A+ with Advent

Discussion in 'A+' started by Dougydug, Jan 18, 2008.

  1. Grant

    Grant Bit Poster

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    I've just started A+ Essentials and I must admit the book Advent since is hard going. I'm not stupid but I find myself re-reading paragraphs over and over again to be able to understand them and often feel as if there is some missing informtation that I should have read before starting this bit. I've found looking bit'n'pieces up on the net has helped but I think I'll get the Mike Meyers book as well.

    Must admit I was very enthusiastic when I started last month and thought I'd made the right decision in going with Advent but after starting A+ and then reading the comments on here I'm starting to worry that I've made a huge mistake. I suppose now I've started and spent the money I HAVE to make it work.

    I suppose with all training nothing will suit everyone and you will always have to find your own way to some extent. I'm hoping that when I do eventualy get the qualifications that the sales pitch about finding work comes up with the goods. I've spent 16 years working in the civil service which is a fairly "safe" job and with a mortgage to pay and kids to feed I'm not about to walk away from that unless it's for a much better job i.e. Advent come true on what they said. They told me that when they find a suitable job for you that your are the only one going for an interview for that position and as long as you don't balls up the interview then the job is yours. Has anyone on here got any experience of finding work via Advent?
     
    Certifications: None
    WIP: Microsoft MCDST, MCTS, MCITP
  2. supernova

    supernova Gigabyte Poster

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    I am with Advent.

    They clearly state that the workshops are optional, but they highly recommend that everyone goes to the last 2 workshops in each and every module.

    They also state in there own materials that one should not use any one source of information ie use the internet, test pc's and other books etc.

    The workshops are very useful, also the tutors that can be contacted by phone/email (up to 10pm if i remember correctly or is it 8pm?) are useful, free retakes and of course they do help people find jobs (companies use them because they offer the service for free I believe).

    I must admit i don't like the A+ material that was sent but i still use it with other books.
    I believe the MS material that they send is Microsoft press.... but don't hold me up to that one.

    Andi
     
    Certifications: Loads
    WIP: Lots
  3. Grant

    Grant Bit Poster

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    AndiC, can you provide more info on HOW they help people find jobs. I'm with Advent to and I've heard there sales pitch but I'd like to hear how it has worked for someone who has gone through the process.
     
    Certifications: None
    WIP: Microsoft MCDST, MCTS, MCITP
  4. greenbrucelee
    Highly Decorated Member Award

    greenbrucelee Zettabyte Poster

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    Some Training providers offer placements in the hope the person on the placent gets employed if they don't it doesn't matter as they have fullfilled their end of the bargin, also they might not get you a placement they might just say you do not live in the correct geographical area so they get away with it. It's in the small print I have seen this as someone I know who I could persuade not to go with a tp did and they never got him a job.
     
    Certifications: A+, N+, MCDST, Security+, 70-270
    WIP: 70-620 or 70-680?
  5. supernova

    supernova Gigabyte Poster

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    Advent do try to set you up locally (last time i called they had 16 placements in my home town), however, they do ask you if you willing to move/travel. Sometimes they even ask if you willing to work aboard, some people actually want to do this.

    I believe some of the placements are entry level contract based the idea is you build up experiance on paper,
    so future companies can see.

    However, if you like me i am actively looking all the time anyway ... so i probably wont need to use this service.


    Andi
     
    Certifications: Loads
    WIP: Lots
  6. supernova

    supernova Gigabyte Poster

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    I am not there yet :D .... with any luck i'll have a entry level job in the next few months anyway.

    Geographic's are out of anyone's hands, if there's nothing local how can you expect to get something local :blink

    I wouldn't join advent just for them to get you a job ... no one can guarantee anything in this world. . just consider it backup.

    nor would i if you cant make the workshops.... what's the point !

    Andi
     
    Certifications: Loads
    WIP: Lots
  7. Goldenreaper

    Goldenreaper New Member

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    I have a phone appointment booked with Advent Training on the 1st of September, and i have been reading different things about this training provider, I feel confused :juggle should i go with advent for my CompTIA A+ or just buy the books and CD-ROMS? i don't think i will be able to make to any of the workshops as i live in Nottingham! I am self taught with hardware and software since the age of 13 (I'm now 22), Should i leave myself in the hands of Advent or buy what i need and seek help on here?? :blink

    P.S. how much does the cpp (CompTIA A+) cost??
     
  8. ericrollo

    ericrollo Megabyte Poster

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    Cheaper and better to do it on your own, if not go to a local college its cheaper.
     
    Certifications: MOS Master, A+, MCP 271
    WIP: HND, Programming, Another Job
  9. supernova

    supernova Gigabyte Poster

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    if you cant go to the workshops then it really isnt worth using them as TP , as that is what a lot of there costs cover.

    They don't normally do A+ on its own, its normally A+, MCDST, MCSA, MCSE in one package

    Again its is not not recommended to do all these in such a short space of time without already having the recommend experiance in a working environment.
     
    Certifications: Loads
    WIP: Lots
  10. Goldenreaper

    Goldenreaper New Member

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    Thanks guys i will cancel my appointment and go and buy the books myself :) :biggrin
     
  11. tysfoot

    tysfoot Byte Poster

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    yep i say definetley go self study, i had a sale rep come to my house last year trying to sell me the A+ course for about £2500 to which i quickly shown her the front door

    i passed both exams first time on only the Mike Myers all in one book. including the cost of exams i think everything cost me less than £300
     
    Certifications: A+
    WIP: MCDST, N+
  12. Stevebull

    Stevebull New Member

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    I have done my training with Advent and I have nothing but good things to say about them. The Help and support has been excellent and I have done my ComTIA A+ which has all the official courseware as was explained to me when I joined. They said that they would get me a job once I had completed this and I was slightly jubious. However they got me 2 interviews within the week I completed my qualification and happlily I secured my first job in IT, as a Technician. My salary was really good and almost doubled from when I started the course. Advent Careers helped me with my CV and got the interviews for me and I couldnt have asked for better.

    I have now done my MCSE with Messaging and security specialisms and although I'm not going to say how much I earn it is over £50k per year. I did all this within 2 years and I am thoroughly happy with all Advent have done for me, I couldnt have asked for better!

    There are lots of training providers out there but I have heard some terrible stories- lack of support, paying for exams, made up courseware and you simply dont get the support or recruitment help.

    I can sincerely say it is the best thing that I could have done and although it did cost quite a lot of money it now looks insignificant compared to what I am earning.

    Hope this helps.
     
    Last edited: Sep 2, 2009
  13. zebulebu

    zebulebu Terabyte Poster

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    Excellent. One person who had a great experience with a training provider, to balance out the - oooooh, 746 (or so) who didn't.

    Kudos.

    Hope that helps
     
    Last edited: Sep 2, 2009
    Certifications: A few
    WIP: None - f*** 'em
  14. JonnyMX

    JonnyMX Petabyte Poster

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    Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ... etc

    :lol:
     
    Certifications: MCT, MCTS, i-Net+, CIW CI, Prince2, MSP, MCSD
  15. JK2447
    Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    JK2447 Petabyte Poster Administrator Premium Member

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    Call me pessimistic but with 1 post I can guess who he works for . . . :lol:
     
    Certifications: VCP4, 5, 6, 6.5, 6.7, 7, 8, VCAP DCV Design, VMConAWS Skill, Google Cloud Digital Leader, BSc (Hons), HND IT, HND Computing, ITIL-F, MBCS CITP, MCP (270,290,291,293,294,298,299,410,411,412) MCTS (401,620,624,652) MCSA:Security, MCSE: Security, Security+, CPTS, CCA (XenApp6.5), MCSA 2012, VSP, VTSP
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  16. Shinigami

    Shinigami Megabyte Poster

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    Would be interesting if the admin traced his IP back to the Advent office...
     
    Certifications: MCSE, MCITP, MCDST, MOS, CIW, Comptia
    WIP: Win7/Lync2010/MCM
  17. Gingerdave

    Gingerdave Megabyte Poster

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    Just to throw a spanner in the works. UNless they have changed since last time I was there (about 3 months back) they are giving out the Meyers book in two halves for the A+ course. They have the license to reprint the books, split it in half and give them out.

    So the people who are seeing the Meyers book is much better - it should be the same book...
     
    Certifications: A+,MCP, MCDST, VCP5 /VCP-DV 5, MCTS AD+ Net Inf 2008, MCSA 2008
    WIP: MCSA 2012
  18. greenbrucelee
    Highly Decorated Member Award

    greenbrucelee Zettabyte Poster

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    lol, you actually counted how many bad posts there are about TPs? :D

    Quel suprise :D
     
    Certifications: A+, N+, MCDST, Security+, 70-270
    WIP: 70-620 or 70-680?
  19. supernova

    supernova Gigabyte Poster

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    yes you are correct and they also use mspress, transcender and kaplan. They are okay as a TP, but i would self study at least time is more flexible aswell.

    no i dont work for them :D
     
    Certifications: Loads
    WIP: Lots
  20. supernova

    supernova Gigabyte Poster

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    i still say a lot of people that complain about tps are those who expect a job to be handed to them on a plate and those that take 2 years to complete the 601 then want a refund when all they run out of time. :blink

    I think if you use a TP really do your home work, plan work experiance around it and plan for unexpected surprises.

    because it is true that TPs and colleges do suit some people more than self-study

    PS i wonder how many people give up certs you never hear about that
     
    Certifications: Loads
    WIP: Lots

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