Do I need a+ before Network+?

 a+ certification entry level jobs

Reasons why skipping the CompTIA A+ makes sense

While I do train students on CompTIA A+ material, and in fact require the training before they get into networking, I have been advising students to skip the CompTIA A+ certification exam and jump straight to the Network+ exam if they are pursuing a certification.  There are several reasons why.

Reason #1:  CompTIA A+ requires two exams, while Network+ and Security+ only require one.  The A+ covers a lot of material and requires you to take two exams, which most people sit for on different days, often a week or more apart.  This two exam approach requires a lot more study and preparation and therefore delays when you can actually say that you’re certified. One test certifications are the best option for entry level certification seekers because they are more manageable and provide the positive reinforcement of an early victory that much sooner.  And because it’s advisable to also be looking for internship or entry level opportunities while you’re pursuing your certifications and education, it’s that much sooner that the certification will be on your resume.

Is CompTIA A+ enough to get a job?

 comptia certification jobs

1. Earning the new CompTIA A+ certification helps you get past HR bots

Some naysayers might claim that the new A+ is only good for checking a box when you apply for jobs. But HR scanning software can be hard enough to beat. So, who wouldn’t want to have any kind of advantage?

Being CompTIA A+ certified is definitely worth it when it comes to landing entry-level jobs. It is recognized as one of the very first certifications that prospective IT pros should obtain. It validates enough general knowledge and skills about computers and networking to be useful. It is not intended as a super certification that trumps experience, but it shows employers two things.

First, you are willing to learn and advance your career. Second, it shows that you have the ability to study and pass an exam. Like it or not, certifications are a part of the job.Believe it or not, earning CompTIA A+ places you above non-certification holders. That’s nothing to take for granted if you are just starting out. Having the A+ can help you land entry-level IT jobs like desktop support or help desk tech.

The new CompTIA A+ is a good place to start. It provides the foundational knowledge for bigger and better roles further down the line. The A+ even has the DoD stamp of approval, if you’re thinking about working for the U.S. government.

2. The new CompTIA A+ certification proves you know IT fundamentals

A+ critics say the exam is only good as a basic IT competency check. But that seems like a good thing?  While it’s true A+ certification won’t land you a senior role or coveted technical position, it definitely has its place in your certification toolbox.If you’re coming into IT without experience, studying for exams help you learn the basics. The A+ exam might only be 90 questions, but you obviously don’t know which questions. It’s like the trick where the teacher or instructor allows a cheat sheet for an exam. By the time you’ve created the cheat sheet, you don’t need it.

For tinkerers, the A+ will be a little easier — and it will help validate your knowledge. If you’ve already been building PCs and installing operating systems, then you’d easily pass the 700-series exams from years ago. But the latest A+ exams released this month covers IT security, cloud concepts, and scripting that a hobbyist might not have touched yet.It’s easier to get a job with a certification. Passing the new CompTIA A+ confirms you know your stuff in an industry-approved way. Hobbyist experience is great. You’ll certainly thrive in a support role, but that experience won’t hold the same authority on a resume compared to A+ certification. Certifications are a basic competency assurance for an employer. And that’s exactly what a person needs if they have no experience in IT.

3. Resolve common issues faster with A+ certification

In this day and age of service-level agreements, why get your hands dirty? You can simply call the vendor and have them resolve the issues. But wouldn’t it be quicker if you could just do it yourself?Yes, it is true that most companies will send out their own service technicians to repair most hardware on site. But some manufacturers will ask you to perform the first line troubleshooting with them over the phone. They can help you point and click, but it’s easier if you can narrow it down in the correct terms. The A+ can help with that — the new exams cover a bevy of operating systems and demonstrate that you can be trusted with a screwdriver. After all, not everyone should be opening a computer, printer, or server.

An added bonus, when you save the day by resolving that printer issue, you’ll be the office hero. That doesn’t happen very often for IT pros.

4. Develop certification study habits with the new A+ certification

If you’re brand new to the IT certification process, you should take a long hard look at the new CompTIA A+ exam. By now, you’ve learned that the certification provides a strong foundation for an IT career. But if you want to earn the certification, you need to develop good study habits.

Certifications are a big part of a career in IT, which means you’ll need to learn how to study for them. If the A+ is your first exam, then you’re learning the CompTIA way of testing. You’ll be learning how to use the course objectives to build a study plan. You’ll even be learning how the exam day logistics, like what ID to bring and what it feels like to sit for a 90-minute exam.

Even though CompTIA A+ is relatively straightforward, it should not be taken lightly. There are the obvious monetary implications for not passing — the exams cost $219 for each attempt. You’re also building study habits — good or bad — that will inevitably carry over to other CompTIA certifications.

5. CompTIA A+ costs less than a computer science degree

We’ve debated certifications versus degrees because it’s an important, personal decision. Even our trainers are split on the topic. Depending on who you ask, degrees are great. They’re transferable, useful, and they never expire. So if you want a degree, go for it. That said, going that route will cost more and take longer than earning the new A+ certification.

The CompTIA A+ certification exams alone will cost $438. A computer science degree is going to cost quite a bit more. For a two-year CS associate program, the average cost per year is $20,784 USD.  And let’s be honest, degrees aren’t for everyone.

The utility of either education lies in how you plan on using it. If you are pursuing a career in CPU design or complex mathematical computation, then a computer science degree is obviously going to be the better choice.If you plan on working for a small IT firm that does break and fix repairs, then you land that job with a certification. You’ll be better served by earning A+ certification. The bottom line is thinking about where you plan on going with your career — and find the tools that will help you get there.

6. If you want to get hands-on, the CompTIA A+ is a good start

There’s a general notion that A+ is only good for a job repairing computers or working the help desk. (As though that were a bad thing.)

Not everyone aspires to the CCIE or an AWS Solutions Architect. And *gasp*, maybe you actually enjoy interacting with people. Let’s be honest, some IT jobs consist of long hours staring at screens and hanging out in server rooms. Not exactly the best fit if you’re a more social person.Besides, you’ve got to start somewhere. The help desk is the first stop for many IT pros. And to land that first job, the A+ really helps. You can stay there, or specialize when you discover a passion.

What is the CompTIA A+?

 how to get comptia a+ certification

The CompTIA A+ is a certification developed by the CompTIA organization that focuses on generalized IT and computer hardware and software support.  The certification was developed in 1993 during a time when other areas of technology were not yet developed, such as cybersecurity. CompTIA has continually updated the A+ to include more modern IT concepts, such as cloud and security, but its focus remains largely a repair-based certification.  Because of its general IT troubleshooting focus, the A+ has long been a gateway certification for professionals looking to enter the field of information technology.

CompTIA A+ Exam Details

Number of exams to earn certification	2
Number of Questions	Up to 90 in each exam
Question Type	Multiple Choice, drag and drop and PDQ
Test Length	90 Minutes each exam
Scoring	675 and 700 out of 900
Recommended Experience	9 – 12 months hands-on in IT
Required Prerequisite	None
Suggested Prerequisite	6 months or more of hands-on experience with hardware and software

 how to get a+ certification

How Do I Get My CompTIA A+ Certification?

You can earn the CompTIA A+ certification by passing two separate exams. There’s no single way to ensure you pass, but there’s common sense advice that can increase your chances to pass your exams and achieve your CompTIA A+ certification.

In their very basic nature, the two exams that lead to CompTIA A+ certification are not that much different from any other written test. Both exams use various question types to verify your knowledge in specific areas of information technology, such as computer hardware and software as they relate to IT support. Being well prepared remains your best bet to score a positive exam outcome of passing the tests and being awarded the CompTIA A+ certification.

Preparing for Your CompTIA A+ Exams

While individual preferences for how to prepare for a certification exam may differ in detail, there’s a simple strategy that can get you started and that may make it easier to keep yourself organized during your exam preparation process.

1. Understand What’s Expected of You

   Not knowing what’s on the exam, what questions you will have to answer and what types of questions you will see is like driving blind into a snow storm. A better approach is to spend some time reading about CompTIA A+ and what it takes to pass the exams. The more details you know about the questions you will have to answer, the better you will be able to judge what you already know and what you still need to learn.

To get a general understanding of what’s on the exam:

• Review the CompTIA A+ product page.
• Download the CompTIA A+ exam objectives.
• Download the table of contents of the Official Study Guide for CompTIA A+ to get a better idea of what knowledge is being taught to prepare students for the CompTIA A+ exams.
• Read about the experiences of CompTIA A+ certification holders. Social media sites such as LinkedIn and Reddit are a treasure trove of information and advice with experiences of others that can help you along the way toward your certification.

2. Understand the Gap Between What You Already Know and What’s Expected of You

   CompTIA A+ exam takers come from all walks of life with vastly different experience levels in IT. The degree and quality of experience in computer hardware and software that you’ve already acquired has a substantial impact on the knowledge gap between what you know and what you’re expected to know.

   While some exam takers may have very little additional knowledge they need to acquire, others may have to invest significant time and effort in their exam preparation. But what’s the same for everyone is the need to learn the exam topics that you don’t know or don’t know well enough.

   Being honest with yourself will help you focus on what you need to learn and, ultimately, make your studies more effective.

3. Understand How You Can Close Your Knowledge Gap

   There are various ways for you to acquire all or some of the knowledge outlined in the CompTIA A+ exam objectives. The best option for you depends on the way you prefer to learn and how quickly and effectively you will learn and retain the knowledge you need.

   However, here are a few ideas:

   • Self-Paced Learning: The most common way to prepare for your CompTIA A+ exam is self-paced study, such as through CompTIA CertMaster products or the CompTIA Official Study Guide for CompTIA A+. The books are available in print and electronic versions, and you can decide how quickly you want to progress.
   • Classroom Training: If you’re more comfortable studying with others and a trainer in a classroom environment, CompTIA Authorized Partners offer classroom training for individuals. If you’re your whole department needs training, CompTIA also offers classroom training to organizations.
   • Experience and Practice: If you have access to computer hardware and software that you can use for practice, either at home or in your job, you can accelerate your learning and deepen your knowledge with hands-on practice.

What Is CompTIA A+ Certification?

 what is comptia

CompTIA A+ certification is earned by passing a set of two exams – created by IT industry professionals – that validate skills needed for entry-level IT jobs. That said, CompTIA A+ is not just about PC repair. CompTIA A+ candidates are better prepared to troubleshoot and problem solve a wider variety of issues, ranging from networking and operating systems to mobile devices and security.

Unlike other certifications, many of which only require covering one domain, CompTIA A+ covers a broader diversity of knowledge required of technicians today, making A+ relevant to many more job roles.

What Job Roles Should Take the CompTIA A+ Exams

CompTIA A+ is for professionals looking to start a career in IT and have 9 to 12 months of hands-on experience in the lab or field, or equivalent training. CompTIA A+ prepares candidates for the following job roles:

• Service desk analyst
• Help desk tech
• Technical support specialist
• Field service technician
• Associate network engineer
• Data support technician
• Desktop support administrator
• End-user computing technician
• Help desk technician
• System support specialist

How Much Can I Make with CompTIA A+ Certification?

Here are a few CompTIA A+ jobs and their average salaries:

• Support specialist: $54,500
• Field service technician: $46,000
• Desktop support analyst: $60,000
• Help desk tier 2 support: $45,000

What Is on the CompTIA A+ Exam?

CompTIA A+ is a performance-based certification that supports the ability to connect users to the data they need to do their jobs regardless of the devices being used. Successful candidates will have the following skills to:

• Configure, install and upgrade operating systems, including: Windows, Apple OS X, Linux, iOS, Android and Windows Mobile
• Install and image virtual machines
• Set up and troubleshoot peripheral devices
• Assemble and disassemble computing hardware
• Set up and support basic home and small office networks
• Implement cybersecurity controls appropriate to helpdesk and technical support roles
• Troubleshoot and support end-user access to applications and data

The CompTIA A+ exam covers the following domains and topics:

• Hardware: Identify, use and connect hardware components and devices
• Networking: Explain types of networks and connections including transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP), Wi-Fi and small office/home office (SOHO)
• Mobile Devices: Install and configure laptops and other mobile devices
• Network and Hardware Troubleshooting: Troubleshoot device and network issues
• Security: Identify and protect against security vulnerabilities for devices and their network connections
• Windows Operating System: Install and support Windows OS, including command line and client support
• Other OS Technologies: Understand Mac OS, Linux and mobile OS
• Software Troubleshooting: Troubleshoot PC and mobile device issues, including application security support
• Operational Procedures: Follow best practices for safety, environmental impacts and communication and professionalism

CompTIA A+ certified professionals

 CompTIA A+ certified professionals are proven problem solvers. They support today’s core technologies from security to cloud to data management and more. CompTIA A+ is the industry standard for launching IT careers into today’s digital world. 

• The only credential with performance-based items to prove pros can think on their feet to perform critical IT support tasks in the moment
• Trusted by employers around the world to identify the go-to person in end point management & technical support roles
• Regularly re-invented by IT experts to ensure that it validates core skills and abilities demanded in the workplace

The CompTIA A+ Core Series requires candidates to pass two exams: Core 1 (220-1001) and Core 2 (220-1002) covering the following new content:

• Demonstrate baseline security skills for IT support professionals
• Configure device operating systems, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Chrome OS, Android and iOS and administer client-based as well as cloud-based (SaaS) software
• Troubleshoot and problem solve core service and support challenges while applying best practices for documentation, change management, and scripting
• Support basic IT infrastructure and networking
• Configure and support PC, mobile and IoT device hardware
• Implement basic data backup and recovery methods and apply data storage and management best practices

How do I get a job at a data center?

 data center tech salary

The Data Centre industry is growing at a fast pace and over the last few years as more and more data gets collected in the cloud, tech giants like Google, Amazon, Facebook, etc. are growing their infrastructures around the globe.

Data Centre Engineer performs various kinds of important functions to keep the centre operating sleekly. They are responsible for setting up, managing, designing network systems by monitoring system operations as well as directing the IT solutions in order to ensure the data centre equipment are working efficiently.

n this article, we list down a few pointers for those who are interested and want to go ahead with a career as a Data Centre Engineer.

Responsibilities:

Some of the important responsibilities of the Data Centre Engineer are mentioned below

• To inspect power/cooling systems and identify as well as fix issues that may cause a problem in network performance.
• Monitoring and evaluating the servers as well as calibrate them and perform backups
• To ensure energy efficient systems by performing renovations.
• Carrying out accounts and systems administration by handling network file share rights as well as maintaining the operating systems.
• Troubleshoot network systems to diagnose and fix the performance issues
• Collaborating with the IT persons or data centre managers in order to develop the action plans for improved operations
• Lead initiatives for the optimisation as well as the restructuring of the network architecture.
• Have excellent knowledge about the infrastructures of the network, hardware deployments, etc.

The Basic

Nowadays there is an abundance of learning opportunities which are available both offline and online. There are some companies who are providing certifications in this profile such as Microsoft, Cisco. Learning the programming languages and understand the tool will surely add a helping hand in this career. One must also have to have the knowledge in virtualisation and software-defined systems along with the computational fluid dynamics .https://www.fieldengineer.com/skills/data-center-technician

Academics

To become an efficient data centre engineer, one must need a Bachelor’s degree in the field of computer science, electronic engineering, computer systems engineering, and any other related disciplines. Real-world skills and experience are needed in some companies as well when applying for the job in this profile.