CompTIA, Microsoft, Cisco certification (and stuff like that...)

[radioheadrule83]

Anyone here know whether these courses are worth it?

http://certification.comptia.org/

I'm considering doing the A+ course just to have a piece of paper that proves I know the shit they teach on the course (basic computer hardware competency by the looks of it) and the Network+ course to prove the stuff I know there, and hopefully fill in a few knowledge gaps along the way. There's also a Linux course available, how valuable is that to employers? If they're not worth it, what other qualifications are worth looking at? I know there's Microsoft certificates and things like that.

I'm in a basic administrative job at the moment, and it bores the fuck out of me. I'd at least be a little bit interested in any job involving computers, and anything like that is sure to land me on better pay. I'm looking to move out of Liverpool too, maybe down to London. I'm also applying for a move to Rheindalen, Germany. I just need fucking change, fast.

If my life hasn't improved by Christmas, I will seriously consider ending myself, so if you have any ideas - I'm all ears...eyes...whatever.

[demi]

You mean there's other jobs in UK besides Administrative jobs?

A+ is pretty useless

[radioheadrule83]

You mean there's other jobs in UK besides Administrative jobs?

Some.

My previous two jobs were call centre jobs where I basically got harrassed by angry people all day. One of them was a complaints line that was created because Sony-BMG fucked up one of Natalie Imbruglia's albums somehow. Before that I worked in an off license / liquor store type thing, until I had a gun pointed at me, which caused me to quit the next day. I also worked in a McDonalds for three weeks, shittest most underpaid job I ever had. On my final day I was yelled at to hurry up cleaning upstairs before closing. So I mopped the tables with the same mop I used in the toilets, kicked a mop bucket full of dirty water down the stairs, told everyone to fuck off, walked out and never went back. They actually phoned me the day after my tantrum and said it would be okay to go back if I wanted to.

This isn't a story I will tell prospective employers obviously.

[Mupepe]

Yeah, A+ is pretty worthless.  Especially in larger companies because it's not enough to get into the IT department and your department doesn't need you to know that.  They can jut send it to IT.  Also, if you are fairly familiar with computers, you probably won't learn much of value in that class that you didn't already know.

[Vizzys]

I have the A+

incredibly easy test and pretty useless

[radioheadrule83]

Pretty damning on the A+ then... my nearest test centre charges £1095 for taking it as well!

Any idea on the others?

[T234]

Cisco is good shit, jobs all over europe if you got the skills to pay the bills.

[Vizzys]

Pretty damning on the A+ then... my nearest test centre charges £1095 for taking it as well!

Any idea on the others?

net+ is probably good to have, it will require reading and study more so than the a+

mcse and cisco stuff is always good to have as well