What kind of jobs could you get with an A+ cert?

You may have read my other posts on the general forum about my disabled friend. I'm now suggesting to him to explore the possibility of attending our local CC for 3 classes, take the test and get his A+ cert. Do you think he could find some sort of low-level job with just that? http://orangecoastcollege.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassListing.ClassListingDisplay&int_category_id=6&int_sub_category_id=56

 

My A+ cert helped me to get an entry level PC technician position at a computer repair shop. Full time @$7/hr. This was in 2003.

Not exactly a great job, but it did help me to learn and eventually get hired for a slightly better position ($10/hr). Since then I've increased my experience and education, and moved up to better paying positions several times (currently Database Admin/Programmer). In a way, I do owe it all to my original A+ certification.

But I don't think the A+ is worth that much just by itself. It's more useful if you really enjoy computer technology and have the desire to work hard at it.

So if your friend would enjoy it, then I say he should go for it. If not, it might be a waste of time and money.

 

Good info, thank you very much. This guy is in pretty bad financial shape and even the lame jobs you described would be a step up for him.

 

I say anything he can take at the local community college will be fine because can do some part time work at the school, as well as take advantage of the school's job placement office. He should stay away from online classes for now; its hard to get a job with online degrees without experience and with no help from the school. With A+, he can work at electronic stores like Best Buy as a PC technician. Also with him being disable, I think many will be willing to help him out when they see his effort. Goodluck to him.

 

Great, thank you. On that note, I would imagine that the Department of Rehabilitation might be able to help him more effectively than they did in the past if he has something to prove he has a skill. Even a job at Best Buy would be better than anything he has ever done before.

 

Some of these tech guys are brutal. He needs to develop a thick skin. I worked in the pc tech world for over 5 years and it takes a thick skin. Customers come in with an attitude, just having read the latest PC Magazine article and expecting you to know about the latest type of RAM memory. Its sort of a joke. Nobody knows everything, but the coworkers and customers always try to one-up you any chance they get.
Just make sure he understands that these computer geek people are very opinionated and even though they don't make that much money, the know their stuff and treat everyone like they are idiots.
This from a guy who lived it from 1992-1998. Its hard to not get jaded in this environment as well.