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.
In addition to learning how to build and fix computers, students on A+ courses will have instruction on how to work in antistatic conditions, along with remote access, fault finding and diagnostics.
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:
What if there are reasons why you can't finish every single section? And what if you find the order of the modules counter-intuitive? Because of nothing that's your fault, you may go a little slower and therefore not end up with all the modules.
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?
As demand increases for knowledge about more and more complex technology, the IT sector has been required to move to specific, honed-in training only available through the vendors themselves - in other words companies like Adobe, Microsoft, CISCO and CompTIA. Frequently this is at a far reduced cost both money and time wise.
Vendor training works through concentrating on the particular skills that are needed (alongside a relevant amount of related knowledge,) instead of trawling through all the background 'padding' that degree courses often do - to pad out the syllabus.
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.
It's possible that you won't have even taken your exams when you land your first junior support role; yet this can't and won't happen unless you've posted your CV on job sites.
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.
If you're like many of the students we talk to then you're quite practically minded - the 'hands-on' personality type. If you're like us, the world of book-reading and classrooms is something you'll make yourself do if you have to, but you'd hate it. Consider interactive, multimedia study if books just don't do it for you.
Learning psychology studies show that much more of what we learn in remembered when we involve as many senses as possible, and we get physically involved with the study process.
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. - 33376
In addition to learning how to build and fix computers, students on A+ courses will have instruction on how to work in antistatic conditions, along with remote access, fault finding and diagnostics.
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:
What if there are reasons why you can't finish every single section? And what if you find the order of the modules counter-intuitive? Because of nothing that's your fault, you may go a little slower and therefore not end up with all the modules.
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?
As demand increases for knowledge about more and more complex technology, the IT sector has been required to move to specific, honed-in training only available through the vendors themselves - in other words companies like Adobe, Microsoft, CISCO and CompTIA. Frequently this is at a far reduced cost both money and time wise.
Vendor training works through concentrating on the particular skills that are needed (alongside a relevant amount of related knowledge,) instead of trawling through all the background 'padding' that degree courses often do - to pad out the syllabus.
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.
It's possible that you won't have even taken your exams when you land your first junior support role; yet this can't and won't happen unless you've posted your CV on job sites.
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.
If you're like many of the students we talk to then you're quite practically minded - the 'hands-on' personality type. If you're like us, the world of book-reading and classrooms is something you'll make yourself do if you have to, but you'd hate it. Consider interactive, multimedia study if books just don't do it for you.
Learning psychology studies show that much more of what we learn in remembered when we involve as many senses as possible, and we get physically involved with the study process.
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. - 33376
About the Author:
(C) Jason Kendall. Visit LearningLolly.com for quality career tips. A+ Certification or Comptia A+ Training.
