Garryonapc's Journal: How relevant is CompTIA A+/Network+ certification in IT

I recently completed a Foundation Degree in Computing & Network Admin. I am looking to go into the job market, but I feel that I don't have enough actual practical experience. I have been looking at CompTIA A+/Network+ for some time now, but I can't help to question whether or not a course such as this would be necessary? I want to go and eventually do Cisco or Microsoft exams, but I have no real idea what path I want to go down just yet.

What I really want to know, is how difficult is this CompTIA A+/Network+ course? Because I don't paticularly want to pay over £1500 for a course that I already know. But on the other hand, if I go straight into a job now, technically speaking I have never seen a working server, never mind trying to troubleshoot, and organise one.

I don't have a degree, but I do have the theory

I have a qualification, but I don't have the experience

I have the skills, do I need a CompTIA?

Any help or comments would be greatly appreciated.

I'm not an Employer

[ashren]

INAE but it shows that you have set though a class and are willing to learn the theory behind it all.

£1500! Far too much!

[dylan_-]

There's no way you should be paying that much! I haven't done the course myself, but from what I've heard from others it's pretty easy if you have a reasonable amount of knowledge.

You should just buy a book course and see how tough you think it is before you even consider training at that price. Have a look at Amazon or something and see what you can pick up. It's probably worth doing since you don't have experience.

Just take the test

[beerdini]

If you know the information why bother with the course, just take the test(s). Certifications are valued differently in each workplace. Some favor them over degrees, and vice versa. In any case they do look good on a resume in showing that you do know something about PC/Network support and troubleshooting if that is what you are trying to get in to.

I haven't taken any formal in class training courses, just self study certification books and taken the test and I have A+, Network+ and CNA certifications.