As someone who recently finished their bachelors and I am now working in IT. But in my later 20’s I took a very strange way into IT.
This is probably a little disorganized but just read through it. I think it has a lot of valuable information that I wish I had known when I was younger.
I would do 2 things. First if given the choice forget about NAU and Hodges. I would focus on WGU and forget about the rest.
The reason is with a degree from WGU you are given an alphabet worth of certifications that will almost guarantee an entry-level position. It is also growing within the IT field so chances for networking will only get bigger.
So, your son is in the tenth grade. Depending on the path he wants to go it would be a good idea to explore the CompTIA Certificates. (these credits can be transferred in at UL credit at WGU.)
According to the CompTIA website there is no minimum age to sign up for the tests. They are not hard and can be done with a month of studying. If he does them back to back it’ll be even easier because the following 3 have a lot over overlap with each other.
When I went to Community College the classes for A+, Network + , Security + all used
Testout.com I am using it right now for my CCNA studies and I used it a little bit for Security +
https://www.wgu.edu/online_it_degrees/cy...lor_degree
In the above link 5 of the require certificates are
• A+ (CompTIA)
• Network+ (CompTIA)
• Security+ (CompTIA)
• Project+ (CompTIA)
• ITIL
Foundation
These can be done with a month or two of study and are relatively cheap. If he can get a college email address he can go through the academic marketplace and the price is reduced by a hundred or so. I would ask if a high school email address would work or just get an .edu from Australia or something. I know there are ways to get a college email address if you are not there.
http://academic.comptiastore.com/Article...y=vouchers
But I would go for A+ first, that will give him experience with the hardware behind the computer and some basic operating/software tasks
The resources for this I would use Mike Myers Book A+ just google that
Followed by Professor Messer free Youtube Videos
He can also try the Testout Course which will provide labs, tests, it is basically like a course he would be taking at school or online. If you google “retailmenot” Testout you can get the course for about a 100. I think it is worth it. Because it lays it all out for you.
Network+ I would do the exact same as A+
Mike Meyers Network+ Book
Professor Messer
Testout
Security +
Darrel Gibson Get certified Get ahead Book – Must read
Professor Messer
Testout if you want. At this point he should know if Testout is useful.
I would also see if his school has a CCNA Networking academy track that he can take or an
Microsoft MCP/MCSA track that he could take an elective. That track will probably be 4 semesters long but will get him prepared for the CCNA / MCSA which will land him a good entry level job.
If so he should be taking them.
Other resources: Techexams.net like this forum but for tech exams.
Also side note: make sure with all this studying/stuff that he is volunteering. Perhaps at a local church, or local elementary school. Something that he can add to his resume for when he is 18. Has a degree and an alphabet soup worth of certifications.
Once get gets his A+ maybe he could start making side money by advertising on one of those local community apps such as Nextdoor neighbor saying he is willing to help anyone and everyone with their computer issues.
A lot of time people have issues with computers and it is simple fixes like replacing the hard drive or reinstalling windows.
Or possibly he could work summer internships for the government. Look for pathways programs/ things like that on USAJobs.
Oh and take a Linux and intro to programming course.