InsideTech

I am a 18 year old who is currently studying for the A+ Certification exam. I know for a fact I can pass it because I am studying using the TestOut program and made a 98 on the Typical exam on A+ and IT Networking. What I would like to know is how far the certification will take me and is it worth my money?

Shadrac says ...

I feel any cert you can achieve is worth it. I don't think A+ alone will get you far, but it does lead you into getting more certs like Network+, MCP, MCSA, etc...

Getting your foot in the door with a job is the key IMO.

After I received 5 certs, I still heard experience, experience, experience.

 

Cool, I am also studdying for Network+ so hopefuly in my first three years of schooling I'll have a few certifications!

A + and Network + are considered basics for entry.  In addition to practical experience. 

I spent 10 years working in electronics and FCC compliance testing before I went for certification.  Primarily because people kept bugging me about it.  In the job market right now that isn't enough; though now I have 20 years of experience and I am 2 general classes from a BS in Management.  And my associate classes were in programming and I am doing now on my own. Go figure....

roniolson says ...

A + and Network + are considered basics for entry.  In addition to practical experience. 

I spent 10 years working in electronics and FCC compliance testing before I went for certification.  Primarily because people kept bugging me about it.  In the job market right now that isn't enough; though now I have 20 years of experience and I am 2 general classes from a BS in Management.  And my associate classes were in programming and I am doing now on my own. Go figure....

Like I said to the other Shadric, I am also working on my Network +. The help is very much appreciated.

Guru42 says ...

In an IT job I had awhile back the company was looking for a way to establish "basic" technology skills in defining job positions, and it was decided everyone in the department had to take the A+ and Network+ test as the minimum requirement for the job.

Since that time I have gathered a few other certs along the way. I have often wondered just how much value the certs have.  I would never tell someone not to get a cert, because it does establish a baseline of knowledge.  On the other hand, I don't think the cert itself is a deal breaker.  Many interviewers will give their own tests.

The problem with the A+, and to a lesser extent the Network + is they get dated.  I say I am A+ certified, so do you.  How much DOS do you know?  Any at all?  When I took the A+ exam there was a fair amount of DOS and command line on it.  Doubt there is any at all right now. 

The A+ is a lead in to an MCP, and thats where it has value.  Once you get in the study mode, see what other tests may have similar subject matter.  I took the A+ and the MS MCP (it was W2K Workstation when I took it) at the same time.

I also took the Network+ and the iNet+ on the same day (a few weeks after taking the A+).  Again not sure how much value the iNet+ has, but the additional effort to get it once I had studied for the Network+ was not all that much for me.

My good sir, the test now has only a few DOS commands such as using 'msconfig', 'regedit' and so on. The A+ I am studying for only asked for the mainly used commands and some of there extensions. Mostly what would be needed while Windows is stable, none while I'm in the Command Prompt of a unstable computer. I had to learn that seperatly.

Guru42 says ...

So what are your thoughts on having "versions" of the A+ and Network+ tests based on when the test was written or developed?

Such as A+ 2009, or Network+v9?  Would that add value? 

Or is it a given, that someone like me, that has taken these tests nearly 10 years ago probably should have some advanced certs by now which would make the  A+ and Network+ less relevant?

I'm not sure what that would mean. It does make sense that an older test, that is growing with the years and being updated, should leave people who have passed and certified in the past wondering. I figured that they should have harder tests and certifications that would make the A+ seem less relevant, not that the test is getting older... Do you not have to go back in to retake the test to keep yourself up to date with the test and it's changes?

When I was in the navy I worked with some very smart people. They could recite the manuals forward and backwards and got 100% on every test they took. But put a screwdriver in their hand and they couln't figure out whether to turn the screw clockwise or counter clockwise if their life depended on it. Beware of the technician who has a wall full of certificates. The backyard mechanic is still your best bet.

Shadowguard says ...

When I was in the navy I worked with some very smart people. They could recite the manuals forward and backwards and got 100% on every test they took. But put a screwdriver in their hand and they couln't figure out whether to turn the screw clockwise or counter clockwise if their life depended on it. Beware of the technician who has a wall full of certificates. The backyard mechanic is still your best bet.

That sounds to me that those people dont have the Engineer type of mindset. I'm cursed with it, so yea I can build and invent pretty neat things if I want but I still trip over my own feet thinking about stuff. But hey, if I had the choice between a booksmart know-it-all or a clumsy engineer, I'd choose the Engineer. Besides, I pay attention to people with strong personalities, so I expect people do the same with me.

To me I honestly hate the A+ cert  a 12 yearold can get it with a few hours of study (not event hat but i'm TRYING to be nice) to me its a waste of a couple hundred bucks to get a cert that in all honesty to me is a waste of time. Its an easy test really and all it says about the person is you can crack a computer case open and replace parts. Which once again any 12 yearold can. Now as one person said though it could help you get intot he swing of studying which you will need for some of the other certs that are out there that can be a real nightmare to get.

JeffEmon says ...

I have a Network Engineering Degree, and have no certs, but Experience IS THE KEY! I say this because you can spend a cheap $1000 to get a MSCP on a crash course, when I interview a person I look at the resume for experience and accomplishments before what certs they have. My advice is to not go for the LARGE company right away because you will be fighting against 100's of your peers to get up the ladder, find a smaller company get your TRUE experience (It may be a lower pay, but will work out over time. certs are always good depending on the companies requirements) and start from PC trouble shooting, to Server trouble shooting and get to know the REAL applications like VERITAS/Symantec’s backups/replication, Virtualization, phone systems, Exchange, TS administration, FTP and how to manage them, then when you want to start moving to a larger company, they will look for you!

-Jeff

Thanks Jeff, I was wondering not but a few days ago what would be good first job areas to seek out. This comment helps alot.

Guru42 says ...

If you look closely at certs like the A+ and the Network+ you will see that they are used to validate what you may have already learning in the field.

I took both the  A+ and the Network+  tests after having been in the field for many years.  When I took the tests the A+  was based on a technician that has been in the field for 6 months, and the Network+ was based on a technician that had been in the field for 2 years.

The problem with some of these boot camps and papermill certification organization, is they do not live up to the standards set up by the certifications themselves, in terms of validating field experience, instead of something instead of field experience.

I have seen a lot of well meaning organizations that have taken folks that have just lost their job and sent them through these papermill certification organizations.  Not only does it create certified people who have no experience, it also creates certified people who have no real passion for their career.

As Shadowguard describes in his post, there are many people who have the knowledge, (or as some folks call it, "book smarts"), but can never apply that knowledge to the practice of their profession.  Unfortunately I have seen this often as well.

Wisdom, is the combination of knowledge and experience.  That is true in any field. 

 

That will be something I take to heart. Thanks for the concern. I'm hoping to get a job at a Best Buy or Staples soI can put what little I do know from 2 years in school to ues and have some experience to work on. I know I have the "book smarts" but I wont fall in that pit of having only that, I want experience and I want to start getting it now. It's just here in Alabama, my area is have econamy issues and it's hard to get a job when your still in school and looking for that first job...