CompTIA A + has a total of four exams and areas of study, but you only need to get certified in 2 to qualify for your A+. Because of this, many educational establishments simply offer two. But allowing you to learn about all 4 options will provide you with a much wider knowledge and understanding of it all, something you’ll appreciate as a Godsend in professional employment.
As well as learning how to build PC’s and fix them, students on an A+ training course will learn how to work in antistatic conditions, along with remote access, fault finding and diagnostics.
You might also choose to think about adding the CompTIA Network+ training as you can then also take care of computer networks, which means greater employment benefits.
Many training companies only give basic 9am till 6pm support (maybe a little earlier or later on certain days); very few go late in the evening or at weekends.
Avoid, like the plague, any organisations which use messaging services ‘out-of-hours’ – with your call-back scheduled for standard office hours. It’s not a lot of help when you’ve got study issues and need help now.
The very best programs tend to use an online 24 hours-a-day service combining multiple support operations throughout multiple time-zones. You will be provided with a simple environment which accesses the most appropriate office irrespective of the time of day: Support when you need it.
Never make do with less than this. Direct-access 24×7 support is the only viable option when it comes to technical study. Maybe burning the midnight-oil is not your thing; usually though, we’re out at work when traditional support if offered.
So many training providers only look at the plaque to hang on your wall, and completely avoid what it’s all actually about – which will always be getting the job or career you want. Always start with the end goal – don’t get hung-up on the training vehicle.
You could be training for only a year and end up doing a job for a lifetime. Avoid the mistake of taking what may be an ‘interesting’ course and then spend decades in a job you don’t like!
You need to keep your eye on where you want to go, and formulate your training based on that – avoid getting them back-to-front. Keep on track – making sure you’re training for something you’ll still be enjoying many years from now.
Sense dictates that you look for advice and guidance from an experienced industry professional before making your final decision on some particular training course, so there’s little doubt that the chosen route will give you the skill-set required for your career choice.
The sometimes daunting task of landing your first computer related job is often made easier by training colleges, through a Job Placement Assistance service. It can happen though that there is more emphasis than is necessary on this service, for it’s really not that difficult for well qualified and focused men and women to find work in this industry – because companies everywhere are seeking qualified personnel.
Update your CV at the beginning of your training though – you should get plenty of help from your training provider on this. Don’t wait until you’ve qualified.
It’s possible that you won’t have even taken your exams when you land your first junior support role; but this isn’t going to happen unless your CV is with employers.
The most reliable organisations to help you find a job are normally local IT focused employment agencies. Because they make their money when they’ve found you a job, they’ll work that much harder to get a result.
Many people, apparently, conscientiously work through their course materials (for years sometimes), only to give up at the first hurdle when finding a job. Market yourself… Do everything you can to put yourself out there. Don’t think a job’s just going to jump out in front of you.
Throw out the typical salesman who offers any particular course without an in-depth conversation so as to understand your abilities plus your experience level. They should be able to select from a generous product range so they’re actually equipped to give you an appropriate solution.
If you have a strong background, or maybe some commercial experience (maybe some existing accreditation?) then obviously your starting level will be very different from someone with no background whatsoever.
If this is going to be your opening crack at an IT exam then you may want to start with a user-skills course first.
(C) 2009 Scott Edwards. Pop over to www.CareerChangeOptions.co.uk/acco.html or Computer Training Courses.