Four specialist training areas feature in the overall A+ programme, of which 2 passes are needed for your A+ qualification. However restricting yourself to two of the study sections is likely to leave your knowledge base somewhat light. Look for training that covers all the specialist areas – this will give you the edge in the working environment.
CompTIA A+ by itself will mean that you’re able to fix and maintain computers and Macs; ones that are most often not part of a network – this generally applies to home use and small companies.
If you aspire to being responsible for networks of computers, add the very comprehensive Network+ to your training package. This will enable you to command a more senior job role. You may also want to consider the route to networking via Microsoft, in the form of MCP’s, MCSA or the full MCSE.
One of the most important things to insist on has to be proper direct-access 24×7 support via professional mentors and instructors. So many companies we come across only seem to want to help while they’re in the office (9am till 6pm, Monday till Friday usually) and nothing at the weekends.
Avoid training that only supports students with a message system outside of normal office hours. Training organisations will defend this with all kinds of excuses. The simple fact of the matter is – you need support when you need support – not as-and-when it’s suitable for their staff.
Top training providers opt for an online 24×7 facility pulling in several support offices over many time-zones. You will be provided with an interface that accesses the most appropriate office at any time of day or night: Support available as-and-when you want it.
Don’t ever make the mistake of taking second best when it comes to your support. Most would-be IT professionals that can’t get going properly, just need the right support system.
Potential trainees hoping to build a career in computers and technology generally have no idea of which route to consider, or what area to get certified in.
Since having no commercial skills in IT, how can most of us be expected to understand what a particular job actually consists of?
To come through this, we need to discuss a variety of different aspects:
* Personalities play a starring part – what gives you a ‘kick’, and what are the areas that get you down.
* What time-frame are you looking at for the retraining?
* How highly do you rate salary – is it of prime importance, or is enjoying your job further up on your list of priorities?
* When taking into account all that Information Technology covers, you’ll need to be able to understand the differences.
* What effort, commitment and time you’re prepared to commit your training.
To cut through all the jargon and confusion, and reveal the best path to success, have a good talk with an industry-experienced advisor; an individual that will cover the commercial realities and truth whilst covering each qualification.
So many training providers are all about the certification, and completely avoid what it’s all actually about – which will always be getting the job or career you want. Always start with the final destination in mind – too many people focus on the journey.
It’s unfortunate, but the majority of trainees kick-off study that often sounds great in the prospectus, but which provides the end-result of a job that doesn’t satisfy. Talk to many college students and you’ll see where we’re coming from.
Make sure you investigate how you feel about earning potential and career progression, plus your level of ambition. You need to know what industry expects from you, which exams are required and how you’ll gain real-world experience.
Seek out help from an experienced professional that ‘gets’ the commercial realities of the area you’re interested in, and who can offer ‘A day in the life of’ synopsis of what duties you’ll be performing on a day-to-day basis. It just makes sense to understand whether or not this is right for you long before you embark on your training program. After all, what is the reason in starting to train and then realise you’ve made a huge mistake.
An important area that is sometimes not even considered by people mulling over a new direction is the concept of ‘training segmentation’. Essentially, this is the method used to break up the program for timed release to you, which can make a dramatic difference to what you end up with.
You may think that it makes sense (with most training taking 1-3 years to gain full certified status,) for many training providers to send out the training stage by stage, until you’ve passed all the exams. Although:
Often, the staged breakdown insisted on by the company won’t suit you. It may be difficult to get through all the modules within their timetable?
To provide the maximum security and flexibility, it’s not unusual for students to insist that all study materials are posted to them in one go, with nothing held back. It’s then up to you in which order and at what speed you’d like to take your exams.
(C) Scott Edwards 2009. Go to Click HERE or Comptia Training.
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