[sloaken]

The simple answer is A+, Network+ then Security+. The more advanced ones are nice, but become more difficult.

I am sorry to hear your degree is not providing what you expected. The problem is the CIS degree is very heavily subscribed.

[phaus]

Unless you're going to work for the government, no one gives a shit about the A+ an Network+ anymore.

The A+ qualifies you to make slightly above minimum wage as a member of the Geek Squad.

Network+ is a decent certificate as far as what you learn, but its easy enough to get that no one is impressed by it and it has so much overlap with the Security+ that you might as well get that one instead. It still isn't highly sought after outside the government, but it might open some doors. I got my first security interview about 6 years because of it. However, I passed the interview due mostly to several years of being a security/it hobbyist.