CompTIA A + has a total of four exams and sections to study, but you only have to pass two of them to be thought of as qualified. Because of this, many educational establishments stick to just two options. However, training you in all four will help you to build a far deeper level of understanding of your subject, which you’ll come to realise is essential in the commercial world.
As well as being taught how to build and fix computers, students on an A+ training course will be taught how to operate in antistatic conditions, along with remote access, fault finding and diagnostics.
If your ambition is taking care of computer networks, add the very comprehensive CompTIA Network+ to the CompTIA A+ training you’re doing. Including Network+ will mean you can command a more senior job role. Other ones that might be interesting to you are the Microsoft networking qualifications (MCP, MCSA and MCSE).
The classroom style of learning we remember from school, involving piles of reference textbooks, is an up-hill struggle for the majority of us. If this sounds like you, dig around for more practical courses which have a majority of interactive, multimedia parts.
Research over recent years has repeatedly confirmed that getting into our studies physically, is proven to produce longer-lasting and deeper memory retention.
Find a course where you’ll receive a selection of CD and DVD ROM’s - you’ll be learning from instructor videos and demo’s, with the facility to fine-tune your skills in fully interactive practice sessions.
All companies should be able to show you samples of their training materials. Expect video tutorials, instructor led classes and interactive areas to practice in.
It doesn’t make sense to choose training that is only available online. Because of the variable quality and reliability of your average broadband company, it makes sense to have actual CD or DVD ROM’s.
Quite often, students have issues with one area of their training which is often not even considered: The breakdown of the course materials before being sent out to you.
Drop-shipping your training elements one piece at a time, as you complete each module is the usual method of releasing your program. While sounding logical, you should take these factors into account:
Many students find that the trainer’s usual training route doesn’t suit. Sometimes, a different order of study is more expedient. And what happens if they don’t finish in the allotted time?
To be in the best situation you would have every piece of your study pack posted to your address right at the beginning; the entire thing! This way, nothing can happen down the line which could affect your progress.
Be careful that the exams you’re considering doing will be commercially viable and are bang up to date. Training companies own certificates are usually worthless.
Only properly recognised qualifications from the top companies like Microsoft, Adobe, CompTIA and Cisco will open the doors to employers.
It can be a nerve-racking task, but getting your first job can be eased by training colleges, through a Job Placement Assistance service. However sometimes this feature is bigged up too much, for it’s really not that difficult for a well trained and motivated person to get a job in the IT industry - as there is such a shortage of qualified personnel.
Help and assistance with preparing a CV and getting interviews should be offered (if it isn’t, consult one of our sites). It’s essential that you bring your CV right up to date right away - not after you’ve qualified!
Having the possibility of an interview is more than not being known. Often junior jobs are got by trainees (who’ve only just left first base.)
If you’d like to get employment in your home town, then you’ll probably find that a specialist independent regional recruitment consultant or service could work much better for you than a centralised service, due to the fact that they are much more inclined to know the jobs that are going locally.
A good number of trainees, apparently, conscientiously work through their course materials (for years sometimes), only to give up at the first hurdle when looking for the right position. Promote yourself… Do your best to get yourself known. A job isn’t just going to bump into you.
(C) 2009 S. Edwards. Visit www.learninglolly.com/A_Training_Courses.html or A+ Certification.
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