TrainACE - IT and Cybersecurity Training Blog

Cybersecurity is a thriving field in the IT industry. It’s no wonder that so many people are interested in beginning a career in this specialized IT area. As threats and cyberattacks continue to increase, as well as the number of devices that are used today, businesses are looking for cybersecurity employees to help protect their digital assets and sensitive information from cyber criminals. They are seeking qualified and certified professionals to fill a deluge of open positions.

Candidates that have the CompTIA A+ entry-level certification typically have an easier time getting jobs than those who are not certified. This is true all over the country, not just in Maryland and the greater Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Employers and IT recruiters often make it a point (sometimes a requirement) to seek out candidates who have the CompTIA A+ certification. This credential lets them know that you have the knowledge and skills they require for various IT positions. In the metro D.C area, there are various jobs that require candidates to have an A+ certification.

To become CompTIA A+ certified, there are two exams that you must take and pass. These exams are much like any other written test you may have taken in the past. The exams each contain different types of questions that are used to validate your knowledge in specific areas. It’s difficult to say how hard the exams are, because every test-taker has a different level of IT experience, knowledge, and skills. Further, individuals may have a different way of approaching exams and a different level of anxiety about test-taking.

CompTIA A+ certification remains one of the most popular IT qualifications available – and with good reason. This introductory-level certification focuses on identifying and troubleshooting common IT problems faced by organizations, making trained professionals indispensable as businesses must integrate new technology and ensure current deployments are working as intended to own their market space and get ahead of the competition.

Looking for a technology career in the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) areas? There is no shortage of open positions as big tech “takes off” in this area and companies look to expand their IT impact.

Many people start their IT career with an A+ certification. Naturally, people have a lot of questions about it. Here’s some common ones we receive- and some helpful answers.

After over 40 years in the IT business, having done everything from starting a help desk to being Director of Network Operations for the largest Major Shared Resource Center for the U.S. Government, I have observed certain traits that all successful IT personnel seem to exhibit. Among them are Tenacity, Integrity Curiosity, and Leadership. So if you are looking to succeed in Information Technology, read on.

If you’ve been searching for a job in IT you will have undoubtedly come across a lot of information regarding the CompTIA series of IT Certifications. The CompTIA A+ and Network+ in particular, are foundational to getting started in IT, whether you are a graduate looking for that first job or a computer enthusiast who wants to jump from an unrelated job into the IT Industry. Of course, you can take both of the Certifications separately but there are several reasons to consider taking them as a combined class.

You made the decision to jump feet first into a new IT career. You heard all about the high salaries, the career growth opportunities, and the cool code and hardware you'll get to work with. But after that initial excitement, you sat down to plan out your job search strategy and you drew a blank. Where on earth do you start?

CompTIA A+ and Network+ certification training was top of the agenda for many attendees of our Career-Changer Open House earlier this week. On hand to talk in more depth about our classes were TrainACE Instructors Rita Whitfield, Rico Cody and John Oyeleke. Held at our headquarters in Greenbelt, MD, attendees enjoyed pizza, cookies, and soda, whilst they learned more about our training classes from some of our most engaging instructors.