Education, Degrees, Certifications?

[forbegos]

Hi All,

I am planning on starting my computer repair business. Although I am not formally trained in computer repair and support I have been the go to guy for this for my co-workers (even over IT!), family and friends for as long as I can remember.

I was thinking however that I would require at least some formal training and certifications if I want to formalize this hobby of mine into a professional business.

Can anyone shine a light on what certifications/training/courses I should be looking for?

Thanks for all your help!

Forbegos

 

[The PCologist]

Some people will no doubt disagree with me but Comptia's A+ cert is a good choice for starting out with certs. It covers some of the basics of computer repair and I've noticed that a few clients seemed impressed with it.

I'm studying for Network+ currently, then after that I want to hit some of the Microsoft certs.

 

[Alan22]

This type of question comes up all the time and there are wide differences of opinion.

I feel certifications today do not have the value they once did, however the education received while preparing for certification (or college degree) is definitely worth it. Just remember that the learning doesn't stop after passing any tests and getting certified. This business requires lifelong dedication to learning.

I mentioned in a recent post on a similar topic that I have a BBA as well as MCSA, MCSE and A+ certs. Very rarely does someone ask for my credentials and if they do ask it's usually when I'm already elbow deep in their systems. However, I do feel the client does become more at ease when they do ask and I'm able to respond in the affirmitive.

 

[forbegos]

Alan22,

Thanks for your post. This is great info. Any resources and or institions I should be looking at to get these kinds of certs?

Thanks again for your help.

Forbegos

 

[Alan22]

Resources - books, videos &/or live classes. Classes cost alot of money and I personally don't feel they're any better than books & videos (I've done it all....many years ago though).

I always liked the videos from CBT Nuggets and Learnkey. However, you can find plenty of free videos online as well. Sites like YouTube didn't exist during the time I was getting certified. There's certainly more information online now than 10+ years ago.

Use the search function here at technibble. This has been discussed many times and there has been some great information posted directly answering your question about training resources.

 

[anonymous Mac Tech]

Resources - books, videos &/or live classes. Classes cost alot of money and I personally don't feel they're any better than books & videos (I've done it all....many years ago though).

This depends on the kind of learner you are also. I personally spent years taking just about any IT classes I could from programming, web development, to computer repair and computer networking at my local community college. I did this to soak up all I could on all levels, plus most of these courses were hands on lab based. That was just the way I learned as opposed to curling up with a book. Although I'm a very literate person, reading has always been something I've had to force myself to do, even if it was something I was really interested in. I can make it through an article or two by choice, then beyond that I need to force myself to keep reading. I'm better about reading now after earning 4 associate degrees and a bachelors degree, but still I read chapters because I had to for a decent grade. But on the other hand I know a few folks that have no desire to go to school and learn in a structured environment, but have taught themselves advanced mathematics because they had the discipline and desire to do that with their spare time.

So if you are looking for a structured classroom environment, check out the community college near you. One degree I earned was a complete associate degree in computer repair called Microcomputer System Support which they have since discontinued, but they still offer the hardware troubleshooting courses and Cisco and Windows networking classes. They even have a decent amount of Linux classes now.

 

[lgtechcomputers]

Go to TechExams.net

They are a fantastic resource for certifications.

I'd start with A+ also!

 

[The PCologist]

I've started watching the free Network+ videos at www.professormesser.com and have found them to be quite good. I've heard great things about his A+ video series too but have not watched them.

 

[forbegos]

Guys,

These are great resources and info! I am more of a structured learner myself. I need a class or a professor telling what I need to study because I always find myself doubting if what I am working at is really what I need to work at. Kind a confidence problem I guess. Community college sounds great, I will check definitely. A+ is my first choice also.

Thanks!

Forbegos

 

[forbegos]

Wow, I have checked out the professor Messer site. It seems to have all the information and resources you need to begin to prepare for the A+ certification. And for FREE?!

Forbegos

 

[TLE]

The professor Messer site is very good, but I also used the books by Mike Myers. I just sat 220-701 this morning and found that the majority of the questions were just common sense. I got 900

As the others have stated the A+ is a good place to start, I only decided to do it because I didn't have any certs in this field, and felt to be able to compete in the long run they were needed.

Edit: I sat the exams for MCDST last month.

TLE

 

[AllenHBlackburn]

Certs

If you are going to open up a store front, some certs on the wall may be a good thing to have. Although most normal computer users will have no idea what it took to get them, they still impress.

A+, NET+,SEC+,SERVER+,LINUX+,MCP,MCDST,MCSA

 

[sonyw810]

Its hard to find decent sim tests on the new 2009 objectives for A+ exam, but I am also on this road so I wish you luck. check this link out it will tell you what certificates you should have for which job role.

http://tcc.comptia.org/

For PC Tech it lists these as some suggested certs:

CompTIA A+
Apple Certified System Administrator
ETA Certified Network Computer Technician
ETA Computer Service Technician
Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician
NACSE Computer Technician
Red Hat Certified Technician

 

[forbegos]

I've started with the Mike Myers book. I am finding it to be not only a good source for the cert exam but also a good review in general for tech skills.

Forbegos

 

[nfojunky]

From what I've heard about certifications, if you're trying to get a tech job with a corporation, certification are more for impressing the people in Human Resources than they are for IT management.

As for running your own business, I think they're great for filling in the gaps of practical experience - stuff that's good to know, but you may have never run into before. And I can second (third/fourth) the + on Mike Meyer's books, they're good stuff!

 

[ATTech]

From what I've heard about certifications, if you're trying to get a tech job with a corporation, certification are more for impressing the people in Human Resources than they are for IT management.

As for running your own business, I think they're great for filling in the gaps of practical experience - stuff that's good to know, but you may have never run into before. And I can second (third/fourth) the + on Mike Meyer's books, they're good stuff!

Order of Preference for Employers:
Experience
Degree
Certification

Order of Preference for Customers
Certification
Degree
Experience

 

[forbegos]

Order of Preference for Employers:
Experience
Degree
Certification

Order of Preference for Customers
Certification
Degree
Experience

I agree. This order of preferences makes a great deal of sense to me. One of the reasons I am looking into certifications.

Forbegos

 

[bsd13]

Order of Preference for Employers:
Experience
Degree
Certification

Order of Preference for Customers
Certification
Degree
Experience

Never had a customer ask me about any of the three. Only question I ever get from customers is "How much do you charge?" and then either "Can you fix my problem?", or "Are you insane?!? What do I look like I'm made out of money?!!?"

 

[ATTech]

Never had a customer ask me about any of the three. Only question I ever get from customers is "How much do you charge?" and then either "Can you fix my problem?", or "Are you insane?!? What do I look like I'm made out of money?!!?"

Never had a client ask me for any of the three either. It's more of a subconscious "oh, look at those pretty logos, he must be good."

 

[Screwloose]

Never had a customer ask me about any of the three. Only question I ever get from customers is "How much do you charge?" and then either "Can you fix my problem?", or "Are you insane?!? What do I look like I'm made out of money?!!?"

+1 on this ... I have had people ask me after I was done fixing their computer how long I have been doing this ... but I dont think most customers even know what an A+ is much less the other certs.