Nice One! Finding this article suggests you’re contemplating your career, and if it’s new career training you’re deliberating over that means you’ve taken it further than most. It’s a frightening thought that just one in ten of us would say we are fulfilled and satisfied with our jobs - yet most will do absolutely nothing about it. Why not liberate yourself and take action - think about how you could enjoy Monday mornings.
With regard to individual training courses, discuss your thoughts with an industry expert who can talk you through the right type of training for you. An advisor who will take time to ask questions about your likes and dislikes, and discover what job role you’ll be most comfortable with:
* Is having company at work important to you? Is it meeting new people or being part of a team? Or are you better with things that you can get on with on your own?
* Are you thinking carefully about which market sector you maybe could work in? (Post credit crunch, it’s even more crucial to get it right.)
* Once you’ve trained, how many years work do anticipate working, and can your chosen industry provide you with that possibility?
* Would it be useful for the course you’re re-training in to be in an area where you believe your chances of gainful employment are high up to retirement age?
We would advise that your number one choice is IT - it’s common knowledge that it’s getting bigger. IT isn’t all techie geeks lost in their computer screens every day - we know there are those roles, but most jobs are done by ordinary people who do very well out of it.
Training support for students is an absolute must - find a program offering 24×7 direct access to instructors, as anything less will not satisfy and will also hamper your progress.
Beware of institutions who use call-centres ‘out-of-hours’ - with the call-back coming in during normal office hours. It’s not a lot of help when you’ve got study issues and want support there and then.
We recommend that you search for training programs that utilise many support facilities across multiple time-zones. Each one should be integrated to enable simple one-stop access together with 24 hours-a-day access, when you need it, with no fuss.
Find a trainer that is worth purchasing from. Only true round-the-clock 24×7 support provides the necessary backup.
Many people question why qualifications from colleges and universities are being replaced by more commercial certificates?
With fees and living expenses for university students spiralling out of control, along with the industry’s increasing awareness that corporate based study is closer to the mark commercially, we have seen a big surge in Microsoft, CISCO, Adobe and CompTIA authorised training routes that supply key solutions to a student at a much reduced cost in terms of money and time.
The training is effectively done by concentrating on the particular skills that are needed (along with an appropriate level of related knowledge,) rather than going into the heightened depths of background ‘padding’ that degrees in computing often do - to fill a three or four year course.
Just like the advert used to say: ‘It does what it says on the label’. The company just needs to know what areas need to be serviced, and then match up the appropriate exam numbers as a requirement. Then they’re assured that a potential employee can do exactly what’s required.
Accredited exam simulation and preparation software is crucial - and must be offered by your training supplier.
Don’t go for training programs depending on non-official exam papers and questions. The way they’re phrased can be quite different - and sometimes this can be a real headache once in the actual exam.
Ensure that you test whether you’re learning enough by doing quizzes and practice exams before you take the real thing.
Trainees eager to start an Information Technology career usually don’t know which path they should take, or which market to achieve their certification in.
As having no solid background in the IT industry, how could any of us understand what someone in a particular job does?
Consideration of these different factors is most definitely required when you want to discover the right answers:
* Your hobbies and interests - as they can highlight what possibilities you’ll get the most enjoyment out of.
* Are you aiming to achieve a specific aspiration - for instance, becoming self-employed as quickly as possible?
* What salary and timescale requirements you may have?
* Some students don’t fully understand the amount of work demanded to gain all the necessary accreditation.
* Having a good look at the level of commitment, time and effort you can give.
In these situations, your only option to gain help on these matters tends to be through a good talk with someone that has experience of computing (and chiefly it’s commercial needs and requirements.)
(C) Jason Kendall. Check out LearningLolly.com for the best career tips on CompTIA Courses and Computer Courses.