Greetings! Recent undergrad. Need Advice Please!

Hello everyone! I'm new to the IT world. I recently received my AS (Associates of Science) degree in IT last May. I've been trying to get my foot in the door, however, I was busy these past few months with school (currently working on my Bachelor's degree). Anyway I've been studying for the A+ certification for a little over a month now. I would like to know if my strategy is sufficient enough to prepare for this test.

The book I'm using is CompTIA A+ Complete Review Guide by Sybex. I have been reading through each chapter while simultaneously taking notes for each chapter. I have also written down the glossary of terms onto flash cards (the glossary is provided via the CD from the book). Besides the vocabulary & the information in each chapter, the CD provides short question & answer questions as well as a Test Engine (the book says if you get more than 90% of the answers on the Test Engine right, you're ready for the certification exams).

My question is, should I continue to take notes from each chapter & study the glossary of terms or study the short Q&A questions plus the Test Engine? Also, should I invest in Transcender? I heard it was a very good exam prep tool.

Btw, is an A+ cert enough to get an entry-level job in the field? I'm very interested in the Security aspect of the field if that means anything. Apologies for the long read, thanks in advance for any responses.

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Comments

MeanDrunkR2D2

A+ is more than enough to get an entry level position.

Personally, I wouldn't invest too much into the study test engines as the test itself is a breeze when I did mine 3 years ago. I'd only invest in transcender for harder certifications and not the A+.

lsud00d

If you have an AS in IT and are working on your Bachelor's, I think an A+ is not a good time investment unless you want to start in the Help Desk/Field Tech/Office Tech track. If you're interested in Security go for the Security+ and try to get in a NOC somewhere.

Prophet of Crom

lsud00d wrote: »

If you have an AS in IT and are working on your Bachelor's, I think an A+ is not a good time investment unless you want to start in the Help Desk/Field Tech/Office Tech track. If you're interested in Security go for the Security+ and try to get in a NOC somewhere.

Thanks for the reply. The reason why I desire the A+ cert is because I'm very eager to get a job in the field ASAP. I definitely need a job that can adequately aid me in providing for my living expenses (I have a part-time job @ a fast food joint in an amusement park). Plus I won't receive my Bachelors until 2014 so that won't aid me at the moment.

Nevertheless, I just want to take the necessary steps to getting a job in the field ASAP.