A+ Certified IT Technician

I mentioned in yesterday's tribute post that I was now A+ Certified. I also mentioned I was certified with IBM, but I think more people are familiar with IBM than with A+.

I am also guessing the majority of you are not familiar with CompTIA either. Here is an excerpt from CompTIA.org: 

The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is the voice of the world’s information technology (IT) industry.  Its members are the companies at the forefront of innovation; and the professionals responsible for maximizing the benefits organizations receive from their investments in technology. CompTIA is dedicated to advancing industry growth through its educational programs, market research, networking events, professional certifications, and public policy advocacy.

Mission statements are a little wordy sometimes, so I'll summarize. CompTIA is an organization that regulates the standards of technology. Such as what knowledge and skills a technician should have to work on computers. They are the governing factor and are a pretty big deal in the IT world. NMGI and CompTIA are like this. (And when I say like this I am crossing my fingers, but you can't see that.)

As far as the A+ Certification is concerned this is the main test. This is IT 101. There are a ton of certifications one can achieve in the IT world, but A+ is a prerequisite for a majority of them. So completing the A+ exam with a passing score is an important step in an IT career.

A+ isn't just one exam either, it's broken into parts. A+ Essentials is the first part. The Essentials exam is mandatory, you have to take it and you have to pass, no exceptions. Once this is completed you open up a choice for your next exam. You have to make a choice between IT Technician(220-602), Remote Support Technician(220-603), and Depot Technician(220-604). Each of these are specialized and focused in different areas. I obviously went for IT Technician, which is what I needed to have. I'll break down the different options though, just for clarification.

• CompTIA A+ 220-602 validates the ability to perform tasks such as installation, building, repairing, configuration, troubleshooting, optimizing, diagnosing and preventive maintenance in the context of the field service or enterprise environment. This credential is appropriate for those who work, or plan to work, in a mobile or corporate environment, or hold a position characterized by a high-level of in-person customer interaction. Candidates who pass this exam plus CompTIA A+ Essentials will be CompTIA A+ certified with the IT Technician designation.

• CompTIA A+ 220-603 tests the candidate’s ability in troubleshooting and interacting with customers remotely via the telephone or e-mail. Candidates who pass this exam plus CompTIA A+ Essentials will be CompTIA A+ certified with the Remote Support Technician designation.

• CompTIA A+ 220-604 tests the candidate’s ability in work-related scenarios such as repair bench that emphasize computer repair and troubleshooting. Candidates who pass this exam plus CompTIA A+ Essentials will be CompTIA A+ certified with the Depot Technician designation. 

The options are similar, but IT Technician is probably the most beneficial for someone on the go like myself. I studied for this test for months. I had been studying before I even came to NMGI. The problem was actually being able to take the test. These tests don't come cheap. An A+ Certification is said to be equivalent to about 6 months professional experience, and instead of earning a paycheck for an actual 6 months of experience. You need to pay almost $200 per test. That is just to get in with the test, pass or fail, it's $200. So the A+ which is 2 tests ends up being close to $400 dollars. That was my major setback, until starting at this company which believes in the value of knowledge and will pay for all my tests, I was on my own. Which was a major reason why it wasn't happening.

So I studied it hard for a long time, and I went in to the Essentials exam feeling kinda iffy. It's intimidating, these tests are so important. I didn't have a lot of trouble with the Essentials. I got 835 out of 900. Which equals out to about 93%. I took the IT Technician exam about 2 weeks later. I was feeling cocky, I was confident. I should have taken the weekend to study just a little more, but I took it last thing on Friday. I got in there and was slammed from all sides with questions that I didn't even remember from the study guides and practice tests. I sneaked by with a 710 out of 900. I needed 700 to pass. I barely made it out alive, but I got it. That's what is ultimately important. Actually having that piece of paper. Here's a picture of the framed certificate hanging on my cubicle wall.

I felt the need to devote a day to explaining the hours and emotional strain that went into taking this test. Also giving everyone a briefing on why this was such a big deal to me.

Until Next Time,

"The Erik" Sanburn

/ Support Technician / A+ Certified IT Technician; IBM Notebook Certified

90 +2 Days Employed.

On the 18th of November, I celebrated my 90-day-iversary. It had been exactly 90 days since I started here at NMGI (Network Management Group Inc.) So far I feel I've learned so much and come along ways from when I started. I have my A+ Certification now, I'm also certified with IBM now. I've been out to work with clients all over Kansas and into Oklahoma.

It's pretty amazing working there. That may sound like sucking up, but it's not. I still find myself in awe sometimes. I sit there in my cubicle, I look up at my framed certificate hanging on the wall and I just feel this surge of happiness and accomplishment. I think it's what they call "pride." I'm not used to it just quite yet.

I started off strong out of high school. I went to K-State Salina, I was all excited about being a Computer Systems Major. It was a great experience. However I started getting that gnawing feeling inside, the one that tells me not to get too comfortable. I'm so used to being unhappy with my station in life, that when things are going good I tend to self-destruct. This was a big one. I was going strong in school, but got antsy, and freaked out. I dropped out of college, moved back into my mom's house and started hanging out with my friend's again. It was safe, it was normal, it was the same rut I was in from high school. I had a blast, it was a fun time, however it was also a time when I worked about 20 different part time jobs over the next year, none of which I left on good terms. I wanted fulfillment, I took a job, learned what I could and when I got used to everything, I would just walk away and start over. It seemed to work for me back then. However as time went on I realized it was harder and harder to get a job anywhere.

I had been applying to NMGI for about 2 years before they finally hired me. I had 5 or 6 interviews over that time period as well. However until this last string of interviews I had never felt like I nailed it. This time around my approach was something different, I decided to show a little more heart and passion than simply knowledge about the subject matter. I went into the interview clarifying to Steve Harper, the CEO, that  I knew I was not a very experienced candidate. I was good at fixing minor issues, but on a business class level I had a lot of learning to do. Even though I was not the most experienced or knowledgeable, I was sure that I was going to be one of the more passionate and willing candidates. I wanted this job more than anything, I just needed a chance. My resume was average, my job history a little lacking, and my training was sub-par. I firmly believe it was my passion that set me apart from the rest.

Needless to say, Steve did take a chance on me. I am loving it here, and I've never been happier with an employer. It's continually an intellectually challenging work environment. I like being kept on my toes. Everyone here is so friendly, it has that "family" feeling, where everyone generally cares about each other. This is where I need to be right now, not only am I advancing myself intellectually, but also am finally correcting my finances. I am finally undoing the errors over the last 4 years since graduation.

I may not have gotten to the destination in the quickest way, but I took the scenic route, I struggled on my path, but I finally got there, and I learned so much more along the way.

Until Next Time,

"The Erik" Sanburn

/ Support Technician / A+ Certified IT Technician; IBM Notebook Certified / Network Management Group, Inc. (NMGI)

Extra Notes: I will leave you with a statement from NMGI.com

Vision, Mission and Profile:

Our Vision    NMGI, along with our clients and partners, will continually improve performance using technology. Together we will enhance efficiency, effectiveness, productivity and profitability. Our Mission    To design, implement and manage technology solutions for clients using quality services and products, while leveraging our flexible technical and consulting expertise.

Our Value Proposition We will listen and deliver on what we promise. We will commit ourselves to making a difference everyday. We will focus our efforts on building valuable assets for our company and our partners. We will speak and listen in the language of possibility. We will commit ourselves to customer intimacy. We will have fun.

Profile Company Name Network Management Group, Inc. Incorporated 1991 Ownership Privately Held by Steve Harper and Randy Johnston Headquarters Hutchinson, KS (map) Affiliate Office Pensacola, FL (map) Employees 24 Business Model Two Tier: 1. Small and mid-enterprise strategic technology consulting firm 2. Small and mid-sized business value-added reseller (VAR)

Adventures in Beaver

So I'm going to play catch up and start posting some things that have taken place recently that I never got around to blogging about. Yet...

First of November I had to travel to Beaver, Oklahoma on business. The job went relatively smoothly, not alot of time leftover to sleep however. So I spent two days in Beaver, we ate at a relativley new Mexican restaraunt. The food was average, nothing spectacular. At least the combination dinner wasn't. I'd be willing to go back and try something else another time.

We finally finsihed the job about 1PM on the second day. I went to load up the company car when I noticed something. Something big...

So I wandered over to the giant 20ft tall beaver an took a couple of snapshots to share with all of you.

I guess you really do learn new things everyday. On this day, I learned that Beaver, OK is the world cowchip throwing champions. I'm sure that will come in handy at some point.

Also in case you were wondering Beaver, OK is about 4 hours from Hutchinson, KS. Which is where I reside and work at.

Until next time,

"The Erik" Sanburn

/ Support Technician / A+ Certified IT Technician; IBM Notebook Certified / Network Management Group, Inc. (NMGI)

The Monster Smart Car: Dream Come True?

So as some of you may know, I had been saving and preparing to purchase a Smart Car for about a year, before I reluctantly backed out and went for my Spicy Orange 2008 Chevy Aveo. 

Some of you mocked me for my love of tiny vehicles. My warning to all of you... be glad I didn't feel the need to make a Monster Smart Car like the one in this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDU5BU_qSJU

The sad thing is, I could imagine myself cruising around town in this thing. I would rule the road! As everyone else would have to pull over from laughing so hard... perhaps on second thought, my orange Aveo was the right decision.