Getting Certified (for doing computer work)

[fawhfe]

Is it possible for young people (I'm almost 15) to get certified to do computer work and if so, which ones do you guys think are the most useful things to get certified to do. Also, is it like a class or do they give you a test or what is it? I'd definately like the experience in having a decent computer related job before I graduate high school. And please don't tell me to wait because I go to college when I just turn 17. Yeah, I know, maybe this was general hardware...

 

[aimn]

get some self study books, A+ is a good start.......what do you want to do? Cisco certs are nice. MS certs? There are all kinds of practice tests and study guides available.

 

[Barrak]

Yea, alot of computer repair companys are want A+ cert, and it is a good place to start for other certs as well.

 

[N8Magic]

I don't believe there are any age restrictions as far as certifications go. The most prohibitive thing for young people is the cost.

I agree with the others that A+ is a good place to start. I don't know if I would jump right into a MCSE 2K or a CCNA right now.

 

[nicowju]

I'm 17 (heading off for college next year) and I'm thinking of getting A+ Certified, and maybe MSCE 2K or something soon after.

 

[n0b7e]

I'm 17, going to be a senior next fall, my school somehow got funding for a Networking class. Basically, the whole point of the class is to take students who are knowledgeable in computers and train them to pass the MCSE exam so they can be certified and one step ahead of others. I got in, out of around 65 students who tried out, about 30 made it. They gave us a 400 page windows 2k text book, sh!t is big with tiny text, and they expect us to read it all by the end of the summer. Each exam by the way is $100 or more.

 

[Mungla]

Get yourself enrolled in a HS class or vo-tech where they teach classes based around the A+ exam. The local vo-tech around here has an A+ class that you can take. Which is pretty sweet, you get a semesters credit for HS and you get free training for A+. As a matter of fact, around here, if you take the A+ exam (HD & OS) and pass (at the end of semester), they will reimburst you for the exam costs. Too bad all seven of my class periods are things that I need, otherwise I would jump on this deal.

 

[fawhfe]

OK then Ill work towards A+ certification then. Are there any good online training places? I live in Madison, WI and well, the options I have for vocational schools arent exactly good (hell they all suck).

 

[Aves]

I'm sure you can get certified at a young age. However I do recall see a message on the screen when I took my CCNA exam that said people under 18 would have to make special arrangements for being certified, as they were not old enough to be legally bound to the Non-Disclosure Agreement. How that works I don't know because I'm 21.