@TPD Amusingly enough, your A+ qualification has not expired cos back then they were lifetime qualifications, as opposed to now when they expire after three years.
@mr_shady I am actually doing a Diploma in Systems Technology at Computer Power Plus here in Wellington. They used to be a private provider but went under and were bought out by Whitireia and Weltech. Part of the course is studying A+, Network+, and Configuring Windows 7 (MCTS 70-680), and the course is aimed at you getting the external qualifications as well as the diploma (in fact I have gotten A+ and Network+ certified so the system works for me anyway).
Personally I would recommend it. You could definitely get those qualifications by yourself but there is also 100 hours of field site training included in the course and I find it is good to have other students and the tutors around to bounce things off. The program is self-paced. There is a maximum amount of time in which you can do the course but they encourage you to do it quicker (which I am). There is a small IQ type test to see if you are up to doing the course. Just logic, etc type stuff. The other thing I liked was that there are no set start dates for the courses they offer. New people start every week.
Might be something to look at if you are in one of the main centres.
Oh, and I am 45 and so it has been a LONG time since I did any sort of formal study :)
If you're interested in finding out how computers work and wouldn't mind dabbling in programming and web design then you might enjoy the course I'm currently doing which is absolutely free from Harvard University in the states. I'm currently working my way through their CS50 - Introduction to Computer Science course. It is all done online at your own pace. You can either audit the course or you can go for an ID verified Certificate which is what I'm going to be doing, but has a small cost.
It requires a lot of time but it is so so rewarding! I'm only about half way through and I've learned so much already, and there's even a subreddit for the course to get any help if needed. But the best part is it's absolutely free.
Here is the courses website: https://cs50.harvard.edu/
And here is their partner online education provider which is offering the course: https://www.edx.org/
You can also see all the content on YouTube as well, but I prefer to use EDX as all the material is laid out nicely in the correct order. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcabW7890RKJzL968QWEykA
If you want more information, or if you're interested in starting this course let me know as I'll be keen to have somebody else to bounce ideas with.
Replaced several hard drives on desktop and laptop and installed fresh Windows on them.
Installed wireless modem on home network .
Have flashed custom roms on several android phones and tablets.
I’m pretty awesome at finding pretty much anything on the net for free lol .
Saying you want to be in IT is like saying you want to be in the medical industry. Pathologist? RN? Theatre Nurse? GP? Cardiologist? What specifically?
Programmer? And what language.... Database specialist?
Network Admin?
Network Engineer?
PC Tech?
What you have described is just basic PC Tech stuff. If you could get a job as one, that would pay bugger all too. The higher your speciality, the better the pay. As in the medical industry.
PC Tech is a bit of a dead ed now anyway, it's all becoming tablets and phones now and if you want to be just a repair tech you're better off becoming an electronics tech. At component level, not just a part swapper.
If you're in CHCH, just go to electec/vision college.
It's a 1 year course full time, hugely hands on and practical. And don't listen to the guy who said the more hands on a course is the less you'll get paid. From my year when I went a few years back, 5 people I know of have various jobs at datacom, snap, gen-i to name a few. I know that from this years course there are about 3 guys coming straight out of course into a job where I work.
If you want to make money, be prepared to start low though. If you want to work in enterprise environments, youre going to have to do some time on helpdesk first.
HiTM4N: If you're in CHCH, just go to electec/vision college. It's a 1 year course full time, hugely hands on and practical. And don't listen to the guy who said the more hands on a course is the less you'll get paid.
Interested to hear others thoughts on this topic. Hands on usually starts with helpdesk or support work, which probably isn't as well paid as development or DBA roles. Though hands on roles can lead to higher roles anyway, so it may not matter.
Oh wow pretty overwhelmed with all the responses thank you guys!
Pretty interesting reading the varying thoughts on study vs experience. I live in chch so thinking about studying at Computer Power Plus actually went in a few weeks ago just to inquire and they sprung that IQ type test on me that @Brumfondl mentioned I passed but only just in my defense tho they completely sprung it on me unexpected and I hadn't yet eaten that day lol. Looking at that Vision college course that @HiTm4N mentioned I see there is a bit of level 6 stuff which may be a little out of my league at this stage. I'm just looking at doing a certificate and seeing what I like before deciding on an area to specialize in.
Interesting how some of you have said I should just flag study and go straight for a helpdesk or support work type job and work my way up that way just due to the money situation it's an option I will consider. I will only be getting $200 a week through student allowance if I study which isn't a lot to live on especially in chch so if I can earn while I learn all the better. Anyone know any companies that I could talk to that are willing to hire people that don't have experience or qualifications and help train them? I would also like to work overseas at some stage in the future not much in chch these days for someone in their mid twenties so would be good getting out of here for a while at least so I'm wanting skills/qualifications that can transfer pretty much world wide unsure if NZ qualifications translates to overseas countries?
Thanks for the Harvard link @Scrubb I will look into it further could be an option worth considering especially if I decide that I wanna start off with a help desk type job as opposed to studying.
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