|
By Matson Breakey | Contributing Writer
In class after class, teacher after teacher, and subject after subject, we were always taught that there was one grade to shoot for - one grade that separated the great student, the teacher's pet, from the average student. For some of us it was a matter of norm, for others, it was never seen and never desired.
And now, years later, when we thought that was all behind us, there is a chance that once again, we should be looking to achieve an A+, but this time it is not a grade. It is the most popular certification available today.
If you're interested in information technology and are considering your possibility as a computer service technician, this entry-level certification could be perfect for you.
What is it?
Certifications are big in the IT industry. They were established to guarantee that IT professionals followed a standard set of rules using a standard set of skills to ensure proper interaction with various areas of IT.
IT vendors like Microsoft, Oracle, and Cisco have each developed certifications for their various levels of expertise requirements for their products. While vendor-specific certifications are popular, more and more vendor-neutral certifications are being developed with industry-wide standards.
CompTIA, the Computer Technology Industry Association, is a non-profit organization that developed A+ Certification as an industry-wide standard for entry-level technicians.
According to Monster Technology, the IT job adviser for Monster.com technology.monster.com, A+ Certification training programs "typically focus on the skills required for entry-level PC technicians. Students learn about installing, configuring, upgrading and repairing PCs."
How do you get it?
While courses are not required (CompTIA recommends six months experience prior to certification) many area IT training institutions provide A+ in a five- or 10-day format.
Unless you are completely confident in your full understanding of all aspects of the world of PCs, you should take the plunge and register for one of the training programs.
According to Monster Technology, your courses will generally train you in the areas of "computer architecture, memory, modems, printers, hard disk setup and operating system optimization."
The certification exam consists of two individual sections: Part one tests your knowledge of hardware; part two looks at your operating system knowledge. You can arrange to take the test with the help of your school, or you can contact testing organizations like Prometric www.prometric.com and VUE www.vue.com directly for testing centers near you.
Is it good for you?
CompTIA's A+ Certification is viewed as an excellent program for the IT rookie. So if you're just entering the industry, or are looking at a change of careers, then this would be a perfect program for you.
However, if you have already been in the industry, you should look at a certification like A+ as an enhancement of your already stellar resume.
How much is it worth?
According to a Salary Survey by Certification Magazine www.certmag.com industry professionals who achieve A+ Certification have experienced, on average, an 11 percent raise "within the first year of achieving certification."
And combinations are good as well. According to Certification magazine, a cross-program certification, one that comes from two different organizations, can provide an even higher salary. For instance, if you start with the CompTIA A+ Certification and then choose to get a Novell CNE (Certified NetWare Engineer) this combination could earn you an average annual salary of approximately $72,000.
In this day and age of heavy competition for each and every job in the IT world, each little bit can and does help.
So, for a few dollars and a little bit of time, you can finally get that A+ you always wanted and be a step above the crowd.
|
