If you are thinking about going into IT, I would say learn learn and learn more hands on then books, because ultimately books are of no use these days if you run into a problem and you do not know the solution books will not help you hands on experience will be the only thing that will be helpfull. Its good to go to a technical school, like computer career center or briar cliff college or something of that short and learn the hands on experience. Certifications are good to get your foot in the door or at least get you an interview but if you are certified and do not know what they ask you will not be able to get the position. My motto is practice makes perfect. Do volunteer work fix you neighbors computer fix your familys computer but do hands on that will be the only thing that will help you. Also do more hands on in class room and less books. Like read something and try to do it on the computer, or with the pc that you have in front of you.