A+ Certification

[jslater25]

I recently took two A+ certification classes (one for Hardware, and one for OS). Sad to say, they were pretty expensive and not very valuable. I learn more from VirtualDr than I did in either class.

I have since taken the OS exam (passed with mediocre score), and feel very disgruntled that I paid over $1000 for the classes that did not in any way prepare me for the exam. I am now very concerned that if I take the Hardware exam, I will not be prepared for it.

I guess this is my way of saying thanks to the other members and the admins of VirtualDr for providing an excellent learning tool, which IMO, is more valuable than a classroom setting.

J.

[CataclysmCow]

$1000? Ouch ...

Sadly, I don't think there is a Virtual DR. cert though

Wish you would have asked us before you signed up. Not many people in the industry would reccomend an A+ cert. They are looked at like the GED of computing.

Not that a GED is bad - heck - I dropped out at 16 and got my GED to go to college to get my degree (BS-CS). Same thing with the A+ cert - it can be a pre-requisite for other certs. It's usually advised that you don't go that route though.

Are you in school now?
What type of field do you want to enter?


[edit: spelling]

[photolady]

jslater, you might want to take a look at some of the "Operation Delta" threads. These provide more knowledge than just searching the forums. Some cover hardware in general, others cover specific topics.

I was thinking about getting A+ cert too, but now I'm not so sure if I really need it. Fry's purports their techs are all A+ Certified, but after reading what CataclysmCow said here, not sure it's all that whiz bang. I too went to college after my GED, got my BA, then found VDR and learned more here, than I did in four years college.

[jmtjet]

The A+ certification is a stepping stone to better things. Don't think it's worthless.

[P3-450]

Jslater

I also took the A+ classroom courses and although i did find them helpful, i thought they where pretty darn expensive.

I took that to gain some more knowledge, before i head out for bigger things.

Ever since i joined Vdr about 90% of what i know ( which still isnt very much ) has come from being here, and as time goes by i find myself helping out more and more, so obviously somethings working.

Iam currently studying for my Net+, but this time i will be doing it 'self study'.

I dont think they are a waste of time or worthless because im learning, and anyone that says that they are no good then thats their opinion. Its about how you feel about it.

If its too gain entry into an IT career then maybe that the A+ are a form off 'entry level' certs but IMO can prepare you for bigger fish, like MCSE.


I have been trying to get into an IT career for a few years now, but its all about experience here and experience there. I have never given up and i have actually moved a step in the right direction by working in the IT department and have been given the oppurtunity to help out. So hopefully soon all my work would have paid off.

Thanks VDr

[Rapmaster]

That said, an MCSE is hardly a guaranteed job. The IT industry is not what it was a few years ago and jobs are hard to come by. A lot of North American jobs are now outsourced overseas. (Luckily I work for the government so hopefully it will be a while before they outsource me!) It's all about experience, personality, who you know and luck

Microsoft has a new cert out now: Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician. Deals with troubleshooting Windows XP, Office and basic client apps. http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcdst/default.asp (try the free Microsoft Skills Assessment tool on that page.)

[Train]

Not only that, you have to remember there were a lot of those folks releases in the last few years and whole bunches of them would like to get back into the business.

[Nix]

Sometimes you just gotta be lucky.

I got into a government scheme to get young unemployed people trained in computer programming.

Did fast track COBOL programming course in 8 weeks that was usually a 16 week course and then on the job training with a sponsor company for 2 years.

18 & 2/3 years later I'm still with the same company.

No university degree.

[hongman]

Wow, kinda makes me appreciate the situation I'm in. I have just started my NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) in IT Install and Support Level 2.

Luckily enough for me, my work placement is at a government funded IT Center and as part of my course, I have to do A+, Net+ and some MCSE/MCSA Modules. Not only that, any courses they hold here I can sit in on for free.

Fingers crossed in 3-4years time I will be fully qualified and ready to dive into a nice well paid job.

[jslater25]

CataclysmCow- While I don't feel the A+ was a waste of time (other than the actual classroom time), I certainly don't expect it to compensate for a college degree. Unfortunately a college degree is not going to be a valid solution. I am now pushing 30 (still young, but not that young) and don't have the money or the time to go back to school. I already have a bachelor's in Business Admin, but that doesn't really help if I want a career in computers.

I have looked at the MCDST from Microsoft, but they weren't offering it locally until this past week. So in the meantime, I took the position that the more certs I can get, the better off I will be. Surely having the A+ isn't going to HURT me, right? Whether you graduate from high school or take the equivalancy exam, either way you are still out of high school with a paper saying you know your stuff.

I guess I figured that any certification would be better than no certification when I start looking for a new job later this year. I currently work in the IT field, but am unhappy with both the pay and the location. In my situation, my guess is the location IS the reason for the pay (I live in Oklahoma, which is one of the poorest states). If I can get it all together and move to Texas, I should receive a fairly substantial raise in pay (the average in Texas is 50% higher than the average in OK).

[jmtjet]

I have a friend who was a teacher in a vocation high school for many years. He loved messing with computers so he started taking the certifications. A+, MCSE,MCSA, Net+ etc. He's now a self employed consultant making a six figure income and doing what he loves. So hang in there, anything possible.

[usil]

I went the MCP/MCSE route, doing a course which set me back the equivalent to about $5000. What a waste of money! Anything learned there can be learned on your own (and a little help from VDr ). I have yet to take the exams, but I don't think having the certificate in hand is what is going to land me a job.
Its not about what you, but about who you know!

[hongman]

but knowledge does help...

[usil]

Originally posted by hongman
but knowledge does help...

Thats the whole point. Knowledge is what helps. If you make your knowledge known to people around you, you are bound to get a job there, rather than flashing a few fancy certificates. Its both fortunate and unfortunate.

[Rapmaster]

Originally posted by jslater25
If I can get it all together and move to Texas, I should receive a fairly substantial raise in pay (the average in Texas is 50% higher than the average in OK).

A raise in pay might come with an increased cost-of-living. For example, moving to somewhere like California might not be a good idea even if the pay is better.