I've been putting off for a few years now to get my A+ certification and was
hoping to get some opinions of this group concerning actually getting a job
with it. I'm old school self taught in PC repair, configuration and trouble
shooting and am fairly experienced in installing configuring and optimizing
several Windows OS such as 9x XP home and pro, NT and 2000. I guess I would
say I've been doing this type of work for myself friends and family for
about 7 years now in addition to building somewhere around 20 PC systems
during that time as well. So suppose I actually pass and receive my A+
certification, without a college degree do you think I have a real world
chance of getting a job in this field with the A+? What is a typical salary
for such entry level positions. Salary.com seems to think between 30k and
37k for my region. (Mid-Atlantic). I think this estimate is somewhat high
but then again I don't know for sure. What's your thoughts on this and the
feasibility of getting hired with just the A+ and not a degree?

Thanks!

Jim

Report this post to a moderator

"J Kountz" <jkountz@(remove this)citlink.net> wrote in message
news:v32nl05i5vo9f2@corp.supernews.com...
> I've been putting off for a few years now to get my A+ certification and
was
> hoping to get some opinions of this group concerning actually getting a
job
> with it. I'm old school self taught in PC repair, configuration and
trouble
> shooting and am fairly experienced in installing configuring and
optimizing
> several Windows OS such as 9x XP home and pro, NT and 2000. I guess I
would
> say I've been doing this type of work for myself friends and family for
> about 7 years now in addition to building somewhere around 20 PC systems
> during that time as well. So suppose I actually pass and receive my A+
> certification, without a college degree do you think I have a real world
> chance of getting a job in this field with the A+? What is a typical
salary
> for such entry level positions. Salary.com seems to think between 30k and
> 37k for my region. (Mid-Atlantic). I think this estimate is somewhat high
> but then again I don't know for sure. What's your thoughts on this and the
> feasibility of getting hired with just the A+ and not a degree?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Jim

You will have an advantage over others in your field with your A+ but the
fact is there are no jobs to be had right now. Get the A+ and other
certifications while you have the chance and hopefully IT hiring will pick
up soon!

Report this post to a moderator

Well, one problem is that building 20 PC's in the last seven years is pretty
weak. Since you were self-taught you *might* have picked up some nasty
habits. Working on a relative's PC or a friend's PC is not really the same
as working on PCs for a living. Your scope of experience as it relates to
someone actually working in the business full time is maybe 6 months. I had
similar experience/skill level (worked for relatives, friends, was a hobby,
etc, ) and was pretty blown away by the various problems that you find in
the real world. Speed and accuracy = $$ for your employer, something your
sister-in law probably didn't care too much about. PC repair is not rocket
science. I have many, many sixteen year-old students that are qualified A+
techs so the pool of applicants is pretty deep which equals low wages. I
suggest you head into networking and forget about the break/fix end of the
business. BTW why have you been putting of getting your A+ ? It could
either validate some of your experience and skills or let you know that you
are a long way off from being a technician. Salary around here (northern
new england) is between 8-10 dollars an hour and most are high school kids.

"J Kountz" <jkountz@(remove this)citlink.net> wrote in message
news:v32nl05i5vo9f2@corp.supernews.com...
> I've been putting off for a few years now to get my A+ certification and
was
> hoping to get some opinions of this group concerning actually getting a
job
> with it. I'm old school self taught in PC repair, configuration and
trouble
> shooting and am fairly experienced in installing configuring and
optimizing
> several Windows OS such as 9x XP home and pro, NT and 2000. I guess I
would
> say I've been doing this type of work for myself friends and family for
> about 7 years now in addition to building somewhere around 20 PC systems
> during that time as well. So suppose I actually pass and receive my A+
> certification, without a college degree do you think I have a real world
> chance of getting a job in this field with the A+? What is a typical
salary
> for such entry level positions. Salary.com seems to think between 30k and
> 37k for my region. (Mid-Atlantic). I think this estimate is somewhat high
> but then again I don't know for sure. What's your thoughts on this and the
> feasibility of getting hired with just the A+ and not a degree?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Jim
>
>
>
>

Report this post to a moderator

"J Kountz" <jkountz@(remove this)citlink.net> wrote in message
news:v32nl05i5vo9f2@corp.supernews.com...
> I've been putting off for a few years now to get my A+ certification and
was
> hoping to get some opinions of this group concerning actually getting a
job
> with it. I'm old school self taught in PC repair, configuration and
trouble
> shooting and am fairly experienced in installing configuring and
optimizing
> several Windows OS such as 9x XP home and pro, NT and 2000. I guess I
would
> say I've been doing this type of work for myself friends and family for
> about 7 years now in addition to building somewhere around 20 PC systems
> during that time as well. So suppose I actually pass and receive my A+
> certification, without a college degree do you think I have a real world
> chance of getting a job in this field with the A+? What is a typical
salary
> for such entry level positions. Salary.com seems to think between 30k and
> 37k for my region. (Mid-Atlantic). I think this estimate is somewhat high
> but then again I don't know for sure. What's your thoughts on this and the
> feasibility of getting hired with just the A+ and not a degree?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Jim

Hello. I am sure there are some jobs out there that won't be interested
unless you have at least A+ certification. It can only help. I don't think
any reputable shop will frown on you for being certified.
You may want to check around in your area to find what shops charge as
an hourly rate for labor. This might help you to base your idea. The mean,
median, whatever - halfway point of $30,000 and $37,000 is $33,500, which is
$16.10 an hour. YES! I would say that is a bit high. Unless people are
paying $100 an hour in your area to have a modem installed.
Depending on what field of IT you are entering, a degree may not be as
helpful as experience. The local university requires 8 classes of higher
mathematics. I just don't see how that will directly help me to get Joe's
machine in accounting to print again or Suzy's machine in HR to be able to
"see" the network again. Make sure you don't get a software engineer degree
to work on computers.

Hope this helps,
Jason Whorton

Report this post to a moderator

I think anything you do to better yourself in terms of certifications cannot
hurt. I am working on my certifications but I am already a Network
Administrator and I have a Bachelors degree in Computer information Systems.
I have minor in Finance as well. I can go many different directions at any
time if something goes bad. If computers jobs get bad then I could always
pursue a finance career. In my rambling I am trying to say that learn
anything you can and always keep your mind open.


"J Kountz" <jkountz@(remove this)citlink.net> wrote in message
news:v32nl05i5vo9f2@corp.supernews.com...
> I've been putting off for a few years now to get my A+ certification and
was
> hoping to get some opinions of this group concerning actually getting a
job
> with it. I'm old school self taught in PC repair, configuration and
trouble
> shooting and am fairly experienced in installing configuring and
optimizing
> several Windows OS such as 9x XP home and pro, NT and 2000. I guess I
would
> say I've been doing this type of work for myself friends and family for
> about 7 years now in addition to building somewhere around 20 PC systems
> during that time as well. So suppose I actually pass and receive my A+
> certification, without a college degree do you think I have a real world
> chance of getting a job in this field with the A+? What is a typical
salary
> for such entry level positions. Salary.com seems to think between 30k and
> 37k for my region. (Mid-Atlantic). I think this estimate is somewhat high
> but then again I don't know for sure. What's your thoughts on this and the
> feasibility of getting hired with just the A+ and not a degree?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Jim
>
>
>
>

Report this post to a moderator

Well maybe I'll scrap the A+ exam altogether. Reading over these replies to
my original post it seems like the A+ cert is a totally useless piece of
paper to me. The research I did on the web and by watching the newspapers
doesnt reflect these opinions at all. Everywhere I look it seems like PC
techs are in demand. I guess I stand corrected. Maybe I'll look into another
track for now. Thanks to all who offered advice though.

Jim


"Jason Whorton" <jason at microxl.com> wrote in message
news:v339mqnm46ofd3@corp.supernews.com...
>
> "J Kountz" <jkountz@(remove this)citlink.net> wrote in message
> news:v32nl05i5vo9f2@corp.supernews.com...
> > I've been putting off for a few years now to get my A+ certification and
> was
> > hoping to get some opinions of this group concerning actually getting a
> job
> > with it. I'm old school self taught in PC repair, configuration and
> trouble
> > shooting and am fairly experienced in installing configuring and
> optimizing
> > several Windows OS such as 9x XP home and pro, NT and 2000. I guess I
> would
> > say I've been doing this type of work for myself friends and family for
> > about 7 years now in addition to building somewhere around 20 PC systems
> > during that time as well. So suppose I actually pass and receive my A+
> > certification, without a college degree do you think I have a real world
> > chance of getting a job in this field with the A+? What is a typical
> salary
> > for such entry level positions. Salary.com seems to think between 30k
and
> > 37k for my region. (Mid-Atlantic). I think this estimate is somewhat
high
> > but then again I don't know for sure. What's your thoughts on this and
the
> > feasibility of getting hired with just the A+ and not a degree?
> >
> > Thanks!
> >
> > Jim
>
> Hello. I am sure there are some jobs out there that won't be interested
> unless you have at least A+ certification. It can only help. I don't
think
> any reputable shop will frown on you for being certified.
> You may want to check around in your area to find what shops charge as
> an hourly rate for labor. This might help you to base your idea. The
mean,
> median, whatever - halfway point of $30,000 and $37,000 is $33,500, which
is
> $16.10 an hour. YES! I would say that is a bit high. Unless people are
> paying $100 an hour in your area to have a modem installed.
> Depending on what field of IT you are entering, a degree may not be as
> helpful as experience. The local university requires 8 classes of higher
> mathematics. I just don't see how that will directly help me to get Joe's
> machine in accounting to print again or Suzy's machine in HR to be able to
> "see" the network again. Make sure you don't get a software engineer
degree
> to work on computers.
>
> Hope this helps,
> Jason Whorton
>
>

Report this post to a moderator

On Fri, 24 Jan 2003 20:49:18 GMT, "JohnnyVee"
<whatever123@adelphia.net> wrote:

>Well, one problem is that building 20 PC's in the last seven years is pretty
>weak. Since you were self-taught you *might* have picked up some nasty
>habits. Working on a relative's PC or a friend's PC is not really the same
>as working on PCs for a living. Your scope of experience as it relates to
>someone actually working in the business full time is maybe 6 months. I had
>similar experience/skill level (worked for relatives, friends, was a hobby,
>etc, ) and was pretty blown away by the various problems that you find in
>the real world.

Some truth in this, and I am also an example, but there are other
factors, the most important probably being what other experience(s)
he/she has. Anything requiring logic/analysis/troubleshooting on a
regular basis will bolster these other experiences, allowing the
challenge of learning quickly on the job to go better. Inherent
aptitude is also important; some people are natural troubleshooters,
and will learn quickly because of that as well.

Tom

>Speed and accuracy = $$ for your employer, something your
>sister-in law probably didn't care too much about. PC repair is not rocket
>science. I have many, many sixteen year-old students that are qualified A+
>techs so the pool of applicants is pretty deep which equals low wages. I
>suggest you head into networking and forget about the break/fix end of the
>business. BTW why have you been putting of getting your A+ ? It could
>either validate some of your experience and skills or let you know that you
>are a long way off from being a technician. Salary around here (northern
>new england) is between 8-10 dollars an hour and most are high school kids.
>
>"J Kountz" <jkountz@(remove this)citlink.net> wrote in message
>news:v32nl05i5vo9f2@corp.supernews.com...
>> I've been putting off for a few years now to get my A+ certification and
>was
>> hoping to get some opinions of this group concerning actually getting a
>job
>> with it. I'm old school self taught in PC repair, configuration and
>trouble
>> shooting and am fairly experienced in installing configuring and
>optimizing
>> several Windows OS such as 9x XP home and pro, NT and 2000. I guess I
>would
>> say I've been doing this type of work for myself friends and family for
>> about 7 years now in addition to building somewhere around 20 PC systems
>> during that time as well. So suppose I actually pass and receive my A+
>> certification, without a college degree do you think I have a real world
>> chance of getting a job in this field with the A+? What is a typical
>salary
>> for such entry level positions. Salary.com seems to think between 30k and
>> 37k for my region. (Mid-Atlantic). I think this estimate is somewhat high
>> but then again I don't know for sure. What's your thoughts on this and the
>> feasibility of getting hired with just the A+ and not a degree?
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>> Jim
>>
>>
>>
>>
>

Report this post to a moderator

On Fri, 24 Jan 2003 19:29:58 -0500, "J Kountz" <jkountz@(remove
this)citlink.net> wrote:

>Well maybe I'll scrap the A+ exam altogether. Reading over these replies to
>my original post it seems like the A+ cert is a totally useless piece of
>paper to me. The research I did on the web and by watching the newspapers
>doesnt reflect these opinions at all. Everywhere I look it seems like PC
>techs are in demand. I guess I stand corrected. Maybe I'll look into another
>track for now. Thanks to all who offered advice though.
>
>Jim

I see one problem in your thinking...you made this decision after your
post was 9 hours old, and didn't even allow time for the entire world
to be home from work, or awake, to answer it.

Tom

>
>
>"Jason Whorton" <jason at microxl.com> wrote in message
>news:v339mqnm46ofd3@corp.supernews.com...
>>
>> "J Kountz" <jkountz@(remove this)citlink.net> wrote in message
>> news:v32nl05i5vo9f2@corp.supernews.com...
>> > I've been putting off for a few years now to get my A+ certification and
>> was
>> > hoping to get some opinions of this group concerning actually getting a
>> job
>> > with it. I'm old school self taught in PC repair, configuration and
>> trouble
>> > shooting and am fairly experienced in installing configuring and
>> optimizing
>> > several Windows OS such as 9x XP home and pro, NT and 2000. I guess I
>> would
>> > say I've been doing this type of work for myself friends and family for
>> > about 7 years now in addition to building somewhere around 20 PC systems
>> > during that time as well. So suppose I actually pass and receive my A+
>> > certification, without a college degree do you think I have a real world
>> > chance of getting a job in this field with the A+? What is a typical
>> salary
>> > for such entry level positions. Salary.com seems to think between 30k
> and
>> > 37k for my region. (Mid-Atlantic). I think this estimate is somewhat
> high
>> > but then again I don't know for sure. What's your thoughts on this and
> the
>> > feasibility of getting hired with just the A+ and not a degree?
>> >
>> > Thanks!
>> >
>> > Jim
>>
>> Hello. I am sure there are some jobs out there that won't be interested
>> unless you have at least A+ certification. It can only help. I don't
>think
>> any reputable shop will frown on you for being certified.
>> You may want to check around in your area to find what shops charge as
>> an hourly rate for labor. This might help you to base your idea. The
>mean,
>> median, whatever - halfway point of $30,000 and $37,000 is $33,500, which
>is
>> $16.10 an hour. YES! I would say that is a bit high. Unless people are
>> paying $100 an hour in your area to have a modem installed.
>> Depending on what field of IT you are entering, a degree may not be as
>> helpful as experience. The local university requires 8 classes of higher
>> mathematics. I just don't see how that will directly help me to get Joe's
>> machine in accounting to print again or Suzy's machine in HR to be able to
>> "see" the network again. Make sure you don't get a software engineer
>degree
>> to work on computers.
>>
>> Hope this helps,
>> Jason Whorton
>>
>>
>

Report this post to a moderator

This is true, I guess I was just frustrated, either way though Im still
interested in more opinions.

Jim

> I see one problem in your thinking...you made this decision after your
> post was 9 hours old, and didn't even allow time for the entire world
> to be home from work, or awake, to answer it.
>
> Tom
>

Report this post to a moderator

On Fri, 24 Jan 2003 20:23:57 -0500, "J Kountz" <jkountz@(remove
this)citlink.net> wrote:

>This is true, I guess I was just frustrated, either way though Im still
>interested in more opinions.
>
>Jim

Good. :-)

Tom

>
>> I see one problem in your thinking...you made this decision after your
>> post was 9 hours old, and didn't even allow time for the entire world
>> to be home from work, or awake, to answer it.
>>
>> Tom
>>
>
>

Report this post to a moderator