A Random Question For Those In IT/Tech Field

[SylphSorc]

I just got my Associate in Computer Sciences and I am looking at taking the CompTIA A+ certificate exam. As well as other certificates. Yet I heard the A+ is a hard test to take. Being as it is quite pricey I got a question.

Has anyone taken this exam here? If so, how hard was it truly?

By just got I mean I graduate at the end of this semester. Let me clarify that.

[chalion]

It will have outdated info on it and you'll wonder why you are learning it. Then one day you will go onsite to a client who doesn't want to spend money on upgrading their infrastructure and you will be happy you learned at least a little bit about outdated technology.
What specifically do you want to do in IT ? Do you want to hardware ? Do you want to do programming ? My recommendation is learn a *nix platform and get really good at scripting languages to control multiple servers at once. Thats where the big money is. Also nepotism to get your foot in the door and then always be willing to do something new (Carefully) or keep learning new things to bring to the table to excel. Being a computer janitor sucks unless you find a sweet job that you can dick around all day while still making a decent amount of cash.

[Hazado]

Being a computer janitor sucks unless you find a sweet job that you can dick around all day while still making a decent amount of cash.

Truth!

[SylphSorc]

I truly don't know where I want to be. I am good at programming in the sense I pick it up rather easily and it makes sense to me. Yet I've fucked around with hardware my entire life, ya know? Have gotten pretty good with C++, C#, and a bit of Javascript as well as some Ruby. Not to mention I've worked with several versions of Linux with Fedora being the one Wake Tech seemed to use the most. Might even go to get a Bachelors and work while doing so. Once my health improves anyways.

[chalion]

Yes, keep getting a high and higher degree because this will open a lot of doors if you don't have an in already. Depending on where you live or want to live will also play a role in what is available. Getting an A+ wont hurt but unless you want to be a field tech or low level help desk guy its not going to do you any favors in the long run. It's good to know the basics no matter which direction you go but you'll pick them up doing the more advanced stuff either way. If you like coding that is usually pretty easy to get into if you have a decent portfolio, make a couple of projects for yourself and make the code public/documented etc and use it on your resume.

[Whirlin]

Don't close the door on other stuff either... I'm now in the IT space, but I have an accounting undergrad/graduate degree.

Started out in Audit, moved to IT audit, moved to IT Security, moved to IT Risk management, moved to Governance, Risk, and Compliance configuration. Ironically (wonderfully), on the RSA Archer platform.

[Red]

I have taken the A+ test in 2009 and forget the edition. CompTIA tests are not your typical multiple choice and offer several choices that would fit. When I took it the certification was two tests and from what I can recall there was a lot of questions on form factor. Make sure you study and I would like to say the best way to study is to fail it first, or at least what I tell people when they fail.

As for a career look into digital forensics!

[SylphSorc]

Wow a lot to consider. I appreciate all the wonderful advice. You guys rock. :)

[Malisai]

A+ and Security+ certifications are shit. Dont take them. They dont amount to anything and any employer who thinks they are worth anything is an idiot.

If you are going to spend money, get something like the CCNA security cert or another CCNA cert.

The A+ cert is basically, identify the parts of a computer and very low level facts about networks and security. This is high school level shit. Security + is basically history and ports (really).

The problem with these two certs is that they dont really test anything an employer would want their employee to know and it does not say you have skills worth using. Putting these two on your resume is like the people who put that they know word, excel and can type 30 wpm on their resume.

The Network + cert is only slightly better, with the problem is that it only really gets you to the point to install a home wireless router, which is something most people can do.

Seriously, the vast majority of CompTIA programs are scams.

Go get yourself a cisco/MS certification. If you co cisco opt for the full CNNA instead of the one thats half a CCNA (forgot the name of it).

if you DO decide to get the A+/Network+/Security+ certs, buy the books, study for a week then take the test.

For example one of the "skills" measured in a security + cert test is "apply and implement secure network administration principles & procedures", it does not do that. Thats the people who sell the test trumping it up.

Seriously these suck and they do not demonstrate that you know any useful skills. If the person you are talking to is impressed by these, RUN, they dont have a fucking clue what they are talking about.

If you really want I can provide you with my CompTIA number thing so you know that im not talking out my ass. I let it lapse since the cert wasnt worth the upkeep.

[subzero]

A+ is pretty easy. To help study for these type of certs, Transcender.com has some good practice exams.

[caelric]

Unless you are a 'rockstar' dev/programmer, the big money is in cyber security these days. I was told the unemployment rate for cyber security qualified folks is about 0.035%, which basically means there are three guys in Kansas that don't have a job, and that's only because they don't want to move.

If you do want to get into cyber security, you will want your BS in a related field (comp sci is good, as it shows you are well rounded in computers) and then think about certs like CEH, GCIH, etc... Once you get some experience, go for your CISSP, as that is worth quite a bit, salary wise.