OK i had just graduated from highschool a few months ago and wanted to head in a computer career. My question is i would like to learn about fixing computers and computer security . Where should i start. i recently been taking older computers apart and putting them back together . should i start with compTIA certification and from there were should i head. Is there any good books out there anyone good recommend. sorry so many questions but pretty curious.

Hi, infinityG35man

Congrats on your Graduation from High School.

The basic Comp TIA certificaton is A+ and would prepare you to do a similar type of work that we do here.

There's always a need for good local hands-on computer Techs, and it is possible to acquire a few local business maintenance contracts and make a decent living.

However, if I was younger and starting out in the business I'd prefer to set my sites on Networking or Data-Base Management.

With a BA in either of those fields, and the associated industry certs. you can command a much higher salary and do some very interesting work.
Obviously, with the .dot com bust, lots of those higher paid folks were temporarily out of work, but their knowledge, skills, and expertise will get them back into good employment.

Someone with an A+ cert, will be making house calls or bench repairs.
I happen to enjoy that kind of work, and particularly the human interaction that comes with it.

Getting a good "brick-and-mortar" diploma is essential.
Where you go with it, depends on your preferences.

I couldn't agree more with that suggestion.

Just a few years ago computers and/or the hardware cost an arm and a leg. Now they are a dime a dozen. In todays world there's very little, if at all, board level repair. The repair cost doesn't justify the means. The only real value is the data that might be lost.

Not too many years ago the computer company I worked for sold 40 "MEG", that's MEG and not GIG, harddrives for $450.00 (US) installed. We also did board level repair.

With all the layoffs going on, the IT people go first. So "PC Techs" are also a dime a dozen now.

My current hourly pay rate as a Technician is less then I made 15 years ago and it doesn't appear that that trend will be changing anytime soon.

IMO, I would go with Cisco training along with the Networking or Data-Base Management.

Were do i start to learn how do this Cisco training along with the Networking or Data-Base Management. Should i first start out with compTIA Networking or start out with compTIA. Thank you guys for information i need a little more input if possible. thanks

i tried to .google Data-Base Management and could not find much information about it.

Hi again infinityG35man,

Information Management is a better "term" for searching what I was referring to, sorry.

There are plenty of sites on the internet from which you may receive a wealth of information and add to your education, just like many/most of us do on an ongoing basis.

However, you should "seriously" consider "attending" a college or university to complete an AA, BA, or MA in your eventual choice of career.

"Brick and Mortar", means an actual building with classrooms, labs, and live first-person interaction with Instructors and other Students.

thanks for responding again but i got some more question at hand sorry. Ok so i went to local colleges to see what courses are offered and they offered the following courses. Are these courses similar to what you guys recommended

Cisco CCNP Examination Preparation Levels V-VIII Certificates

Cisco professionals design, build and maintain computer networks that use Cisco software and hardware to form the networking and Internet foundations for business and government agencies worldwide. The Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Examination Preparation Certificate Levels V-VIII confirms that the student processes the industry-recognized knowledge and skills required for each of the CCNP components. Upon successful completion of all four levels (taken in any sequence), the student is qualified to take the Cisco CCNP examination which is administered by an outside agency.


Data Base Specialist Level I Certificate

The Database Specialist Level I certificate prepares students for entry level positions involving the design and development of database systems in an organization.


any help would be great guys thanks

This post has been edited by infinityG35man: Sep 8 2009, 08:17 PM

Either choice would be good.

IMO, you need to decide if you want to work with hardware and software (Cisco) or just the software side (Data Base).

i was under the opinion that BA and MA refer to Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts, respectively, both being Arts degrees. Computing generally travels down its own path or the Science path - unfortunately I don't consider myself an Arts student; I wish I did, as those are normally the good looking girls walking around campus.

Raktor,

You may be right, that Computer Science programs produce BS and MS graduates.
You certainly make a good point about the campus social considerations.

what does computer science cover

Seriously now...

You should be asking that question of the Admissions Counselor and ask further questions of the Career Planning Counselor at the College to which you plan to enroll.