Best Computer/Tech Certification Programs/Courses

[Ele'ill]

I currently have the worst job I've ever had, had it for several years, hate it so much, almost minimum wage, dead end, and the jobs before it were the same and I'm done with it I'm at that breaking point so here's what I've been thinking

I am good with computers. I used to have two pc's and 3 laptops and I used to swap out parts and acquire new gadgets and play around with new applications/software and networking and other nerdy stuff and I still do to an extent

To get me out of this hell hole trench that I am in I am thinking about taking some certification programs or courses. I figure even if I start at the same rate it'll be a building block kind of thing, I'll enjoy what I do more, etc.. I just need to get - the - fuck - out of the current type of jobs I seem to have always had. I have not been in school for a while, despite being good with code and other stuff I am not good at math although I enjoy specific math used for tasks that I am working on (I think that's pretty common). Where do I start?



*I just figure that computers are the trade I've never considered when wishing I had learned a trade when I was growing up. I am actually looking for an entry level position. One that I have in mind but know very little about would be companies that are contracted to send tech specialists out to various places, corporations and such, to do maintenance and troubleshoot issues.

[crazyirish93]

Depends on what you want to do programming or building repairing and troubleshooting etc comptia(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CompTIA) exams have a nice tiered system if you already have a good bit of experience then you should have no problem with their a+ exam after one months hard study from there you could move up through the certs to get the level you want other then that there are cisco and the microsoft certs.

[Ethics Gradient, Traitor For All Ages]

Unfortunately now might not be a good time to get into the field. A lot of entry and mid-level position are being outsourced these days and those jobs are necessary to get the experience that employers look for when staffing senior positions. Also with the way technology is moving with virtualization, it's hard to justify keeping more than just a handful of technicians around when the budget comes up.

If you're set on it however I would suggest either specializing in Networking or virtualization. Networking would be my choice, as most people in the field don't understand it at all, even if they may think otherwise. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CompTIA#Network.2B the Net+ is still a good entry level cert and is an ok price compared to some of the higher level stuff. Cisco's certifications always seem to get the best reaction anytime I've helped with hiring http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/certifications/index.html but they're pretty pricey.

I've been looking for a new job and I'm not to happy about what I've found. Most positions are contract based which I'm not comfortable leaving my fulltime job for and most fulltime positions are given to whoever has the most connections to the IT staff thats hiring. I'm thinking about going back to school for engineering instead :crying:

Good luck

[Ele'ill]

maybe i'll just drift through life doing nothing, I do know that I am moving ever closer to taking months off at a time

[Ethics Gradient, Traitor For All Ages]

Sorry, I didn't mean to talk you out of it. It's still worth a shot if it'll get you out of retail or food service or something. All the knowledge/resources you need can be had for free if you can get an employer to give you a chance, of even if you could get a helpdesk position at a call center. Just somewhere where you can practice your skills and gain some on the job experience. Feel free to pm me if you need anything