Too much info please help!

Discussion in 'New Members Introduction' started by AArcher, Jul 19, 2008.

  1. AArcher

    AArcher Nibble Poster

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    Hi all
    I've been wanting to change my career from sales into I.T. for a while now but have been getting quotes from many different companies and not sure even if this training will help me get a job! Mainly it's been Computeach and Seek learning I've been getting the best quotes for trianing up to MCSA or MCSE grade.
    I have great knowledge of I.T. as I've self taught myself from an early age but obviously have had no luck in finding a job as they want either experience or qualifications. Im heading towards network engineer or similar but there is so many different course etc!
    Also I have been looking to take the CompTIA 2006 A+ course myself to get a taster but how do I find exam centers in Kent ?
    Cheers all
    Alastair Archer
     
    Certifications: None
    WIP: CompTIA 2006 A+
  2. Davidus

    Davidus Nibble Poster

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    Hi Aarcher

    Fraid I cant you much with regard to training providers. The concensus here is to go with the self-study route, but if your the type who requires assistance (and of course if you have the money) then by all means go with a training provider. As for the best one, I'm afraid I'm not the best person to ask, sorry.

    BUT I may be able to help with locating exam centres. If you go with a training provider (TP's) then they will assist you with locating an exam centre, however, if you go self-study route, then I suggest looking up the web sites for Pearson VUE, and Prometric, as these are the companies that provide the exam centres throughout the country. They will help show the whereabout of the nearest test centre for you, and will give a guide to the prices of exams, but you can get discounted vouchers elsewhere on the net.

    I forget where from though, and I'm sure there will be others who can readily volunteer this info, but PM me if you want more info on this and I will find out for you.

    Best of luck in your studies and welcome to CF.
     
    Certifications: EDCL (don't laugh)
    WIP: 70-536, Comptia A+
  3. UCHEEKYMONKEY
    Honorary Member

    UCHEEKYMONKEY R.I.P - gone but never forgotten. Gold Member

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    Hello & Welcome to CF!

    First I would say ignore what the trining providers tell you and go with what your heart and gut feels like!8)
    Because at the end of the day, only you know what you really like and want to do! Yes there's too much information when trying to enter IT.

    From what you have said, you'd be better going for Comptia A+ (the basics in hardware and software) it's a good starting point in the certs and builds confidence in how and what hardware and software is. Then you could go for Comptia N+ networking. The good thing about Comptia is your not tied down to one type of provider such as cisco or microsoft products.

    For some reason CT doesn't use comptia certs they tend to go the microsoft route such as MCP > MCDST > MCSA > MCSE> You could be looking at £5K in debt and still not get a job!

    If networking is the way you want to go then Comptia A+ > Comptia N+ is a good starting point then you can decide to specialise and take MCSE or Cisco or Comptia server+

    Good Luck in whatever you decide!:biggrin
     
    Certifications: Comptia A+
    WIP: Comptia N+
  4. AArcher

    AArcher Nibble Poster

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    Thanks for your help seems to be the best thing I've done join this forum since looking into I.T.
     
    Certifications: None
    WIP: CompTIA 2006 A+
  5. UCHEEKYMONKEY
    Honorary Member

    UCHEEKYMONKEY R.I.P - gone but never forgotten. Gold Member

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    Your Welcome!:biggrin

    I would also recommend having a look at the following thread. It's posted in the A+ section of the forum and has suggestions on what books to use and post number 3 by nugget has the links to the exam centres.

    Comptia A+ books and Resources

    It will give you a good starting point!:biggrin8)
     
    Certifications: Comptia A+
    WIP: Comptia N+
  6. AArcher

    AArcher Nibble Poster

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    ermmm I'm more thinking of going the self study way now as it would be a good "taster" to see whether I am really cut out for it or whether I like it. I think the only benefit of Computeach is that they help finding a job and considering I was told I'd be made redundant last week that is a plus but also I've been told that once your CompTIA 2006 A+ certified its easier to get a 1st line support job.
     
    Certifications: None
    WIP: CompTIA 2006 A+
  7. onoski

    onoski Terabyte Poster

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    Considering your current circumstance it would be in your best interest financially to buy the books and a computer and start studying the self study route. At the end of the day a cert would not give or guarantee you a job.

    You can also look at it from the view point that you're learning and getting hands on too, which would decide whether you're given the chance of a 1st line helpdesk support role. I'd go with the self study route and save any hard earn cash for the rainy day and other important immediate financial commitment.

    I have been in the trap of borrowing to study and after two years battling in debt with no one willing to even give me a helpdesk role. I did of course not know of this wonderful forum at that time hence my dilemma.

    Best wishes as a little said is enough for the wise:) but ultimately the choice is yours to the making. Welcome to CF:)
     
    Certifications: MCSE: 2003, MCSA: 2003 Messaging, MCP, HNC BIT, ITIL Fdn V3, SDI Fdn, VCP 4 & VCP 5
    WIP: MCTS:70-236, PowerShell
  8. greenbrucelee
    Highly Decorated Member Award

    greenbrucelee Zettabyte Poster

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    I agree with the others, go the self study route you'll save thousands and like onoski says no cert can gaurantee you a job and neither can any training provider like computeach. They have a get out clause which they can use and you get no come back.

    Welcome to CF :)
     
    Certifications: A+, N+, MCDST, Security+, 70-270
    WIP: 70-620 or 70-680?
  9. AArcher

    AArcher Nibble Poster

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    Cheers all for your help!
    I've just ordered some books now from my local bookshop thankfully whilst im on here my friend was in town!
    so got some jean andrews books and mike meyers as well and going to hit them hard and see how I get on and I got a feeling I will be on here a lot!
    Cheers for your help and lets see if I can find a 1st Line support job out there!
     
    Certifications: None
    WIP: CompTIA 2006 A+
  10. onoski

    onoski Terabyte Poster

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    Glad to hear you made the choice of self study and do feel free to ask questions on this wonderful forum if you do get stuck. Best wishes and cheerio:)
     
    Certifications: MCSE: 2003, MCSA: 2003 Messaging, MCP, HNC BIT, ITIL Fdn V3, SDI Fdn, VCP 4 & VCP 5
    WIP: MCTS:70-236, PowerShell
  11. Davidus

    Davidus Nibble Poster

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    A minor point (if I may). I'm not supporting TP's nor criticising them, but to be fair, Computeach do now include Comptia certs in their (slightly exorbatantly priced) packages which they tack onto the microsoft learning routes.

    Just thought I should mention this :)
     
    Certifications: EDCL (don't laugh)
    WIP: 70-536, Comptia A+
  12. UCHEEKYMONKEY
    Honorary Member

    UCHEEKYMONKEY R.I.P - gone but never forgotten. Gold Member

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    Thanks for the update Davidus, :biggrin I was only going by experience of what a salesman told me when I applied to do one of their courses back in 2006! Luckly I found Certforums and had the sense to go the self study route!:biggrin

    I guess they must of introduce the comptia certs into their packages? :blink8)
     
    Certifications: Comptia A+
    WIP: Comptia N+
  13. Davidus

    Davidus Nibble Poster

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    Hi

    Just seeing how you're faring and wondered how it was going?

    Best of luck

    Davidus
     
    Certifications: EDCL (don't laugh)
    WIP: 70-536, Comptia A+

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