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COMPTIA A+ as a stepping stone?

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by jkat

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I just read a discussion where one person said that they wouldn't want A+ certification on their resume.

I've done enough Tech Support that with a bit of study I think I could pass. However, I don't want to do Tech Support any longer than necessary!

I'm half way through my BA degree... is A+ certification worth getting?? What is your opinion on the value of it?

Thanks

7 replies

by ldanos

I worked pretty hard to get my A+. I took the OS part of the exam last month and passed (I had already passed the Core part a couple months before that. It took a lot of work and feel it has some value out there...afterall!!! Will be watching other replies to this msg.

by ellings

I've taught A+ Certification for over 2 years at a community college. We put on an "accelerated" course, for those who just need to fill in some holes, and test out. We also do a more lengthy, slower class for those just starting, or career changing.

I'd say, it depends on what you want your resume to say about you. When I see A+ Certification on a resume, I know this person knows their way around PC hardware, and can do some Windows trouble-shooting. Entry level stuff, good to know. However, we hardly ever have a HD go down, we rarely replace a CD_ROM. Software compatibility issues and connectivity issues keep our techs busy. I'd hope to see more than just A+ on that resume: additional certification, experience, or education.

by jim.brown

I went for my MCP when i joined the business, looking back I would of done A+ first, I always advise any one that is thinking about joining the business to take A+ and now there is Server+, both these will give you a firm grounding in the business as they aren't OS specific. (Microsoft won't be top forever)

Go for these first and any other certification after that.

by jthsmith

Yes, it is worth getting in a very big way, I have been in the field of computing now for going on ten years, and I found that without certs, you will not get the industry reqignition that you desearve, you will be just another person that knows something about computers. I just obtained my A+ Certification, which is just one of many certs that I am seeking, and I know that when it's all said and done, it will be worth it.

by jamesarr

A+ certification is definately useful for someone just getting into the IT industry, especially if you have little or no general knowledge of PCs. Once you have a year or two of experience though, hopefully you we be doing more interesting as well as more lucrative work than what an A+ bench-worker spends their time on. Premier certifications such as MCSE, MCDBA, CCIE, or Oracle DBA are the big money titles in administration. A+ may get you in the door (or maybe the backdoor), but to progress in the industry you will need more advanced certs.

by ashembers

I think that the A+ certification is like many certs, where their real value is that they help organize your thoughts while troubleshooting, and add other useful trivia that comes in handy later.

Is it essential? For some people not really -- ithelped me a lot though, because I needed to organize my skills into a better framework for troubleshooting.

Is it harmful? Anyone who considers it a complete waste of time is either a prodigy or a moron, but nowhere in between.

Dan

by topesblues

Its a great cert to get if your trying to get your foot in the door. It shows an employer that you at least know something about computers at a certain level. If you already have ten years in the business and you?re a MCSE or something like that it really isn?t going to help you.

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