CompTIA A+ Certification Study-Buddy or Study Group

Garr · Post by **Garr** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 12:25 am

Hey,

I'm once again (for like the eighth time) diving into my study for attaining my A+ certification. I'm looking for a once or twice a week study-buddy or organizing a study group to run through the objectives. I am figuring a three month commitment to this.

I have the latest Michael Meyers All-In-One text and I have no problem doing a book swap/share set-up. One person tackles one section, you meet to study and go over the material, then the next person tackles the next section.

I've always found that training/sharing something I've just learned helps solidify it in my long term memory, so that's an ideal situation for me.

The 601 and 602 exams are both $160 each, and I'm pretty sure that IVY Tech administers them. $320 plus $50 for a book is a decent investment considering studies show that A+ cert holders hit a median salary at just under $59k annually. (in the Midwest, you can probably drop that by 10k, though)

Post here or reply via PM. I really want to get started on this.

Thanks,

Garr

bwohlgemuth · Post by **bwohlgemuth** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 8:30 am

I would be interested (now that school is done) but I'd also recommend a Network + cert as well. Those seem to be in much higher demand lately...

Garr · Post by **Garr** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 8:38 am

Most of the sites that I have read suggest that you get the A+ first, then get the Network+ and consider the Linux+ as all are valuable in the IT field.

deek · Post by **deek** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 10:02 am

Honestly, from the group of friends and associates I hang around (network guys from IBM, BAE, GE and Lincoln), they all speak highly of Cisco Certification. Saying that if they had to only go for one cert track, that would be the one to get as that knowledge is so high in demand. I hear its a lot harder of an exam set, but it should get your hired quicker.

A+, Network+ and Linux+ are all nice to have, but the best way to get into technical/networking jobs, IMO, is to know someone already at a company and bring you on. I know so many people that are "techie" people, with no education or experience, that get hired in because they know someone that vouches for them...and once you get that start, then you get the valuable "resume experience" to get hired elsewhere.

Something like the A+ cert should give you a chance to land an entry-level help desk job, although experience is always more valuable...then like in any job, its up to you to prove your worth. I've always followed the method of taking the entry-level job and showing my worth once in the company. Then I take advantage of tuition reimbursement to pick up the supporting certs and degrees (which doesn't do much for me in my current company, but should I leave, I am so much more hireable with the experience and education).

bwohlgemuth · Post by **bwohlgemuth** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 12:13 pm

deek wrote:Honestly, from the group of friends and associates I hang around (network guys from IBM, BAE, GE and Lincoln), they all speak highly of Cisco Certification. Saying that if they had to only go for one cert track, that would be the one to get as that knowledge is so high in demand. I hear its a lot harder of an exam set, but it should get your hired quicker.

A CCNA or CCNP will open doors that you wouldn't believe. 50k to start, plus most companies will pay for your training on DP, CISSP, etc..

A CCIE will pretty much guarantee you 100k+ a year.

deek · Post by **deek** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 1:33 pm

Yeah, those are the types of figures I've heard about as well.

A+, which many support jobs "say" they require, will take you in if you got good references and/or experience. I know three guys working at BAE that are required to have A+ certification, got hired in without it and still don't have it...

So, it all depends on what you are wanting to get out of if and really, what your expectations are. I mean, no one is going to be beating down your door once you are certified:) But, if you are getting it, just to get it, for $100, I'll give you a test and print you a really nice certificate...I'll even give you a sticker and some really long credentials you can put in the signature of your e-mails:)

bwohlgemuth · Post by **bwohlgemuth** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 3:52 pm

What credentials?

Brian Wohlgemuth, MBA, CCDA, former CCNA, HMDM, RSVP, XYZPDQ, TMI.....

Honestly, the best thing to do is get into the industry. I started answering tech support calls at Fort Wayne Internet back in 1995, that was my real baptism by fire...

Garr · Post by **Garr** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 5:00 pm

Well, $300 for a cert is a lot cheaper than $900 for a class. IPFW offers class credit for A+, Network+ and other certs. I'd rather self study for some of these things than sit through a class. Besides that, there is just the personal desire to test myself. I have always enjoyed taking tests and seeing where my skills were.

deek · Post by **deek** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 5:04 pm

For $100, I'll print out whatever you want on the certificate:)

Yeah, I agree, get in the industry first, then worry about they rest of the stuff. I started at an Aon Help Desk, when they were on he corner of Hobson and Coliseum...back in 1996-97, I believe. And now that I think about it, it was only part-time. I sacrificed living in the "black" for sticking it out in an industry that I wanted to be in. I worked part time for about 3 month...barely got by on rent and didn't pay any of my college loans or credit cards...which really sucked balls on my credit ratings...