Computer training for CompTIA A+ covers four specialised areas - the requirement is exam passes in two of these areas to be seen as A+ competent. Because of this, most colleges limit their course to 2 of the four in the syllabus. We consider that this is selling you short - sure, you can pass an exam, but experience of all four will give you a distinct advantage in industry, where you’ll need to know about all of them. That’s why we believe you require information in all 4 specialities. A+ certification without additional courses will mean that you are able to repair and fix laptops, Macs and PC’s; ones that are most often not part of a network - which is for the most part the home market. Should you decide to add Network+ to your A+ course, you’ll also have the ability to take care of networks, which means you’ll be able to apply for more senior positions.
Working on progressive developments in new technology is about as exciting as it can get. You become one of a team of people creating a future for us all. We’re at the dawn of starting to comprehend how all this change will affect us. The way we correlate with the world as a whole will be significantly affected by technology and the internet. The regular IT professional in the United Kingdom is likely to earn noticeably more money than his or her counterpart in other market sectors. Mean average salaries are amongst the highest in the country. The search for properly certified IT professionals is guaranteed for a good while yet, due to the constant expansion in the marketplace and the very large deficiency still in existence.
How do we go about making a good choice then? With all this potential, we’ll need to know where to dig - and what it is we should be searching for.
So many training providers focus completely on the certification process, and forget what it’s all actually about - which is a commercial career or job. Always start with the end in mind - don’t make the vehicle more important than the destination. It’s a sad testimony to the sales skills of many companies, but a great many students begin programs that seem great in the marketing materials, but which get us a career that is of no interest at all. Just ask several university graduates and you’ll see where we’re coming from. Never let your focus stray from where you want to get to, and formulate your training based on that - not the other way round. Stay on target and ensure that you’re training for a career that will keep you happy for many years. Your likely to need help from an experienced person that can best explain the industry you think may suit you, and will be able to provide ‘A day in the life of’ type of explanation of what you actually do on the job. These things are incredibly important because you obviously have to know if you’re barking up the wrong tree.
It’s so important to understand this key point: Always get full 24×7 professional support from mentors and instructors. You’ll severely regret it if you don’t adhere to this. Never buy certification programs which can only support you through a call-centre after office-staff have gone home. Colleges will give you every excuse in the book why you don’t need this. Essentially - support is needed when it’s needed - not at times when they find it cheaper to provide it. Be on the lookout for training programs that have multiple support offices active in different time-zones. These should be integrated to provide a single interface and also 24×7 access, when it suits you, with no fuss. Always pick an educator that gives this level of learning support. As only round-the-clock 24×7 support delivers what is required.
People attracted to this sort of work often have a very practical outlook on work, and won’t enjoy sitting at a desk in class, and struggling through thick study-volumes. If this is putting you off studying, try the newer style of interactive study, where you can learn everything on-screen. Research over recent years has consistently shown that connecting physically with our study, is far more likely to produce long-lasting memories. Locate a program where you’ll receive a library of CD and DVD based materials - you’ll begin by watching videos of instructors demonstrating the skills, with the facility to practice your skills in interactive lab’s. Don’t take any chances and look at some of the typical study materials provided before you sign on the dotted line. You should expect video tutorials, instructor demo’s and a variety of audio-visual and interactive sections. It’s unwise to opt for on-line only training. Because of the variable quality and reliability of all internet service providers, you should always obtain disc based courseware (On CD or DVD).
Most people don’t even think to ask about something of absolutely vital importance - the way their training provider divides up the training materials, and into how many separate packages. Typically, you will purchase a course requiring 1-3 years study and receive one element at a time until graduation. This sounds logical on one level, until you consider this: With thought, many trainees understand that the trainer’s usual training route isn’t as suitable as another. They might find it’s more expedient to use an alternative order of study. Perhaps you don’t make it in the allotted time? Truth be told, the best option is to obtain their recommendation on the best possible order of study, but to receive all the materials up-front. You’re then in possession of everything should you not complete it inside of their required time-scales.
You’ll come across courses which guarantee examination passes - inevitably that means paying for the exams before you’ve even made a start on the course. Before you jump at a course with such a promise, why not think about this: Everybody’s aware that they’re still being charged for it - it’s quite obvious to see that it’s been added into the overall price charged by the training company. It’s certainly not free (it’s just marketing companies think we’ll fall for anything they say!) Should you seriously need to get a first time pass, then the most successful route is to fund each exam as you take it, give it the necessary attention and give the task sufficient application. Does it really add up to pay your training company early for examinations? Hold on to your money and pay for the exam when you’re ready, instead of paying a premium - and sit exams more locally - rather than in some remote place. Is there a good reason to pay interest on a bigger loan than is necessary because you’ve paid early for examination fees when you didn’t need to? Huge profits are made by companies charging upfront for all their exams - and banking on the fact that many won’t be taken. Remember, with ‘Exam Guarantees’ from most places - they control when and how often you can re-take the exam. You’ll have to prove conclusively that you can pass before they’ll pay for another exam. Shelling out hundreds or thousands of pounds on an ‘Exam Guarantee’ is foolish - when study, commitment and preparing with good quality mock and practice exams is actually the key to your success.
The sometimes daunting task of securing your first role in IT is often relieved by some companies, via a Job Placement Assistance programme. Because of the massive demand for appropriately skilled people in Great Britain even when times are hard, it’s not too important to make too much of this option though. It’s not as difficult as you may be led to believe to find employment as long as you’re correctly trained and certified. Whatever you do, don’t procrastinate and wait until you have completed your exams before bringing your CV up to date. Right at the beginning of your training, enter details of your study programme and get it out there! Many junior support jobs have been bagged by trainees who are still studying and have yet to take their exams. This will at least get your CV into the ‘possible’ pile and not the ‘no’ pile. The top companies to help you find a job are generally local IT focused employment agencies. As they’re keen to place you to receive their commission, they have the necessary incentive to try that bit harder. In a nutshell, as long as you focus the same level of energy into landing a job as into studying, you’re not likely to experience problems. A number of trainees curiously conscientiously work through their training and studies and then call a halt once certified and would appear to think that businesses will just discover them.
Viewed 41 times by 25 viewers
