Computer Jobs, Degrees, Certifications

[gula187]

is there a forum that only discuss these topics? i just started studing for my A+ what are some of the better books and/or programs out there?

 

[KSoD]

Yes you are in the correct forum to those things. Mike Meyers has some of the best material to use for studying for the A+ exam.

 

[Lexluethar]

Mike Meyers all the way. Self proclaimed nerd, he has a great way of explaining some of the more difficult topics covered inthe A+ and from what i've found he has the most video tutorials out there (which is helpful when talking about hardware and pointing out things, as well as giving you the ability to save the audio and listen to it on the road or whenever ).

Just make sure to get the 600 level book of his. (late fall they will be coming out with a 900 level exam, possibly early 2010).

 

[gula187]

well i have a cd/dvd that i got from my friends dad its from train signal A+ training...how good they are? i have access to pretty much any training i just needed to know which is best but i'll check out Mike Meyers

 

[Lexluethar]

Honestly your best option would not to rely on one source for the information. The exams are entirely too dynamic to rely on one source for all of the information. Get a mike meyers book if you can, then suppliment that information with other sources.

 

[gula187]

what part of the IT field is more of hands-on work rather than in front of a computer most of the day?

 

[Lexluethar]

Desktop Support is the broad title. Every company will have a different name for it, from Desktop Analyst, Computer Suppport Specialist, Computer Resource Specialist, etc.

Your best bet would be to look for IT jobs, then look in the job descriptions as to what the job entails.

 

[gula187]

thakx guys! will i need a degree in information tehnology also or is it just better to have one? i asked that because i was told that information tech. you have to deal with tons of math( I HATE MATH!)

 

[Lexluethar]

No, whomever is tell you that is getting it confused with computer SCIENCE. Computer Science requires a lot of math, and will more than likely require a degree.

With almost any field it is best to get a degree, especially if you have the ability to. I'm a huge advocate for education, and whenever possible if you have the finances and ability you should go to college and get a degree, at least go get your associates.

A degree is not required for most entry level positions within the IT field (not talking about computer science here), but will definately help you out. It depends on the company too, a lot of larger companies will require a computer degree or related 4 year degree, but some smaller companies won't look for a degree but work history and experience.

 

[SparkMonkeyHellion]

what part of the IT field is more of hands-on work rather than in front of a computer most of the day?

Most IT jobs will have you in front of a computer most of the day.
If you want to stay away from that then you will likely get stuck as the lowly PC technician.

That gets OLD FAST. I promise.

I spent a week ripping apart Dells to update the RAM and HDD's where possible and troubleshoot hardware level problems to try and refurb them. I got some very thick callouses from that as well as several dozen nicks and cuts, and the best part is I got some nail fungus in my right thumb due to all the nicks and cuts and dust exposure (you wouldn't believe what ends up in machines. I've seen everything from poppy seeds to baked roaches, insects I mean)

However, if you are moving those machines through a warehouse, as I was, to a testing station you will get plenty of exercise every day.

The other possibility is a PC installer. Once again, that gets really old, really fast. Cutting open new boxes, pulling them off pallets. Getting every ready to bring to the end user. Swapping machines, bringing back the old ones... very repetitive, but great exercise. Very underwhelming.