Joined: 31 October 2006 Location: United States Posts: 26
Posted: 31 October 2006 at 4:51pm | IP Logged
I was wondering if anyone here has much experience with certification boot camps. I was considering a few camps for my A+/NET+ certs.
Are these camps worth the high price tag? For lower level certs like A+ am I better off just reading the books and taking the test? I already have 2 1/2 years of experience in IT as a network operator, and now as an administator assistant. I want to get certified ASAP so I can advance my career. One person I talked to said with a couple certs, combined with my experience I should be able to land a job as a network administator.
Joined: 30 August 2005 Location: United States Posts: 6048
Posted: 31 October 2006 at 8:12pm | IP Logged
For *all* certifications, you're better off reading the books, getting hands-on experience, and taking the test. 99% of bootcamps aren't worth a thin dime. Many will even allow you to cheat (by using braindumps) to enable you to pass the exam... in those cases, sure, you'll be able to pass the exam... but you won't be able to really understand the material, nor will you be able to do the job.
I'd highly recommend self-study methods, especially with your level of experience.
Joined: 20 August 2003 Location: United States Posts: 3441
Posted: 31 October 2006 at 8:34pm | IP Logged
TMichael wrote:
For *all* certifications, you're better off reading the books, getting hands-on experience, and taking the test. 99% of bootcamps aren't worth a thin dime. Many will even allow you to cheat (by using braindumps) to enable you to pass the exam... in those cases, sure, you'll be able to pass the exam... but you won't be able to really understand the material, nor will you be able to do the job.
I'd highly recommend self-study methods, especially with your level of experience.
Quoted for Truth and another vote for the self study methods
Best of luck!
Joined: 31 October 2006 Location: United States Posts: 26
Posted: 01 November 2006 at 10:11am | IP Logged
I can't believe how expensive these camps are. If it was reasonable, like maybe 500-$1000.00 for a couple certs, then I might consider, but almost all of them have the same price range, 3000-$4500
I just want to get certified ASAP, because I don't have a degree, I need something else on my resume besides my work experience.
Joined: 20 August 2003 Location: United States Posts: 3441
Posted: 01 November 2006 at 11:15am | IP Logged
Then get started on the books or if you feel that confident, just take the exam (that's what I did) but I had almost 4 years (non-professional and 1 yr professional) experience when I took the A+ in 95, N+ in 99, didn't even start on MS certs until 2 days after 9/11/2001. At the time didn't think I'd really need them since usually experience spoke louder.
You'll see a trend every now and then. Intially it was just experience, then there was a period of just hire those (mostly) with certifications (and of course the paper cert mills went in high gear) and now you see a combination of employers wanting experience AND certifications. When I started professionally 11 years ago, it was easy to get started in IT, but sometimes hard to go from just being a pc tech/desktop support to a higher level position. But I still enjoy working on machines so I tend to work positions where I have the best of both worlds. Little bit server support, network support, desktop support, radio's, wiring, etc etc etc. I never get bored, everyday is usually just a lttle bit different.
Kinda like my law enforcement career was. I could also just drive around and I'd find the drug dealers and thieves in between those just violating traffic laws. Some call it 95% boredom and 5% sheer terror (but you never show it) and at times, I find it almost applies in IT (terror shows up when YOU screwed it up and YOU got to fix it)
I don't have a degree either, but so far it hasn't stopped me, although I'm sure I've been held back somewhat, but like I said before, I like what I'm doing. No more working somewhere where the owner screws up the network and expects me to fix his mess although it did do wonders for my experience level, even though it didn't help my health issues any (4 heart surgeries in 6 months when I first worked there but I stayed 2 yrs).
You have to pace yourself, you know what you have to do, so forget about boot camps or any other type of shortcut like it, it'll all cost you more money in the end. Learn it right, you'll test well and apply the knowledge you gain in the process.
Joined: 20 August 2003 Location: United States Posts: 3441
Posted: 01 November 2006 at 11:21am | IP Logged
I guarantee you, if you work on it now, you'll have 2-3 certs in 6 months that you can add to that resume and then go looking. It will be the best investment you can do for yourself. Plus not to mention the money you save and can invest in savings. Research research and research some more, in IT its a never ending process and a continual learning process.
Also keep in mind what people mean by people skills (aka soft skills). Your attitude, listening abilities and even your body posture will reflect how you may fit in with a team. You can be the only person in IT, but you are still part of a team. If your the cog with a gear tooth missing, it won't be long before you're replaced with a new cog
So treat those end users with respect and dignity (even if they are hell bent on screwing something up), they are your meal ticket to success.
Joined: 31 October 2006 Location: United States Posts: 26
Posted: 01 November 2006 at 5:06pm | IP Logged
Thanks for the advice!! I'm going to ditch the idea of the boot camp and just keep reading my A+ book. I also have been an avid computer user for many years, and have built several of my own systems. I just need to study up on a lot of the technical stuff (I/O addresses etc.)
The good thing is that I'm working in the field now, so I'm just adding to my experience as I work on more certifications.
Joined: 30 August 2005 Location: United States Posts: 6048
Posted: 01 November 2006 at 7:45pm | IP Logged
bandit648 wrote:
Thanks for the advice!! I'm going to ditch the idea of the boot camp and just keep reading my A+ book. I also have been an avid computer user for many years, and have built several of my own systems. I just need to study up on a lot of the technical stuff (I/O addresses etc.)
The good thing is that I'm working in the field now, so I'm just adding to my experience as I work on more certifications.
Awesome! In a couple of years, you'll be SO glad you skipped the boot camps.
I wish you the best of luck! If you need any advice or just a morale boost, you know where to come. :)
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Topic: Boot Camp for A+/Network+ ??
Topic Closed)
and YOU got to fix it) 
although it did do wonders for my experience level, even though it didn't help my health issues any (4 heart surgeries in 6 months when I first worked there but I stayed 2 yrs).
