will a compTIA A+ & N+ cert help me land a job in IT or have i wasted my money?
477141
it will definitely help, but you also should also get at least a couple MCP's or other cert's, like citrix administration, security, lotus notes, linux, etc.\nwith what you have, you should get a job at a help desk to start.
601708
it depends what your looking to do. I am training to do sysadmin so i took all the cisco classes the a+ and the apple classes which pretty much set me up for an easy job with good money and the abiltiy to play with pretty computers all day. By the sounds of it your programming end of things which is much harder to get into or atleast thats what it seems like ihave 5 friends trying and well not doing aswell
557641
do you have a degree to back this all up? with out the degree you wont get where you want or even deserve to be.\n\nIf you have your degree then go to a collage or training program and ask for the "job test" it is where you sit and answer a million questions, then they put your answers in the computer and the computer tells you where you would be good at. Then you can find a job in what your best at.\n\nif you dont have a degree, then consider school for another 4 years and get your degree, you should complete it fairly fast if you already know it all.\n\nGood luck.
972500
I went to a school that was supposed to ready me for the A+ test. I was no more ready for that test after the school than I was when I started. If you are already computer savvy and I'm betting you probably are, go get a few books from a one of those huge chain book stores and start studying. It's a hell of allot cheaper than signing up for some crash course being taught by people not much smarter than you are and that are just out to make a buck off you. Go invest in some good A+ books start studying and in about 5 or 6 months go take the test. Pay for A+ certified folks vary, but depending on where you live, they can make anywhere between 10 and 15 bucks an hour, but then again it all depends on how much of a true computer nerd you are. If you really know your shiznit, you can make good money if you also have the MCSE certification. Problem with the MCSE is you have to re-cert. every three years, so I was like fvck that. School for me is a means to an end, not something you have to keep torturing yourself with day after day for the rest of your life just to earn a living. If you choose the computer biz that's what kind of life you are in for. Technology changes so rapidly with computers, if you want to make any serious coin in the industry, you will have to go to school for the rest of your life. Sorry, I'm way too old for that shiznit!!!
196368
I heard that it ia a Engineering Tech School that ehlp you to get Cert's.   And then they make you pay for it after you get a job when you finish.  Did you get something from them?  I checked them out on the BBB web site.
826375
Its going to take you very long seeing as you got no cisco experience. Those who acheived it in a crash course have had at least a year or two worth of hands on experience & thats why it seemed easy. If you have no experience, you will have to study for quite a while before passing your exams. What qualifications do you have below ccna? & how many years worth of hands-on experience do you have?
785388
I got the A+ Certification about 5 years ago.  I used the A+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide (gold book) written by Michael Meyers.  A good practice book is A+ Certification Practice Questions Exam Cram (red book).  I have also used both of those series to pass the Network+ and Security+ as well.\n\nYou can buy these at Amazon, Borders or Barnes and Noble.
492373
I had some computer background with an Associates Degree...a year as a computer operator, six months as a programmer and then nothing but office-type work from Admin Assistant to Director of Customer Service for many years when I got laid off. I decided to get back into the computer end of things and got a job as a software tester.  They were impressed by the combination of my computer background and my customer service background since I would also be doing tech support.  Attention to detail is the biggest thing you can push and maybe take a computer class or two would help.  Good luck!
1137250
A bachelors degree is sort of the accepted starting point for the IT field.  Does she have any professional certifications?  You also did not mention what the Associates degrees were in.  Are these degrees technical?\n\nShe could also try other types of positions, with IT type companies, to get her foot in the door.
933193
I am really glad that you want to motivate your skills but in my company if someone doens't have the execptional level on basic computer programs - there is no start the job.  These programs have been around for 20 years now.  I love the go and get it done - and if you check with any schools in your area - both high schools and college - most will have adult classes that you can take that you don't have to be enrolled in full time to get into.  \n\nFor others out there, if you are are 17-20 yrs old person there is no reason why you should not be able to do intermediate level work in Word, Excel, and Access.  At least be able to use the help file and post information on the internet so that someone across the BIG POND is able to look it up and make decisions within a few minutes.  \n\nFor what I will refer to NON traditional students - which since these programs have been taught for 10 or so years no in the school system-I suggest you get on some books and learn them if you have graduated within the last 10-15 years.  For everyone else see the above advice.  I live in an area where 4 high schools give classes for those 35 and older for free - as many times as you would like to take them.  (You have to buy a book around 35 dollars) and the colleges teach the higher level classes on weekends - the materials are about $35 as well.  There are 6 colleges locally three of which teach the class for 5-10 dollars a person.
822198
To be fair to the other guy (although he didn't express himself politely), it would have made more sense for you to find out if this is the right course for you *first*, and then enrol, rather than enrolling first, and then asking people who are likely to know nothing about the course afterwards whether or not it will be suitable.\n\nNevertheless... I would start with (re-)reading the prospectus or course information, and then contact one of the tutors and ask what sorts of careers others who have completed the course have gone into.\n\nAlso, when you say 'Level 2' can you equate that to any more recognised standard of qualification? Is that an NVQ Level 2? An A Level equivelant? A degree equivelant? It is more difficult to help otherwise.
1126820
Learn the computer.  As a System and Network admin for my company there is only one way to get in with me.  Have a brain cell working and be confident.  Work as an intern and work for free.  Soak in all the knowledge you can.  Get 2 or 3 computers even if they are crap and network them so you can say you did it at home.  Play around with them learn and more than what the teachers are giving you.  You’re in school for computer that means you have access to pirated material learn the OS and the Server OS.  I just terminated a person who had a degree but I don't know how she got it because she did not know a thing.  I want someone is not afraid to mess up its part of the game.  Get in with help desk and work your way up the latter take chances and get with your school and see if they can help you out.  Feel free to contact me if you like. If your going to a technical school such as DeVry then they should have something for you.  If your going to a real Universaty then make sure you get your BS in computers.
786318
http://certification.comptia.org/network/default.aspx
1176051
Mainly when looking for an IT job that pays well, they're looking for experience and IT certifications.  From my experience I started at the bottom and worked my way up.  I worked doing Temp/Contract jobs for about 2 years until I got a good paying job.  Try getting so IT certifications such as http://www.comptia.org/certification/default.aspx or http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/default.asp
1008508
There are ways of aquiring university level recognisable skills without going to university. Apprenticeships and traineeships are a system of workplace skill advancement where the organisation pays you less than otherwise, and in return your taught to do jobs in the workplace by your supervisor that you do not have any formal qualification to do. Once you have achieved the level of skills that grants you the title you would have been given had you done the formal course, you can then go to University and request that your skillbase be taken into account. This allows you to skip all classes and proceed directly to the final exams, and if your pass mark is high enough you receive the formal qualification. Be aware that the exams are a little harder for skills recognition tests, but not impossible by comparison. The costs are a fraction of the whole course, you don't have to leave your job, and there are no selection processes or waiting involved. You may have to surrender a percentage of your regular wage however (The amount differes from job to job, company to company, but the rewards that follow are far greater). Good luck!
475279
As you have mentioned B.E Comp , so iyour are from India. It would be better if you had mentioned from which university you got ur degree.\n Well the best eay in this case os to get yourself professionally certified like doing microsoft ,Hp , SCO certification BUt as you are interested in Unix then get your self certified as SCO Unix professional or RHCE (best to get in) and regarding C/C++  -- well my friend you haven't mentioned your working domain  in C/C++ . but if you still want you should take a c and c++ exam conducted by CSI (Computer Society of India) and if possible also take Work Ability Assessment test . CSI will give you a certificate for it and then this will give you an edge over your peer job applicants and you will get the job very soon.\n\n And Try, try ,try .. Don't give up to find a job...\nI wish you all the best and should you need any more assistance then get in touch with me coz i wear the same boots as yours.
879749
i work in IT recruitment. entry level jobs are hard to get into and often companies look for a computer related degree in new starters. however it is possible to enter if you start in a customer services role working on a help desk - then you may be able to get onto a more IT technical side of the helpdesk and progress from 1st line support through to 3rd line support. obviously a good computer skills base to start with helps. as far as companies offering training that depends on the calibre of the company which you should be able to find out either through you agency or ask at interview. if they do not (eg in a smaller company) do not nessecarily decline a job there - it may just be the breakthrough you are looking for! after all any experience in the industry will look good on your CV and will set the ball rolling for you. alot of candidates i speak to in this situation often will put themselves through training courses, it costs money but it shows dedication (you can easily look up IT training courses in your area on the net) i hope this helps - good luck in your search! x