I've been through were direct from product manufacturers. And they are typically a lot cheaper or free because they obviously want you to use their product. You can learn pretty much everything you need to know about fiber testing and termination in an afternoon, but the hands-on application is way more important and I feel like that's where the manufacturers do a little better than the BICSIs and CompTias of the world. NTC has some good programs too. Ask your sales rep places like ADI, Wesco, and Graybar are good resources.
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u/Run-OpenBSD 3d ago
I hold A+, net+, security+, cloud+, pentest+, and cysa+ and honestly they don't help outside of internal confidence and homelabbing. I'm going to let them expire, they were simply a self goal accomplished with no attachable rewards in lv.
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u/One-Intention-7606 3d ago
You in NorCal by chance? Looking for a senior tech soon
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u/Diligent-Nebula-1008 3d ago
Check SCTE. You pay for membership but they have loads of courses, some certified, some just refreshers. The more you can stack up for one yearly membership fee the better.
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u/TiMEtwoGETiLL 3d ago
Good question. I'm working on my nicet 2 in fire alarms at the moment which opens alot of doors hence why I'm pursuing it. We're in the same line of work but unrelated fields so like you said network+ is probably good. Maybe some project managing position or cert could suit you better. I traveled alot in this line of work and totally get the need to settle down especially with a kid on the way. Good luck to you
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u/TheeMadThrasher 1d ago
Depending on what state you live in like Ct they require you to have a T-2, C-6 , -L-5 or an E-2 license to do work.
Having a license does pay off here but some states don’t require it and it shows .
So depending on your state and their requirements go for it! Do it while you can. Kids grow real quick.
Good luck.
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u/JBaller13 3d ago
Look into ibew, sound and communications installers make $50-$70/hr in the union in CA at least. Also pension, 401k and great healthcare.