- = A+ Certification - Prognosis Anyone? = -

I live in the Stamford CT area and seek to get into the system build/repair/support sector of the Information Systems industry. The last 5 years have not been kind, as I think I suffer from a combination of "lack of necessary skills" and "inability to interview worth a damn".

My salary has languished around $24-25K for the last 5 years and seems to be no prospect for going higher.

My answer? Certify for A+ Technician repair. The sector of the industry I would like to work most is that of helping end-users, and repairing and building computers. I have tried taking programming courses and know that coding is NOT what I want to do for a living

I would like to know if A+ Certification will be the jumpstart to my career and getting me out of the financial doldrums.

Thanks,

Chris

 

You might even visit the Library and check the papers from other large cities. See what slaries are listed for what you want to do.

I don't know that you'll find that career to be high paying. Now a computer engineer can make big bucks. But you've got to understand how they work down to the electronic level.

 

I would think it will help. I was in the same situation as you. I live in Boston. I went into the A+ program and also the MCSE program. It helped. The key however, is experience. Find a way to get it. Find old PC's and networking equipment that may be obsolete elsewhere and build a network at your home. Break it and fix it. No one is going to help you. You have to get the experience...on your own.
You may also want to seek on line training? It helped me also. Self paced..web based training in the Computer / IT industry.

Good Luck~!

[Edited by murphybc on 01-24-01 at 10:03]

 

Thanks Murph-

Actually, I learn best not in a "self-paced" environment" (I tried taking NTWS at Career Blazers that way, could not maintain focus), but rather, where I am lectured in a traditional class room setting.

I am only hoping that the Continuing Ed A+ program I start in March will have at least some PCs for hands on builds and teardowns as you suggested.

As far as MCSE work is concerned, I relegate that to the engineering grads out there. I tried it, could not muster up the cell power for it.

Thanks,

Chris