CompTIA A+ Capstone Reflection Paper PDF

Ginger V. Rose CIS2089551 Capstone  Julie Schnieder 12/4/2024 CompTIA A+ Capstone Reflection Paper                My goal that I am trying to accomplish with the Desktop Support Associates Programs is to built experience and knowledge in computing hardware and software so that I could be able...

Ginger V. Rose CIS2089551 Capstone  Julie Schnieder 12/4/2024 CompTIA A+ Capstone Reflection Paper                My goal that I am trying to accomplish with the Desktop Support Associates Programs is to built experience and knowledge in computing hardware and software so that I could be able to use these skills in a career in the tech industry. The way that many graduate students accomplish this is by obtaining an CompTIA Industry Certification which is something that many hiring managers prefer with job applicants with an tech background. The certification that would go well with my Associates in Desktop Support would be the CompTIA A+ so that is what I figure I would try to accomplish with my Capstone Project.    Background Information about CompTIA A+               The CompTIA A+ certification teaches you the basic technical support skills and helps you navigate proper IT operations. The certification is broken down into two test with multiple categories that a candidate must pass in order to show their knowledge about the subject. The objectives on the first test is to have knowledge in the following categories including Mobile Device, Networking, Hardware, Virtualization and Cloud Computing, and Hardware and Network Troubleshooting. On the second test the objectives is to also have knowledge in the other following categories including Operating Systems, Security, Software Troubleshooting, and Operational Procedures. Not only does this certification test you on how to properly set up, troubleshoot, and maintain computing and networking hardware and software that you would normally find in cooperate offices and businesses, but also test you on how to properly do each operation and how to communicate around an IT office. This is why many companies and businesses like seeing candidates with this certification. It shows that they have the experience they need to properly fulfill an IT role which makes you more likely to be hired.    Preparing for the Certification Exam                Before taking college, I went to Warren Tech for Computer Science where I did a semester of A+ training to prepare me to take the certification exam. Not only was I able to learn the material using virtual demonstrations, but I was also able to get hand-on experience which helped me further understand my knowledge about the subject. For the capstone, I used practice problems to review for the exam using an online resource called ExamCompass. I was able to individually pick separate topics for me to practice on and try to work on memorizing all the answers that would be on the actual exam. I kept practicing these problems throughout the semester. When I was stuck on a particular subject, I utilized publicly available video lectures to help remember the material. The content creator that I watch the most was Techquickie who makes quick and easy to understand videos that explains key IT topics like TCP/IP and Printers. When I was done going through specific topic questions, I was able to have randomized questions which allowed me to practice memorizing the answer even more. I found this method of studying easy as it allowed to reestablish the information that I already know but also help me recap on any information that I forgot from the training program.    Setting up for the Certification Exam                Getting the CompTIA A+ certification exam set up wasn't easy as I had some barriers that I had to tackle to just be able to take the exam. To start off, this wasn't the first time I took the exam. The first time I did I went by a different legal name which I since changed. And in order to change it to the new name, I had to pull out legal documents which I realized I didn't have, where I then have to send to CompTIA which the response time could take from days to even weeks. On top of it, I decided to schedule it a week prior to the Final Project which was due. On reflection, it wasn't the best thing to do. Thankfully, I was able to get new documents from the county courthouse on the same day and was able to get the problem solved before my anticipated day of the exam. Another problem that I faced was financially affording the exam as I was laid off from my job during the semester. Turns out I had retirement money from Colorado PERA that was sitting around, and I was able to access it since I no longer worked for the school. I'd submitted a refund request and got all the money back which was enough to afford the exam. What I learned from this experience was to not wait till the last minute to do something. Not only that but if I knew prior that financing would have been a problem in the first place, then I would have probably picked another capstone project for me to do. Overall, I felt like I learned real world responsibilities of taking accountability and planning for what's ahead not knowing what could happen which is something that anyone can learn from.  Exam Results                          Unfortunately, I ended up failing the exam. The requirement was that I was supposed to score 675, which I only scored 632. The score report that I received showed which subjects I missed which a majority of the subjects were "given a scenario" problems. However, despite this result, I found that I remember a good majority of the subject material and can easily remember a lot of IT concepts. Overall, this shows me that I have gained quite a bit of learning experience from this degree program and have fully memorized many subjects that would still allow me to find a practical use in the tech industry. I felt like if I did the test again, I would be able to pass the exam.    Conclusion             There were many things that I felt proud about from this capstone project. Looking back on the progression of the project, I felt like there were many things that could have gone better including time management and planning for the worst. However, this project had many highlights including finding my own way of studying, advocating for myself when a problem comes up, researching topics to refresh my knowledge about a particular topic, and most importantly knowing what to expect when transitioning my skills and knowledge into an IT role. I am looking forward to taking the next step and I couldn't have done it without all the support from many of my peers and teachers who knew that I would make it one day.