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.
Potential trainees looking to begin a career in computers and technology often have no idea of what route to follow, or even what market to obtain accreditation for.
As without any commercial skills in computing, in what way could we understand what someone in a particular job does?
Ultimately, the right conclusion can only grow from a detailed examination covering many varying key points:
* Which type of person you are - which things you really enjoy, and on the other side of the coin - what you hate to do.
* 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?
* Often, trainees don't consider the work expected to achieve their goals.
* Our advice is to think deeply about the amount of time and effort you're going to give to your training.
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.
Don't accept anything less than the current Microsoft (or relevant organisation's) authorised exam 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.
A knowledgeable and specialised advisor (in contrast with a salesperson) will talk through your current situation. There is no other way of establishing the starting point for your education.
Where you have a strong background, or even a touch of work-based experience (maybe some existing accreditation?) then obviously the level you'll need to start at will be very different from a trainee who has no experience.
For students starting IT studies and exams as a new venture, it's often a good idea to avoid jumping in at the deep-end, beginning with some basic user skills first. This can be built into most training packages.
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:
You'll be charged for it one way or another. It's definitely not free - it's simply been shoe-horned into the price as a whole.
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.
Isn't it outrageous to have to pay the training course provider up-front for exam fees? Find the best deal you can when you take the exam, instead of paying a premium - and do it in a local testing centre - rather than in some remote place.
A lot of so-called credible training providers make huge profits by getting in the money for all the exam fees up-front and hoping either that you won't take them, or it will be a long time before you do.
The majority of organisations will require you to do mock exams and prohibit you from re-taking an exam until you've proven conclusively that you can pass - which actually leaves you with no guarantee at all.
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.
We're often asked why traditional academic studies are now falling behind more commercially accredited qualifications?
As demand increases for knowledge about more and more complex technology, industry has had to move to specific, honed-in training that can only be obtained from the actual vendors - for example companies such as Microsoft, CompTIA, CISCO and Adobe. Often this saves time and money for the student.
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.
Potential trainees looking to begin a career in computers and technology often have no idea of what route to follow, or even what market to obtain accreditation for.
As without any commercial skills in computing, in what way could we understand what someone in a particular job does?
Ultimately, the right conclusion can only grow from a detailed examination covering many varying key points:
* Which type of person you are - which things you really enjoy, and on the other side of the coin - what you hate to do.
* 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?
* Often, trainees don't consider the work expected to achieve their goals.
* Our advice is to think deeply about the amount of time and effort you're going to give to your training.
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.
Don't accept anything less than the current Microsoft (or relevant organisation's) authorised exam 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.
A knowledgeable and specialised advisor (in contrast with a salesperson) will talk through your current situation. There is no other way of establishing the starting point for your education.
Where you have a strong background, or even a touch of work-based experience (maybe some existing accreditation?) then obviously the level you'll need to start at will be very different from a trainee who has no experience.
For students starting IT studies and exams as a new venture, it's often a good idea to avoid jumping in at the deep-end, beginning with some basic user skills first. This can be built into most training packages.
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:
You'll be charged for it one way or another. It's definitely not free - it's simply been shoe-horned into the price as a whole.
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.
Isn't it outrageous to have to pay the training course provider up-front for exam fees? Find the best deal you can when you take the exam, instead of paying a premium - and do it in a local testing centre - rather than in some remote place.
A lot of so-called credible training providers make huge profits by getting in the money for all the exam fees up-front and hoping either that you won't take them, or it will be a long time before you do.
The majority of organisations will require you to do mock exams and prohibit you from re-taking an exam until you've proven conclusively that you can pass - which actually leaves you with no guarantee at all.
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.
We're often asked why traditional academic studies are now falling behind more commercially accredited qualifications?
As demand increases for knowledge about more and more complex technology, industry has had to move to specific, honed-in training that can only be obtained from the actual vendors - for example companies such as Microsoft, CompTIA, CISCO and Adobe. Often this saves time and money for the student.
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. Browse LearningLolly.com for great career advice on Computer Course and Comptia Network Certification.
