Course Overview
The CompTIA Strata IT Fundamentals class was quite similar in topic to my previous class, Intro to Information Technology (ITEC 1100), but went into a lot more detail about the subject than ITEC 1100. It explained what a computer needs to run, but for example delved into how LANs and WANs connect and communicate with each other. It also went into detail about the different types of hard drives, disk drives, peripheral devices, as well as what cords connected to them. Lastly, it went into the different types of networks and how to ensure you protected your computer.
While shorter than ITEC 1100 at 60 hours, it gave much needed technical detail into how computers work and communicate together that ITEC 1100 skimmed over. This class builds upon the foundation of ITEC 1100 and establishes the technical foundation that will be required to specialize into the different types of IT.
Course Reflection
After taking ITEC 1100, I again realized just how little that I knew about computers, networks, and how they functioned. This class, while going over much of the same information as ITEC 1100 just emphasized the idea that even though I may have just learned about a topic, it was probable that I still didn’t know everything that I needed to know. As the book went into the more technical side of computing, it reinforced the basics that I had already learned as well as building upon them.
I can now confidently think about IT and talk about it with others instead of having to just follow the conversation, I can actually lead it. While I still am not a qualified IT professional, I’m definitely headed down the path to becoming one and even though I may not be able to secure an IT position just based off this class, I should be able to get an entry-level job in a couple more classes which will then allow me to learn both in and outside of the classroom.