Thinking of getting A+, Network +, and MCP

csimmons · September 30th, 2002, 03:07 PM

Hey everyone!

I have been reading tons of self-study material and I really want to take my A+ test. It will be my first certification. I almost got my CNA last year, but missed it by just a couple questions. Anyways...I had a few questions...

1). Are their any good places online too look for jobs? I have been trying monster and hotjobs but I can't find anything for an A+ Tech. Or are thier just no jobs available?

2). I have no "real-world" work experience in the IT feild. Is there any place I could look for internships or anything like that that would get me any experience to put on my resume?

3). Do you recomend taking any courses before I take my exams? I have been browsing around and I have found a few that don't look so bad, but most are a little more money than I really want to spend. Any advice?

Thanks for the help!

vass0922 · September 30th, 2002, 03:45 PM

A+ In my opinion at least, will help get your foot in the door for a stepping stone job. Most anybody that eventually ends up in networking starts out at a sort of helpdesk type job.. whether it be fixing PC's at best buy, or working as a helpdesk support at a corporation. Outside of that, its good for general tech knowledge but won't necessarily get you the big jobs (given you don't open up a store of your own doing PC Tech). After that you'll need more networking certs. Myself I don't have any certs but I have a pretty good job... although my case is different seeing as I do network support + programming for the network so they don't require as much Exp on the networking side

CSimmons, what area are you in? If you're in a college many times the Uni will help you get internships etc. (internships I believe require you to be in school at the time)

csimmons · September 30th, 2002, 05:08 PM

Actually, I am not taking classes this semester, but I go to Eastern Michigan Univ. Our school doesn't have a very great IT program. Right now, I am on a Business track, but I am really thinking of switching. I considered going to a technical school, or even just going to community college and get my grades up and possibly transfer to Univ. of Michigan. I think I would really like network administration and that kind of stuff.

vass0922 · September 30th, 2002, 05:23 PM

ahhh good ol' Ypsilanti

Never been there, but I went to school at Central

lol

Dunno about tech schools, a good number of jobs I've seen in the higher pay ranges look for a BS in CS "or equivalent experience" which takes quite some time to build up. So possibly go to a CC for a bit, then transfer to a larger school like the UofM.
Central has a pretty decent IT program IMO, however not sure how much it is for networking.. it was great for CIM (Computer Integrated Manufacturing.. which was my major back then)

csimmons · September 30th, 2002, 05:43 PM

Oh yeah, Ypsi is great! LOL...I live in Ann Arbor now and just take the bus to EMU campus everyday. It might be cheaper to live in Ypsi, but its also a little scarier! lol

But thanks for the help! I think I will persue my A+ and talk to Best Buy and other computer places around here and see what they might have to offer me as far as a job. I am just hoping I can get some little job at the helpdesk even so that I can start my work experience.

vass0922 · September 30th, 2002, 05:45 PM

Also talk to the school, they often have a helpdesk to help new users coming into the campus .. or for their computer labs

Yeah .. heard ypsi isn't exactly 'the ritz' :/ lol
BUT ya got ann arbor for things to do.. ya gotta drive 2 hours from Mt. Pleasant to do anything

lol
other than bars and casino

csimmons · September 30th, 2002, 05:48 PM

Yeah, I need to go to the Technolgy Dept. at school here and see what they can offer. But sometimes I wonder if they even know what they're doing...lol

Yeah, a friend of mine is going to Central now and she is always complaing about the lack of things to do out there. I need my big city life

sixf00t4 · September 30th, 2002, 06:02 PM

i got my associates in computer management while i was in highschool, and my A+ Cert. Vass is right by saying the good jobs look for ATLEAST a BS in CS "or related field" hence, U of Pitt for me. but my A+ did help me get my foot in the door at some good helpdesk jobs, and i have worked my way up to Team Leader now at an ISP. you can't really do much with an A+ and associates, you need a BS, but if you want to work a "decent" job while going to night school or something in the mean time for your BS, then it helps

hope that helps! and welcome to TECHIMO!

csimmons · October 2nd, 2002, 03:28 PM

Well thanks a lot for the advice guys! I am looking into some programs at school right now. I think I am defiently gonna stay at Eastern and work on my BS and try and get my A+ too. Maybe I can get some little job at Best Buy to get me started. Thanks again!