Comp TIA A+

windheaven · 6 Feb 2018 at 17:57

I know that most of you are i.t/computer enthusiasts that probably boast a plethera of knowledge but I was just wondering how many I.T professionals are out there and which can help me.

Although ive been around computers since i was 12 i've only gained knowledge and skills to solve basic computer problems I can assemble and upgrade a computer install and play around with OS's set up a basic network and so forth. But now I want actually get into the I.T industry as technology and computers are one of my passions and wish to grow my skills further more. Ive done a lot of research on this and found that the first entry level step is to really take the Comp TIA A+ exam as well as find some work experience as a desktop technician maybe. I was wondering was sort of learning/studying regime i should take? Perhaps buy books? find online training videos do self study or take one of those expensive intensive training courses that are designed to certify you within a week or weeks.

Just to set something straight iam 32 years old my past work experience has been Retail and some property development on the side but in all honesty im looking for something more interesting and enjoyable to do and i like computers so i wish to take a career change.

Any information and Advice on how to proceed would greatly be appreciated

thanks.

Jimbeam3678 · 6 Feb 2018 at 18:20

windheaven said:
I know that most of you are i.t/computer enthusiasts that probably boast a plethera of knowledge but I was just wondering how many I.T professionals are out there and which can help me.

Although ive been around computers since i was 12 i've only gained knowledge and skills to solve basic computer problems I can assemble and upgrade a computer install and play around with OS's set up a basic network and so forth. But now I want actually get into the I.T industry as technology and computers are one of my passions and wish to grow my skills further more. Ive done a lot of research on this and found that the first entry level step is to really take the Comp TIA A+ exam as well as find some work experience as a desktop technician maybe. I was wondering was sort of learning/studying regime i should take? Perhaps buy books? find online training videos do self study or take one of those expensive intensive training courses that are designed to certify you within a week or weeks.

Just to set something straight iam 32 years old my past work experience has been Retail and some property development on the side but in all honesty im looking for something more interesting and enjoyable to do and i like computers so i wish to take a career change.

Any information and Advice on how to proceed would greatly be appreciated

thanks.

If you have retail experience and IT skills of some sort you would get an entry level job on a Epos support desk .... Probably paid around 20 - 23K in the North.

explicit4u · 6 Feb 2018 at 18:34

Dont bother paying for any resources for A+, you seem to know your way around a computer so most of it is going to be stuff you've come across before albeit in slightly more detail.

I used Professor Messer's videos and managed to work my way through them in a couple of weeks. There's nothing too tricky in there but there's quite a bit to remember so take some notes as you watch them, and anything else to help remember key points.

There's plenty of practise tests online for free so once you feel confident take a few of those and when you're regularly scoring in the high percentages go ahead and book a slot for the exam. There's plenty of places that offer discounted exam tokens, and if you know anyone with a .edu email you can get some good discounts. iirc A+ is split into two exams so you can do them one at a time or study for both and take them back to back, I did the former.

1st line support/technician is what most people go into when they first join the IT industry. My advice is to do some research on the company/work environment as tech support in some places is extremely boring and monotonous (glassdoor is a good start for employee reviews). From IT support you can move to pretty much anywhere within the IT industry, see which modules take your interest and maybe go for another certification after your A+. Personally I did Network+ and will be moving onto Cisco certs later in the year, depending on how my interviews go.

There's been a few threads about it in the careers section so dig them up and have a quick read too.

NewGamer11 · 6 Feb 2018 at 18:45

I don't know if your age would be seen as a negative? I don't work in IT though so can't say definitively.

I did A+ a while back (I let it lapse) and like @explicit4u I read one of the all in one books (look this up on CertForums, which is a decent resource), watched all of Profesor Messer's videos and did some practice tests. It's not a difficult exam and you sound like you've got a similar level of knowledge to me. The only bit that is 'difficult' for me was remembering certain facts which may come up on the exams like RAM speeds, number of pins on processors and stuff but questions on that are only a fraction of the exam. I did both exams in one morning at a local college and the women on reception were surprised I did them on the same day and knocked them both out in about half an hour each.

FoxEye · 6 Feb 2018 at 18:50

Jimbeam3678 said:
If you have retail experience and IT skills of some sort you would get an entry level job on a Epos support desk .... Probably paid around 20 - 23K in the North.

Thing is, down here you can get an entry level 1st line job on that wage with no qualifications and hardly any IT experience. If you can follow a flow-chart you can get an entry level job here. Technical knowledge is just a bonus, making you a bit over-qualified lol.

To that end, I wonder if the CompTIA qualifications are any use at all... I have the Net+ one, but it certainly never helped my get a job or affected my rates of pay. I think they're probably a bit worthless in all honesty.

DJ85 · 6 Feb 2018 at 18:50

I’m currently going through my A+, I booked it through one of the learning academies. Just work through it online at my own pace. If you don’t want to spend the money there are many book and practice tests online. I have booked on to a+,network+,security+,CEH. And I’m 31 I don see I much as a negative so far. I want a change of career into IT also

Shoeyuk · 6 Feb 2018 at 18:56

I did the a+ years ago as it was an option to do at college, initially it helped get a job and I have not renewed the qualification since as employers were more interested in experience.