Sunday, January 10, 2010

Computer Training in CompTIA - Update

By Jason Kendall

CompTIA A + has a total of four exams and areas of study, but you only need to get certified in 2 to qualify for your A+. Because of this, many educational establishments simply offer two. But allowing you to learn about all 4 options will provide you with a much wider knowledge and understanding of it all, something you'll appreciate as a Godsend in professional employment.

Once you start your A+ computer training course you will develop an understanding of how to work in antistatic conditions and build and fix computers. You'll also cover fault-finding and diagnostic techniques, both remotely and via direct access.

If you would like to be a man or woman who works for a larger company - fixing and supporting networks, build on A+ with Network+, or consider the Microsoft networking route (MCSA - MCSE) because it's necessary to have a wider knowledge of how networks work.

We need to make this very clear: You have to get round-the-clock 24x7 instructor and mentor support. We can tell you that you'll strongly regret it if you don't follow this rule rigidly.

Find a good quality service with proper support available at any time you choose (even if it's early hours on Sunday morning!) Ensure you get direct access to tutors, and not access to a call-in service which takes messages - so you're constantly waiting for a call-back at a convenient time for them.

The very best programs tend to use an online 24 hours-a-day service combining multiple support operations throughout multiple time-zones. You will be provided with a simple environment which accesses the most appropriate office irrespective of the time of day: Support when you need it.

If you opt for less than online 24x7 support, you'll quickly find yourself regretting it. You may not need it in the middle of the night, but consider weekends, early mornings or even late evenings at some point.

An all too common mistake that students everywhere can make is to concentrate on the course itself, and take their eye off the desired end-result. Training academies are brimming over with direction-less students who took a course because it seemed fun - in place of something that could gain them their end-goal of a job they enjoyed.

It's possible, for instance, to obtain tremendous satisfaction from a year of studying only to end up putting 20 long years into something completely unrewarding, entirely because you stumbled into it without the correct level of soul-searching at the beginning.

You need to keep your eye on where you want to go, and formulate your training based on that - avoid getting them back-to-front. Keep on track - making sure you're training for something you'll still be enjoying many years from now.

Obtain help from an industry professional who appreciates the market you're interested in, and will be able to provide 'A typical day in the life of' synopsis of what you'll actually be doing day-to-day. It's sensible to understand whether or not this is right for you long before you commence your studies. After all, what is the point in kicking off your training only to discover you're on the wrong course.

The sometimes daunting task of landing your first computer related job is often made easier by training colleges, through a Job Placement Assistance service. It can happen though that there is more emphasis than is necessary on this service, for it's really not that difficult for well qualified and focused men and women to find work in this industry - because companies everywhere are seeking qualified personnel.

Help with your CV and interview techniques is sometimes offered (if it isn't, consult one of our sites). Make sure you work on your old CV today - don't leave it till you pass the exams!

Getting your CV considered is more than not being regarded at all. A decent number of junior positions are bagged by people in the early stages of their course.

The most reliable organisations to help you find a job are normally local IT focused employment agencies. Because they make their money when they've found you a job, they'll work that much harder to get a result.

A big grievance for a number of training providers is how hard trainees are prepared to study to get top marks in their exams, but how ill-prepared they are to market themselves for the job they have trained for. Get out there and hustle - you might find it's fun.

A so-called advisor who doesn't dig around with lots of question - chances are they're actually nothing more than a salesman. If they push a particular product before looking at your personality and current experience level, then it's definitely the case.

Remember, if in the past you've acquired any qualifications that are related, then you will often be able to pick-up at a different starting-point to someone who is new to the field.

If this is going to be your opening crack at an IT exam then you may want to start with a user-skills course first.

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