Chreees Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 I think I've posted about this before, but oh well. I have a renewed interest in becoming A+ certified and also CCNA certified, and going from there. I know those are the two basics to knock out first. I have always tinkered on computers, having replaced laptop screens, replaced hard drives, motherboards, disc drives, and more. I've re-installed OSs more times than I can count. When I have a computer issue, I don't take it somewhere, I figure it out myself. What renewed my interest in this is I finally got to sit down with my new stepfather and discuss his job- he is an IT guy for one of the casinos in Tunica, MS. He was telling about his "big issue" of the day that had him busy at work for hours. He kept saying "You probably am not following me" in his German accent (yes he's German) but I found myself honestly saying, " No no, I understand" every time. After we left my mother's, I turned to my wife and said, "I understood every damn word he said, even despite the accent! Why the hell am I not looking more into IT stuff??" So here I am. By no means a pro, but yearning to learn. A class has just been posted at the local community college to help prepare for the A+ certification, along with an additional class to prepare for CCNA. The classes start January 16th and cost $500 each, plus books, which we all know will be at least $100 each. I have a $1000 bond I can cash in to pay for it... but should I? I've been doing research for the past 3 hours and keep finding folks who say to not bother with the prep classes. Instead just buy the latest updated study book, study the hell out of it, and then go take the test. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. My current job is fine for now, but I definitely don't want to be stuck here for more than another year or two. And since I can't seem to find a job with my BS in Mass Communications, this is seeming like a worthwhile venture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Sharrp SYBIAN Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 I think I've posted about this before, but oh well. I have a renewed interest in becoming A+ certified and also CCNA certified, and going from there. I know those are the two basics to knock out first. I have always tinkered on computers, having replaced laptop screens, replaced hard drives, motherboards, disc drives, and more. I've re-installed OSs more times than I can count. When I have a computer issue, I don't take it somewhere, I figure it out myself. What renewed my interest in this is I finally got to sit down with my new stepfather and discuss his job- he is an IT guy for one of the casinos in Tunica, MS. He was telling about his "big issue" of the day that had him busy at work for hours. He kept saying "You probably am not following me" in his German accent (yes he's German) but I found myself honestly saying, " No no, I understand" every time. After we left my mother's, I turned to my wife and said, "I understood every damn word he said, even despite the accent! Why the hell am I not looking more into IT stuff??" So here I am. By no means a pro, but yearning to learn. A class has just been posted at the local community college to help prepare for the A+ certification, along with an additional class to prepare for CCNA. The classes start January 16th and cost $500 each, plus books, which we all know will be at least $100 each. I have a $1000 bond I can cash in to pay for it... but should I? I've been doing research for the past 3 hours and keep finding folks who say to not bother with the prep classes. Instead just buy the latest updated study book, study the hell out of it, and then go take the test. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. My current job is fine for now, but I definitely don't want to be stuck here for more than another year or two. And since I can't seem to find a job with my BS in Mass Communications, this is seeming like a worthwhile venture. Holy crap i was hoping to find a thread like this Im actually doing my A+ again now :-) A+ can be self studied and learned online. I am doing it with CBT nuggets. it cost 100$ a month but the advantage to CBT nuggets is they have tons of classes including CCNA and CCNP for that 100 you are eligible to take any and all classes you like simultaneously. CCNA is very hard though :-( IDK if it can be self studied like A+ can. For CCNA i would recommend hands on training / in person classes. I tried CCNA and failed at getting certified in it. I will eventually try again and try to go up to CCNP. CCNP certification is where the highest sum of money is in IT. Goodluck Chrees! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuie Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 A+ is easy but now you have to recertify every 3 years...pain... CCNA... That's a tough one. I had it once but never renewed... I have never been in an enviroment were Cisco was prominnent. Linux+ Server+ Security+ MCSE are much more worth your time and money. Don't get me wrong any certification is good, but A+ is the equivelent of a high school diploma in the IT world now. Oh you got A+....what else. CCNA is tough. TestKing.com is your friend... oh my gosh it is your friend!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chreees Posted January 6, 2014 Author Share Posted January 6, 2014 Thanks Stu, I'm going to check that out. Would you recommend I do the A+ first or just skip it and do the others instead? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Sharrp SYBIAN Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 A+ is what you start with it is like the alphabet of IT yes its easy and very boring but companies pressure you to have it. As Stuie said it is the proverbial HS diploma of IT. I am not Familiar with TestKing Stue i have to check that out for sure thank you for that. Be sure to also check out examcollection.com! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuie Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 Chris get A+ but your part time job from this point on will be on getting and maintaining certifications. Server+ and Security+ are wonderful on your resume Linux+ and MCSA are like a golden tickets to some companies If you are going to deal with a lot of end users. MOS is a great certification to have! VMware and Citrix certifications are very good as well as a lot of places are running virtual environments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chreees Posted January 9, 2014 Author Share Posted January 9, 2014 Oh I'm definitely doing it. I want to get as many as I can, and just continuously learn more. When do you think they're going to update the A+ test again? I see this test was updated 2011, and before that it was 2008? I'd hate to start studying for 801 and 802 and then bam, new test comes out... Sent from my iPhone using [URL=http://tapatalk.com/m?id=1]Tapatalk[/URL] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuie Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 Last version was 2006, before that was 2003, then 1999. It's not really consistent on updates Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chreees Posted January 9, 2014 Author Share Posted January 9, 2014 But about every 3 years they change it up? Just wondering if I should wait before spending $40 for the study book and then they come out with a new test this year before I'm ready. If you think I'll be okay I'll go ahead and order the book and start studying. I appreciate all the advice, man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuie Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 Well due to some changes as of this morning.... suffice it to say, I am taking on more responsibility and doing management and implementation. So I am being "encouraged" to get certifications. I am going to start on the MS path with the MTA, MCSA, MCSE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chreees Posted January 13, 2014 Author Share Posted January 13, 2014 Hey man, just more good stuff on the resume! I ordered this book and will start studying ASAP: http://www.amazon.com/dp/007179512X/ref=pe_385040_30332200_pe_309540_26725410_item Also, I was just given my father-in-law's Sony Vaio laptop to fix, so that'll be fun to figure out as well. Shouldn't be too hard to figure out what's going on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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