I have no experience but want to do a MS cert..

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I want to get into first line IT support and like to do a MS cert... as I dont have experience I was planning on taking a course. The outlinr of the course is as followed:

Through theory and practical activities you will develop your understanding of the PC and its operation. Typical topics covered include:
General microprocessor principles
PC configurations and system components
Assembling and testing a PC
Demonstration of fault finding tools
Introduction to operating systems and the BOOT process
Principles of storage devices & interfaces
Home & small office networking
Introduction to laptop repair
Troubleshooting techniques

Do you think after this course which is worth nothing on paper.. would prepare me to do a relevant MS cert?

 

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Juelz,

On looking at your previous posts, last month (25th May) you said that you had just received the Mike Meyers book for the compTIA A+ certification, are you not planning on continuing with this as you are now talking about doing a different course followed by an MS Cert

 

Ive spoken to many people who said id be better of with an MS cert and ive looked on jobs in firstline and not one mentions comptia but they sll mention an MS cert! Sorry for poor grammar im typing from my phone and its difficult

 

Pretty much all those points sound like material covered by the A+. Are you sure they say that course is geared towards a Microsoft certification? If so, which one, because I don't know of any Microsoft track that focusses on those that much.

 

It's not any of the MTAs is it?

 

Lol yeah at this course is geard towards comptia a+ but it seems like a veary good indepth course.. at the college you gotta do this course before they let you do the comptia.. which they are charging £285 per course (201 & 202 are separated into Individual courses) so in total including the first course you gotta do its like near £800... for a cert I never see asked for on job descriptions...

 

The cert may not appear in job descriptions but that doesn't mean its not worth having, the majority of jobs are advertised by recruiters rather than IT managers and as a whole the recruitment world has never really got the hang of certification.

Managers know and respect, if not the certification itself, at least the desire and drive to improve your skill set.

 

As far as I'm aware from what the ones I've studied, none of that is emphasised by any of the MTA paths. Some parts are touched on where the knowledge is expected anyway to understand their topics, like server hardware. A+ is very Windows centric in its operating systems and troubleshooting syllabus, and the MTA exams really build on what you learn there. This, I presume, is why Microsoft, like Cisco, actually recommends A+ anyway for preparation for their pathways.

Whether you choose to sit for the A+ exam is not of intrinsic importance, it's the knowledge and grounding in the fundamentals that the syllabus offers that is most valuable. From that point of view, and especially if you are the kind of person that learns better in a classroom setting, this college course would seem to work well to prepare you for more specific study.

After this, particularly if you are going to be working for Windows dependent employers, the base exam that Microsoft do for entry-level would be the 70-680, Windows 7 Configuration (or the new Windows 8 equivalent). After that, they get progressively more specialised and are best suited to career advancement after sufficient experience.

 

This is an aspect of certification that is rather unhealthy, certs in most cases don't get you a job, despite the marketing from the vendors that says they do. Its knowledge and skills that get you the job, and if the course will give you that for a reasonable price then go for it.

If you like to self study then the A+ isn't hard, and you could get it for £250, so really its down to you and how you like to learn and spend your money.

You could take the courses for £600, seems like good value providing you get decent amount of quality tuition and learn better in a classroom.

Advanced professional courses can cost treble that for a few days, so make the most of cheap college training.

After that its upto you if you take the exam, personally I've never taken the A+ and don't feel the need, however for an extra £250 its probably still worth you taking it if you've never worked in IT.

 

You have to start somewhere, I did the old A+, then they retired it halfway through the study, so studied for the new A+, what you have mentioned is even newer than that. In terms of material, I youtubed (at the time) professor messor, combined with an A+ book, sat the exam and passed. I would even go as far as to say its something that you need (foundation if you will) sets you up for other exam styles.