This summer, I will be taking the A+ course so that I may have that on my resume. Given that fact, I was doing a job search and came across a couple of jobs inwhich the job description didn't sound like it would be covered by an A+ cert. My question is, what course covers the description list below? SQL Server and Sequel Query Language Exchange Server Group Policy Backup Exec Symantec Antivirus (Corporate and Enterprise) Cisco PIX Sonicwall Citrix and Terminal Server Wyse Terminals GFI Mail Essentials Solarwinds Laserjet printers Tape drives and libraries Fibre channel and SCSI attached storage All RAID levels Cluster Server Scripting and this one as well: JOB SUMMARY: Provides systems support for all computer systems in the operations of the Casino, Pavilion and administrative offices. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Processes data through the computers on a daily routine and defined procedures. Provides problem solving support to all application systems and hardware including telephone switch, audix, networking equipment, printers, PC's and POS and other systems when specified.
An A+ cert won't get you very far; perhaps the "geek-squad" at best-buy. I would check whatever school you plan to attend to see if they offer MCP certifications (Microsoft Certified Professional). I'm not a computer professional myself but I deal with government funds for training so I can tell you with some certainty that an A+ alone won't get you what you're looking for. If you don't know much about computers, an A+ is a good intro course for an MCP cert but it won't get you too far on its own. Also, ask the school if they have job placement assistance but ask them also what companies they place with; there is a loophole in the (assuming you're from the US)which allows schools to claim anything as a placement so, a school may say they have 90% successful job placement but they could all be flipping hamburgers so if they say they have job placement, dig deeper for more specific employment/placement information.
So does MCP cover these skills: SQL Server and Sequel Query Language Exchange Server Group Policy Backup Exec Symantec Antivirus (Corporate and Enterprise) Cisco PIX Sonicwall Citrix and Terminal Server Wyse Terminals GFI Mail Essentials Solarwinds Laserjet printers Tape drives and libraries Fibre channel and SCSI attached storage All RAID levels Cluster Server Scripting
You'll need to discuss those things with the school directly; certainly some SQL server, exchange server, some Cisco but I don't know about all of it. There are, essentially two sorts of proprietary schools: one kind teaches everything but the kitchen sink taught in one lengthy program while other have more of an "a la carte" approach; you take certain essential classes and pic and choose what you want to add to those essentials. Bear in mind though that much of what your talking about needs prerequisite knowledge; you can't just jump in over your head. Talk to the school about how to best approach courses leading up to your goal. Also, visit Microsoft's web site. It will list the various certs offered, what those certs entail as well as what they consider to be the necessary prerequisite knowledge to succeed in obtaining those certs. Like I said before, I'm not computer expert; I can only tell you that we will not approve A+ and N+ courses alone but only as a stepping stone...sometimes, its useful to get an A+ cert when taking more admin stuff like MS office because most offices don't have workstation support on site....the A+ will at least allow one to do the basics in PC support.
