IT certificate courses/paths you suggest?

Thlorian · 04-08-2008, 08:05 PM

I'm getting ready for a pre-mid-life career change from Business to Programming and will return to college part-time (still work a 40 hour work week) over the next 5 years to obtain a degree in Computer Information Systems. In the meantime, I would like to start slowly picking up a certificate or two each year (perhaps during the summer). Which certificates do you recommend and in what order? I've been told that a good first certification to work on is A++. Is this still available and do you recommend a particular book and/or course to study with?

Thanks for all advice and tips!

=8-)

**Cellus** · 04-10-2008, 03:16 PM

The certification you are looking at is the CompTIA A+ certification (not A++, but I can understand the mix up).

The A+ certification is a vendor-neutral certification (and recognized industry standard) for desktop repair and support.

As for a book, I highly recommend Sybex's CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide. It is CompTIA Authorized Quality Curriculum, and it is loaded with almost everything you need to know for the exams.

As for courses, it is a good idea if you can to obtain education from a reputable source such as a college, university, polytechnic institute, or somewhere which is a part of the CompTIA Learning Alliance.

In the end, make sure you write your exams and obtain your certification from a legitimate and authorized testing center, such as one provided by Prometric.

Thlorian · 04-10-2008, 06:19 PM

Thanks for the good advice and tips. I'll try picking up the book in the next week or so.

Thanks again!

=8-)

98abaile · 04-11-2008, 03:28 AM

What is the advantage of this over, say, the MCDST certification?

**Cellus** · 04-15-2008, 08:41 PM

The CompTIA A+ certification, unlike the MCDST, is vendor-neutral, meaning it does not cater to just one vendor/provider. The MCDST, which is vendor-centric, is specifically geared towards Microsoft products and - while Microsoft is certainly the most prevalent - has much more leaning towards Microsoft products only. EDIT: I should note the A+ certification also has more in it in regards to hardware, and not just the OS than the MCDST.

The "new" Microsoft certifications have yet to be weathered and thoroughly "tested", and as such do not have a lot of weight behind them at the moment. The CompTIA A+ certification on the otherhand has been recognized by everyone in the industry for years and, especially with its recent facelift in 2007, does count somewhat.

Of course it is important to note that no one certification stands tall above all others and it is only with a composition of several certifications does your knowledge as well as your value count for a lot more.

jive_john · 04-26-2008, 08:13 PM

i am also interested in obtaining a degree in information systems the problem is i dont know what college or a tech school such as devry or itt tech to go to? any suggestions

**Cellus** · 04-28-2008, 03:56 AM

Take a look and see what each prospective location offers. See what courses and programs they offer, how much recognition/respect they have (ignore commercials) in the local area, and so forth.

04-08-2008, 08:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
Thlorian Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 25 OS: Win XP	IT certificate courses/paths you suggest? I'm getting ready for a pre-mid-life career change from Business to Programming and will return to college part-time (still work a 40 hour work week) over the next 5 years to obtain a degree in Computer Information Systems. In the meantime, I would like to start slowly picking up a certificate or two each year (perhaps during the summer). Which certificates do you recommend and in what order? I've been told that a good first certification to work on is A++. Is this still available and do you recommend a particular book and/or course to study with? Thanks for all advice and tips! =8-)

04-10-2008, 03:16 PM	#2 (permalink)
Cellus Moderator Networking Team Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 2,388 OS: Windows XP Pro SP2 My System	Re: IT certificate courses/paths you suggest? The certification you are looking at is the CompTIA A+ certification (not A++, but I can understand the mix up). The A+ certification is a vendor-neutral certification (and recognized industry standard) for desktop repair and support. As for a book, I highly recommend Sybex's CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide. It is CompTIA Authorized Quality Curriculum, and it is loaded with almost everything you need to know for the exams. As for courses, it is a good idea if you can to obtain education from a reputable source such as a college, university, polytechnic institute, or somewhere which is a part of the CompTIA Learning Alliance. In the end, make sure you write your exams and obtain your certification from a legitimate and authorized testing center, such as one provided by Prometric. __________________ TSF Networking Team HijackThis 5 Step Process Donate!

04-10-2008, 06:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
Thlorian Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 25 OS: Win XP	Re: IT certificate courses/paths you suggest? Thanks for the good advice and tips. I'll try picking up the book in the next week or so. Thanks again! =8-)

04-11-2008, 03:28 AM	#4 (permalink)
98abaile Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 3 OS: XP My System	Re: IT certificate courses/paths you suggest? What is the advantage of this over, say, the MCDST certification?

04-15-2008, 08:41 PM	#5 (permalink)
Cellus Moderator Networking Team Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 2,388 OS: Windows XP Pro SP2 My System	Re: IT certificate courses/paths you suggest? The CompTIA A+ certification, unlike the MCDST, is vendor-neutral, meaning it does not cater to just one vendor/provider. The MCDST, which is vendor-centric, is specifically geared towards Microsoft products and - while Microsoft is certainly the most prevalent - has much more leaning towards Microsoft products only. EDIT: I should note the A+ certification also has more in it in regards to hardware, and not just the OS than the MCDST. The "new" Microsoft certifications have yet to be weathered and thoroughly "tested", and as such do not have a lot of weight behind them at the moment. The CompTIA A+ certification on the otherhand has been recognized by everyone in the industry for years and, especially with its recent facelift in 2007, does count somewhat. Of course it is important to note that no one certification stands tall above all others and it is only with a composition of several certifications does your knowledge as well as your value count for a lot more. __________________ TSF Networking Team HijackThis 5 Step Process Donate! Last edited by Cellus : 04-15-2008 at 08:43 PM.

04-26-2008, 08:13 PM	#6 (permalink)
jive_john Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: ohio Posts: 43 OS: Xp	Re: IT certificate courses/paths you suggest? i am also interested in obtaining a degree in information systems the problem is i dont know what college or a tech school such as devry or itt tech to go to? any suggestions Last edited by jive_john : 04-26-2008 at 08:14 PM.

04-28-2008, 03:56 AM	#7 (permalink)
Cellus Moderator Networking Team Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 2,388 OS: Windows XP Pro SP2 My System	Re: IT certificate courses/paths you suggest? Take a look and see what each prospective location offers. See what courses and programs they offer, how much recognition/respect they have (ignore commercials) in the local area, and so forth. __________________ TSF Networking Team HijackThis 5 Step Process Donate!