The BEST Resource for Computer Technology Schools or IT Training

If you are deciding what school to attend or are wondering what computer degree to obtain, Computer-Technology-Schools.com can help. We have compiled information on every major technology school -- whether its a computer college, university, or training facility. We strive to provide you with specific details on programs, school campuses and insight into the IT industry. We know in today's IT market, employers want educated and technical works and our aim is to help you make smart decisions on your computer career. Not matter what computer field you are choosing, such as programming, graphics, engineering, networking, and other IT related fields -- we can help.

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A+ Certification

A+ Certified is a basic qualification for an IT professional. The IT industry have the rare ability to demonstrate skills acquired outside the normal realm of job experience, by passing industry-standard certification tests. A+ is the most basic qualification an IT professional can, and should, earn. It's proof that you aren't helpless when you crack a case, that you won't run screaming from an OS installation (and that you won't screw it up!). A+ Certification affirms that you are capable of assembling a computer, installing operating systems and applications, and successfully troubleshooting them when the inevitable happens (a user gets their hands on it). There is no scholastic prerequisite for A+. It doesn't matter if you've been working in the industry. It just matters that you know your stuff. The same is true of other certs from Microsoft , Novell , Cisco , Oracle and many other companies whose primary interest is getting qualified technicians into the field regardless of their origin.

Many companies require A+ certification of their new hires, and for many others A+ will be what makes your resume stand out from the competition. Even if your line of work isn't directly related, you'll benefit from this kind of knowledge. A programmer who is helpless in the face of a blue screen, waiting for a tech who is busy elsewhere, is a nonproductive programmer. Sure, there are those who denigrate A+ as "just another useless certification" which won't make a difference in the grand scheme of things, but these people already have jobs. Perhaps you don't, or you're interested in changing careers. Maybe you're not in a position to spend big cash and two-to-four at a college for your degree. Maybe you're 16 and looking for a leg up on the summer-job competition. Having this certification will open doors not available to those who lack it.

You, the potentially certified, must make some choices about how you'll acquire the knowledge for your certificate. You can attend an adult technical school course, such as the one I teach. These courses are designed for people with few computer skills, and will basically teach you everything you need to know to become a decent technician. There is much hands-on time, and some schools allow you to keep a computer which you build in class. The tradeoff is time - a good course can last up to a year or longer, and costs can range between $US 5,000-10,000. Most schools accommodate student grants/loans. Many states have public funds available for retraining laid-off, unskilled and disabled workers. I recommend this path for those who are serious about entering the IT industry, and lack a base of computer knowledge to build upon.

There are also the "cram-type" courses. These courses last from a couple weeks to a couple months, and cost from $US 500-1500. The basic orientation is direct test preparation, and you're not going to gain a lot of practical knowledge from a course like this. It is possible for someone who has very little computer knowledge to take one of these courses, pass a certification test, and go out into the field with no hands-on experience using the equipment for which they are certified. What results is the infamous "paper cert." Such people do themselves, their employers and the industry no favors, and aren't in line to receive much respect from me. I recommend these types of courses only to those with existing computer knowledge and experience, who wish to "fill in the blanks" and learn specifics about the test structure.

Another possibility is studying on your own time, using your own resources. This is obviously much cheaper than paying someone to teach you, but it has its' drawbacks. Nobody's going to supply either the curriculum or your motivation. Many attempt this process, and few manage to carry it through. You'll discover what I already know about how hard it is to develop a curriculum. :)