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I hope someone from the accounting degree/field can provide you with a more clear answer.

If you're having trouble retaining information, I would first consider, is this a field that you are even interested in? I get that it is a bit late after spending 3 terms on it but maybe it's not (just something to consider)? Also in a working world, you don't need to memorize everything like we do for tests. You have books and internet available where you can always utilize. It's not until you've been working in the "real world" do certain concepts sink in.

Second, if it comes to practice, there is alot you can do to keep applying your skills. A quick search on google just took me to this page: https://www.accountingcoach.com/quizzes. Has good amount of definitions and practice scenarios for you to calculate. I'm sure there's plenty of other sites as well.

I found someone recommending this book on another post: https://www.amazon.com/Schaums-Outline-Financial-Accounting-Outlines/dp/0071762507

Also, have you had a change to check out Lynda, Pluralsight or youtube videos (Lynda and pluralsight are free to use as a student from WGU)? I usually find that if I am having trouble understand certain concept from reading, it's better if I hear and see someone work out the problem.

I found this from youtube on your current course: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIEoX8IiVPT-dW1aFWaG7twxLXx45ILWW

In regards to the job market, I would say make sure you're finding a location that has plenty of Accounting job opportunities, so you can bounce around after getting 6 months - 1 yr experience at each. I found this to be very effective method for my friends who are in accounting who graduated from college.

Having a degree is going to check off a box for the hiring manager. It does show that even though you are from a different background, you were able to understand the concepts of the degree that you studied for (atleast at a foundational level). It doesn't guarantee anything like how you will work with others or how you are able to meet deadlines (you should def highlight that achievement of completing the contract in 6 months, wayy ahead of schedule). You have to be confident in your interviewing skills and be able to demonstrate that you are capable of doing the job.

I would def also look into doing a CPA. I know companies that have bonuses on the line depending on if you can finish your CPA within a certain time of employment.

In summary, use the resources that are available to understand the problem, practice as much as you can till you're confident in your abilities, and keep striving to improve yourself and skills everyday.

(P.s. sorry for rambling, I can hardly get myself to write a one page paper for history but felt certain things that need to be said. Also that last line you said "i would be fine with a...", get that out of your head. Aim higher, and if you achieve that, aim even higher).

I wish you and your family the best of luck and happiness!

I am going to WGU for the same degree as you.

I JUST took the MTA 89-364 database fundamentals this morning and passed. I would recommend this.

1. It's one of the cheapest certs to get
   
2. I had zero database experience and studied casually for 4 weeks and passed way above average.
   
3. It was the only one that i found plenty of free and easy study resources. I'll list some resources I used.
   
   Resources I used.
   
   Free:
   
   This is the main page to purchase and register. It gives you great info and free study stuff> https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/exam-98-364.aspx
   
   This one has some cool test sample questions that I used > https://www.edusum.com/microsoft/microsoft-database-fundamentals-98-364-certification-sample-questions
   
   THIS one was very fun and cool it's actually flash cards. Sign up its free and helpful. https://quizlet.com/12927157/mta-98-364-database-administration-fundamentals-flash-cards/
   
   This is the actual Cerit point PDF its a great study guide once you've gone through a complete lesson. https://downloads.certiport.com/Marketing/MTA/docs/MTA_SSG_DbAdmin_individual_without_crop.pdf
   
   Youtube. I CAN'T express this enough. Use this website to search for your weak areas you don't understand
   
   Joey > he is really good at explaining some stuff https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOqXBtP8zUeb3jqeJ7gS-EQ
   
   Socratica > SHES'S AMAZING and super fun to learn some stuff from ... you'll find it entertaining I hope. https://www.youtube.com/user/SocraticaStudios/search?query=database
   
   ​
   
   NOT FREE:
   
   Van Burren guy wrote a book.. it did help me. He's got a lot of questions you can answer and he explains things very well. I read the book in a few days.
   
   https://www.amazon.com/Database-Fundamentals-Microsoft-Technology-Associate/dp/1549540513/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=mta+98-364&qid=1570335950&sr=8-1
   
   Pluralsite( free week or trial i cant remember) So this was my bread and butter. I used it to start out and kept using it as much as i could.
   
   https://www.amazon.com/Database-Fundamentals-Microsoft-Technology-Associate/dp/1549540513/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=mta+98-364&qid=1570335950&sr=8-1
   
   ​
   
   ALL in all. Use lots of resources to stay consistent in studying. Setting up a SQL server and downloading the Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio can take some time and there are some great videos out there to help you. once you get it set up it will be easy. IF i can do it you can lol.
   
   ​
   
   GOOD LUCK

tl;dr version:

1. yes
   
2. no, but that will be the case at any school
   
   Quick background to validate the above/below: I was a 30y/o banquet manager when I decided to change careers. I had no prior experience [unless you want to count a single programming class I took in high school] but did get a job in tech support at a medium size startup while I was in school and wrote a couple apps for our department. Just before I graduated I started working at a primarily Google & Mozilla funded non-profit as their sole software engineer. I moved on after a little over two years and am now a software engineer at VMware.
   
   
3. The degree is a huge boost in getting past HR and/or having [good] recruiters work with you. You'll also learn the skills/knowledge necessary to get hired as a developer, which is obviously the more important part - but for the most part this is all stuff you can learn on your own, but you'll greatly reduce the number places that will even give you a phone screen if you don't have a degree [I'm not saying this is how it should be, but this is how it is].
   
   
4. I typed out a lot before remembering New Relic had a great blog post a few months ago about all the stuff you don't learn in school [about software development], ha. So I would highly recommend you not only read it but also try to learn a little on your own (especially regarding SQL and version control) http://blog.newrelic.com/2014/06/03/10-secrets-learned-software-engineering-degree-probably-didnt/ Being a good developer (or good anything) takes time/experience - but knowing what they don't cover in school (and trying to learn it on your own) will help.
   
   Two books I'd suggest reading are The Pragmatic Programmer and Code: The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software. Pragmatic Programmer is one of those classics that every good dev has read (and follows!). Code is great at giving you some insight into what's actually happening at a lower level - though it gets a bit repetitive/boring about halfway through so don't feel bad about putting it down once you reach that point.
   
   The best thing you can do to help you land a job is have some open-source side-projects (ideally on GitHub). Doesn't have to be anything major or unique - but it will help a lot for potential employers to see what your code looks like.
   
   

I've found that Schaum's Outlines are great for both understanding the material and providing practice problems, particularly in the beginning when nothing made sense. There are a number of YouTube channels that are helpful for accounting courses in general (such as Edspira and Farhat), but I don't think they're geared for the introductory accounting courses. You could give AccountingCoach a try; I've used the site for alternate explanations a few times. Investopedia has been useful for referencing terminology and putting it into context.

In addition to accounting resources, I'd suggest that you either obtain an accounting calculator (the BA II Plus is the recommended calculator) or if you've already got a TI-83/84, you learn to use the financial functions. You'll spend a fair amount of time on the time-value-of-money (TVM) functions in some of the courses, and it'll help you tremendously to understand how to use your calculator.


FWIW, I had no real accounting background, so debit/credit was kind of a weird thing to wrap my head around. It's not debit (as in subtract money) and credit (as in add money) but rather a notation (convention?) to signify what side of the t account to place the amount in. Each account (cash, accounts payable, expenses, etc.) has a normal balance on one side or the other. Cash, for example, is an asset and has a normal debit balance. Accounts Payable (a liability account) has a normal credit balance. In double entry accounting, each debit recorded will have a corresponding credit recorded, to ensure that the accounting equation (assets = liabilities + owner's equity) remains balanced. At the end of any particular period of time, you can prepare what's called a trial balance to ensure that all of the debits you've made equal all of the credits you've made, which keeps mathematical errors out of your books.


Good luck to you! I've really enjoyed all of the things I've learned about accounting so far, and I hope you enjoy them too!

That is prepping for the Linux+ right?

I haven't done this course or the exam, but I've been using Linux for a decade. I think for Linux in general - if you are coming into it from scratch then you really need to practice setting up a system, configuring services, compiling software, use a variety of package managers, writing some basic bash scripts and so on. Then you'll have a framework for a lot of the arbitrary stuff they want you to memorize - all the various flags, switches and options. At that point you probably want to do heavy flash-carding for the real arbitrary stuff.

Basically I'm not sure there is a way around simply using it - unless you are great at memorizing stuff without relating it.

I don't know if this book covers the objectives better than the course material, but I found it excellent back when I first got into Linux (I used the 1st edition). http://www.amazon.com/How-Linux-Works-Superuser-Should/dp/1593275676

It was the kind of book that you could simply read through, play with what you learned in each section and it made a lot of sense. A real learning guide rather than a dictionary/reference.

Oh and if you want to learn a lot of really useful command line tips and tricks, this memrise was super helpful: http://www.memrise.com/course/50252/shell-fu/

If you master that memrise it'll make you super productive when working in a linux environment.

I personally didn't like the Note Pirate or Tony Bell videos. They were just not clicking with me. I found the Managerial Accounting for Dummies book a great resource (you can find it free if you dig a little) and I also have had great luck with the Schaum's Outline books and they have one for Managerial Accounting.

If you DO like videos, I highly recommend Farhat's accounting videos. He helped me tremendously (first videos to ever do that!) in Intermediate Accounting. He has some playlists for managerial accounting (not the CCP ones) as well. I recommend checking those out.

What areas did you score lowest in your coaching report?

I found that the OA was harder than the PA. For example, in all my pre-assessments, I was scoring 100% on CVP but on the OA, I scored a meager 37.50% which means this was much more challenging on the OA than the PA. The questions were far more complex and involved.

Really know the segments dealing with overheard and how to calculate it based on various factors.

I also highly recommend the videos from the CMs that cover select chapters (1-5, 7, 8, 10, 11) as they cover the majority of the exam and all the major concepts.

The LearnSmart modules are really good at representing the spectrum of questions. I think the assessment actually matches LearnSmart modules better than the pre-assessment.

Let me know if you have other questions. I had no issues with this class and did enjoy it though Cost and Managerial Accounting was a different story! :)

I started with videos from MVA and the official Microsoft book:

http://193.140.54.45/network/NetworkingFundamentals.pdf

And while that got me familiar with the terminology and was an okay first dip, as someone brand new to basically all IT, I still felt out of my depth. So I picked up the Sybex book by Gibson:

https://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Windows-Networking-Essentials-Darril/dp/1118016858

I read the whole thing through cover to cover, I took notes because physically writing something down helps me learn it. This book helped me a lot, I'm not sure if it was because I had already read the other book, but every chapter felt like an "ah-ha" moment, where I was really learning the material and not just memorizing facts.

I signed up for the measure up practice tests, which were for me, worth the $$.

The exam had one or two questions I don't remember being covered by the material at all, but everything I read about the test said it would, so I wasn't surprised, but it did make me a little anxious that I hadn't studied enough. Most of the questions were covered by the material though so if you've really learned your stuff, you should be able to pass it.

I watched a couple videos from CBT Nuggets with the free trial week, but they seemed about the same as the MVA videos.

I've seen a couple people ask if they could pass the exam after just watching the videos, and if you're already in IT and somewhat familiar, then I'm sure you could. If the subject is fairly new to you though, I'd say no. It may be testing fundamentals, but it's a broad subject and you really need to know how it all works together.

Hope that helps, and good luck!

• they want someone with an associates degree in IT or a certification or significant work experience. So I think you could finish the associates degree at CC and apply and have no issues in getting accepted or you can do an IT certification that is part of the SWD program and get accepted that way.
  
  
• learning how to learn is one of the best things you can do on your journey to becoming a good developer. Unfortunately almost no places teach you to learn how to learn, so taking initiative would be very wise to do. for me - I learn well reading a tech book as opposed to watching videos as I feel I get a deeper understanding of the subject matter although almost always reading tends to go deeper into concepts. So check out a book at your library something like this:
  
• http://www.amazon.com/How-We-Learn-Surprising-Happens/dp/0812984293/ref=pd_sim_14_4?ie=UTF8&dpID=51HJ9jVJxUL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR105%2C160_&refRID=03SAKKNQZJXGAT81XTDZ
  
  
• I've only started web development this year and this program in September, but this is my 2 cents. I feel you more prepared than other programs for working as this program takes a very practical approach - learning very essential skills such as HTML/CSS, Java, SQL, etc. You should have a very good understanding of java because passing the java cert requires a very good understanding of java (tho I haven't taken yet)
  
• I did some interview mock trials and have a few interviews with recruiters, a company owner, and Charles Schwab (which I got to the second interview with IT manager). Most experienced engineers asked me a bit about the school (as I put on my resume that I've graduating in 1-2 years) and how do I plan on working and going to school. But the dealbreaker for me was that I did not have any work experience on my resume so this is what usually made them pass me up although I did then create 2 websites but the IT manager wanted me to have deep javascript experience and AngularJS. Which are things that NO school teaches.
  So my bottom line is: choosing this school is great because Whichever school I end up going to, there's so much learning I will have to do outside of school to become the person companies want badly. Good luck =]
  

Honestly, I just took the assessment blind after beginning the class and passed it. I have experience in the field, but I recently did this Professor Messer course to get my Sec+ and the majority of the knowledge was in that YouTube course.

You can watch the Professer Messer material in a weekend if you watch it at 1.25 speed, again just take notes on things that don't immediately click for you and pay special attention to those in other training material.

This series of books is good in general for CompTIA exams: On Amazon , they always have end of chapter quizzes that map pretty well onto exams.

How are you doing on the practice exams? Any special areas that aren't clicking for you?

I've used Cybrary's practice exams in the past and found them pretty okay:https://www.cybrary.it/catalog/transcender_tests/comptia-cysa-practice-exam/

I used 3 books in my readings:

https://www.amazon.com/Meyers-CompTIA-Security-Certification-SY0-501/dp/126002637X/ref=sr_1_9?keywords=security%2B&qid=1564790977&s=gateway&sr=8-9

https://www.amazon.com/CompTIA-Security-SY0-501-Exam-Cram/dp/0789759004/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=sy0-501&qid=1564791002&s=gateway&sr=8-8

https://www.amazon.com/CompTIA-Security-SY0-501-Guide-Certification/dp/0789758997/ref=sr_1_16?keywords=sy0-501&qid=1564791002&s=gateway&sr=8-16

I have an ACM membership so I was able to access them all from their learning library. Was able to read all three books in 27 days. Did the practice tests online (mostly got between 96% - 98%). No one author is able to cover all the material. But since this is something that I really need to learn, I try to source out materials from different sources.

I usually go with the For Dummies version first to break it into my brain in a form that's understandable before I cover it using the actual text. Yes, it takes time, and not really allow you to accelerate but it helps me to actually understand what I'm supposed to learn and not just pass the test.

Like with PowerShell right now, I'm on chapter 8 of Windows PowerShell Programming for the Absolute Beginner, 3rd which approaches PowerShell programming by building games. Almost have half of it done then I'd go for Learn PowerShell Scripting in a Month of Lunches. Again, I'm not saying this approach is best, but it works for me to understand things better. Plus work does reimbursement for stuff I buy for the class which really helps if I need a book (an actual printed book).

I passed the new Comptia Cloud+ CV0-002 exam just after if was switched over in our program in August. I didn't bother to use any of the WGU resources other than going through the labs they provided but honestly I don't think they helped. I ended up ordering the McGraw-Hill Certification Study Guide 2nd Edition book from Amazon and the companion Practice exams book with it. I read though the book and did every practice exam in it multiple times.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1260116611

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1260122271

​

The material is extensively different between Ver1 and Ver2 of the exams so you'll need to make sure the material you're studying is for Ver2.

I won't lie though, when I finished the exam I didn't feel as though I had passed. The test is hard. Don't underestimate it. Comptia really did make this test a lot harder than before. I took the entire time allotted, I have my N+, Sec+ and 20 years of IT experience and this test still surprised me. Can you read the book and run through the practice exams in a week and watch the pluralsight videos a few times over in that same time and knock it out in though. Just realize it's not an easy one to breeze through. Good Luck.

​

If you're having a rough time with this course I suggest the following:

1-Ditch BlueJ and use IntelliJ IDEA.

2-Watch the updated Lynda.com Java course, "Java Essential Training".

3-Grab some extra resources like Java All-in-one for Dummies (http://www.amazon.com/Java-All-One-Dummies-Computer/dp/1118408039)

4-Listen to the Cohort videos (this is essential!)

5-Contact the Mentors for the course if you're having troubles with any concepts.

Udacity is frustrating, but they do communicate a fair amount of necessary information. Don't rely on this as your only resource though; do some googling and watch Lynda.com videos that are available.

I'm in the Software-Development program and have a little bit of scripting experience going into this course. I think you're just making it harder than it actually is. Do some reading on the fundementals of OOP and then try to tackle it again. Most of what I remember for the Objective exam is just terminology and syntax, don't stress about it. You can knock out the Project fairly easily if you take guidance from the Cohort videos and and read over the objectives.

Good luck!

For a book, I highly recommend CompTIA A+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide, Ninth Edition (Exams 220-901 & 220-902) 9th Edition

For best overall source of study material, I highly highly recommend
Professor Messer's CompTIA 220-901 and Professor Messer's CompTIA 220-902 A+ Certification Training Course playlists on Youtube. You could use this as your sole resource if you wanted to.

I do know it'll be a CompTIA Project+ Cert. I haven't really looked @ the material yet, I'm buried in Directory Services. I've had positive results from using the Sybex Series in the past and I've already picked up the book for Project+.

Funny, these are my two courses this term - Directory Services & Proj+.

This Flex looks like a pretty stellar choice for under $600 https://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-Convertible-Touchscreen-Processor-Graphics/dp/B07PB5M8DS/ref=sr_1_28?keywords=laptops&qid=1558331085&refinements=p_n_feature_five_browse-bin%3A7817224011%2Cp_36%3A-60000&rnid=386442011&s=electronics&sr=1-28

The videos were not enough for me, but I had no experience in IT at all. I mean none.

This book: https://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Windows-Networking-Essentials-Darril/dp/1118016858
was awesome.

I also found a free pdf of this: https://www.amazon.com/Exam-98-366-MTA-Networking-Fundamentals/dp/0470901837/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_14_t_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=P2AWDNSQRGY190FK14N5

When I signed up for the exam I payed for access to the practice tests and between those three resources and a lot of studying I passed with an 86.

Is the material/terminology similar?

Also, I took the PMP exam a couple years ago. Only used the Head First PMP prep book. Spent 4 days in a room in the library to cram for it and passed it easily. In case you’re interested, I linked it for you.

Head First PMP Prep

I'm working on studying for this while I wait to be re-enrolled. Just purchased the all-in-one CHFI book for $30. I've used these books before for CompTIA exams and thought it might be a good place to start.

https://www.amazon.com/Computer-Hacking-Forensic-Investigator-Certification/dp/0071831568/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=all-in-one+chfi&qid=1572398962&sr=8-3

It all depends on what kind of personal experience you've had. Most people would find the A+ to be easiest. It requires 2 exams (220-901 and 220-902) on a wide variety of topics such as hardware, networking, mobile devices, and security, but it doesn't go too deep into any particular topic.

You can use the Professor Messer videos on Youtube, Mike Myers' book, and the practice tests at examcompass.com and crucialexams.com to prepare.

Sure thing!

http://www.amazon.com/CompTIA-Project-Study-Authorized-Courseware/dp/0470585927/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1463544309&sr=8-1&keywords=project%2B

It's the book that ucertify pulls its material from so you might also be able to get a PDF of the book from a course mentor. I thought there was a link somewhere in the COS but I can't find it.

Don't use the MVA, there was a book on Amazon I bought for it and used to study. Might still have ot floating around. Was maybe 20 or so on Amazon

Edit, currently 37 right now

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Windows-Networking-Essentials-Darril/dp/1118016858&ved=2ahUKEwio6Zv24tLeAhVIR6wKHVk8A8sQFjANegQIAxAB&usg=AOvVaw3Cl6NDysbMuidBbKa0oAf7&cshid=1542160369290

http://www.amazon.com/CompTIA-Project-Study-Authorized-Courseware/dp/0470585927/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1426225915&sr=8-1&keywords=project%2B

Are you referring to this one?



https://www.amazon.com/Schaums-Outline-Financial-Accounting-Outlines/dp/0071762507

I used this book and the practice test for it .

CompTIA Cloud+ Certification Study Guide, Second Edition (Exam CV0-002) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1260116611/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_.8BXCbX31Z776

And I failed as well. It is scenario based and theory and small room for error. I came close with 690. I am so upset yet I feel accomplished. I will study again and before this month is over I will have my cert.

Side note:

How about this book? Should we be using this.

https://certification.comptia.org/training/self-study/books/comptia-cloud-cv0-002-study-guide