IT Study Advice

Orion21 · 23 Jul 2013 at 23:27

I am looking into doing some training in IT to help further my knowledge and possibly aid me in work etc as well as looking good on a CV.

Can anyone advise a good starting point regarding courses to look at for a relative beginner (I use computers a lot but no programming or specific skills in networking, troubleshooting or any other areas), however I like to think that I have a decent ability with computers and can figure out the basics if needed.

In researching I came across things such as CompTIA and Microsoft Certification, are these worth considering? Or are there other qualifications / training methods that would be better?

I want some study method that results in a qualification / certificate of some sort though.

Lunawolfy · 23 Jul 2013 at 23:56

You can study towards an MSCert in operating Systems, SysAdmin, CCM etc.

CCNA is about as good as it gets network wise, I'm unsure about CCNA thru a vendor as I've always used Cisco Net Acad.

Others may have tried it tho =]

Crizzy · 24 Jul 2013 at 07:57

People will recommend Comptia A+ and N+ which are quite good as they are non vendor specific. What area of IT are you looking at getting into?

MowyTone · 24 Jul 2013 at 08:21

IT is quite a broad spectrum. What sort of things are you looking at?

Examples:
1st line support / helpdesk - general support
application support
networking
QA / testing
hardware / client services
ESM / software distribution
Windows server support / admin
Unix / Linux support

Stone22uk · 24 Jul 2013 at 14:09

Im in a similar situation, pretty much need / want some more qualifications to help me get a new job , I seem to be stuck here >> 1st line support / helpdesk - general support, iv asked to do different roles within the company i work for but it never seems to happen and im finally fed up of waiting and enduring vague excuses.

I was looking at CCNA on a learn from home scheme, but read that the course is due for a over hall / update and the exam / course will change later this year, is it worth starting the course now or waiting till later this year when the course has changed?

@Orion21, sorry for stealing your thread seems silly to have 2 for pretty much the same thing.

Thanks

satanicguardian · 24 Jul 2013 at 15:29

Crizzy said:
People will recommend Comptia A+ and N+ which are quite good as they are non vendor specific. What area of IT are you looking at getting into?

^ This - comptia A+ cover all the major aspects of hardware, software, troubleshooting and networking + internet and network protocols, I found them very handy!

I may have erm *cough* some course material if you want to have a browse

Orion21 · 24 Jul 2013 at 20:18

Sounds like CompTIA A+ might be worth looking into as I want an all round approach that would be useful if I were to go for entry level or so IT jobs.

After that or perhaps instead of if there is a course leading to a qualfication or the like I would also be interested in attempting to learn programming. This would be with the aim that in the longer run it may allow me to create things such as websites, apps / programs to automate and speed up work (if I can think of where it is needed and how to do it

). Where would I start for this?

I should say I have no intention of working in IT, I just thought I would do an IT qualification out of interest to improve my skills and it may allow me to help out more

.

MowyTone · 25 Jul 2013 at 07:50

Orion21 said:
I should say I have no intention of working in IT, I just thought I would do an IT qualification out of interest to improve my skills and it may allow me to help out more .

Eh? Why 'help out' and not get paid for it, when you can get paid for it?
Quite confused about this.

Note: All the fun stuff in IT is in the back room where only staff go

satanicguardian · 25 Jul 2013 at 09:11

MowyTone said:
Eh? Why 'help out' and not get paid for it, when you can get paid for it?
Quite confused about this.

Note: All the fun stuff in IT is in the back room where only staff go

IT can make you a lot of money OP, people pay for people like us to fix their stuff, I've noticed people aren't bothered about price in general, as long as it works

Raumarik · 25 Jul 2013 at 10:21

IT isn't just about fixing stuff, that's a very narrow perspective. It's about everything from training to development, from "fixing stuff" to penetrationg testing.

OP needs to have a think about what he/she would really like to look into then aim the course at that, CompTIA may help with support roles but it probably is next to useless for others. Mowytone hits it on the head, you need to narrow down your field of interest to ensure qualifications add value to your CV rather than simply making it look like you're grasping at anything.

DiscoDave · 25 Jul 2013 at 10:30

OP, you need to have a think of which area you want to get involved in - "Training in IT" covers hundreds of different courses.

What are your interests?

edit: Oh

Orion21 said:
I should say I have no intention of working in IT, I just thought I would do an IT qualification out of interest to improve my skills and it may allow me to help out more .

I don't see the point in you doing any courses then. Pointless the devalue these certifications for everyone else taking them. Just work on office and spreadsheets then.

Raumarik · 25 Jul 2013 at 10:36

Should have refreshed before I replied then! lol

General MS office courses probably best then..

Admiral Huddy · 25 Jul 2013 at 10:57

Halfmad said:
IT isn't just about fixing stuff, that's a very narrow perspective. It's about everything from training to development, from "fixing stuff" to penetrationg testing.

OP needs to have a think about what he/she would really like to look into then aim the course at that, CompTIA may help with support roles but it probably is next to useless for others. Mowytone hits it on the head, you need to narrow down your field of interest to ensure qualifications add value to your CV rather than simply making it look like you're grasping at anything.

This.

For example, our IT is split between four main areas:

Operations - maintaining and providing day-to-day functions and procedures
Development - Project and Application programming
Network and Server support - Maintaining networks and Servers.
Desktop Support - User front line and PC support.

Each of these areas may have separate sub-areas depending on the systems and applications being used.

My advice is to see if you can get some on job training or an apprenticeship where by you not only can acquire some practical skills but to understands the overall structure of an IT dept. This may help you make a decision as which area suits you best.

Orion21 · 27 Jul 2013 at 22:59

Is there any good qualification that would give me an all round taster to help me to identify an area I like?

I'm unlikely to move into IT, but would like to be more IT aware and to study it out of interest. That's not to say I won't and I feel it would help make me more mobile jobswise (and for job security) if I can do both a general business / office role and provide some form of IT support.

Depending how that goes I may choose to progress further or not. I'll admit I don't know a lot about the various areas of IT.

Mr-White · 28 Jul 2013 at 11:36

Orion21 said:
Is there any good qualification that would give me an all round taster to help me to identify an area I like?

It's such a broad area I doubt there is one, you'll probably need to spend some time googling and create yourself a giant IT chart with all the areas, products and technologies beneath. - that would make an awesome thread if you could achieve that !!!

MW