Are you interested in a career in information technology (IT)? In 2018, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projected a 12% growth in the IT field by 2028. This is much faster than the average for other occupations.
However, like most growing careers, IT requires education and training. A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree is great, but it’s expensive and it takes a lot of time and money.
Those of you who want a quicker path, or those who have an education but want to make a career change, should consider CompTIA courses to get certified to work in IT. Read on to learn four steps to taking these courses.
1. Determine Which Certification to Pursue
There are several different CompTIA certifications and choosing the one you want to take will depend on your career goals as well as your IT knowledge. If you’re not sure what that path is and if you’re only just starting an IT career, consider taking the CompTIA IT Fundamentals course and exam.
After that, you can look into other certifications. The CompTIA A+ certification is considered the gold standard that many IT companies require from entry-level workers to prove their knowledge of hardware and software.
Another great entry-level option is the CompTia Network+ certification. This covers the basics of networking and those who have it demonstrate an ability to work several types of network hardware.
There are several other options, most of which depend on your interests, experience, and career goals.
2. Study Exam Material
CompTIA offers exam objectives and practice tests for download so you can start familiarizing yourself with the exam material. Additionally, you can look into online forums and see what past exam-takers have encountered during the exam so you know what to expect. You can also purchase study guides online.
3. Take CompTIA Courses
To prepare for the exam, you should look into a preparation course. You could go on Google and search for “CompTIA courses near me,” or you can search for the ‘best CompTIA A+ online course.”
If you are in the Tampa, FL area, consider taking CompTIA courses from Computer Coach. We have courses for all the certifications, including a CompTIA A+ course and a CompTIA Network+ course. Our instructor-led approach with hands-on training and practice tests will help prepare you for your exam so you can get your certification fast and kick off your IT career.
4. Register for Your Exam
When you’ve completed all the previous steps and have studied hard enough, you can register for the CompTIA certification exam. You’ll need to purchase an exam voucher, and then you will take a proctored test at a Pearson VUE testing center. Keep in mind that the voucher will cost over $200, so make sure you’ve studied hard so you don’t have to pay for a retake.
Kickstart Your IT Career
These steps to taking CompTIA courses will increase your chances of passing the exam and getting started in your new career path. Enjoy the learning process and prepare for a new and lucrative vocation.
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