by Jason Kendall
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.
By minimising their overheads, there are now companies offering up-to-the-minute courses with excellent training and assistance for much less than is asked for by old-style trainers.
Massive developments are coming via technology over the next few decades - and the industry becomes more ground-breaking every year. We've only just begun to scrape the surface of how technology is going to shape our lives. Technology and the web will profoundly revolutionise how we see and interact with the world around us over the next few years.
And don't forget that income in the IT industry throughout this country is considerably higher than average salaries nationally, so in general you'll most likely receive noticeably more with professional IT knowledge, than you could reasonably hope to achieve elsewhere. With the IT marketplace emerging with no sign of a slow-down, it's looking good that demand for certified IT professionals will flourish for a good while yet.
How can we reach the right choice then? With all these possibilities, we'll need to know where to search - and what it is we should be digging for.
Students hopeful to kick off a career in computers and technology generally aren't sure what path to consider, or what market to build their qualifications around. How can most of us possibly understand the tasks faced daily in an IT career when we've never done it? Maybe we haven't met someone who performs the role either. Achieving an informed resolution can only grow through a methodical analysis across many unique factors:
* Personality factors and what you're interested in - the sort of work-oriented areas you enjoy or dislike.
* 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.
* The time and energy you're prepared to set aside for your training.
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.
We can't make a big enough deal out of this point: You absolutely must have proper 24x7 instructor and mentor support. You'll definitely experience problems if you don't follow this rule rigidly. Never buy study programmes that only provide support to you through a message system when it's outside of usual working hours. Colleges will defend this with all kinds of excuses. The bottom line is - you want support at the appropriate time - not as-and-when it's suitable for their staff.
Keep looking and you'll come across the very best companies which provide their students direct-access online support around the clock - even in the middle of the night. Unless you insist on online 24x7 support, you'll quickly find yourself regretting it. You may avoid using the support throughout the night, but you may need weekends, late evenings or early mornings.
Those that are drawn to this type of work are usually quite practically-minded, and aren't really suited to the classroom environment, and slogging through piles of books. If you're thinking this sounds like you, try the newer style of interactive study, where you can learn everything on-screen. Learning psychology studies show that memory is aided when we involve as many senses as possible, and we get practically involved in what we're studying.
Start a study-program in which you'll get a host of CD or DVD ROM's - you'll be learning from instructor videos and demo's, and be able to use virtual lab's to practice your new skills. Make sure to obtain a study material demo' from the school that you're considering. The package should contain expert-led demonstrations, slideshows and virtual practice lab's for your new skills.
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.
One area often overlooked by new students considering a training program is 'training segmentation'. Essentially, this is the way the course is divided up for drop-shipping to you, which vastly changes the point you end up at. Individual deliveries for each training module piece by piece, as you complete each module is the normal way of receiving your courseware. This sounds sensible, but you must understand the following: Maybe the order of study insisted on by the company won't suit you. And what if you don't finish all the sections within their timetable?
Ideally, you'd get ALL the training materials right at the beginning - enabling you to have them all to return to any point - as and when you want. Variations can then be made to the order that you complete each objective if another more intuitive route presents itself.
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:
It's become essential these days that we are a bit more aware of hype - and generally we cotton on to the fact that we are actually being charged for it - it's not because they're so generous they want to give something away! Students who go in for their examinations when it's appropriate, funding them as they go are much more likely to pass. They are conscious of their investment and so are more inclined to be ready for the task.
Look for the very best offer you can at the appropriate time, and avoid college mark-up fees. You'll also be able to choose where to do your exams - meaning you can choose a local testing centre. A great deal of money is secured by some training companies that get money for exam fees in advance. A number of students don't take them for various reasons but no refunds are given. Surprising as it sounds, there are companies around who actually rely on students not sitting all the exams - as that's very profitable for them. Pay heed to the fact that, with the majority of Exam Guarantees - the company decides when you can do your re-takes. Subsequent exam attempts are only authorised at the company's say so.
Splashing out often many hundreds of pounds extra 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.
Many trainers will provide a useful Job Placement Assistance program, to help you get your first job. But don't place too much emphasis on it - it's quite easy for their marketing department to make it sound harder than it is. The fact of the matter is, the massive skills shortage in Britain is the reason you'll find a job.
Help and assistance with preparing a CV and getting interviews is sometimes offered (alternatively, check out one of our sites for help). It's essential that you work on your old CV right away - not after you've qualified! Many junior support roles have been offered to students who're still on their course and haven't even passed a single exam yet. At least this will get you on your way. The best services to help you land that job are usually specialist independent regional recruitment consultancies. Because they get paid commission to place you, they have more incentive to get on with it.
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 2 Decades in IT, Jason Kendall has focused himself on computer training consultancy in the UK. To find out more on
Comptia A+, visit LearningLolly
Network+.