Training For a Career in Networking Simplified
If we didn't have a continuous flood of trained PC and network support personnel, commerce in the United Kingdom (along with most other places) would be likely to run into problems. Consequently, there's a constantly increasing requirement for technicians to support both users and the systems they work with. Our desire for such skilled and qualified members of the workforce is growing at an impressive rate, as everywhere we work becomes more and more dependent upon technology.
With all the options available, does it really shock us that a large percentage of newcomers to the industry don't really understand the best career path they could be successful with.
How likely is it for us to understand the many facets of a particular career when we've never done it? We normally don't know someone who works in that sector anyway.
To attack this, a discussion is necessary, covering many different aspects:
* Our personalities play a starring role - what gives you a 'kick', and what are the areas that you really dislike.
* What length of time can you allocate for retraining?
* Where is the salary on a scale of importance - is it the most important thing, or is job satisfaction a lot higher on the priority-scale?
* Understanding what the normal job roles and markets are - and what differentiates them.
* The level of commitment and effort you'll have available to spend on obtaining your certification.
The bottom line is, the only real way of covering these is through an in-depth discussion with an experienced advisor who through years of experience will give you the information required.
The best type of training course package will undoubtedly also include fully authorised exam simulation and preparation packages.
Due to the fact that a lot of examining boards for IT tend to be American, it's essential to understand how exam questions will be phrased and formatted. It's no use just going through the right questions - it's essential that you can cope with them in the proper exam format.
As you can imagine, it is vital to know that you've thoroughly prepared for your actual certification exam prior to doing it. Rehearsing mock-up tests adds to your knowledge bank and will save a lot of money on thwarted exam entries.
Get rid of a salesperson who just tells you what course you should do without a thorough investigation to assess your abilities as well as level of experience. Make sure they can draw from a expansive product range so they're able to give you a program that suits you..
If you've got any live experience or some accreditation, it may be that your starting point of study is not the same as someone new to the industry.
Starting with a foundation module first can be the best way to get up and running on your computer studies, but depends on your skill level.
A sneaky way that training companies make more money is through up-front charges for exams and offering an exam guarantee. It looks impressive, until you think it through:
Patently it's not free - you're still coughing up for it - the cost has just been rolled into the whole training package.
Qualifying on the first 'go' is what everyone wants to do. Going for exams in order and paying as you go has a marked effect on pass-rates - you prepare appropriately and are mindful of the investment you've made.
Sit the exam at a local pro-metric testing centre and don't pay up-front, but seek out the best deal for you when you're ready.
Paying upfront for exams (and interest charges if you're borrowing money) is a false economy. Resist being talked into filling the training company's account with your hard-earned cash simply to help their cash-flow! A lot bank on the fact that you won't get to do them all - then they'll keep the extra money.
Remember, with the majority of Exam Guarantees - they control when and how often you are allowed to have another go. Subsequent exam attempts are only authorised at the company's say so.
Paying maybe a thousand pounds extra on an 'Exam Guarantee' is naive - when consistent and systematic learning, coupled with quality exam simulation software is what will really guarantee success.
Commercial qualifications are now, without a doubt, starting to replace the older academic routes into IT - so why is this the case?
Key company training (in industry terminology) is far more specialised and product-specific. The IT sector is aware that specialisation is what's needed to service the demands of a technically advancing marketplace. Microsoft, CISCO, Adobe and CompTIA dominate in this arena.
Clearly, an appropriate degree of associated information has to be learned, but core specialisation in the areas needed gives a commercially trained person a distinct advantage.
The crux of the matter is this: Recognised IT certifications tell an employer precisely what skills you have - it says what you do in the title: for example, I am a 'Microsoft Certified Professional' in 'Designing Security for a Windows 2003 Network'. Consequently companies can identify exactly what they need and what certifications are required to fulfil that.
With all the options available, does it really shock us that a large percentage of newcomers to the industry don't really understand the best career path they could be successful with.
How likely is it for us to understand the many facets of a particular career when we've never done it? We normally don't know someone who works in that sector anyway.
To attack this, a discussion is necessary, covering many different aspects:
* Our personalities play a starring role - what gives you a 'kick', and what are the areas that you really dislike.
* What length of time can you allocate for retraining?
* Where is the salary on a scale of importance - is it the most important thing, or is job satisfaction a lot higher on the priority-scale?
* Understanding what the normal job roles and markets are - and what differentiates them.
* The level of commitment and effort you'll have available to spend on obtaining your certification.
The bottom line is, the only real way of covering these is through an in-depth discussion with an experienced advisor who through years of experience will give you the information required.
The best type of training course package will undoubtedly also include fully authorised exam simulation and preparation packages.
Due to the fact that a lot of examining boards for IT tend to be American, it's essential to understand how exam questions will be phrased and formatted. It's no use just going through the right questions - it's essential that you can cope with them in the proper exam format.
As you can imagine, it is vital to know that you've thoroughly prepared for your actual certification exam prior to doing it. Rehearsing mock-up tests adds to your knowledge bank and will save a lot of money on thwarted exam entries.
Get rid of a salesperson who just tells you what course you should do without a thorough investigation to assess your abilities as well as level of experience. Make sure they can draw from a expansive product range so they're able to give you a program that suits you..
If you've got any live experience or some accreditation, it may be that your starting point of study is not the same as someone new to the industry.
Starting with a foundation module first can be the best way to get up and running on your computer studies, but depends on your skill level.
A sneaky way that training companies make more money is through up-front charges for exams and offering an exam guarantee. It looks impressive, until you think it through:
Patently it's not free - you're still coughing up for it - the cost has just been rolled into the whole training package.
Qualifying on the first 'go' is what everyone wants to do. Going for exams in order and paying as you go has a marked effect on pass-rates - you prepare appropriately and are mindful of the investment you've made.
Sit the exam at a local pro-metric testing centre and don't pay up-front, but seek out the best deal for you when you're ready.
Paying upfront for exams (and interest charges if you're borrowing money) is a false economy. Resist being talked into filling the training company's account with your hard-earned cash simply to help their cash-flow! A lot bank on the fact that you won't get to do them all - then they'll keep the extra money.
Remember, with the majority of Exam Guarantees - they control when and how often you are allowed to have another go. Subsequent exam attempts are only authorised at the company's say so.
Paying maybe a thousand pounds extra on an 'Exam Guarantee' is naive - when consistent and systematic learning, coupled with quality exam simulation software is what will really guarantee success.
Commercial qualifications are now, without a doubt, starting to replace the older academic routes into IT - so why is this the case?
Key company training (in industry terminology) is far more specialised and product-specific. The IT sector is aware that specialisation is what's needed to service the demands of a technically advancing marketplace. Microsoft, CISCO, Adobe and CompTIA dominate in this arena.
Clearly, an appropriate degree of associated information has to be learned, but core specialisation in the areas needed gives a commercially trained person a distinct advantage.
The crux of the matter is this: Recognised IT certifications tell an employer precisely what skills you have - it says what you do in the title: for example, I am a 'Microsoft Certified Professional' in 'Designing Security for a Windows 2003 Network'. Consequently companies can identify exactly what they need and what certifications are required to fulfil that.
About the Author:
(C) Jason Kendall. Pop to LearningLolly.com for clear career advice on IT Course and Comptia Network+ Course.