Need some career advice.

Martin_Man · 8 Feb 2012 at 13:39

I can't really afford to quit my job to study full time so I am looking at studying online instead. I would like to get into computer repair and was thinking about doing a course to get my CompTIA, A+ & Network + certificate. What are your personal opinions on these? Are they recognisable? I get refused office work all the time because of my work background (I was a Groundsman), so I need something that will show all these companies that I am more then capable of using a computer.

Martin_Man · 8 Feb 2012 at 14:24

anyone?

. The course is £855 and I don't want to make the wrong mistake

Marmot · 8 Feb 2012 at 14:30

I did both my A+ and my N+ when I was younger. Unfortunately the A+ didn't teach me much (I already knew how to build computers and diagnose basic faults). The N+ provided me with a good entrance into basic Networking concepts. Unfortunately I found Networking boring and am now studying Economics at Durham.

As for whether or not they are industry recognised, they won't compare to Microsoft or Cisco certs, which are far more valuable. They are, none the less, useful.

Martin_Man · 8 Feb 2012 at 14:37

Osprey said:
I did both my A+ and my N+ when I was younger. Unfortunately the A+ didn't teach me much (I already knew how to build computers and diagnose basic faults). The N+ provided me with a good entrance into basic Networking concepts. Unfortunately I found Networking boring and am now studying Economics at Durham.

As for whether or not they are industry recognised, they won't compare to Microsoft or Cisco certs, which are far more valuable. They are, none the less, useful.

For someone with little experience building and repairing computers would you say this would be a good start? I love learning about computers. I love web development but seeing as it is getting even more competitive these days, I now want to focus on my next choice and keep that as a hobby.

anything I don't mind · 8 Feb 2012 at 14:42

Seems a bit expensive at £855. What does that include and how long does it last, you realy have to be careful with some of these cources because you can get ripped off very easily.

You might be cheaper just purchasing a cbt nuggets or train signal course and then going directly to comptia and purchase the test and do it online. Might work out cheaper. I don't know though i have never paid for pc certs.

Marmot · 8 Feb 2012 at 14:44

Yes in that case it would certainly be a good start. It will teach you all the basics. You could also look into doing a CCNA, which as far as I know: doesn't require prior knowledge, is part-time, and is more highly regarded.

You sound like you'd both enjoy and benefit from the CompTIA courses, as for whether they are worth the money, thats for you to decide. A mountain of information about both can be found on Google. Sorry I can't be more helpful.

Martin_Man · 8 Feb 2012 at 14:47

groen said:
Seems a bit expensive at £855. What does that include and how long does it last, you realy have to be careful with some of these cources because you can get ripped off very easily.

You might be cheaper just purchasing a cbt nuggets or train signal course and then going directly to comptia and purchase the test and do it online. Might work out cheaper. I don't know though i have never paid for pc certs.

I was looking at studying with ICS. I Seen an advert so I thought they may be good. As well, there are additional costs for the exam so I think you might be right there trying to rip me off. What are the cbt nuggets and train signal course you mentioned?

Osprey said:
Yes in that case it would certainly be a good start. It will teach you all the basics. You could also look into doing a CCNA, which as far as I know: doesn't require prior knowledge, is part-time, and is more highly regarded.

You sound like you'd both enjoy and benefit from the CompTIA courses, as for whether they are worth the money, thats for you to decide. A mountain of information about both can be found on Google. Sorry I can't be more helpful.

This is great advice, thanks! I shall look into it now.

LordSplodge · 8 Feb 2012 at 14:52

Buy books, study at home and then pay to do the exam. Will save you a fortune. These grainy companies rip people off.

Not sure computer repair is a field I'd like to go into though. Perhaps anything else IT related with more prospects?

Martin_Man · 8 Feb 2012 at 14:55

LordSplodge said:
Buy books, study at home and then pay to do the exam. Will save you a fortune. These grainy companies rip people off.

Not sure computer repair is a field I'd like to go into though. Perhaps anything else IT related with more prospects?

Well other then web development and computer rapier, I don't know what else I'd be familiar with.

GravyMonster · 8 Feb 2012 at 14:57

LordSplodge said:
Not sure computer repair is a field I'd like to go into though. Perhaps anything else IT related with more prospects?

Exactly my thoughts. £855 seems quite expensive for the course, added to the fact that computer repair isn't exactly a fulfilling, well paid or long career path.

Marmot · 8 Feb 2012 at 14:57

LordSplodge said:
Buy books, study at home and then pay to do the exam. Will save you a fortune. These grainy companies rip people off.

Not sure computer repair is a field I'd like to go into though. Perhaps anything else IT related with more prospects?

This is good advice. Especially the second part.

GravyMonster · 8 Feb 2012 at 15:01

Martin_Man said:
Well other then web development and computer rapier, I don't know what else I'd be familiar with.

Web development would have much better career prospects, but would require a lot more knowledge than computer repair. It would also mean with little/no commecrial experience you would start at the very bottom and work up.

If you really want to do that, then it's much easier to get started buy yourself. Decide first what aspects of development work you enjoy - whether design, front end development (such as HTML, and Javascript) or back end (such as ASP.Net, PHP or Ruby). And then start learning and practising in your own time.

Martin_Man · 8 Feb 2012 at 15:05

Spunkey said:
Web development would have much better career prospects, but would require a lot more knowledge than computer repair. It would also mean with little/no commecrial experience you would start at the very bottom and work up.

If you really want to do that, then it's much easier to get started buy yourself. Decide first what aspects of development work you enjoy - whether design, front end development (such as HTML, and Javascript) or back end (such as ASP.Net, PHP or Ruby). And then start learning and practising in your own time.

Well I have familurised myself with wordpress, html, css and basic php but I don't seem to be getting anywhere with it (I hold a certificate for basic web development and knowladge of HTML 5.0 and CSS). My friend did teach me a little about Javascript but found this far to complex.

Marmot · 8 Feb 2012 at 15:11

Martin_Man said:
It's hard deciding what path to take as there are so many different areas to IT. What would you say is more compelling?

Everyone will have their personal preferences, doesn't mean they are right for you. I was told by many people that Networking offered an interesting and varied position which paid well and individuals with qualifications were in demand. Turned out it wasn't for me. Personally, I also think that Web Development and Software Engineering sound mind numbingly boring too. Many would disagree with me.

Pestilence · 8 Feb 2012 at 15:16

£855 for A+ and N+ is a complete rip-off. Both of those are attainable qualifications with some truly excellent books and interactive study guides out there that'll cost less than £200 all in.

You just need to discipline yourself and enforce the study time.

Ev0 · 8 Feb 2012 at 15:21

Osprey said:
Everyone will have their personal preferences, doesn't mean they are right for you. I was told by many people that Networking offered an interesting and varied position which paid well and individuals with qualifications were in demand. Turned out it wasn't for me. Personally, I also think that Web Development and Software Engineering sound mind numbingly boring too. Many would disagree with me.

Agree with this, there are so many different areas to choose from, what you will like could be totally different to someone else.

Martin_Man · 8 Feb 2012 at 15:28

Osprey said:
Everyone will have their personal preferences, doesn't mean they are right for you. I was told by many people that Networking offered an interesting and varied position which paid well and individuals with qualifications were in demand. Turned out it wasn't for me. Personally, I also think that Web Development and Software Engineering sound mind numbingly boring too. Many would disagree with me.

See, I am quite happy spending 10 hours in front of the screen learning about web development and how to make different web sites, It's just when it comes to comparing myself to graduates who have gone to university and built up a perfectly good structured portfolio, I can't compare myself to any of them and get turned down every time. I do really need to have a hard think about what area of IT I want to get into. I am just trying to go with what I know.

Martin_Man · 11 Feb 2012 at 11:08

Just found this course for BTEC Computer Engineering. What do you guys think? I'm thinking about doing the deluxe course if this is good. I’ve also contacted a couple of places to see if I get work experience along side this course to gain hands on training as well.

DJMK4 · 22 Feb 2012 at 17:42

Spunkey said:
Exactly my thoughts. £855 seems quite expensive for the course, added to the fact that computer repair isn't exactly a fulfilling, well paid or long career path.

I have given my brother (Martin_Man) advice of trying to get some work experience somewhere which will give him something to add to his CV, although I am a firm believe of studying yes, but at the same time, look for jobs/work experience within the sector to get your foot in the door.

mufc802 · 22 Feb 2012 at 18:38

Martin_Man said:
Just found this course for BTEC Computer Engineering. What do you guys think? I'm thinking about doing the deluxe course if this is good. I’ve also contacted a couple of places to see if I get work experience along side this course to gain hands on training as well.

That course is level 2, I believe that is GCSE level. It would probably be very basic stuff.