Sandhills Community College has been at the forefront of offering innovative degree programs and courses. In 1982, they started computer programming. The program was little known at community colleges at the time. We continued to expand to meet the needs of the evolving technology industry.
In 2020, Sandhills Community College began offering CompTIA certification classes through its Workforce Continuing Education department. These certification preparation courses meet industry standards for establishing a career in information technology (IT). Chase Ferguson, Information Technology Support Specialist at Sandhills Community College, attests to the success of these courses.
In 2020, Mr. Ferguson was working in the retail industry and wanted to do more with his career. He had always been interested in IT but didn’t know where or how to start. During this time, his girlfriend saw an ad for a CompTIA course at Sandhills Community College. Since tuition was free, she encouraged him to enroll.
“I felt like I could finally get out of retail and work on something that really interests me,” he said.
He started the course in 2021 and was ready for the CompTIA A+ certification exam within four months.
“The CompTIA A+ certification class taught me the fundamentals of troubleshooting,” says Ferguson.
This course teaches you the skills to deal with problems by identifying errors, analyzing how they occurred, determining whether they can be reproduced, understanding root causes, and finding effective solutions. He explains that he has acquired this.
Billy Barber is a course instructor and Information Technology Analyst II at Sandhills Community College.
“Mr. Barber, the instructor, does a great job teaching this course. He spent many nights using examples based on real life experiences,” added Mr. Ferguson.
Sandhills offers several certification preparation courses, including CompTIA A+, Network+, and Security+. Ideal for anyone looking to start a career in technology or improve their skills. Available online and instructor-led, students participate in virtual labs Tuesday through Thursday evenings.
“Enrolling in the CompTIA course at Sandhills Community College was a game changer for me,” Ferguson said. “The training and practical experience were invaluable in securing my role at the university.”
Mr. Ferguson began working part-time at Sandhills Community College in 2022 after passing the CompTIA A+ certification course and exam. He immediately went full time and has been there ever since. He is currently studying for the CompTIA Network+ exam and eventually Security+.
“Ferguson reflects on his journey from retail to a fulfilling career in the IT industry and exemplifies the transformative power of education and opportunity. Sandhills Community College offers innovative courses. , has paved the way for countless people like Mr. Ferguson to achieve their goals,” the university said in a press release.
If you’re ready to step into a career in IT, the next CompTIA course, Network+, launches in January 2025. Registration begins November 4th. For more information, visit sandhills.edu/programs/it/it-credentials-cyber-. security.html.
I contributed articles and photos.
