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Four specialist training areas feature in the A+ syllabus, but you're
just required to achieve pass marks in 2 for competency in A+. But
limiting yourself to 2 of the specialised areas might well not equip
you for a job. At least learn about all four - this will give you the
edge in the working environment.
Passing the A+ exam on its own
will mean that you're able to repair and fix stand-alone PC's and
MAC's; principally ones that aren't joined to a network - this
generally applies to home use and small companies. Should you fancy
yourself as the kind of individual who works for a larger company - in
network support, build on A+ with Network+, or follow the Microsoft
route - MCP's, MCSA or MCSE in order to have a wider knowledge of the
way networks work.
Proper support is incredibly important -
ensure you track down something providing 24x7 full access, as anything
less will not satisfy and will also put a damper on the speed you move
through things. Locate training schools where you can access help at
any time of day or night (no matter if it's in the middle of the night
on a weekend!) You'll need direct-access to qualified mentors and
tutors, and not access to a call-in service which takes messages - so
you're constantly waiting for a call-back when it's convenient for them.
If you look properly, you'll find the very best companies who recommend
and use direct-access online support all the time - no matter what time
of day it is. You can't afford to accept less than you need and
deserve. Online 24x7 support is the only kind to make the grade for
technical learning. It's possible you don't intend to study late
evenings; but for the majority of us however, we're at work during the
provided support period.
With so much choice, does it really
shock us that most potential students get stuck choosing the job they
could be successful with. As without any commercial background in the
IT industry, how could any of us be expected to understand what someone
in a particular job does? Ultimately, an informed choice only comes
from a thorough study covering many different areas:
* Your personality type and what you're interested in - what work-related things you like and dislike.
* Do you want to obtain training due to a particular raison d'etre -
i.e. are you pushing to work based from home (self-employment
possibly?)?
* Does salary have a higher place on your wish list than some other areas.
* Considering all that IT encompasses, it's obvious you'll need to be able to absorb what's different.
* You should also think long and hard about the level of commitment that you will set aside for the accreditation program.
In all honesty, the only way to research these issues is via a
conversation with an experienced advisor that has a background in
Information Technology (and chiefly it's commercial requirements.)
Speak
with a knowledgeable advisor and you'll be surprised by their many
awful tales of salespeople ripping-off unsuspecting students. Make sure
you deal with a skilled advisor that asks some in-depth questions to
discover the most appropriate thing for you - not for their paycheque!
It's very important to locate an ideal starting-point that fits you.
With a strong background, or sometimes a little real-world experience
(some certifications gained previously perhaps?) then it could be that
your starting level will be quite dissimilar from a student that is
completely new to the industry. Commencing with a foundation module
first is often the best way to get up and running on your IT programme,
but really depends on your level of familiarity with computers.
Review
the facts below and pay great regard to them if you think the sales
ploy of examination guarantees seems like a good idea:
You'll
pay for it by some means. It's definitely not free - they've simply
charged more for the whole training package. Students who go in for
their examinations when it's appropriate, paying for them just before
taking them are far more likely to pass first time. They are aware of
the cost and so are more inclined to make sure they're ready.
Why should you pay your college at the start of the course for exam
fees? Find the best deal you can at the time, rather than pay marked up
fees - and do it in a local testing centre - rather than possibly hours
away from your area. A surprising number of current training colleges
make huge amounts of money by getting paid for all the exam fees
up-front then cashing in if they're not all taken. It's worth noting,
with most 'Exam Guarantees' - the company decides when you can re-take
the exam. You'll have to prove conclusively that you can pass before
they'll pay for another exam.
Exams taken at local centres are
in the region of 112 pounds in the UK. Why pay exorbitant charges for
'Exam Guarantees' (often hidden in the cost) - when the best course
materials, the right level of support and exam preparation systems and
a dose of commitment and effort are what's required.
Far too
many companies focus completely on the certification process, and avoid
focusing on what it's all actually about - which will always be getting
the job or career you want. You should always begin with the final
destination in mind - don't get hung-up on the training vehicle. It's
common, in some situations, to get a great deal of enjoyment from a
year of study and then find yourself trapped for decades in a tiresome
job role, simply because you did it without some decent due-diligence
at the outset.
Prioritise understanding what industry will
expect from you. Which accreditations you'll be required to have and
how to gain experience. It's also worth spending time assessing how far
you'd like to go as it will often present a very specific set of
accreditations. Take guidance from an experienced advisor, irrespective
of whether you have to pay - it's considerably cheaper and safer to
investigate at the start whether you've chosen correctly, rather than
find out after several years of study that you've picked the wrong
track and have to return to the start of another program.
The article is well written. However most people on SearchWarp will not know what you are talking about - I would advise you to explain what "TIA A" as unless you are in with whatever it is you are lost just after the title.
Well done, Jason. I find myself being computer illiterate. But to others, I seem like a genius. So, I thank you for helping me to step out of the box, and actually know more than expected about computers. Welcome to the Warp, and keep up the good work, Jason!
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
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