| Computer certification training comes in many forms. It | | | | to understand new concepts. |
| can be boot camps, self study or even going to a | | | | Self study by comparison is much cheaper. This can |
| school. So you have many options. By far the most | | | | be in the form of a cd course of books. This study |
| expensive study methods are the boot camps and | | | | method requires much more disciple on your part |
| going to a school or even online courses for that | | | | because most of us work full time jobs. Do you have |
| matter. In that case you have to think whether the | | | | the time a couple of hours every evening for this type |
| certification you are going for is worth that expense. | | | | of study? And are you willing to stick with it? - I |
| Entry level certifications like A+, Network+, MCDST will | | | | suppose is the more important question. If you do then |
| help you get an entry level job. Entry level jobs don't | | | | you are looking at $50-$700 in comparison. |
| pay well. They are your foot in the IT industry. So ask | | | | With the self study route I also recommend you try to |
| yourself "Is it worth paying $3000-$5000 to attend a | | | | get some hands on experience. Maybe through your |
| boot camp or computer school for such a | | | | work or setting yourself up a home lab? It will greatly |
| certification?" You decide. | | | | help you with, no only passing the exam, but studying is |
| Some prefer the structured learning environment and | | | | made much easier this way. |
| are willing to pay for it. Just bear in mind that to make | | | | It may seem that I'm prejudice about computer |
| the amount that you paid in wages would take you a | | | | certification training boot camps or schools. No. Being in |
| long time. Also getting certified doesn't finish with just | | | | IT myself and having to do certifications throughout my |
| your entry level certifications. You will need to do more | | | | career, I have to think where to spend my money on. If |
| as you climb the IT ladder. But that's for much later as | | | | I started off paying thousands from the entry level |
| you get experience behind you so don't worry about | | | | certification that I had done I would still be paying off |
| that now. | | | | loans and getting more. And the money I would get |
| Bear something else in mind if you prefer to go the | | | | from working wouldn't be worth what I've spent. |
| boot camp route. Boot camps are great but they are | | | | So decide which certifications you can get by with a |
| for those who do have some experience. Someone | | | | little spending and which certifications you are better on |
| with no knowledge will have a hard time squeezing so | | | | spending more. As a general rule, think about the kind |
| much information in a week or 10 day boot camp | | | | of job the certification will lead you to. If the job doesn't |
| course. The stress levels in boot camps are very high!! | | | | pay much (but you are doing it for the experience) is is |
| Generally boot camps are better for the higher level | | | | worth your while spending thousands on to study for |
| certifications where you would have gained | | | | it? |
| experience through your job in order to be better able | | | | |