There are four specialist areas of training in a full CompTIA A+ program; you’re qualified as an achiever in A+ when you’ve passed the test for just two specialist areas. Because of this, it’s usual for colleges to limit themselves to 2 study areas. The truth is it’s necessary to have the information on each subject as industry will ask for an understanding of all four areas. You don’t have to complete all 4 certifications, but it seems common sense that you at least have a working knowledge of every area.
A+ certification without additional courses will set you up to mend and maintain stand-alone PC’s and MAC’s; ones which are usually not part of a network – which means the home or small business market.
If you would like to be a man or woman who works for a larger company – fixing and supporting networks, build on A+ with Network+, or consider an MCSA or MCSE with Microsoft to give you a wider knowledge of how networks work.
How the program is actually delivered to you isn’t always given the appropriate level of importance. How many stages do they break the program into? And in what sequence and what control do you have at what pace it arrives?
Often, you will join a program staged over 2 or 3 years and get posted one section at a time – from one exam to the next. This sounds logical on one level, until you consider this:
It’s not unusual for trainees to realise that their training company’s standard order of study isn’t ideal for them. You may find that a slightly different order suits them better. And what if you don’t get to the end inside of the expected timescales?
For future safety and flexibility, it’s not unusual for students to make sure that every element of their training is posted to them in one go, with nothing held back. That means it’s down to you how fast or slow and in what order you’d like to take your exams.
Many men and women are under the impression that the traditional school, college or university path is still the most effective. Why then is commercial certification becoming more in demand?
The IT sector is of the opinion that to cover the necessary commercial skill-sets, certified accreditation from such organisations as Adobe, Microsoft, CISCO and CompTIA is closer to the mark commercially – at a far reduced cost both money and time wise.
Of course, an appropriate portion of associated knowledge must be covered, but precise specifics in the particular job function gives a vendor educated student a real head start.
Put yourself in the employer’s position – and you wanted someone who could provide a specific set of skills. Which is the most straightforward: Go through a mass of different academic qualifications from hopeful applicants, having to ask what each has covered and which vocational skills they’ve mastered, or pick out specific commercial accreditations that precisely match your needs, and then select who you want to interview from that. You’ll then be able to concentrate on getting a feel for the person at interview – rather than establishing whether they can do a specific task.
A service offered by some training providers is a Job Placement Assistance program. It’s intention is to help you find your first job in the industry. However sometimes there is more emphasis than is necessary on this service, for it is genuinely quite straightforward for any focused and well taught person to get a job in the IT industry – because there’s a great need for qualified personnel.
Having said that, it’s important to have help with your CV and interview techniques though; also we would encourage everyone to get their CV updated the day they start training – don’t procrastinate and leave it for when you’re ready to start work.
A good number of junior support jobs have been offered to students who are still studying and haven’t got any qualifications yet. This will at least get you into the ‘maybe’ pile of CV’s – rather than the ‘No’ pile.
You’ll normally experience quicker results from an independent and specialised local recruitment consultancy than you will through a training course provider’s employment division, because they will understand the local industry and employment needs.
Many men and women, it seems, are prepared to study their hearts out (for years sometimes), only to give up at the first hurdle when looking for a good job. Promote yourself… Do your best to get yourself known. Don’t think a job’s just going to jump out in front of you.
Trainees looking at this market can be very practical by nature, and don’t really enjoy classrooms, and poring through books and manuals. If you’re thinking this sounds like you, use multimedia, interactive learning, where everything is presented via full motion video.
Our ability to remember is increased when all our senses are brought into the mix – experts have been clear on this for many years.
Start a study-program in which you’re provided with an array of CD and DVD based materials – you’ll start with videos of instructor demonstrations, with the facility to fine-tune your skills in fully interactive practice sessions.
It would be silly not to view some of the typical study materials provided before you sign on the dotted line. What you want are videoed instructor demonstrations and interactive modules with audio-visual elements.
Avoid training that is purely online. Physical CD or DVD ROM materials are preferable where offered, so you can use them wherever and whenever you want – it’s not wise to be held hostage to a good broadband connection all the time.
(C) Jason Kendall. Visit LearningLolly.com for excellent information. IT Training or Comptia Certification Training.
Entries (RSS)