Training Advice

Oh man! Ad-blocking software has been detected! :'(

This website is run by the community, for the community... and it needs advertisements in order to keep running. Blocking our ads means your killing our stats!
Please disable your ad-block, or become a premium member to hide all advertisements and this notice.

Hey all,

First time posting on here, hope someone can help me out with this.

I was on the phone with Advent Computer training today, as I am looking to gain some qualifications in IT. I only graduated from University last year with a BSc in Mathematical Physics, but I didn't like it much to be honest, so Im looking for a new career path.

I liked the sound of the Advanced Networking Specialist Course they offer, which include the following qualifications:
* CompTIA A+
* Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP)
* Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST)
* Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA)
* Microsoft Certified System Engineer (MCSE)
* MCSE: Security on Windows Server 2003
* MCSE: Messaging on Windows Server 2003
* Cisco CCNA Network Associate (CCNA)

Then came the price......just under £6000! They told me after completing the CompTIA A+ course that I would be able to work full time while studied, and that I could defer the payment for 12months interest free, then pay it back.

Now, this is obviously very expensive, and I was wondering, is the only way to do these courses via a distant learning medium like this for this price? Or am I able to do it myself for cheaper, and as effectively? If I've got a very good chance of getting work after the CompTIA A+ course, then surely I can do it myself for cheaper while still working....

What do most people here do? I don't want to find myself in more debt than I already am, if I can't get a job at the end of it all.....

Any help is appreciated guys!
Chris

 

Oh man! Ad-blocking software has been detected! :'(

This website is run by the community, for the community... and it needs advertisements in order to keep running. Blocking our ads means your killing our stats!
Please disable your ad-block, or become a premium member to hide all advertisements and this notice.

All of those certifications for 6k ? seems a bit far fetched, thats years and years worth of work there to get every single certification in that list.

It's cheaper to self study, buy some books and just progress down the list as you feel fit.

 

Yes, you ARE able to do it yourself for cheaper. See all the certifications in my signature line? I got every one of them through self-study and/or real-world IT experience - I have yet to take a training course. You can do the same!

Can you do it more effectively? That largely depends on you and what resources you avail yourself of (this forum, for example - we are here to help). Everyone studies differently, but classes tend to slow me down, not speed me up. Plus, with a class, I'm studying on someone else's schedule, not mine.

The training center isn't going to tell you this... but you shouldn't be pursuing advanced certifications like the MCSA, MCSE, or CCNA without first getting real-world IT experience. For example, Microsoft recommends 6 months of experience doing server administration in a domain environment - not just 6 months in IT, but 6 months doing that job (which isn't typically what most entry-level techs do). And after being in IT for a number of years, I agree with their recommendation. So you've got a ways to go before you need to consider the MCSA (or, even farther, the MCSE and CCNA).

In truth, having advanced certfications can make it MORE difficult, not LESS difficult, for you to get your first IT job. Employers with MCSA/MCSE-level and CCNA-level jobs won't hire you because you don't have experience, and employers with entry-level jobs won't hire you because they don't require someone with a bunch of upper-level certifications who is likely to be more expensive, or at best, won't stick around very long.

So what certifications should you pursue? I'd recommend knocking out the A+, Network+, and MCDST... and no farther until you build experience.

Welcome to the forums!

 

what he said ^

Welcome to CF

 

Hi Chris, I too was offered that course from Advent and almost went for it. Thanks to this forum I self studied for the A+ and passed a few weeks ago. I'm now half way through the N+ book and looking for my first IT job...

Good luck with it all