Newbie Looking for advice

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Hi All
I thought I would give this forum a whirl to see if I can get some much needed advice. After working for over 8 years in call centers where I have gained great hardware knowledge of PCs and Laptops along with of course all the OS's I have finally decided I need something to show for all this. I previously worked as a 2nd tier support for 2 of the largest computer companies in the world through outsourcing. I am currently in a managerial role but I am looking to get back into the techie side. I am interested in the network side of things but there is a hitch! I am not a book reading guy as I have tried doing A+ and MCSE through books but find it very difficult. I like my learning more interactive and would like some suggestions on how to procees. Should I do A+ first and go from there or just start with N+? Any suggestions that you may have on where to start and how to proceed would be much appreciated. Look forward to all your replies.

Thanks
Smiley

 

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I'd go for A+ first to cement all that knowledge you've aquired over past years, and filling in any gaps. If books are not for you, maybe try video training, such as CBT Nuggets, I used them for my A+ and found them very good indeed. When I didn't feel like reading etc, I stuck on a video. In all honesty though, you will still need to read the books, even moreso when you start talking about higher level MS certifications.

 

Hi Welcome

You can get video training from preplogic but they are quite expensive and as said above start with A+ then N+ you should not do the MCSE untill you have years experience working on and implementing network operating systems

 

Welcome!

Unfortunately, when studying for exams, the best study tools available are books. You can give video training or classroom training a try, but it'll be a lot more expensive.

If you've already gotten a bit of experience, the A+ and Network+ shouldn't be that difficult for you to knock out in short order. If you happen to learn anything new along the way, that's great... and you'll have the certifications to show you have the knowledge.

 

Greetings, Smiley. Welcome to CertForums. Michael is right in that you will never get completely away from text-based resource material...even if you get it from the Internet or in eBooks. That said, you can augment your studies with videos as suggested previously. Of course, the best way to learn to do something is to do it. A wee study lab at home can help a great deal, but you'll need to invest in the hardware and software. Of course, it is an investment in your future. Good luck.

 

Hi Folks
Thanks for all your replies on this. You all probably think I am being a bit lazy but its worth a try. I have the A+ for dummies book but what would you all advise on the best books to do the A+ and N+? I wopuld like something with plenty of test questions if possible.

Thanks
Smiley

 

No, I don't think you're lazy. Some people just don't like reading through books, and that's cool.

I'd recommend avoiding A+ for Dummies. Had a co-worker fail an A+ exam TWICE using it. After I suggested she use the A+ All-in-One Exam Guide by Meyers (latest is Sixth Edition), she passed EASILY.

 

Hi BosonMichael thanks for your info on this. I will try and track this book down and give it a whirl.

Thanks again
Smiley

 

With all the recommendations for this book here, I'm thinking of picking up that book. I don't know even how much studying I'd need to do, but if a few hours would add a quick cert, it can't hurt.

More importantly, WELCOME Smiley... I think you'll really find this site helpful. I perused the forums for a few days before deciding that I should be more than a lurker. I think the information shared here is invaluable, and everyone seems very cool and very respectable.

 

It's an amazingly thick book. That said, it's worth the read.

 

With that said, after knocking out my 290, which I aim to do after finals and before the new year, I think I'll grab that book. After all, it wouldn't hurt... then again maybe it would and I'd spontaneously combust like a Spinal Tap drummer... now I wouldn't like that at all.

 

Hi there and welcome