The Start Of A Journey
When I first enrolled at Western Governors University (WGU) for my degree in Cloud Computing, I knew the road ahead would be challenging. What I didn’t realize was just how transformative the very first term would be. In less than six months, I completed the CompTIA Trifecta—A+, Network+, and Security+.
For me, this wasn’t just about collecting certifications. It was about reframing my identity. I had always used computers, but never as one of the “IT initiated.” I was about to learn more than how to use computers—I was learning how they actually work.
This is the story of how I navigated the trifecta, the resources I used, the surprises along the way, and why I believe these three certifications remain a powerful foundation for anyone beginning their IT journey.
WGU’s Approach: Resources Without Reinventing the Wheel
One of the first surprises at WGU was the way they structure learning. Unlike traditional universities that create their own lecture series or textbooks, WGU provides access to existing, industry-leading platforms: Udemy, PluralSight, LinkedIn Learning, and—most importantly for CompTIA—the official CertMaster Learn and Labs.
At first, I wasn’t sure about this model. Wouldn’t it make more sense for the university to create their own material? But over time, I realized WGU’s approach was actually brilliant: they cut out redundancy and instead curated access to the same resources professionals use in the real world.
For my trifecta, I leaned heavily on Jason Dion’s Udemy courses. His lectures were approachable, practical, and well-paced, making them the perfect companion to CertMaster. Between the two platforms, I built a rhythm of:
- Watching video lectures
- Reinforcing with CertMaster readings and labs
- Testing myself with quizzes and practice exams
That repetition turned out to be the key to building confidence for each certification.
The Hidden Value of CertMaster: PBQ Practice
If there’s one thing I tell everyone preparing for CompTIA exams, it’s this: don’t underestimate the Performance-Based Questions (PBQs).
Multiple-choice questions are one thing, but PBQs simulate real-world tasks. They might ask you to configure a firewall rule, troubleshoot a network diagram, or assign the correct security settings in a mock interface.
Here’s the catch: while almost every training provider offers practice quizzes, only CertMaster provides PBQ practice. If I had gone through Udemy alone, I would have been blindsided on exam day. And buying CertMaster access independently would have cost over $1,000 per certification.
Because WGU included it in tuition, I had the advantage of preparing for PBQs without the financial burden. That single detail probably saved me from at least one failed attempt.
Overlap and Efficiency: Why Sequencing Matters
Another surprise during my trifecta was just how much overlap exists between exams.
- A+ and Network+ – Roughly 25% of A+ concepts (hardware, connectivity, troubleshooting) show up again in Network+.
- Network+ and Security+ – About 30–35% of Network+ material (ports, protocols, networking fundamentals) reappears in Security+.
- Trifecta and Cloud+ – When I sat for Cloud+ a year later, I realized nearly 40% of the exam was already covered by the trifecta—especially by Network+.
If I had known this earlier, I would have taken Cloud+ right after finishing the trifecta. Instead, I had to go back and re-learn large chunks of Network+ material.
Lesson learned: if you’re mapping out certifications, think strategically about overlap. Group exams with shared domains together to maximize efficiency.
Security+: The Most Misunderstood of the Three
Of the trifecta, Security+ is the most recognized—especially in government and DoD roles where it’s a baseline requirement. Employers often treat it as the “golden ticket” to an IT career.
But here’s the truth that newcomers don’t always hear: Security+ does not make you a cybersecurity professional.
The exam leans heavily on governance, policies, frameworks, and best practices. There’s very little hands-on technical depth compared to what people imagine when they hear “cybersecurity.”
That doesn’t make Security+ unimportant. In fact, it’s invaluable for demonstrating that you understand the language of security. But for true technical cybersecurity skills, it’s just the starting line—not the finish.
Network+: The Hardest—and Most Valuable—of the Trifecta
If Security+ is the most marketable, then Network+ is the most indispensable.
Studying for Network+ felt like drinking from a firehose. It covered everything from IP addressing to routing protocols, subnetting, DNS, DHCP, VPNs, and beyond. For someone new to IT, it was overwhelming—and exhilarating.
Looking back, I can honestly say Network+ gave me the deepest knowledge base I’ve carried forward into every other certification. Even now, as I work in cloud and DevOps, the fundamentals of networking shape everything from Kubernetes cluster design to VPC peering in AWS.
Network+ may not carry the same hiring weight as Security+, but it is hands-down the most practical certification of the three.
A+ and the Power of Foundation
It’s easy to dismiss A+ as “too basic,” especially once you’ve moved on to higher-level certifications. But for me, A+ was essential.
It forced me to slow down and understand the fundamentals: CPU, RAM, BIOS, storage, peripherals, troubleshooting logic, and operating systems. Without A+, I would have jumped straight into networking and security with big blind spots.
A+ taught me the discipline of documentation, the mindset of troubleshooting, and the vocabulary of IT. It’s not glamorous, but it’s foundational—and foundations matter.
More Than Exams: A New Chapter in Life
For me, the trifecta wasn’t just a set of exams—it was a turning point.
Coming from years of backbreaking manual labor, I finally saw a path where I could use my mind, my creativity, and my curiosity. IT wasn’t just a job; it was something I could grow with for the rest of my life.
When I passed Security+ and realized I had completed the trifecta, I felt something I hadn’t in years: momentum. It wasn’t just about becoming “IT certified.” It was about becoming an IT professional.
Key Lessons for Future IT Pros
If you’re considering the CompTIA trifecta—or if you’re in the middle of it—here are my biggest takeaways:
- Use multiple resources. Pair video lectures with CertMaster’s PBQs and labs.
- Plan your certification sequence strategically. Take advantage of exam overlap to save time and effort.
- Don’t be fooled by hype. Security+ is valuable but not an instant cybersecurity badge.
- Respect the foundations. A+ may feel basic, but it builds the mindset every IT professional needs.
- Think long-term. Network+ is tough, but its knowledge echoes throughout your IT career.
Final Thoughts: The Beginning of an Odyssey
Completing the CompTIA trifecta in my first term at WGU was more than a milestone—it was the first spark of my IT Odyssey.
Since then, I’ve gone on to tackle Cloud+, Azure, AWS, and beyond. But those three exams remain the bedrock of everything that came after.
If you’re standing where I was—nervous, excited, unsure—know this: the trifecta can be your launchpad. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. And once you’ve passed, you’ll realize you’ve done more than earn certifications. You’ve proven to yourself that you belong in IT.