Robert Da Costa ⋅ Orlando, FL U.S. Army Reserve, Chief Warrant Officer ⋅ 17 years served

Jasmine,
For additional training aids please see attached links:

A+
http://www.amazon.com/CompTIA-Training-220-801-220-802-Microsoft/dp/0735662681/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1411562234&sr=8-7&keywords=comptia+a%2B

Network +
http://www.amazon.com/CompTIA-Network-Training-N10-005-Microsoft/dp/0735662754/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1411562394&sr=8-10&keywords=comptia+Network%2B

Security +
http://www.amazon.com/CompTIA-Security-Training-SY0-301-Microsoft/dp/0735664269/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1411562426&sr=8-11&keywords=comptia+Security%2B

I found these books extremely informative and user friendly in preparation for the tests. I have worked with New Horizons IT school previously and found their instructors extremely knowledgeable, competent, and proficient. They also offer project management in their curriculum. Tuition-which can be paid for with the GI Bill- also includes cost of the exam for each course.

If you have a clearance opportunities are endless. I too transitioned into the IT field by leveraging my clearance and previous background. However, please be advised salaries within the IT industry are equivalent to experience. If you are so inclined there is a current demand for IT security professionals. Recommend also looking into CEH, also offered through New Horizons. Another positive of New Horizons is that they pride themselves in job placement upon completion. If you become one of their alumni they also have a resume writing service to boot. VERY military friendly institution.

Professor Messer is a free online tutorial that can also be taken advantage of. Found here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6sJjIQzdbE&list=PLG49S3nxzAnnmMVTdd4v4ryJ7_qoQCrF4

Lastly, while IT certificates are the fast track to secure a job in the industry, financial compensation will increase exponentially with completion of a Bachelors program.

Thank you for your service and best of luck to you

Dave Miller ⋅ Alexandria, VA Dept of Treasury, 20.5 yrs USN,LT (ret. ⋅ 5 years experience

Jasmine,
I talked to our IT folks here at the US Treasury who are active working professional system adminstrators. Here is the advice from them:

Take the 801 and 802 courses separately, after that the order of the lessons shouldn’t matter.

Also buy the A+ dummies book and use that as a study guide too.

AKO/Skillsoft training is good and especially for free it you should take advantage of it master that and then read the dummies book and then ask a lot of questions and she will be ready to pass.

Also be sure to take the Security+ test after the A+. A clearable veteran with those certs in the DC area will be very employable.

Hope that helps you out.

Dave

Robert Lamaster ⋅ Olivia, MN Kyndryl ⋅ 17 years experience

I totally agree with Chris Ruter (below). All I can speak to is my own journey, which took me from the Navy to working in the IT field.

I would concur that certifications are good, but they aren't the key. Experience in a particular application is what was the key for me. Out of the Navy, I landed a job working for a local school district IT department, since I had some IT training while I was in the service. It was initially a simple computer tech position, which allowed me to move up to network administrator as soon as a vacancy opened. The network admin position gave me the opportunity to start up an initiative to use Microsoft System Center. As I gained experience with those applications, I finally decided to shop my skills around to the corporate world. Having that specialty was exactly what was needed to land exactly the job I wanted and love to do.

Essentially, if you are an IT generalist, your opportunities will be good, and may get your foot in the door, but I feel that Chris hit the nail on the head when he said that you need to find something that "lights the fire" for you. So for me, it was a particular application. For you, it may be something else, such as a virtualization platform, database platform, networking type, security, or OS. When you specialize like this, your resume and LinkedIn profile (which I consider a must) will show up on keyword searches, as long as you craft them well.

About LinkedIn, Facebook, etc... - You must spend some time giving yourself a professional online appearance. Follow/Like organizations that show you as a professional. Employers DO look at your profiles before an interview. Get rid of the stuff (such as funny pictures, LOL-cats, drunken rants from friends, etc.) that detract from a professional image. Your efforts should give the impression that you are capable and focused on something that will make the company want you.

So.... it took me about 9 years from the time I left the Navy until I had the job of my dreams. Don't be afraid to start smaller and use the time to get experience and training that sets you up for the big time. ...and the last bit of advice - Never stop learning. Adopt habits where you set aside time every week to watch a video, participate in a workshop, read books, etc. In IT, you need to have a thirst for knowledge to be (and remain) successful.

Heather Gillbanks ⋅ Houston, TX General Electric ⋅ 26 years experience

Jasmine, welcome to IT! While you are considering training options, also consider Project Management training (assuming that this is an interest area, for you). During my ~20 years in IT, I found that while a technical base is essential for success, if you want to "move up" that usually requires PM skills.

PS I don't disagree with anything else written here. Particularly joining a local club - you will need a good people network to get the best networking job.

-heather

Josh Bond ⋅ San Jose, CA VItal Connect, Inc. ⋅ 16 years experience

Hi. I checked the SkillSoft website and found the CompTIA A+ curriculum. Their list at this link - http://www.skillsoft.com/catalog/curriculum.asp?pobj=5001568&cobj=5000435#5000435 - appears to be in the correct order that I would begin my studies.

Expand the "+" symbol next to "CompTIA A+ 220-801" and "CompTIA A+ 220-802".

After studying the basics I recommend that you choose a specialty. With IT there are so many choices that it can be daunting when first starting out. Many times your choice can reflect your personality, your work habits or the type of people with whom you most like to socialize. The great thing about IT is that you are never locked into one role. All it takes is a little bit of effort to learn something new and you will be on your way.

Contact me directly if you would like more information.

Michael Austin ⋅ Fair Haven, NJ Spencer Systems, Inc. ⋅ 35 years experience

Does your area have a local computer club? Here in Monmouth County, NJ I am a member of the Brookdale Computer Users Group. $25 per year for access to free sessions hosted by local experts in most of the areas you want to learn. Check your local community college.

Tom Cal, CFA ⋅ San Francisco, CA Army Veteran, Investment Manager ⋅ 25 years experience

Also direct your questions to an academic counselor at VCTP Syracuse. 100% free.
http://vets.syr.edu/education/employment-programs/

Carmelo Carbonara ⋅ New Hyde Park, NY CPC Networking Inc ⋅ 35 years experience

Also think about what industries you want to work in; healthcare, legal, accounting etc. Industry experience as well as certifications is a big plus.

Check out the federal civil service jobsite https://www.usajobs.gov/

Good luck to you

Aleta Anderson ⋅ Silver Spring, MD All Media Linked ⋅ 20 years experience

Happy New Year Jasmine! You should contact Malcolm Stewart at National Learning Center. The school is located at 820 H. St in N.E. Washington, DC They provide the Curriculum, Testing & Certification you need. His email address is MStew456@yahoo.com You can use your benefits to cover the tuition. They also provide job placement. Also, if you are interested in working with New York Life (Hispanic Div) as a recruiter or in financial product sales contact Ariel Rodriguez. New York Life provides training and they are hiring veterans. Arial hires for the Hispanic Div Ariel_Rodriguez_Mercado Tell them Aleta referred you.

Ronald Wong ⋅ Gainesville, FL EdutainmentLIVE ⋅ 10 years experience

Jasmine,

The CompTIA A+ 801, 802 exams will provide you with the equal knowledge of someone who has been working in the IT related field about 6 months. The Nework+ exam is equivalent knowledge of someone who has been in the field for about 6-12 months and the Security+ is for someone with 2+ years or so. Those these exams are not dependent on each other they do indicate a progression of skills. So are normally taken the respective order I mentioned above. It doesn't mean you have to. You've received some good advice already. I would just add to make sure you seek help in your studies if you're finding it difficult. Some training can be costly but others can be affordable. I recommend seeking help because studying is not easy for some on their own. Check out http://itpro.tv this what we do!

Cordially,
Ronnie Wong
Host, ITProTV

Aleta Anderson ⋅ Silver Spring, MD All Media Linked ⋅ 20 years experience

Hello. Check Out National Learning Center 820 H St., NE, DC & Vets Group at 1200 M St., NW, DC Both Institutions offer the curriculum you seek, they each also serve as testing facilities and have access to jobs. Tell them Aleta of All Media Linked referred you.

Also, if you are interested in a career with New York Life, "Earn While You Learn" You are educated and mentored during the first four years and throughout your career. This fortune 100 company really rocks! There is a hiring initiative for the Hispanics/Latino population.

Join us on Thursday, November 20th at BVLGARI Jewelry Store in Chevy Chase between
6 & 9 pm. New York Life is Hosting Nuestra Noche! By Invitation. Free / Music, Cocktails, Food & Opportunities. You should definitely come. Be sure to RSVP: info@AllMediaLinked.com Look for me: ALETA. I will introduce you to all the right people. Cheers!

Fouad Malik ⋅ Los Angeles, CA ⋅ 7 years experience

There are two exams for CompTIA A + ( 220-801 & 220-802). CompTIA A+ 220-801 covers the fundamentals of computer technology, installation and configuration of PCs, laptops and related hardware, and basic networking. CompTIA A+ 220-802 covers the skills required to install and configure PC operating systems, as well as configuring common features (e.g. network connectivity and email) for mobile operating systems Android and Apple iOS.

The courses in skill soft are in right order. Do all the courses for 220-801 in that order and then register to take the first exam. After you pass 801 exam, start with 220-802 courses in that order and then take the second exam.

Now there is no guarantee that after you complete these courses you will be able to pass the exam. You will need some kind of exam prep with possibly hundreds of exam questions.

In addition to your degree, these certifications are essential for a career in IT both in civilian and military sector. Please learn more about DoD Directive 8570.1

https://www.isc2.org/dod-fact-sheet.aspx#whatis

Consider getting following certifications in order:

1. CompTIA A +
2. CompTIA Network +
3. CompTIA Security +
4. MCITP Windows 7 or 8

Jeff Shoemaker ⋅ Lake In The Hills, IL Colorado Technical University ⋅ 20 years experience

Jasmine,
Training toward your A+ is the logical initial path. In addition to gaining training don't overlook getting on the job training. Companies such as Unisys, CDW, Office Depot, Amazon, etc. have great development programs with associated veteran hiring initiatives. Starting at a helpdesk position or in-store technical support e.g. Office Depot may offer training and a paycheck
Jeff

Paul Trejo ⋅ Austin, TX University of Texas at Austin ⋅ 40 years experience

Hi Jasmine,

Thanks for your service to America. Regarding the IT profession, I would advise the beginner to become immersed in TCP/IP networking technology soon and deeply. The entire planet is covered with TCP/IP technology. I myself would begin with the Networking courses. They are the basis and foundation for everything else.

Best wishes,
--Paul

Jasmine Lopez ⋅ Upper Marlboro, MD U.S. Army Reserve, Sergeant ⋅ 8 years served

Robert and Chris,

Thank you very much for your input. Reading everyone's comment is both enlightening and feels me with excitement but also it’s a little disconcerting. I am plagued with how do I get the experience without the certifications? Places I've looked want the certifications as well as the experience. I’m not 19 and single I’m 26 with children and a mortgage.

No matter what I’m going to make the career change. I just want to ensure that I’m doing everything within my power to get to where I want to go.

Jasmine Lopez ⋅ Upper Marlboro, MD U.S. Army Reserve, Sergeant ⋅ 8 years served

Hi Mike Anderson,

In response to your questions:

3-5 Year Professional Goals - This is a good question. To be honest I haven't looked this far. My current goals are to obtain my A+ and Network+ certs by June of 2015. As soon as I receive the certs I am to begin looking for employment within the IT field. And once I'm in, after a year of hand on experience obtain my Security+. By the 5 year mark I would like to working in Cyber Security/Defense. I'm not sure of all the steps I will need to take to get there. I do need to do more research on jobs but this is where my current interest fall

Current IT Knowledge - My professional IT knowledge I feel is limited. What I do know is self-taught through research I've done on my own. I can do basic troubleshooting - and what I mean by this is troubleshooting that most people encounter at home. Volume is working; screen has been turn upside down. Things of this nature.

Current Employment Role - I am not in the IT field yet. I am an Executive Assistant. I have been looking for part work in areas like radio shack and local electronics store, but to be honest I'm not sure what role I should be looking for as I want to expand my knowledge in IT.

Chris Ruter ⋅ Saint Paul, MN General Mills ⋅ 15 years experience

My best advice as someone who has worked in the industry and gone from the bottom and working my way up is find something that lights that fire inside that gives you a passion to work in IT.
If you already have a basic understanding of computers; how they work, how to troubleshoot issues-software and hardware are going to get you farther than you think. Do the self paced study while you have them available. If you are still in the Army Reserve and are able to cross train to an IT related job in the Army the formal training given is the industry standard. If the Army can't provide it switching branches and looking at a similar career field in another branch never hurts. In my unit we have a few from the Army and Navy who switched to the AF for that same reason.
Another tip is to get your resume' out there as soon as you feel confident in your skills. Getting that certification looks good but a lot of IT shops prefer actual experience over a certificate that showed you could study and pass a test. I've been told in interviews where "certs were required" that I was more valuable to them with my experience than the cert the other applicants had. Some of the first jobs that you will get calls on from potential contract jobs (most IT jobs start as contracted positions) will be entry level tier I help desk jobs in a contracted or in house call center if it is a larger company or hands on if it's a smaller company. I was fortunate enough to get the chance to work in a small IT shop for a hospital which exposed me to a lot of stuff which was all hands on.

Mike Anderson ⋅ Wheaton, IL Infospectrum ⋅ 30 years experience

Hi Jasmine.

The course list that you have listed above casts a pretty wide net. If you can, walk me thru where you would like to be 3-5 years from now from a Professional/Career standpoint, and then I (and the rest of the Advisors) can really help get you there.

Most of the knowledge that you would gain from what is listed above can be obtained thru books available at your library. That will help build a foundation from which you can build. My guess is you already have some base or foundation of IT related knowledge, if you can let us know what that is, that too will be helpful.

Lastly, what is your current employment situation? Do you work in an IT environment, and that could be anything from a Customer Service type role at a local Electronics Store (i.e. Radio Shack) to a Help Desk role at a large company. Understanding where you are currently at from an employment standpoint will identify what immediate opportunities might exist for you in addition to the education that you seek.

If you could help us understand those items (3-5 Year Professional Goals, Current IT Knowledge, Current Employment Role), we can put together a pretty solid plan for you to get where you want to go.

Lastly, thanks for your service to our country.

Al Marco ⋅ Middleton, WI 1stGig.com ⋅ 25 years experience

Please join VetsBridge.com and set up your Professional Career Profile. Once you have registered for this free service it will begin to connect you with career opportunities that align with your requirements and interests. No resume is necessary...
Al

Jasmine Lopez ⋅ Upper Marlboro, MD U.S. Army Reserve, Sergeant ⋅ 8 years served

Tom - Thank you very much for providing me with this resouce. I will be submitting my application today for the January classes.

Heres to hoping I get in.

Again thank you so much. I will try to keep you posted on my progress.