Considering an MCSE? If so, it's probable that you're in one of two situations: You're someone with a certain amount of knowledge and you should formalise your skills with an MCSE. Alternatively this could be your first step into the computer workplace, and you've found that there's a growing demand for people with the right qualifications.
When researching training colleges, steer clear of those that compromise their offerings by not upgrading their courses to the latest version from Microsoft. Ultimately, this will cost the student a lot more as they will have been educated in an out-of-date syllabus which inevitably will have to be up-dated almost immediately.
Training companies should be completely focused on finding the right path for their trainees. Mentoring education is as much concerned with guiding people on establishing which direction to go in, as much as giving them help to get there.
If you're like many of the students we talk to then you're a practical sort of person - a 'hands-on' individual. If you're like us, the painful task of reading endless manuals can be just about bared when essential, but it doesn't suit your way of doing things. So look for on-screen interactive learning packages if learning from books is not your thing.
Many years of research has consistently confirmed that connecting physically with our study, is much more conducive to long-term memory.
Programs are now found via DVD-ROM discs, where everything is taught on your PC. Through video streaming, you are able to see your instructors showing you how to perform the required skill, and then have a go at it yourself - in an interactive lab.
It would be silly not to view some examples of the kind of training materials you'll be using before you sign on the dotted line. You should expect videoed instructor demonstrations and interactive audio-visual sections with practice modules.
It's usually bad advice to go for purely on-line training. Due to the variable nature of connection quality from the ISP (internet service provider) market, it makes sense to have disc based courseware (On CD or DVD).
With all the options available, is it any wonder that nearly all career changers balk at what job they will enjoy.
Working through a list of odd-sounding and meaningless job titles is just a waste of time. Most of us don't even know what our good friends do at work - so we have no hope of understanding the complexities of a particular IT career.
To work through this, there should be a discussion of several core topics:
* Which type of individual you are - which things you really enjoy, plus of course - what don't you like doing.
* Are you driven to re-train because of a specific raison d'etre - e.g. is it your goal to work based at home (being your own boss?)?
* How highly do you rate salary - is an increase your main motivator, or is job satisfaction a lot higher on your priority-list?
* Because there are so many different sectors to gain certifications for in the IT industry - you'll need to pick up some key facts on what separates them.
* It's wise to spend some time thinking about the level of commitment you're going to invest in your education.
In all honesty, your only option to research these matters tends to be through a good talk with an advisor who has experience of IT (and chiefly the commercial requirements.)
Proper support is incredibly important - find a program that provides 24x7 direct access, as not obtaining this level of support will severely put a damper on the speed you move through things.
Avoid training courses that only support students via a message system after 6-9pm in the evening and during weekends. Training companies will always try to hide the importance of this issue. Essentially - you want support at the appropriate time - not as-and-when it's suitable for their staff.
We recommend that you search for study programmes that utilise many support facilities active in different time-zones. Every one of them needs to be seamlessly combined to give a single entry point as well as 24 hours-a-day access, when you want it, with no fuss.
Never make the mistake of compromise where support is concerned. Many IT hopefuls who fall by the wayside, are in that situation because of support (or the lack of).
The area most overlooked by people considering a training program is the issue of 'training segmentation'. Essentially, this is the way the course is divided up to be delivered to you, which makes a huge difference to how you end up.
You may think that it makes sense (when study may take one to three years to gain full certified status,) for your typical trainer to courier the training stage by stage, as you achieve each exam pass. But:
What could you expect if you didn't actually complete each element at the required speed? Often the staged order doesn't work as well as an alternative path could be.
For future safety and flexibility, it's normal for most trainees to make sure that every element of their training is couriered out in one package, all at the beginning. It's then your own choice in which order and at what speed you'd like to work. - 33394
When researching training colleges, steer clear of those that compromise their offerings by not upgrading their courses to the latest version from Microsoft. Ultimately, this will cost the student a lot more as they will have been educated in an out-of-date syllabus which inevitably will have to be up-dated almost immediately.
Training companies should be completely focused on finding the right path for their trainees. Mentoring education is as much concerned with guiding people on establishing which direction to go in, as much as giving them help to get there.
If you're like many of the students we talk to then you're a practical sort of person - a 'hands-on' individual. If you're like us, the painful task of reading endless manuals can be just about bared when essential, but it doesn't suit your way of doing things. So look for on-screen interactive learning packages if learning from books is not your thing.
Many years of research has consistently confirmed that connecting physically with our study, is much more conducive to long-term memory.
Programs are now found via DVD-ROM discs, where everything is taught on your PC. Through video streaming, you are able to see your instructors showing you how to perform the required skill, and then have a go at it yourself - in an interactive lab.
It would be silly not to view some examples of the kind of training materials you'll be using before you sign on the dotted line. You should expect videoed instructor demonstrations and interactive audio-visual sections with practice modules.
It's usually bad advice to go for purely on-line training. Due to the variable nature of connection quality from the ISP (internet service provider) market, it makes sense to have disc based courseware (On CD or DVD).
With all the options available, is it any wonder that nearly all career changers balk at what job they will enjoy.
Working through a list of odd-sounding and meaningless job titles is just a waste of time. Most of us don't even know what our good friends do at work - so we have no hope of understanding the complexities of a particular IT career.
To work through this, there should be a discussion of several core topics:
* Which type of individual you are - which things you really enjoy, plus of course - what don't you like doing.
* Are you driven to re-train because of a specific raison d'etre - e.g. is it your goal to work based at home (being your own boss?)?
* How highly do you rate salary - is an increase your main motivator, or is job satisfaction a lot higher on your priority-list?
* Because there are so many different sectors to gain certifications for in the IT industry - you'll need to pick up some key facts on what separates them.
* It's wise to spend some time thinking about the level of commitment you're going to invest in your education.
In all honesty, your only option to research these matters tends to be through a good talk with an advisor who has experience of IT (and chiefly the commercial requirements.)
Proper support is incredibly important - find a program that provides 24x7 direct access, as not obtaining this level of support will severely put a damper on the speed you move through things.
Avoid training courses that only support students via a message system after 6-9pm in the evening and during weekends. Training companies will always try to hide the importance of this issue. Essentially - you want support at the appropriate time - not as-and-when it's suitable for their staff.
We recommend that you search for study programmes that utilise many support facilities active in different time-zones. Every one of them needs to be seamlessly combined to give a single entry point as well as 24 hours-a-day access, when you want it, with no fuss.
Never make the mistake of compromise where support is concerned. Many IT hopefuls who fall by the wayside, are in that situation because of support (or the lack of).
The area most overlooked by people considering a training program is the issue of 'training segmentation'. Essentially, this is the way the course is divided up to be delivered to you, which makes a huge difference to how you end up.
You may think that it makes sense (when study may take one to three years to gain full certified status,) for your typical trainer to courier the training stage by stage, as you achieve each exam pass. But:
What could you expect if you didn't actually complete each element at the required speed? Often the staged order doesn't work as well as an alternative path could be.
For future safety and flexibility, it's normal for most trainees to make sure that every element of their training is couriered out in one package, all at the beginning. It's then your own choice in which order and at what speed you'd like to work. - 33394
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