Choosing a study program that fulfils industries needs is very important in our turbulent times. In addition, it's also necessary to discover one that you will get on well with, that fits your character and ability level.
Whether it's office skills you're looking to polish up on, or want to advance your career and attain professional IT certifications, there are plain-speaking courses and back-up to help you achieve your goals.
By keeping costs to a minimum, there are now companies offering up-to-the-minute courses that feature outstanding training and assistance for considerably less money than is charged by more out-dated organisations.
A typical blunder that we encounter all too often is to focus entirely on getting a qualification, rather than starting with where they want to get to. Colleges are full of unaware students that chose a program because it looked interesting - rather than what would get them the career they desired.
You may train for one year and then end up performing the job-role for decades. Ensure you avoid the fatal error of opting for what may seem to be a very 'interesting' program and then spend decades in an unrewarding career!
Never let your focus stray from where you want to go, and then build your training requirements around that - avoid getting them back-to-front. Stay focused on the end-goal and begin studying for a career that will keep you happy for many years.
Talk to an experienced industry advisor who knows about the sector you're looking at, and could provide a detailed run-down of what you actually do in that role. Getting to the bottom of all this before beginning a learning programme has obvious benefits.
The way a programme is physically sent to you is often missed by many students. In what way are your training elements sectioned? What is the order and at what speed is it delivered?
Training companies will normally offer some sort of program spread over 1-3 years, and drop-ship the materials to you piecemeal as you complete each section or exam. This sounds reasonable until you consider the following:
What would their reaction be if you find it difficult to do every section at the required speed? And maybe you'll find their order of completion doesn't work as well as an alternative path could be.
To be straight, the best solution is to have a copy of their prescribed order of study, but get everything up-front. You're then in possession of everything in case you don't finish quite as quick as they'd want.
Always expect an authorised exam preparation system included in your course.
As a lot of examination boards in IT are American, you need to become familiar with their phraseology. You can't practice properly by merely understanding random questions - it's essential that you can cope with them in the proper exam format.
Why don't you analyse whether you're learning enough through tests and practice in simulated exam environments before you take the real deal.
Finding your first job in the industry can feel more straightforward with the help of a Job Placement Assistance facility. Don't get caught up in this feature - it isn't unusual for eager sales people to overplay it. Ultimately, the need for well trained IT people in the UK is what will enable you to get a job.
Get your CV updated straight-away though (advice can be sought on this via your provider). Don't procrastinate and leave it till the exams have actually been passed.
It's not uncommon to find that junior support roles have been bagged by students who are still studying and have still to get qualified. At the very least this will get you on your way.
If you don't want to travel too far to work, then you'll often find that an independent and specialised local employment service might be of more use than some national concern, as they are much more inclined to have insider knowledge of the jobs that are going locally.
Various people, so it seems, are prepared to study their hearts out (sometimes for years), only to do nothing special when attempting to secure a good job. Promote yourself... Do your best to get in front of employers. A job isn't just going to bump into you. - 33394
Whether it's office skills you're looking to polish up on, or want to advance your career and attain professional IT certifications, there are plain-speaking courses and back-up to help you achieve your goals.
By keeping costs to a minimum, there are now companies offering up-to-the-minute courses that feature outstanding training and assistance for considerably less money than is charged by more out-dated organisations.
A typical blunder that we encounter all too often is to focus entirely on getting a qualification, rather than starting with where they want to get to. Colleges are full of unaware students that chose a program because it looked interesting - rather than what would get them the career they desired.
You may train for one year and then end up performing the job-role for decades. Ensure you avoid the fatal error of opting for what may seem to be a very 'interesting' program and then spend decades in an unrewarding career!
Never let your focus stray from where you want to go, and then build your training requirements around that - avoid getting them back-to-front. Stay focused on the end-goal and begin studying for a career that will keep you happy for many years.
Talk to an experienced industry advisor who knows about the sector you're looking at, and could provide a detailed run-down of what you actually do in that role. Getting to the bottom of all this before beginning a learning programme has obvious benefits.
The way a programme is physically sent to you is often missed by many students. In what way are your training elements sectioned? What is the order and at what speed is it delivered?
Training companies will normally offer some sort of program spread over 1-3 years, and drop-ship the materials to you piecemeal as you complete each section or exam. This sounds reasonable until you consider the following:
What would their reaction be if you find it difficult to do every section at the required speed? And maybe you'll find their order of completion doesn't work as well as an alternative path could be.
To be straight, the best solution is to have a copy of their prescribed order of study, but get everything up-front. You're then in possession of everything in case you don't finish quite as quick as they'd want.
Always expect an authorised exam preparation system included in your course.
As a lot of examination boards in IT are American, you need to become familiar with their phraseology. You can't practice properly by merely understanding random questions - it's essential that you can cope with them in the proper exam format.
Why don't you analyse whether you're learning enough through tests and practice in simulated exam environments before you take the real deal.
Finding your first job in the industry can feel more straightforward with the help of a Job Placement Assistance facility. Don't get caught up in this feature - it isn't unusual for eager sales people to overplay it. Ultimately, the need for well trained IT people in the UK is what will enable you to get a job.
Get your CV updated straight-away though (advice can be sought on this via your provider). Don't procrastinate and leave it till the exams have actually been passed.
It's not uncommon to find that junior support roles have been bagged by students who are still studying and have still to get qualified. At the very least this will get you on your way.
If you don't want to travel too far to work, then you'll often find that an independent and specialised local employment service might be of more use than some national concern, as they are much more inclined to have insider knowledge of the jobs that are going locally.
Various people, so it seems, are prepared to study their hearts out (sometimes for years), only to do nothing special when attempting to secure a good job. Promote yourself... Do your best to get in front of employers. A job isn't just going to bump into you. - 33394
About the Author:
(C) 2009. Visit LearningLolly.com for smart career advice on Learn Programming and Programming Courses.
