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Bridges to IT: Jump-Starting a Career in IT

Fall 2021

This webpage is no longer maintained, and serves only archival purposes

Thank you to our sponsors and partners for helping to launch this program:



This course introduces fundamental concepts needed for a career in Information Technology including customer service, troubleshooting skills, operating systems, hardware, networking, and security. The course aims to provide the neccessary knowledge, training, and preparation required to attain the COMPTIA A+ 220-1001 & 220-1002 certificate and useful information for people wanting to pursue a career in IT support. The course is intended for high school students who wish to begin their career and IT, and is open to students graduating in 2022.

Class Information

Course Goals

Students who complete this course successfully will be able to:

COMPTIA A+ 220-1001 & 220-1002 Certificate

CompTIA A+ certification has direct value in terms of tech jobs for which a person can be hired - certification can lead to being hired! It is trusted by employers around the world to identify the go-to person in end point management & technical support roles. CompTIA A+ appears in more tech support job listings than any other IT credential.

The CompTIA A+ Core Series requires candidates to pass two exams: Core 1 (220-1101) and Core 2 (220-1102), which focuses on the following nine skills:

  1. HARDWARE: Identifying, using, and connecting hardware components and devices, including the broad knowledge about different devices that is now necessary to support the remote workforce
  2. OPERATING SYSTEMS: Install and support Windows OS including command line & client support. System configuration imaging and troubleshooting for Mac OS, Chrome OS, Android and Linux OS.
  3. SOFTWARE TROUBLESHOOTING: Troubleshoot PC and mobile device issues including common OS, malware and security issues.
  4. NETWORKING: Explain types of networks and connections including TCP/IP, WIFI and SOHO
  5. TROUBLESHOOTING: Troubleshoot real-world device and network issues quickly and efficiently
  6. SECURITY: Identify and protect against security vulnerabilities for devices and their network connections
  7. MOBILE DEVICES: Install & configure laptops and other mobile devices and support applications to ensure connectivity for end- users
  8. VIRTUALIZATION & CLOUD COMPUTING: Compare & contrast cloud computing concepts & set up client-side virtualization
  9. OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES: Follow best practices for safety, environmental impacts, and communication and professionalism

(See https://www.comptia.org/certifications/a for more details)

Internships and Long-term Employment Oppotunities

Upon successfuly completition of the course, students are guaranteed internships at Pitt IT or the University’s partnering vendors, which includes oppotunities for Long-term employment.

Tentative Schedule

Week Topic
Week 1 (Nov 1) Introduction & Prerequisites
Week 2 (Nov 8) Wrap-up Prerequisites & Communication + Hands-on-Hardware Activity
Week 3 (Nov 15)
NO CLASSES NOV 22 		Hardware - Motherboards
Week 4 (Nov 29) Hardware - CPU + Memory
Week 5 (Dec 6) Hardware - Peripherals
Week 6 (Dec 13)
END OF FALL SEMESTER 		Display Technologies
Week 7 (Jan 17) Operating Systems
Week 8 (Jan 24th) Operating Systems
Week 9 (Jan 31st) Networking
Week 10 (Feb 7th) Networking
Week 11 Feb (14th) Virtualization
Week 12 (Feb 21st) Portable Computing
Week 13 (Feb 28th) Printers
Week 14 (Mar 14th) Security
Week 15 (Mar 21st) Security
Week 16 (Mar 28th) Operational Procedures
Week 17 (Apr - 4th) Review & Certification Prep
Week 18 (Apr - 18th) Review & Certification Prep