A+ Certification and Other IT Certs Question

[marianne202]

Ok, so I need to pick the vast knowledge of those here with IT certs or experience. My son, who is a HS junior, has completed the necessary course requirements to take his A+ certification. This exam is offered at a discount through the school. He is getting set up to take it, but I'm wondering exactly what this will enable him to do? What other certifications should he look at getting and how should he go about studying? His main goal is to get a job with Staples or Geek Squad type of thing while he finishes school for computer animation / game design or similar. He is already doing an internship type thing in school and fixing the school and teacher's computers. I thought it would be good for him to know both software and hardware sides for more skills and employability, but this really isn't my realm. Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated. He will start taking his college courses this summer, so I would like to see him get any certifications out of the way before then if possible. Thanks in advance for your help!

[TMW2010]

The A+ is the basic tech level certification. CompTIA also has more advanced certs like Inet+, Security+, Network+ and so on.

The A+ is a good start. Just make sure he gets it before 2011. After this year, CompTIA is changing the certification to expire after three years, requiring a renewal fee and test.

When I took my A+ back in '99, it was slightly outdated. (They hadn't changed the test since '93, and it showed.) I've heard that the newer versions have been better about having current content, but I haven't had personal experience. And the format of the test has changed as well. For my Cert, there were 2 tests, the General test and the Windows OS elective. (It was funny that they called it an elective, as there were no other elective choices for the longest time)

The General test had mostly hardware specific questions on it, several questions about the types of bus, memory, processors, printers, hard drives, and safety (that section I bombed... *zzzap*)

The Windows test had specific questions on Windows (duh.) How to do specific things (no shortcuts, they wanted you to do it 'correctly', even if there was a simple way to do it.)

I didn't really study for the test, as I was running on about 10 years professional experience, with another 7-8 of tinkering with computers on a personal level. For my other Certifications, I found the Exam Cram books to be great.

Another Certification that your son might want to consider is one of the Microsoft Certs for OSs... LIkely the only choices will be Vista or Win7, I'm not sure if they have retired the XP exam - Even though XP is likely the main OS he'll be dealing with if working in a Geek Squad type environ.

The other one that I'd consider to get him a leg up is the Linux+ from CompTIA..

[The_Professor]

I have worked in the IT sector for over 20 years and I can advise with relative certainty based on my experience that for someone starting in IT the A+ certification is an excellent starting point. From there I would consider moving on to Network+ which is also a well-regarded vendor-neutral certification, both of which will serve him well in pursuing entry-level positions such as with Geek Squad, CompUSA, as well as tech support and help desk type roles. If he continues to want to move up the IT ladder I would consider moving on to Security+ and then perhaps the Cisco CCNA which is a highly-regarded vendor-specific certification that is definitely a door opener and a strong differentiator. One can never go wrong these days with strong networking and security credentials. However, if he is interested in computer animation and game design, then at least getting A+ and Network+ under his belt would be a sound strategy. I hope this helps...

[marylynh]

I'd agree with the comments above. I received my A+ cert. back in '99 as well. They had recently changed the format of the test to exclude questions on Macs This is probably why they had only the Win OS option.

I wouldn't let testing discounts dictate what subjects your son studies, but I would look into that further.

Any certifications will demonstrate knowledge in lieu of experience.

Good luck to your son! :iagree:

I'm considering enrolling in TESC. Here's hoping they consider my MCSE and A+ certs. for credits.

[dark_dan]

I think I got mine in 99 too!

A+ is a good start, but it never got me anywhere by itself. I suppose it might have helped me land that internship I had, but I think currently being enrolled in a program at college had more to do with that.

I don't know about A+ now, but back then I thought it was basically a joke. Good starting point and confidence/resume builder, but don't rely on it.

[TMW2010]

I think I got mine in 99 too!

A+ is a good start, but it never got me anywhere by itself. I suppose it might have helped me land that internship I had, but I think currently being enrolled in a program at college had more to do with that.

I don't know about A+ now, but back then I thought it was basically a joke. Good starting point and confidence/resume builder, but don't rely on it.

A lot of places seem to require A+ for hiring eligibility for techs just starting out these days.

I don't know about A+ now, but back then I thought it was basically a joke.

I agree... I took both tests in under 15 minutes total. About 7 minutes per 90 question test. But I will say that the cert has been helpful to me, and was a good compliment to my MCSE+I.

I agree with the Prof about the Network+... I think that would be an excellent Cert to get if one is starting out. Personally, I hated the Networking Essentials & TCP/IP tests... The CCNA I think is a bit of overkill unless you know you're going into a Cisco house, though the fundamentals are useful anywhere, you'd get pretty much the same info from going after the Network+.

The Tech field treated me well, but I'm ready to GTHO of it after 20 years... Hehe

[The_Professor]

The CCNA I think is a bit of overkill unless you know you're going into a Cisco house, though the fundamentals are useful anywhere, you'd get pretty much the same info from going after the Network+.

I do not use much the knowledge gained from my CCNA in my daily activities as a Project Manager at a data center and colocation provider, however, I can say with relative certainty that this was the cert that got my foot in the door and differentiated me from my competition. Even if I don't use it much in carrying out my daily job functions, I gain respect from being able to walk the talk with the hardcore techies in the company and with our customers. Also, Cisco as well as Microsoft, HP (and others) certified personnel are desirable for companies that maintain channel partner relationships as there is direct monetary value gained in having certified employees on their rosters. Additional food for thought in planning one's certification track and strategy.

[billchrz]

Look at the MCDST (Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician). Instead of Staples/Geek Squad, look into interning for a large company...this will look much better on a resume than the others.

FYI In the IT community, the Geek Squad is not held in very high regards

[marianne202]

Thanks for all the great info. I know geek squad isn't great, but we live in a very tiny rural town and there really aren't any tech jobs here. We have a Staples in the next larger town and he would rather work there than flip burgers. I will have him look at the network+ certification too. He really is a whiz with computers and he loves them. I'm just trying to get him started off on the right foot, so he won't have too much trouble getting a job to help pay his way through college.

[categ]

Good post, marianne202. My son has just started with some computer certification program. No idea which one. I am copying the post here and sending them to him so he can get a better idea of the best route to take.

Thanks.