Should you be wanting to study to get an MCSE, it's likely you'll come into one of two categories. You could be about to enter the computer sector, as it's apparent this commercial sector has lots of demand for people with the right qualifications. Or you could be a knowledgeable person wanting to polish up your CV with the Microsoft qualification.
When looking into training companies, make sure you steer clear of those who cut costs by failing to use the most up-to-date Microsoft version. Such institutions will hold back the student as they will have been learning from the wrong MCSE version which doesn't match the present exams, so it could be impossible for them to pass.
Avoid businesses who're just out to sell you anything. You should be given detailed advice to ensure you are on the right course for you. Don't allow yourself to be sold some generic product by some pushy sales person.
Consider only retraining programs which will lead to industry accepted accreditations. There's an endless list of small companies pushing their own 'in-house' certificates which are worthless when it comes to finding a job.
You'll find that only recognised certification from companies such as Microsoft, Cisco, Adobe and CompTIA will open the doors to employers.
Many trainers will provide a useful Job Placement Assistance facility, to assist your search for your first position. However sometimes people are too impressed with this facility, for it is genuinely quite straightforward for any focused and well taught person to get a job in IT - as there is such a shortage of qualified personnel.
You would ideally have advice and support about your CV and interviews though; also we would encourage all students to update their CV the day they start training - don't delay for when you're ready to start work.
Getting onto the 'maybe' pile of CV's is more than not being known. Many junior positions are offered to students who are still at an early stage in their studies.
Generally, a specialist locally based employment service (who will get paid commission to place you) will perform better than any division of a training company. They should, of course, also know the local industry and employment needs.
A regular aggravation of a number of training providers is how much men and women are prepared to study to get top marks in their exams, but how un-prepared they are to work on getting the position they're qualified for. Have confidence - the IT industry needs YOU.
OK, why should we consider qualifications from the commercial sector rather than traditional academic qualifications gained through schools, colleges or universities?
Accreditation-based training (to use industry-speak) is most often much more specialised. The IT sector is aware that specialisation is essential to meet the requirements of a technologically complex workplace. CISCO, Adobe, Microsoft and CompTIA dominate in this arena.
This is done through concentrating on the skills that are really needed (together with an appropriate level of related knowledge,) rather than going into the heightened depths of background 'padding' that degrees in computing can get bogged down in - to fill a three or four year course.
Imagine if you were an employer - and you required somebody who had very specific skills. Which is the most straightforward: Wade your way through reams of different degrees and college qualifications from several applicants, asking for course details and what commercial skills they've mastered, or choose a specific set of accreditations that exactly fulfil your criteria, and then choose your interviewees based around that. You'll then be able to concentrate on getting a feel for the person at interview - rather than establishing whether they can do a specific task.
We can't make a big enough deal out of this point: It's essential to obtain proper 24x7 round-the-clock support from professional instructors. Later, you'll kick yourself if you don't heed this.
Be wary of any training providers which use 'out-of-hours' call-centres - with the call-back coming in during standard office hours. It's not a lot of help when you've got study issues and could do with an answer during your scheduled study period.
As long as you look hard, you will find professional training packages that provide their students online support around the clock - no matter what time of day it is.
Don't accept second best when you're looking for the right support service. Most IT hopefuls who throw in the towel, are in that situation because of support (or the lack of).
When looking into training companies, make sure you steer clear of those who cut costs by failing to use the most up-to-date Microsoft version. Such institutions will hold back the student as they will have been learning from the wrong MCSE version which doesn't match the present exams, so it could be impossible for them to pass.
Avoid businesses who're just out to sell you anything. You should be given detailed advice to ensure you are on the right course for you. Don't allow yourself to be sold some generic product by some pushy sales person.
Consider only retraining programs which will lead to industry accepted accreditations. There's an endless list of small companies pushing their own 'in-house' certificates which are worthless when it comes to finding a job.
You'll find that only recognised certification from companies such as Microsoft, Cisco, Adobe and CompTIA will open the doors to employers.
Many trainers will provide a useful Job Placement Assistance facility, to assist your search for your first position. However sometimes people are too impressed with this facility, for it is genuinely quite straightforward for any focused and well taught person to get a job in IT - as there is such a shortage of qualified personnel.
You would ideally have advice and support about your CV and interviews though; also we would encourage all students to update their CV the day they start training - don't delay for when you're ready to start work.
Getting onto the 'maybe' pile of CV's is more than not being known. Many junior positions are offered to students who are still at an early stage in their studies.
Generally, a specialist locally based employment service (who will get paid commission to place you) will perform better than any division of a training company. They should, of course, also know the local industry and employment needs.
A regular aggravation of a number of training providers is how much men and women are prepared to study to get top marks in their exams, but how un-prepared they are to work on getting the position they're qualified for. Have confidence - the IT industry needs YOU.
OK, why should we consider qualifications from the commercial sector rather than traditional academic qualifications gained through schools, colleges or universities?
Accreditation-based training (to use industry-speak) is most often much more specialised. The IT sector is aware that specialisation is essential to meet the requirements of a technologically complex workplace. CISCO, Adobe, Microsoft and CompTIA dominate in this arena.
This is done through concentrating on the skills that are really needed (together with an appropriate level of related knowledge,) rather than going into the heightened depths of background 'padding' that degrees in computing can get bogged down in - to fill a three or four year course.
Imagine if you were an employer - and you required somebody who had very specific skills. Which is the most straightforward: Wade your way through reams of different degrees and college qualifications from several applicants, asking for course details and what commercial skills they've mastered, or choose a specific set of accreditations that exactly fulfil your criteria, and then choose your interviewees based around that. You'll then be able to concentrate on getting a feel for the person at interview - rather than establishing whether they can do a specific task.
We can't make a big enough deal out of this point: It's essential to obtain proper 24x7 round-the-clock support from professional instructors. Later, you'll kick yourself if you don't heed this.
Be wary of any training providers which use 'out-of-hours' call-centres - with the call-back coming in during standard office hours. It's not a lot of help when you've got study issues and could do with an answer during your scheduled study period.
As long as you look hard, you will find professional training packages that provide their students online support around the clock - no matter what time of day it is.
Don't accept second best when you're looking for the right support service. Most IT hopefuls who throw in the towel, are in that situation because of support (or the lack of).
About the Author:
Copyright 2009 Scott Edwards. Navigate to HTML Training or www.INeedANewCareer.co.uk/LINANC.html.
This is really a nice and informative, containing all information and also has a great impact on the new technology. Thanks for sharing it,
ReplyDeletemcse courses