Networking Training At Home (150509)
With so many computer training courses to be had, it's sometimes daunting to know what to look for. Find one that's in line with your character and abilities, and one that is in demand in the commercial world. There are so many directions you can go in. Some re-trainers simply want Microsoft user skills, others want career skills such as courses on Networking, Programming, Databases or Web Design - and all can be catered for. However, don't just guess. We'd advise you to share your ideas with an advisor who knows the computer industry, and can lead you down the right path.
Modern training methods currently enable students to be instructed on a new style of course, that is much cheaper than traditional courses. The great value of these courses means anyone can afford them.
Doing your bit in progressive developments in new technology is about as exciting as it can get. You become one of a team of people creating a future for us all. Computer technology and connections through the web will dramatically change the way we live our lives in the near future; to a vast degree.
And don't forget that income in the IT industry across the UK is a lot better than in the rest of the economy, so in general you will be in a good position to receive significantly more in the IT sector, than you'd expect to earn elsewhere. Due to the technological sector emerging with no sign of a slow-down, it's looking good that demand for appropriately qualified IT professionals will continue to boom for a good while yet.
How do we make a good choice then? With such prospects, it's important to know where to be looking - and of course, what to actually be looking for.
We can see a plethora of jobs and positions available in the IT industry. Deciding which one could be right for yourself often proves challenging. How can we possibly grasp what is involved in a particular job when we've never done it? We normally don't know someone who performs the role either. Reflection on these issues is imperative if you need to uncover the right solution that will work for you:
* What nature of person you reckon you are - which things you enjoy, and conversely - what makes you unhappy.
* Why you're looking at getting involved with Information Technology - is it to achieve some personal goal like working from home for instance.
* What priority do you place on job satisfaction vs salary?
* Many students don't properly consider the time demanded to get fully certified.
* It makes sense to appreciate the differences between each individual training area.
For the average person, getting to the bottom of these areas needs a long talk with an advisor who has direct industry experience. And we don't just mean the qualifications - but also the commercial needs and expectations of the market as well.
A lot of training providers only give basic 9am till 6pm support (maybe a little earlier or later on certain days); very few go late in the evening or at weekends. some companies only provide email support (slow), and telephone support is usually to a call-centre who will make some notes and then email an advisor - who will then call back sometime over the next 24hrs, at a time suitable for them. This is no good if you're stuck with a particular problem and only have certain times available in which to do your studies.
World-class organisations opt for a web-based 24 hours-a-day package pulling in several support offices throughout multiple time-zones. You're offered an easy to use environment which seamlessly accesses whichever office is appropriate no matter what time of day it is: Support when you need it. If you fail to get yourself 24x7 support, you'll very quickly realise that you've made a mistake. You might not want to use the service throughout the night, but what about weekends, late evenings or early mornings.
Many trainers provide a big box of books. Learning like this is dull and repetitive and not ideal for taking things in. Our ability to remember is increased with an involvement of all our senses - learning experts have been saying this for years now.
Top of the range study programs now offer self-contained CD or DVD materials. Through instructor-led video classes you'll take everything in through their teaching and demonstrations. Then you test your knowledge by practicing and interacting with the software. Any company that you're considering must be pushed to demo some samples of their training materials. You're looking for evidence of tutorial videos and demonstrations and interactive areas to practice in.
It doesn't make sense to select online only courseware. Due to the variable nature of connection quality from all internet service providers, you should always obtain CD or DVD ROM based materials.
It's quite a normal occurrence for students not to check on a painfully important area - how their company actually breaks down and delivers the courseware, and into what particular chunks. Many companies enrol you into a program spread over 1-3 years, and drop-ship the materials to you piecemeal as you complete each exam. If you think this sound logical, then consider this: What if there are reasons why you can't finish each and every exam? And what if you find the order of the modules counter-intuitive? Due to no fault of yours, you may not meet the required timescales and not receive all the modules you've paid for.
The ideal solution is to have all the learning modules couriered to you immediately; the complete package! Then, nothing can hinder your capability of finishing.
A subtle way that colleges make a lot more is by charging for exams up-front and offering an exam guarantee. This sounds impressive, until you think it through:
Everybody's aware that they're still paying for it - it's quite obvious to see that it's already been included in the overall figure from the training company. It's definitely not free - don't think these companies are so generous with their money! We all want to pass first time. Going for exams one at a time and paying for them just before taking them has a marked effect on pass-rates - you take it seriously and are mindful of the investment you've made.
Find the best exam deal or offer available when you're ready, and keep hold of your own money. You'll also be able to choose where to do your exams - so you can find somewhere local. Is there a good reason to pay interest on a bigger loan than is necessary because you've paid early for exams when there's absolutely nothing that says you have to? A great deal of money is secured by training companies getting money in early for exam fees - and hoping either that you won't take them, or it will be a long time before you do. Most companies will insist that you take mock exams first and not allow you to re-take an exam until you've completely proven that you're likely to pass - so an 'Exam Guarantee' comes with many clauses in reality.
Shelling out hundreds or thousands of pounds on an 'Exam Guarantee' is short-sighted - when a commitment to studying and the use of authorised exam preparation tools is actually the key to your success.
A service that several companies offer is a programme of Job Placement assistance. This is designed to help you get your first commercial position. At the end of the day it isn't so complicated as you might think to secure a job - assuming you're well trained and qualified; the growing UK skills shortage sees to that.
Advice and support about getting interviews and your CV might be provided (alternatively, check out one of our sites for help). Be sure to you update that dusty old CV today - don't wait until you've finished your exams! Being considered a 'maybe' is more than not being regarded at all. A surprising amount of junior jobs are got by trainees (who've only just left first base.) You can usually expect quicker service from an independent and specialised local recruitment consultancy than you'll experience from any training course provider's national service, as they'll know local industry and the area better.
Certainly be sure that you don't put hundreds of hours of effort into your studies, then call a halt and leave it up to everyone else to find you a job. Stop procrastinating and make your own enquiries. Invest the same focus into getting a good job as it took to get qualified.
Modern training methods currently enable students to be instructed on a new style of course, that is much cheaper than traditional courses. The great value of these courses means anyone can afford them.
Doing your bit in progressive developments in new technology is about as exciting as it can get. You become one of a team of people creating a future for us all. Computer technology and connections through the web will dramatically change the way we live our lives in the near future; to a vast degree.
And don't forget that income in the IT industry across the UK is a lot better than in the rest of the economy, so in general you will be in a good position to receive significantly more in the IT sector, than you'd expect to earn elsewhere. Due to the technological sector emerging with no sign of a slow-down, it's looking good that demand for appropriately qualified IT professionals will continue to boom for a good while yet.
How do we make a good choice then? With such prospects, it's important to know where to be looking - and of course, what to actually be looking for.
We can see a plethora of jobs and positions available in the IT industry. Deciding which one could be right for yourself often proves challenging. How can we possibly grasp what is involved in a particular job when we've never done it? We normally don't know someone who performs the role either. Reflection on these issues is imperative if you need to uncover the right solution that will work for you:
* What nature of person you reckon you are - which things you enjoy, and conversely - what makes you unhappy.
* Why you're looking at getting involved with Information Technology - is it to achieve some personal goal like working from home for instance.
* What priority do you place on job satisfaction vs salary?
* Many students don't properly consider the time demanded to get fully certified.
* It makes sense to appreciate the differences between each individual training area.
For the average person, getting to the bottom of these areas needs a long talk with an advisor who has direct industry experience. And we don't just mean the qualifications - but also the commercial needs and expectations of the market as well.
A lot of training providers only give basic 9am till 6pm support (maybe a little earlier or later on certain days); very few go late in the evening or at weekends. some companies only provide email support (slow), and telephone support is usually to a call-centre who will make some notes and then email an advisor - who will then call back sometime over the next 24hrs, at a time suitable for them. This is no good if you're stuck with a particular problem and only have certain times available in which to do your studies.
World-class organisations opt for a web-based 24 hours-a-day package pulling in several support offices throughout multiple time-zones. You're offered an easy to use environment which seamlessly accesses whichever office is appropriate no matter what time of day it is: Support when you need it. If you fail to get yourself 24x7 support, you'll very quickly realise that you've made a mistake. You might not want to use the service throughout the night, but what about weekends, late evenings or early mornings.
Many trainers provide a big box of books. Learning like this is dull and repetitive and not ideal for taking things in. Our ability to remember is increased with an involvement of all our senses - learning experts have been saying this for years now.
Top of the range study programs now offer self-contained CD or DVD materials. Through instructor-led video classes you'll take everything in through their teaching and demonstrations. Then you test your knowledge by practicing and interacting with the software. Any company that you're considering must be pushed to demo some samples of their training materials. You're looking for evidence of tutorial videos and demonstrations and interactive areas to practice in.
It doesn't make sense to select online only courseware. Due to the variable nature of connection quality from all internet service providers, you should always obtain CD or DVD ROM based materials.
It's quite a normal occurrence for students not to check on a painfully important area - how their company actually breaks down and delivers the courseware, and into what particular chunks. Many companies enrol you into a program spread over 1-3 years, and drop-ship the materials to you piecemeal as you complete each exam. If you think this sound logical, then consider this: What if there are reasons why you can't finish each and every exam? And what if you find the order of the modules counter-intuitive? Due to no fault of yours, you may not meet the required timescales and not receive all the modules you've paid for.
The ideal solution is to have all the learning modules couriered to you immediately; the complete package! Then, nothing can hinder your capability of finishing.
A subtle way that colleges make a lot more is by charging for exams up-front and offering an exam guarantee. This sounds impressive, until you think it through:
Everybody's aware that they're still paying for it - it's quite obvious to see that it's already been included in the overall figure from the training company. It's definitely not free - don't think these companies are so generous with their money! We all want to pass first time. Going for exams one at a time and paying for them just before taking them has a marked effect on pass-rates - you take it seriously and are mindful of the investment you've made.
Find the best exam deal or offer available when you're ready, and keep hold of your own money. You'll also be able to choose where to do your exams - so you can find somewhere local. Is there a good reason to pay interest on a bigger loan than is necessary because you've paid early for exams when there's absolutely nothing that says you have to? A great deal of money is secured by training companies getting money in early for exam fees - and hoping either that you won't take them, or it will be a long time before you do. Most companies will insist that you take mock exams first and not allow you to re-take an exam until you've completely proven that you're likely to pass - so an 'Exam Guarantee' comes with many clauses in reality.
Shelling out hundreds or thousands of pounds on an 'Exam Guarantee' is short-sighted - when a commitment to studying and the use of authorised exam preparation tools is actually the key to your success.
A service that several companies offer is a programme of Job Placement assistance. This is designed to help you get your first commercial position. At the end of the day it isn't so complicated as you might think to secure a job - assuming you're well trained and qualified; the growing UK skills shortage sees to that.
Advice and support about getting interviews and your CV might be provided (alternatively, check out one of our sites for help). Be sure to you update that dusty old CV today - don't wait until you've finished your exams! Being considered a 'maybe' is more than not being regarded at all. A surprising amount of junior jobs are got by trainees (who've only just left first base.) You can usually expect quicker service from an independent and specialised local recruitment consultancy than you'll experience from any training course provider's national service, as they'll know local industry and the area better.
Certainly be sure that you don't put hundreds of hours of effort into your studies, then call a halt and leave it up to everyone else to find you a job. Stop procrastinating and make your own enquiries. Invest the same focus into getting a good job as it took to get qualified.
About the Author:
After 20 yrs in IT, Jason Kendall has turned his attention to computer training (UK based) consultancy. For advice on Comptia A+, visit LearningLolly Network+.