I just wanted to say thanks to Messer for all his wonderful videos, including the study groups. Time after time, I always found myself reverting back to your videos for sanity checks. If there was ever a true statement that was said in one of your NET+ study groups, it has to have been about subnetting. As much as I studied and learned about it, I did not encounter ANY questions about these at all However, I can't say the same about OSI questions; there must have been at least 12.

So now that I am certified with both A+ & NET+, I am gearing myself up for the Security+ exam, while I'm in class for MCITP. It might be a little too much, but class is over in a month and wanted to have this cert added to the list, in hopes of trying to secure an entry level position some place. Hopefully?

Also, I was wondering if there is anybody reading this that has had success with the GTS learing books/e-book? For the value and the integrated links to Messer's videos, it seems like a winner.

Tips and advice for me trying to break into this field without any "professional" experience (personal is at least 10+) is appreciated.

Apply, apply, apply! What you're doing right now shows great initiative and the willingness/ability to apply your motivation to learn more. Your certs will most likely get you interviews, just take that opportunity to show that you know your stuff, and you'll be just fine.