IT Industry
IT Industry Certifications
This course focuses on
desktop and laptop computers. It also discusses mobile electronic devices, such
as tablets and smart phones.
In this course, you
will gain the specialized technical skills needed to install, maintain, secure,
and repair computers. Earning an industry-standard certification provides
confidence and increases your opportunities in IT.
This course is focused
on the following two industry-standard certifications:
·
CompTIA A+
·
European Certification
of Informatics Professional (EUCIP) IT Administrator Certification (Modules 1
and 2)
This course is only an
introduction into the world of IT. A technician can continue to study and earn
the following certifications:
·
CCNA - Cisco Certified
Networking Associate
·
CCNP - Cisco Certified
Networking Professional
·
CCIE - Cisco Certified
Internetworking Expert
·
CISSP - Certified
Information Systems Security Professional
·
MCP - Microsoft
Certified Professional
·
MCSA - Microsoft
Certified Systems Administrator
·
MCSE - Microsoft
Certified Systems Engineer
·
Network+ - CompTIA
Network Certification
·
Linux+ - CompTIA Linux
Certification
You can use IT
certifications as credits for some university and college degrees in areas such
as computer science and telecommunications.
The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA)
developed the A+ certification program. A CompTIA A+ certification, shown in
the figure, signifies that a candidate is a qualified PC hardware and software
technician. CompTIA certifications are known throughout the IT community as one
of the best ways to enter the IT field and build a solid career.
The latest version of CompTIA A+ is the CompTIA A+ 2012 Edition.
Two exams are necessary for certification: CompTIA A+ 220-801 and CompTIA A+
220-802.
The CompTIA A+ exams measure the necessary competencies for an
entry-level IT professional with the equivalent knowledge of at least 12 months
of hands-on experience in the lab or field. Successful candidates have the
knowledge required to assemble components based on customer requirements. They
are also able to install, configure, and maintain devices, PCs, and software.
To qualify, they must understand the basics of networking and security.
Candidates must be able to properly and safely diagnose, resolve, and document
common hardware and software problems, provide appropriate customer support,
and understand the basics of virtualization, desktop imaging, and deployment.
Prior to 2011, CompTIA certifications did not expire. Starting
in 2011, technicians must renew the A+ certification within three years of
becoming certified. Maintaining certification requires either passing the most
current A+ exam or enrolling in the CompTIA Continuing Education (CE) program.
The CE program allows participants to earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) by
becoming involved in approved activities that display an understanding of
relevant industry knowledge. Twenty CEUs are required for A+ certification
renewal, along with an annual CE fee of US$25.
Many higher-level certifications, such as Cisco CCNA, CompTIA
Network+, and Microsoft MCSE, grant full CEU credits if they are earned or
renewed after earning the A+ certification. Additional details about the CE
program are located on the CompTIA website.
Overview of Technician Jobs
Your experience
working with computers and earning a technical certification can help you
become qualified for employment as any of the following:
·
Field technician
·
Remote technician
·
Bench technician
Technicians in
different computer careers work in different environments. However, the skills
required by each career can be very similar. The degree to which different
skills are needed vary from one job to the next. When you train to become a
computer technician, you are expected to develop the following skills:
·
Building and upgrading
computers
·
Performing
installations
·
Installing,
configuring, and optimizing software
·
Performing preventive
maintenance
·
Troubleshooting and
repairing computers
·
Communicating clearly
with the customer
·
Documenting customer
feedback and the steps involved in finding the solution to a problem
A field technician, as
shown in Figure 1, works in a variety of locations, including private homes,
businesses, and schools. You might work for one company and support only the
computer and network systems it owns. Alternatively, you might work for a
company that provides onsite computer equipment repair for a variety of
companies and customers. In either of these situations, you need both excellent
troubleshooting skills and customer service skills, because you are in regular
contact with customers and work on a wide variety of hardware and software.
If you are a remote
technician, you might work at a help desk answering calls or emails from
customers who have computer problems, as shown in Figure 2. You create work
orders and communicate with the customer to try to diagnose and repair the
problem. Good communication skills are valuable, because the customer must
clearly understand your questions and instructions. Some help desks use
software to connect directly to a customer’s computer to fix the problem. As a
remote technician, you might work on a team of technicians from a business site
or in your own home.
As a bench technician,
you typically do not work directly with customers. Bench technicians are often
hired to perform computer warranty service in a central depot or work facility,
