Community college here we go!

Im a newbie. I decided to go with the local college to start on my career changes. I want to work on getting some certs as well. I bought a Mike Myers book (comptia). Big book. Im contemplating purchasing some Train Signal products. Anyone have any info on Train Signal? Can I find it cheaper somewhere else?

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azjag

Most community colleges have decent programs to help you achieve these certs. They are cheaper too. As far as finding Trainsignal for a cheaper price you may want to try ebay. You could also click on this link Free practice exams for Microsoft, CompTIA, Cisco and other certifications and follow the Trainsignal link there. May not get you a discount but it will support the techexams.net site and that's good karma.

bigmantenor

If you are working on the A+ right now, then Trainsignal may be a bit much as far as study materials go. My advice would be to get through the Meyers book and the reassess what else you need to work on. There is excellent and *free* video training here: Professor Messer, CompTIA A+, CompTIA Nework+, Microsoft Certification Training. The A+ is already pretty expensive for what it is; no sense in making it more expensive than it has to be.

tpatt100

azjag wrote: »

Most community colleges have decent programs to help you achieve these certs. They are cheaper too. As far as finding Trainsignal for a cheaper price you may want to try ebay. You could also click on this link Free practice exams for Microsoft, CompTIA, Cisco and other certifications and follow the Trainsignal link there. May not get you a discount but it will support the techexams.net site and that's good karma.

Totally agree with this, I would wait to see what the classes are like. Around here they have used IT certification training books in the class.

astrogeek

Hey man I just sent you an e-mail, (finally), before noticing this thread. What classes did you end up signing up for?

A+ is definitely a good place to start. A really good way to learn about PC hardware is to build your own PC. They are pretty easy to build these days; almost everything is either snap in or screw on, only the CPU installation can be a bit tricky for new builders.

Other that that I can't say much about A+ because I skipped it, but someday when I have time I'll pick up one of those behemoth A+ books and see what gaps I'm missing.

I am curious what other courses you signed up for though and what school since you're somewhat local to me.

grauwulf

Community colleges are a great place to start your education. It's a heck of a lot cheaper and the class sizes are much better. There is a huge difference between being in a class of 15 and a class of 75.

If you're really keen on starting with certs many jr colleges have cert prep classes. I've never taken these so this is hearsay, but I think it would be a great way to get into the habit of (A) going to school, scheduling is it's own skill, and (B) sitting down and studying. Another benefit is that after one class you will achieve a goal. It may not seem like much now but many people get discouraged with school because it can feel so.... interminable. Meeting personal goals (w00t! I got an A, I get a weekend to party!) is another reinforcing method, but that's something you have to define and pursue yourself. With a certificate class, you get your certificate in the mail and you have a tangible artifact of your success. YMMV but I think getting certs really helped to push me through school. It's a small affirmation that "yes I can study and I can achieve" that can be quite powerful.

One last note on books. I've met quite a few people who seem to be under the impression that owning a book will somehow force the knowledge to transfer into the owners brain through some form of osmosis. I've been guilty of this myself

My recommendation is to read the books you already have and if you find those to be lacking, then go looking for something else.

One book with 300 pages is much less daunting than four books with 1200+ pages. Tackle the challenge in front of you and you'll find success sooner and easier.

So yeah. I should get back to work myself

Good Luck!

veritas_libertas

I would hold off on buying Trainsignal videos until you move onto something like Cisco or Microsoft. CompTIA certifications are foundation certifications that require memorization and comprehension more than anything else.

grauwulf

veritas_libertas wrote: »

[...]require memorization and comprehension more than anything else.

Would a cert that doesn't require comprehension be a meta-cognitive certification? That would be awesome! "I am certified in my ability to potentially understand the topic that you have hired me for."

Oh. Wait. That's a PMP..... never mind.

veritas_libertas

Lol !

Suburban Rat

Thanks everyone for the input. I decided to take the very first, entry level computer class my local college has to offer. Its all online. I literally live a block from the main campus but unfortunately I signed up really late and that was all I could get. I start a new job in about a week(not IT work), so this may pan out better. Not sure what kind of schedule I will have.
As for online training, I've been watching professor Messer. Free is always good. I tore apart my old computer already. I've done it before but now I can say I have purpose for doing it.

nhpr

The other good thing about community colleges is that the teachers aren't there to do research; they genuinely want to teach people.