TECHNOLOGY and the BROTHERS: The A+ Certification & the Importance of Symbols

“…a word or an image is symbolic when it implies something more than its obvious and immediate meaning.” –Carl Gustav Jung, Man and His Symbols

This image changed my life:

It was created by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA).

CompTIA is the leading provider of vendor-neutral IT certifications in the world.

On May 4, 2008, that image, along with the CompTIA A+ certification that it symbolizes, announced to the world that I was in possession of the knowledge and skills necessary to fix and configure the most common computer technologies in use at that time.

It symbolized my competency as a Technologist.

I was fortunate to already be employed as a software support representative, but my career took off when I decided to get certified.

For me, the A+ certification led not only to more money, but to more responsibility, which lead to more skill development, which lead to more opportunities, which led to more money, and on and on and on, and this virtuous cycle continues today.

A+ will not guarantee you a job, but I’m recommending it, because it worked for me.

I didn’t study computer science in college.

I only had the desire to do better than I was doing.

So, for anyone interested in starting a career in IT support, the A+ validates computer support skills. You will learn how to fix, enhance, and eventually design computer systems.

*Note: computer support is distinct from computer programming, which will be covered in future posts.

Search the internet, and you’ll find plenty of favor, and a good amount opposition regarding the A+ certification (and IT certifications in general).

Again, this is my advice, based on my experience. The A+ worked for me, and here is more evidence that it can work for you:

CompTIAA+ certification recognized worldwide as one of the best ways for entry-level employees to gain valuable IT knowledge.

8 Reasons IT Certifications Still Matter

Top Paying IT Certifications for 2017 (*Honorable Mentions)

Honorable Mentions Based on Popularity

Popularity	Certification	Salary
1	CompTIA A+	$79,877
2	CompTIA Network+	$81,601
3	Cisco CCNA Routing and Switching	$83,945
4	CompTIA Security+	$89,147

The A+ Certification requires two tests. Each costs a little over $200. That amount may be hard to come by. Trust me, I know. It was going to take me 3 to 6 months to save for the exam, but I was blessed to be able to borrow the money from one of my cousins. If you don’t have a benevolent kin, don’t worry, use the 3 to 6 months I believe it will take for you to prepare for the tests to save up.

Let’s assume that you currently make minimum wage, $7.25/hr. Let’s also assume that you work 40 hours a week. After taxes, you should bring home between $900 and $1000 a month. If you disciplined yourself to save $100 per month, it would take you only 4 months to save enough to cover the exam fees.

AND IF YOU DON’T THINK YOU CAN DO THAT, READ THIS:

Eight Lessons on Wealth Building

(*Download your own copy here: The Richest Man in Babylon)

How to get started

If you can understand the following concepts, you can pass the A+ tests.

There are four main components of a modern computing device:

1. The Central Processing Unit or CPU is the “brains”, or calculator of the computer. It processes data, and executes instructions or code.

2. Main Memory, or Random Access Memory, or RAM temporarily stores data, remembers instructions and helps the CPU to execute code faster and more efficiently (More memory = faster computer)

3. Storage/Hard Drive is for permanent data storage. Unlike RAM, the hard drive retains data even if computing device is turned off

4. Not pictured, but very important is the Network Interface. This could be a “card” where an Ethernet cable is connected, or a wireless antenna.

Interaction with a computing device involves input and output. Several devices can be used to control that interaction.

Examples of input devices:

Keyboard, mouse, thumb drive, microphone, scanner

Examples of output devices

Monitor, printer, speakers

You will need to understand that computing devices accept connections from different types of devices based upon official, approved standards, on different types of interfaces, or connections. For example, internet connections commonly use Ethernet, and thumb drives are connected via universal serial bus or USB.

You need to understand the interactions between hardware (CPU, RAM, storage, and network), and software, the things that can only be accessed when the computing device is turned on. Especially important are the Basic Input/Output System, or BIOS that runs when a computing device is powered on or restarted. The BIOS initializes, or prepares the computing device for the operating system. The operating system, or OS, manages the computer hardware and software at the same time. When most people use a computer, the operating system is where the majority of input and output interactions take place. The OS presents software called programs, or applications to users. That software is executed and controlled by the user, the computer’s hardware, and input and output devices.

What to Study

The material on the test is constantly being updated. Therefore, you need to fill out a form on the CompTIA website that will give you access to the latest exam objectives. Click here.

Study material & guides

I STRONGLY recommend you study 3 to 6 months before testing. Again, we are talking about $400 here! I also recommend that get a hold of an old computer or two, and practice taking them apart and putting them back together. Add memory, reinstall the operating system, and change the BIOS and network settings, etc.

Use the following free training websites as guides:

Begin here:

ProProfsA+ Study Guide

Then use one of the following:

CYBARYCompTIA A+ training course

ProfessorMesser’s CompTIA A+ training course

I will go over some of the more difficult subjects in future posts.

Topics such as…

…virtualization…