How would you rate the CompTIA A+ certificate in terms of "expertise"

[tankman1989]

I see a lot of Craigslist techs claiming to be computer "experts". Their qualifications for this expertise is a CompTIA A+ certification and no experience listed. IMHO I would not consider this person anything but a novice to intermediate level of skill and definitely not an expert. On a scale of 1-20 in expertise, I would rate CompTIA A+ as a 3.

What would you rate the A+ cert on a scale of 1-20 in "expertise"

I have the feeling that the term "expert" has lost all of it's credibility which is truly unfortunate. We are now inundated with fly-by-night pizza techs who have the minimal certification calling themselves "experts" in the IT field. The only thing that this can do is hurt technicians as a group.

I am so frustrated with people who know little trying to claim expertise. I never did this and had the modesty and courage to admit that I wasn't an expert and wouldn't be an expert for quite some time. It takes YEARS and YEARS to master a profession. You can't do it in 6 weeks at a community college.
/rant

ADDED AFTER Let me pose another question. Does someone with ONLY and A+ cert and VERY little experience (couple months) have enough expertise to run their own support business/shop?

 

[AdamsAPlus]

The CompTIA A+ certification is an a vendor neutral basic (or if you would like better) introductory Certification. It is meant to be a starting point. The first Certification you get. If this is all you have to put out there as knowledge then NO your not an expert.

I have 7 different certifications, An AS degree in Computers, Only 7 classes away from my BS Degree in Computers. over 10 years of experience. And I don't feel right calling myself an expert. There seems to me that I have so much more to learn.

But then again most of my experience has been in the Big Business World. There is a big difference between Working in an IT department and dealing with Customers. In the Big Business World, if its software related then you just nuke and pave. If its hardware related then you just swap components until you swap the correct one. (not really that simple but you get the point)

I don't know what it would take for me to feel right about calling myself an expert but I do know that if all you have to say for your self is that you have the A+ then you are far from being an expert.

 

[cmonova]

A+ is by far being an expert in the field but depending on the path you take it is almost imperative that you get the certification. Anything to do with the govt requires it be it a govt employeer or a contractor that deals with govt contracts.

Just this month we have had no less than 50 people take it mainly due to the rule changes with renewal at the end of the year and out of those i'd say at least 15 have failed and those people all work in the industry.

I think with any cert along with experience you will have some degree of expertise in the industry, but not truly an "expert"

 

[tankman1989]

I'm glad to see that I am not alone in thinking A+ is FAR from being an expert.



Let me pose another question. Does someone with ONLY and A+ cert and VERY little experience (couple months) have enough expertise to run their own support business/shop?

 

[AdamsAPlus]

No. Far from it. The CompTIA A+ doesn't really teach you much when it comes to real world. It's a good starting point. So if all you have is the CompTIA A+ and only a few months of experience....

Well lets just say I'm going to become an Auto Mechanic because I drive a car and know how to change my oil...

 

[ATTech]

As far as I'm concerned, the A+ and other certifications are more of a self-esteem booster and for people to brag about in their forum signatures and other written mediums. I used to have faith in the certifications, but after seeing so many people with so many certifications and so little knowledge, I couldn't help but change my mind. When it comes to computer repair, there is nothing that trumps experience.

 

[vdub12]

I have found that most people I run in to that only have an A+ are not technically knowledgeable, in fact many are morons. I have never given much value to the A+ because anyone with any common knowledge could get one. Now that they are changing the rules to add a steady income stream I find it even more useless. I automatically think in my head when someone flashes an A+ Cert that they are a noob and have no buisness fixing computers.

 

[AdamsAPlus]

I would agree with ATTech to some point. It all depends on how the people received the Certifications. Did they actually study and learn the material or did they just get a braindump and memorize the answers.

If they actually studied then then it can give a starting point. But there is nothing that can replace experience.

I think certs are important to show people that you have taken the time to educate yourself. I just wish there was a way to show if you actually learned or if you used braindumps.

 

[NeutronTech]

I automatically think in my head when someone flashes an A+ Cert that they are a noob and have no buisness fixing computers.

Hey now.....

I get what your saying. But I think it's when someone flashes an A+ cert AND has no experience. I got mine back in 2001, seemed like a bigger deal back then. But I'd hate to be knocked back to 'noob' status every my cert gets noticed..... sort of like a reset button?

 

[Hercomputers]

As far as I'm concerned, the A+ and other certifications are more of a self-esteem booster and for people to brag about in their forum signatures and other written mediums. I used to have faith in the certifications, but after seeing so many people with so many certifications and so little knowledge, I couldn't help but change my mind. When it comes to computer repair, there is nothing that trumps experience.

Ditto for this too as well as Vdub's comment. When I worked for AT&T years ago, they were very big on getting certified, even giving you an incentive (some pocket change) but that was it, no raise or ability to move to another job - they just wanted you to be certified.

In my experience working there and at other large companies in the past, someone could study for the test, pass it and fine, they have the knowledge, they know answers to the test questions but guess what? That's it! They don't have the actual hands-on/work experience to back it up. Having the piece of paper is fine, IF and only IF you have actual hands-on.....personally I think too much emphasis has been put on getting the piece of paper only - no piece of paper should be worth more (when it comes to applying for a job) than actual work experience and/or hands-on. It's sad to see that with a lot of companies, it does.

NT: YOU are not a noob.....lol

 

[AdamsAPlus]

I agree. But to a noob starting out they need to get something to get the experience. The certs are good to help get a job so you can get the experience. No one needs to start their own business with out experience.

If I was hiring someone to work for me and I saw 2 resumes, one with certs and one with experience. Of course I would hire the one with experience. You can't beat the hands on. You will learn more from 1 year of Hands on than 2 years of schooling. But if I had a 3rd resume that had Certs and experience then that would be the one I would hire.

The problem I have is I advertise that all my techs have there A+ and their MCP. I advertise that because I find that, that is one way to prove that we are not pizza techs to the Customers. So since I advertise it then I require anyone working for me to have it or get it after receiving the job.

So I use it more for an advertising thing because to the Customers it sounds better.

 

[Xander]

A+ is the tech equivalent of a GED. It's entry-level certification.

 

[ATTech]

Ditto for this too as well as Vdub's comment. When I worked for AT&T years ago, they were very big on getting certified, even giving you an incentive (some pocket change) but that was it, no raise or ability to move to another job - they just wanted you to be certified

I've always pondered the reasoning for companies to offer incentives, or require certifications for certain positions/payrates. I don't think that the companies are jaded enough to think that there is much value in the certifications; I think that companies do this to encourage some sort of learning and initiative outside of the work environment.

 

[AdamsAPlus]

I've always pondered the reasoning for companies to offer incentives, or require certifications for certain positions/payrates. I don't think that the companies are jaded enough to think that there is much value in the certifications; I think that companies do this to encourage some sort of learning and initiative outside of the work environment.

I disagree. I think there is a lot of value in certifications, if they are achieved honestly.

It's like any other field. A person can learn the information with out ever going to school. Theoretically someone can become a great medical doctor with out ever going to medical school. But I would not trust them as a doctor. But then again someone can have a medical degree but cheat their way through school and be a bad doctor.

It's just easier to cheat to get IT certifications. That is why they are not valued as much as they once were. Anyone can get IT certifications if they get a hold of the brain dump. And I hate this fact, because how else can you prove that you have taken the time to educate yourself in your field.

I do TV repair on the side. I get broken TVs from the recycling center. I fix them up and sell them. I do not advertise that I'm a TV repairman because I have no education to back up my claim.

 

[ATTech]

I disagree. I think there is a lot of value in certifications, if they are achieved honestly.

It's like any other field. A person can learn the information with out ever going to school. Theoretically someone can become a great medical doctor with out ever going to medical school. But I would not trust them as a doctor. But then again someone can have a medical degree but cheat their way through school and be a bad doctor.

It's just easier to cheat to get IT certifications. That is why they are not valued as much as they once were. Anyone can get IT certifications if they get a hold of the brain dump. And I hate this fact, because how else can you prove that you have taken the time to educate yourself in your field.

I do TV repair on the side. I get broken TVs from the recycling center. I fix them up and sell them. I do not advertise that I'm a TV repairman because I have no education to back up my claim.

The problem with certifications (the A+ in particular) is that there is no hands-on, lab work to back them up, nor is the information particularly useful for computer repair. I took the A+ after having years of experience in the industry, and found little to nothing on the exam that I used in practice. It seems to focus more on the basics of how a computer works than what spyware is, or what a BSOD is, etc.

 

[bytebuster]

I see a lot of Craigslist techs claiming to be computer "experts". Their qualifications for this expertise is a CompTIA A+ certification and no experience listed. IMHO I would not consider this person anything but a novice to intermediate level of skill and definitely not an expert. On a scale of 1-20 in expertise, I would rate CompTIA A+ as a 3.

What would you rate the A+ cert on a scale of 1-20 in "expertise"

I have the feeling that the term "expert" has lost all of it's credibility which is truly unfortunate. We are now inundated with fly-by-night pizza techs who have the minimal certification calling themselves "experts" in the IT field. The only thing that this can do is hurt technicians as a group.

I am so frustrated with people who know little trying to claim expertise. I never did this and had the modesty and courage to admit that I wasn't an expert and wouldn't be an expert for quite some time. It takes YEARS and YEARS to master a profession. You can't do it in 6 weeks at a community college.
/rant

ADDED AFTER Let me pose another question. Does someone with ONLY and A+ cert and VERY little experience (couple months) have enough expertise to run their own support business/shop?

It all depends. I went to a tech school for 9 months, and then got the A+. The A+ was a joke to get as far as I was concerned, and it turned out that my expensive education ($10k) was terribly inadequate. I found myself learning on the job because NOBODY would hire me, it turns out that employers don't like grads of private schools, and the community colleges in my area didn't offer computer training beyond a few programming classes. So I was stuck. I find myself having to learn DC jack repair from the internet because nobody teaches it where I live. In fact, there are few computer repair classes of any kind in my area beyond those private schools that everybody hates.

I found myself claiming "20 years expertise" just so I wouldn't get ignored by all the people looking for "experts". I hated it, but the sad fact is that if you don't claim to be an "expert" nobody will hire you. I can't find any used laptops to practice on because they go for $100 each on ebay, which is absolutely stupid. So I find myself having to work on machines without any experience, because nobody at all will give me the time of day. Can't get hired, can't get experience, can't practice. I don't know what to do.

 

[ATTech]

don't like grads of private schools

That's not entirely true. I couldn't imagine that employers turn down Standford grads. I think you mean that they don't like the for profit schools (ITT Tech, Devry, etc.)

and the community colleges in my area didn't offer computer training beyond a few programming classes.

Actually, they do. The Los Rios district offers courses and degrees geared for networking admin and even a few for computer repair. Now I can't speak to validity of the curriculum, but I can't imagine it would be any worse than ITT Tech.

I find myself having to learn DC jack repair from the internet because nobody teaches it where I live.

This is one of the things that you don't get classroom training on (although a basic electronics/soldering class like the one I took my freshman year of high school would suffice), rather, you get experience working for a company that does this kind of work.

 

[AdamsAPlus]

The problem with certifications (the A+ in particular) is that there is no hands-on, lab work to back them up, nor is the information particularly useful for computer repair. I took the A+ after having years of experience in the industry, and found little to nothing on the exam that I used in practice. It seems to focus more on the basics of how a computer works than what spyware is, or what a BSOD is, etc.

I agree. But you have to look at the A+ for what it is. It is the Basic Intro Certification. It is not meant to be the Top of the Line Cert. All of CompTIA Certifications are the Basic Intro Certs. Take the Network +. You wouldn't take that Cert and expect to get a Network admin job. You would need to get higher level experience and higher level Certs. Like someone said before before. The A+ is like the GED of certifications.

 

[bytebuster]

That's not entirely true. I couldn't imagine that employers turn down Standford grads. I think you mean that they don't like the for profit schools (ITT Tech, Devry, etc.)

Actually, they do. The Los Rios district offers courses and degrees geared for networking admin and even a few for computer repair. Now I can't speak to validity of the curriculum, but I can't imagine it would be any worse than ITT Tech.

This is one of the things that you don't get classroom training on (although a basic electronics/soldering class like the one I took my freshman year of high school would suffice), rather, you get experience working for a company that does this kind of work.

Yes, the for profit schools. I went to MTI on Madison Avenue. At the time, 2005, Sac City/Los Rios didn't offer computer repair. I think that's a recent offering. I'm not looking to be a network admin anyway, never was, since those jobs are now done remotely from India. MTI wanted an extra $10k for the MCSE, but I balked. Good thing too.

The problem with MTI was that the two computer instructors were old fogies who really weren't up on current stuff, and the computers they had were ancient. Some of the workstations in the tech lab ran Windows 98, in 2005!, and were old Optiplex Dells. I was under the impression that MTI was chronically short of money. Lots of time were spent doing basic math and grammar and Office 2003 stuff. The teachers were ok, but the school lacked cash, it's just a little family run place.

After I left they converted one whole building into a cosmetology school and junked everything except paralegal training (ABA certified) and the new Paul Mitchell sponsored cosmetology school. My cousin was a cosmetologist, and she made about $9/hr. Spending the amount of money they were asking of students for a $9/hr job with no benefits is insane-Sac City offers an excellent program. I recently looked up the Microcomputer Tech class list at Sac City and it's a better education than what I got. But in 2005 all they offered was programming.

 

[ATTech]

Yes, the for profit schools. I went to MTI on Madison Avenue. At the time, 2005, Sac City/Los Rios didn't offer computer repair. I think that's a recent offering. I'm not looking to be a network admin anyway, never was, since those jobs are now done remotely from India. MTI wanted an extra $10k for the MCSE, but I balked. Good thing too.

The problem with MTI was that the two computer instructors were old fogies who really weren't up on current stuff, and the computers they had were ancient. Some of the workstations in the tech lab ran Windows 98, in 2005!, and were old Optiplex Dells. I was under the impression that MTI was chronically short of money. Lots of time were spent doing basic math and grammar and Office 2003 stuff. The teachers were ok, but the school lacked cash, it's just a little family run place.

After I left they converted one whole building into a cosmetology school and junked everything except paralegal training (ABA certified) and the new Paul Mitchell sponsored cosmetology school. My cousin was a cosmetologist, and she made about $9/hr. Spending the amount of money they were asking of students for a $9/hr job with no benefits is insane-Sac City offers an excellent program. I recently looked up the Microcomputer Tech class list at Sac City and it's a better education than what I got. But in 2005 all they offered was programming.

That's why I would never waste time with any for profit schools. A coworker is finishing up his second Associates Degree with one and is in no better better of a position than I am for job prospects; I made more than he does right now, when I was working for In-n-Out back in high school. By my calculations, he's dumped up to $80,000 for nothing. Maybe the education isn't as terrible as people claim, but overcoming the stigma that people feel towards it is damn near impossible. I'm halfway through an engineering program and have actually made money by going to school (Federal/State grants). By the time I'm finished, I may have had to spend some money on my education. But I digress...