Best route for getting computer certifications??

I was wondering if someone here knows of any CREDIBLE online certifications for A+, Microsoft Windows, and Networking and Security?? Or even material that you can order (DVD's, etc.) to do the home study thing!!

Let me give you a little background and maybe someone can help me better!!

Within the last year and a half i've gone through two back surgeries and a butt load of therapy, etc. due to a work injury, so it is Work Comp (Thank God) not that it matters...but i've obviously had alot of time on my hands, which have been spent in front of the computer developing some self taught skills!! i would say that I've gone from a 3 or 4 on a scale of 1 to 10, up to about a 6 or 7, just by reading online and trial and error on my stuff and a few friends!! I've actually gotten quite a following of friends and relatives that pay me (sometimes, LOL) to keep there computers secure and free of all the cyber junk out there, which has led to me realizing how much I enjoy being a computer geek wannabe!!!!

Meanwhile...back to the prime directive here...Being that i'm not going to be able go back to the job I had...Work Comp is going to do this so called Vocational retraining thing, where they pay for me to either go back to school or some kind of trades training. My lawyer says that I can choose, within reason, what I would like to do, so guess what....When I grow up, I want to be a geek!!!!!!!!!!!

So after doing some research...I've come to the conclusion, that I don't want to be in school for the rest of my life, and they aren't going to pay for me to go to Harvard to become a brain sugeon... sooooo, it looks like these different certifications are the way to go!! I know I need to start with an A+, and some kind of Microsoft help Desk (please correct me if I don't know what i'm talking about!!!!) but I would also like to become knowledgeable in the networking and security aspect of this stuff!!!! Our local Junior College (Waubonsee) has the A+ and several others, but it can tend to get kind of confusing when you are trying to decipher exactly what you need, and if I end up getting carried away, I might as well go back to school and take some kind of comprehensive degree program for computers!!

That raises the issue as to why i'm trying to find some self teaching resources....Being that i'm now 31 yrs old and long out of the loop of school, I don't really want to fuss with that again!! I know there are all kinds of resources out there, whether it be online or materials that you order, and then go take the test somewhere when you feel you are ready, but what is CREDIBLE, and what is a hoax?? or would I simply be better off going back to school?? I just simply want to get back on my feet as quickly as possible and help the wife put the bacon on the table, while doing something I enjoy!!!!!

Any takers?? Didn't know if anyone was up for career counseling!!??

Sorry if I tend to ramble....I've got too much time on my hands!!!! LOL

Thanks for any help!!
Roger

 

Just wanted to bump it up once more, incase someone missed it!! Don't guess anyone has any answers????

Roger

 

after several years of the trial and error method on my own computers i finally took a basic upgrade and repair class at my local community college. this oppened the door for me. i met like minded people. got involved in study groups ect. 80% of my computer training has been self study with an occasional course here and there mainly to brush up for a certification.

figure out where your main interests lie and work in that direction. i think that A+ is a good place to start and probably at least one MCP. i did the windows 2000 and had enough knowledge for W2K server (never took the test as medical issues got in the way just as i was about to go for it) before deciding to get my A+. i was thinking about doing some of the cisco stuff ,but trouble shooting and building computers is where my main interests lie. so i havent pursued that very far.

i currently have a part time computer service business which i plan to take full time in the fall.

i guess my main point is that you dont need the full blown school programs to make it in the computer field. especially if you plan to be in business for yourself. i have been self employed for over 23 years. i learned early in life that i dont make a very good employee.

hope this helps and good luck on your path of choice

 

Thats changing really fast. Ask Kodo. Or me for that matter. Or ask anyone who has lost their IT job to outsourcing. Best to future proof yourself with a field thats less likely to move out of the country.

Certs can help, but they are hardly what they used to be. Now they are just pieces of paper saying you passed a test. Most skills depend on the person, and if you are expecting a cert to get and keep a job, you are sorely mistaken. It takes your ability and experience to accomplish that. Many employers won't even look at certs anymore.

As for being self employed with a computer business, thats great! I tip my hat to you. However, a business like that is relevant to its location...you can't sell swimming pools in Antartica. Unless your area would support something as such, it wouldn't work out.

 

thanks Adrynalyne, perhaps i should have been more clear that i was speaking strictly from a "self employed" viewpoint. it seems back in the IT boom days certifications was all you needed but i can see how that has changed now. i am pretty much out of touch with what is needed in todays market. i havent had a "real job" since 1979 and i got that job based not on WHAT but WHO i knew.

in fact i live in a small (and very expensive) market therefore in my case it is a part time business.

which is why i am moving to a larger *choke* market when my house is sold. (or in the fall whichever comes last)

 

I hear ya. I was going to move and do the same with a small computer business, but decided on Engineering, instead.

We'll see. I may still have to move. Not too many engineering jobs around here, unless you like building weapons for the government.

 

I appreciate the inputs guys!!!! I'm not necessarely wanting to get a job being the head of NASA's computer division!!!! I just want to be able to safely say that I am knowledgeable enough for you to hire me to build, troubleshoot, and some home and small office networking, and windows is obviously not going to go away, so It would probably be smart to take some courses in that field!! Like I said...I don't want to spend the next 20 years in school...I just want something to get me started and make more than a cashier at McDonalds, and then see where it goes from there!!!!

I'm still open for more thoughts though...i'm all ears!!!!

Thanks
Roger

 

I actually got bigger raises working for Piza Hut than for Convergys, doing Microsoft Windows XP support

 

Sorry it took so long to get back, but I left town for a few days.

I've been doing some research online, and I found something that is supposedly world wide but they also have a school in my neighborhood!! The URL is pasted below!! I'm just curious if anyone is aware of this company...and if so, what is your take on them?? Here is the link below...

http://www.newhorizons.com/retail/welcome.asp

I'm still having trouble trying to decide between ALL THE MANY certifications available that would be specific to me!! I know I need to start with the A+ Cert., but I also want to be knowledgable of networking and security, and a better indepth understanding of Windows (As much as I do hate Bill Gates, but windows is obviously not going away)!! Basically I want to either Fix peoples Home PC's...which I'm already pretty good at!!...or more importantly...I would love to manage (or HELP manage) a small office setup!! Like I said I don't want to become Senior Network Administrator for the Pentagon, and I don't have the time and money to just go back to school for 5 or 6 years and get a full blown degree!!

So does anybody have any idea exactly what kind of certifications might be down my alley??

Sorry for dragging on, but I've got to get this figured out within the next couple of days!!!!

Thank You
Roger

 

you're not going to manage any offices without a degree. I recently enrolled in ITT and they have a pretty good program believe it or not. Check it out.

 

Why did u give em your number ?

 

Like I said....I don't want to become the president of some major corporation!!!!

I just want to be able to get a job, making a decent wage, doing what I love...Working on computers!!!!

Before I got hurt....I had an extremely physical job, and I was working 50-60 hours a week just for $30,000 a year and that was before taxes!!!!!

I would be tickled pink if I could get a job as a PC Tech of some sort (hands on...not answering phones!!!!) working only 40 hrs/week and make 30-40 grand a year to start and then work my way up!!!!

That being the case...that was why I asked if anyone has heard of "New Horizon Computer Learning Centers" because it looks good, but I was hoping for some word of mouth!!!!????

If not...does anyone know of a good place in the Chicago area to get certifications, without going to school for a degree??? That will probably come later once I can get back on my feet!!!!

Thank You
Roger

 

you couldn't answer phones anyway, phone techs have to be hard to understand to thoroughly irritate the customers, you seem pretty intelligible to me..lol

 

Every place is not without it's loser group. I've had no problems with the billing department here. I've already a BS in psychology so I have all the general college I really need. That's why I opted NOT to go back to a 4 year school that shoved that stuff down my throat. Though I have to say that math is very important no matter what and I'm happy to be taking math classes again, no matter how frustrating it can be sometimes.

I guess school has always been what you make of it. I try really hard, get good grades and talk to the instructors..A LOT. I mean, I pick their brains constantly. Every school is also not without it's quirks. SUNY Plattsburgh was a good school but their registrar office was filled with bumbling idiots. Thier advisors weren't on the ball all that much either. Nothing is perfect I guess.

I'm sorry to hear that you had a bad experience. Our ITT here is relatively small and yes, there are few thing that could use some changing and I'm letting the administration be aware of my opinions on those matters. I've had bad teachers at ITT and I've had bad teachers at SUNY Plattsburgh, it's all relative.

 

We have a new horizon center here. I've taken a few classes with them and thought they were very good. The instructors were very intelligent, but again, this could be a localized instance. Your best bet is to stop down there and see if you can sit in on a class for a short while to audit them and see if the instruction is too your liking.

 

Excellent....thank you!!!!! That is what I was looking for!!!!

I would love to go to "SCHOOL" but, I hate all those general studies crap that has nothing to do with what you are taking!!!!! Besides that...Work Comp. isn't going to pay for me to go to school for 2 years and take multiple classes, when I can get the certifications, in less time and money (less time really...they just want me off their backs as soon as possible!!!!). Granted it is not going to be looked at the same way as a degree, nothing is, but I would hope it would let me atleast get my foot in the door!!!! Maybe once I get back into the workforce and i'm making a pretty decent wage...I will probably go back to some night classes and slowly work on a degree, just so that I can say that I have one!!!!

Thanks Again, I'm still open ears, if anyone else has anymore suggestions!!!!

Roger

 

that's what I'm doing now.. it can get busy at times.

 

Thanks for the help, guys!!!!

I just talked to an advisor at New Horizons, and I go in tomorrow to discuss and cuss what exactly it is that I'm aiming for, and the best approach to reach my goals asap without spending an arm and a leg and my left nut!!

Curious to see what we come up with!!

Roger

 

you also might want to talk to some of the companies in your area that hire techs and find out from them what they look for/require. find out exactly what degree, certification, experience level they are looking for. find out which of the 3 they put the most weight on when hiring. they might even be willing to give an idea of what qualifications their applicants have. that will give you an idea of what kind of compitition you will be up against

 

Well, I went and talked to an advisor at New Horizons today...Now i'm more excited than ever!!!!

They put together a comprehensive package that includes 5 different certifications, a course on interviewing and resume writing, an internship program, followed by a job placement program!!!! All hands on training, in small class enviroments, and at your own pace!! ( provided it is completed within a year )

It was quite impressive what they had to offer!!

We'll see what happens!!

Roger

 

Hey, good luck