Just saw this ancient post. I have been in telephony, and IT for 30 years and make a good salary but I am taking the A+, and will be taking the networking and security. If you are going into IT you will always be learning and never know enough. They are fairly cheap and easy to achieve and help you with career advancement in many cases.
![[H]ard|Forum](/styles/hardforum/xenforo/logo_dark.png){kind=logo}
Navigation
Install the app
How to install the app on iOS
Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
More options
-
Some users have recently had their accounts hijacked. It seems that the now defunct EVGA forums might have compromised your password there and seems many are using the same PW here. We would suggest you UPDATE YOUR PASSWORD and TURN ON 2FA for your account here to further secure it. None of the compromised accounts had 2FA turned on.
Once you have enabled 2FA, your account will be updated soon to show a badge, letting other members know that you use 2FA to protect your account. This should be beneficial for everyone that uses FSFT.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
CompTIA A+ - Worth It?
- Thread starter Adam
- Start date
I'll be taking the A+ exam in January. Despite the polarizing views on it, I believe that it is something that I need - I'm attempting a career change, but my current line of work and lack of IT-related employment or experience is really hurting my job prospects. While I am educated with a BA and MBA, and have been tinkering with computers for over 20 years, I have nothing "official" to show for it. Most jobs that I have applied for have, at a minimum, an A+ preference/requirement. A few interviewers have told me that obtaining at least the A+ will prove my dedication to a career change.
I was able to obtain the pair of exam vouchers for $150, so it's a minimal cost that will seemingly help to get my foot in the door. I will follow up the A+ with the CAPM by February and then Security+, since I already have study materials. After that I'm not sure, but it seems that CCENT and beyond are a good move.
I was able to obtain the pair of exam vouchers for $150, so it's a minimal cost that will seemingly help to get my foot in the door. I will follow up the A+ with the CAPM by February and then Security+, since I already have study materials. After that I'm not sure, but it seems that CCENT and beyond are a good move.
Wow some necro threading here! When I was unemployed for a bit back in 2012, I applied to a warehouse position. This was a local company and starting pay was pretty descent for the position. The company dealt with distribution of IT equipment. At the time, I had plenty of experience within a warehouse and shipping environment. I was just released from a Fortune 500 telecom company as part of a RIF. I figured I would have been a good position for the job. One of the requirements for a warehouse job was to be A+ certified. I even stated in my cover letter, I would certify in A+ within a specified time period as part of my hiring. I called the company several days later asking if they received my resume. The person I spoke with said my resume was reviewed. They liked I was local to the company and I would be more than qualified for the position. Since I did not have an A+ cert so they could not schedule an interview. If I gained this certification, then I could reapply for the position. I said thank you and never spoke to them again.
During my stint on unemployment, I got several calls from companies asking me if I had forklift experience. I said yes I did. Then they asked if I certification in forklift operation. I said no. They said too bad. I could have gotten a boatload of work. I looked into the certification. Then I contacted the local unemployment agency about seeing how I could get this training to be certified to operate a Forklift since i was getting offers for work. After all, I had to sit through a 3 hour course about job/ skill set training/ advancement as part of my condition to be on unemployment. The person that gave the same job training course actually told me they would not pay for training since it was not required for me gaining employment! I just just shook my head and paid for it out of my own pocket.
Ironically, what I do now for employment does not use my certification as a forklift driver as part of my primary tasks. However, when I go into the warehouse (surprise!) it does. Also my certification is on file with the company as there was an safety audit. They were able to show someone in the company is certified to operate the equipment expect for the fact those who run the equipment are not certified on it. Go figure.
I applied to my current employer about 5 months prior to actually working for them. They were hiring for a driver/warehouse position. Turns out they hired someone else who was canned about 3 months after I started with them. I replaced a tech they just let go for attendance related issues. I didn't know showing up for a job was part of the requirements.
Long story short. It does not hurt to have some basic certifications in IT just to get a foot in the door. Look at me. I could not get a warehouse position without one which is ironic since they didn't require a forklift operations cert. Certs will give some credibility where "I tinker with my mom's laptop" really doesn't do too much. In the end, it worked out for me. My boss doesn't care if I am not a master computer tech. As long as I configure an IP address. Change system protection software, it's all good. If I cannot figure it out, he will just walk me through it. Management has no issues with me. I generally get to do my own thing (set my own job schedule or routes for deliveries, etc) If we are slow which is rare, they make sure I am busy even if it's sweeping a floor. I tend to think of myself a really well paid driver and floor maintenance technician during those times. I wonder if there is a certification for that?
Good luck to the OP if ever made the move in careers or got a pile of certs for his/her resume. Good luck to anyone else in a similar position for that matter.
During my stint on unemployment, I got several calls from companies asking me if I had forklift experience. I said yes I did. Then they asked if I certification in forklift operation. I said no. They said too bad. I could have gotten a boatload of work. I looked into the certification. Then I contacted the local unemployment agency about seeing how I could get this training to be certified to operate a Forklift since i was getting offers for work. After all, I had to sit through a 3 hour course about job/ skill set training/ advancement as part of my condition to be on unemployment. The person that gave the same job training course actually told me they would not pay for training since it was not required for me gaining employment! I just just shook my head and paid for it out of my own pocket.
Ironically, what I do now for employment does not use my certification as a forklift driver as part of my primary tasks. However, when I go into the warehouse (surprise!) it does. Also my certification is on file with the company as there was an safety audit. They were able to show someone in the company is certified to operate the equipment expect for the fact those who run the equipment are not certified on it. Go figure.
I applied to my current employer about 5 months prior to actually working for them. They were hiring for a driver/warehouse position. Turns out they hired someone else who was canned about 3 months after I started with them. I replaced a tech they just let go for attendance related issues. I didn't know showing up for a job was part of the requirements.
Long story short. It does not hurt to have some basic certifications in IT just to get a foot in the door. Look at me. I could not get a warehouse position without one which is ironic since they didn't require a forklift operations cert. Certs will give some credibility where "I tinker with my mom's laptop" really doesn't do too much. In the end, it worked out for me. My boss doesn't care if I am not a master computer tech. As long as I configure an IP address. Change system protection software, it's all good. If I cannot figure it out, he will just walk me through it. Management has no issues with me. I generally get to do my own thing (set my own job schedule or routes for deliveries, etc) If we are slow which is rare, they make sure I am busy even if it's sweeping a floor. I tend to think of myself a really well paid driver and floor maintenance technician during those times. I wonder if there is a certification for that?
Good luck to the OP if ever made the move in careers or got a pile of certs for his/her resume. Good luck to anyone else in a similar position for that matter.