Training provider or self study??

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Hi!

I have only just joined up to CF and would realy appreciate some help, this subject has probably been covered here a dozen times before and I will be having a look but any extra info from anyone who has been in a similar situation will be received gratefully.

I have used computers for years to some extent but now I want to learn all there is and hopefully turn it into a career. I have set my sights on the compTIA A+ certification as a start with the aim of getting a foothold in the IT industry, then hopefully move onto further creditation like N+ and cisco. Im having trouble deciding on my next move. Do I go for a training provider (I've been looking at skillstrain and advent) or do I go for it on my own????

My 2 main reason for considering a TP are the recruitment services they offer and the hands-on practical experience it is claimed they provide. I have never worked in IT before and would like a course that offers genuine classroom tuition along with theory.

I had an interview with a skillstrain saleswoman and she claimed to have me in a work placement as soon as A+ is passed. Does anyone have experience of this from any TP??

Thanks for reading all!!!!

[mod edit bluerinse - post approved]

 

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Hi there lostboy,

You will find out, if you take the time to read some of the past threads in the training and development forum that most of the veterans to certification here promote self study as opposed to going with a training provider. The reasons for this are many and varied but number one is that you will save a bucket load of money and the potential for disappointment is avoided.

Do a search on here for the names of the providers you listed and make your own mind up.

I used a training provider in Australia and i really wish i hadn't, as i quickly realised that the material that is covered in the courses does not even get close to preparing you for the related exams. You will end up doing most of the learning on your own, regardless of whether you go on a course or not. Oh and they went out of business half way through my MCSE!

I have read way too many horror stories from people attending various training providers, that i am now very leery of all of them. If you do decide to go with one, please, for your own sake, do proper research! - don't be hoodwinked by what their respective sales people preach, most of it is hogwash, as they are salespeople after all.

Good luck,

Pete

 

Another vote for self study.

 

Welcome to CF and go the self study route as you'd learn a lot that way and it shows initiative.

 

Agreed. Self study all the way.

 

I've only taken 1 exam - and I'm voting or self-study all the way also.

 

Thanks for the advice guys, I think I probably am going to head down the self study route, at least for the A+ exams.

I am just a little worried that employers won't consider the level of hands-on practical experience I will have by then enough to land my first job in IT. Does anyone here have experiences like this??

Thanks again everyone, your advice is priceless!

 

also as a training provider...the maths is simple
book = cheaper route
training = more expensive but time effective route

also you get a lot more kudos and door openings if you have the official training under your belt,

both companies you have mentioned bear no real difference from going to amazon, and getting some books so probably not a good company to put your future in the hands of, for the record, one of the companies (mm starts with the A) you have mentioned has some of the worst courseware i have ever seen...

we are training an individual stitched up like a kipper by them...he's doing well with us tho...

this site supports two different types of individuals self motivated academics, they''l always succeed..as they have their education to use as back up..

there are also go getter -practical types...the motivation of self study will kill off a lump of potential in most..as you have a distinct lack of structured support.


the industry has loads of "Bedroom Bandits" just make sure you're cv has the value in it an employer needs, not just certification, get some work placement or as i say - just find a good certified and authorised training partner..

good luck fella

justin

 

I attended a technical school to get my ASS. I thought I know something about computers, but as it turned out I didn’t. I spent 30K on an associate degree (F….!)

The most frustrating thing about it is that after a few months of tech classes, I had gained the foundation that I needed to learn the rest on my own. I quickly passed my class mates by self study. Towards the end, I was studying for certs that I has not been to class for yet because I has already achieved the certs that I was in class for.

I did finish the programs, but by the time I was two-thirds finished, the instructors had nothing to offer m besides a grade, Point is…

If you have the foundation, and you truly do (I thought I did but had no clue), then self study is the way to go. I needed a push to fill in the blanks. If you need the push, spend the bucks; if not, self study is the way to go.

 

I was doing the self-study course myself for a while but it was really slow going. I joined up a small MCSE school near where I live that offered me a good deal of $4000 (course is nearly a year long) and were more than willing to adjust my course to allow me to take SQL instead of WinXP which I already passed the exam.

One that made it a good choice for me is the fact that they had me wait three months before starting so I could join in with a more advanced group of people, most of them are working as System Engineers so it's a great class since we bring from work what is causing us problems and share with the class and learn from each other.

GW

 

Hi

I went with Scheidegger (SkillsTrain) and I could have got the course material cheaper.

I had the terrible nightmare that IF I just bought a book that I would site down to do the exam, and find that I had the wrong questions.
I also need to do the study at home (which I call self-study), but when I got stuck, I would need a human to ask questions. I needed to send in Tutor Marked Assignments, to track my progress.

Just my penny-worth...

 

I got my ASS at birth. It's gotten bigger over time, but it really hasn't helped me much in my career. Actually, now that I think about it, if I didn't have it, I probably wouldn't be able to sit in front of the computer and perform admin tasks or write, so maybe it HAS helped me in my career!!!

 

Yeah, it's done pretty well for me. That said, my wife didn't marry me for my ASS, my co-workers aren't jealous of my ASS, and my employers never really looked at my ASS. I was even ready to show it during the interview, but they told me that it wasn't necessary.

 

Up to now I have preferred studying with others either during the day or at evening classes.
A lot of Colleges in the UK now run CompTIA A+.
Also some colleges also offer Cisco IT Essentials I & II.
IT Essentials I will help you to take A+, IT Essentials II will help you take Server+. Then Cisco hope you will go onto take CCNA.

The reason I have used this method is that a lot of these courses are heavily subsidised through the EU's program on IT & if your on a low income or UB40 you can get some free.

 

As for the point that going with a training provider helps if you lack motivation.....This is RUBBISH. If you lack motivation then you will simply not read the providers material.

As for the assignments giving "measured steps", you will find that any book geared toward certification will also have questions at the end of each topic.

And, as for needing feedback from tutors, In my experience, most of the tutors dont know what the hell they are talking about. Forums, however, are cramed full of experienced, knowledgable people that make most tutors look like trained monkeys.

One advantage, however, of spending loads of cash on a TP can be explained by the Psychological theory of Cognative Dissonance. In this context it would say that, because you spent a sh-t load of money, Then not doing the work will create a sense of psychological unrest (where would we be without Psychologists).

To sum up.
Research your chosen cert until you are blue (no offence Blue) in the face. Find the right materials (books, etc). Try to keep your goals in your mind (stay in a like minded community, ie CF).

 

Anyone seen the TV advert for Advent training? They're doing the usual trick, saying you could get a 30k job at the end, sound familiar?

 

What?? you mean to tell me that you guys with certs are not on 30K??

Arent there laws against this kind of advertising??