Computer Information Specialist

*Please enter HAST1 code at check out for your one free Maine Jobs and Recovery Program (MJRP) training.*  This is a not-for-pay training.
The ITF+, A+, Network+ and Security + bundle provides preparatory training for corresponding certifications. The ITF+ portion of the course covers knowledge such as: IT concepts & terminology, Windows operating systems, Infrastructure, Software troubleshooting, Applications & software, Networking, Software development, Hardware & network troubleshooting, Database fundamentals and Security.
The A+ portion builds on the concepts above, using this knowledge and more to:  Demonstrate baseline security skills for IT support professionals, Configure device operating systems, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Chrome OS, Android and iOS, administer client-based as well as cloud-based (SaaS) software, Troubleshoot and problem solve core service and support challenges while applying best practices for documentation, change management, and scripting, Support basic IT infrastructure and networking, Configure and support PC, mobile and IoT device hardware, Implement basic data backup and recovery methods and apply data storage and management best practices. Network+ supports students in understanding network implementations, network operations, network security and network trouble shooting. In Security+ students will learn how to assess the security posture of an enterprise environment and recommend and implement appropriate security solutions. How to monitor and secure hybrid environments including cloud and mobile. Operate with an awareness of applicable laws and policies. Lastly, how to identify, analyze and respond to events and incidents. 


After you apply you will receive this message and be expected to follow through:  Thank you for applying for the CompTIA Computer Information Specialist training through CMCC’s Center for Workforce and Professional Development. Because this is a demanding and fast paced program offered at no cost to the participants, we want to make as sure as we can be that you will be successful in it. To that end, we are asking prospective participants to add some information which will help us in our selections.  You will be selecting one free course and weighing the pros and cons of the two course bundles / courses you applied for. 
A big part of the application will be your ability to carry out tasks on a computer, after all, you are going to be ensuring computer devices can do tasks as needed! To get a sense of your skills, we are asking you to do 5 short on-line assessments of various basic skills which are a foundation for learning further with computer technology.
Using a free online assessment called NorthStar Digital Literacy Assessment, available at https://www.digitalliteracyassessment.org/, we would like you to do the following five assessments and submit a screenshot of your result for each. Note you do NOT need to create an account or sign in to do any of them, but if you “Pass” the exercises, you will be able to collect a Digital Badge if you want. There may be some steps associated with this, but we are not asking you to do them at this time.  You can get extra credit if you DO collect the badge!

1. Basic Computer Skills
2. Internet Basics
3. Windows 10
4. Microsoft Excel (Spreadsheet)  
5. Career Search Skills

The steps to do this are:

1. Go to the https://www.digitalliteracyassessment.org/  web page
2. Look for the section called “Test Your Digital Literacy” in green.
3. Click the “TAKE AN ASSESSMENT” button
4. On the next page, click on each one of the tests listed in Bold above and take the assessment.
5. At the end of the assessment, take a screen snippet of your result, including the Name of the assessment, and your Score. See an example snippet below for the “Basic Computer Skills” one.
6. Save this snippet with the name of the assessment in a .PNG format, and attach all five as attachments to an email with the Subject Line: Computer Information Specialist Application Info to Barry Magda, Bmagda@cmcc.edu. He will review the results, and the rest of your application, and if everything is okay, we will proceed to the scheduling of a 15-to-20-minute interview.

The interview will further allow us to get a better sense of your fit for the program as well as answer any questions you may have.
Hints:

1. Consider the accomplishment of this task as a bit of a test, you may have to work a bit to do it!
2. The Snipping tool is available on Windows systems. It may have other names on your version. The key feature is the ability to save a portion of a display as a screenshot in the .PNG format, which is very portable and efficiently small! You can practice with it if you have not used it before.
3. You can take the assessments multiple times, since you are not logging in to the site, only the ones you capture and send to us will be used. Note: you may have to wait a day to re-take an assessment, so plan ahead, start early!

 
Once again, thank you for your interest in our program.
Center for Workforce and Professional Development & Instructor Barry Magda  bmagda@cmcc.edu