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.
With all the options available, does it really shock us that a large percentage of newcomers to the industry don't really understand the best career path they could be successful with.
Reading a list of IT job-titles is no use whatsoever. Most of us have no idea what our next-door neighbours do at work each day - so what chance do we have in understanding the complexities of a new IT role.
Ultimately, the right conclusion can only grow from a detailed examination covering many varying key points:
* What hobbies you're involved with in your spare-time - as they can highlight what possibilities will satisfy you.
* What length of time can you allocate for retraining?
* Where do you stand on salary vs job satisfaction?
* With everything that the IT industry covers, it's obvious you'll need to be able to see what is different.
* The level of commitment and effort you'll have available to spend on obtaining your certification.
In all honesty, the only way to seek advice on these issues tends to be through a good talk with an advisor or professional that has a background in IT (and more importantly it's commercial requirements.)
The best type of training course package will undoubtedly also include fully authorised exam simulation and preparation packages.
Some students can get thrown by practicing questions for their exams that don't come from official sources. It's not uncommon that the phraseology is unfamiliar and you need to be ready for this.
Mock exams will prove very useful for confidence building - so when it comes to taking the real thing, you don't get phased.
Get rid of a salesperson who just tells you what course you should do without a thorough investigation to assess your abilities as well as level of experience. Make sure they can draw from a expansive product range so they're able to give you a program that suits you..
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.
It's not uncommon for companies to offer inclusive exam guarantees - this always means exams have to be paid for upfront, at the very beginning of your studies. Before you jump at guaranteed exams, consider this:
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.
People who take each progressive exam, funding them one at a time are in a much stronger position to qualify at the first attempt. They're conscious of their investment and so are more inclined to ensure they are ready.
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.
Paying upfront for exams (and interest charges if you're borrowing money) is a false economy. Resist being talked into filling the training company's account with your hard-earned cash simply to help their cash-flow! A lot bank on the fact that you won't get to do them all - then they'll keep the extra money.
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.
The cost of exams was approximately 112 pounds twelve months or so ago when taken at Prometric or VUE centres around the United Kingdom. So what's the point of paying maybe a thousand pounds extra to have 'Exam Guarantees', when it's no secret that the most successful method is a commitment to studying and the use of authorised exam preparation tools.
Commercial qualifications are now, without a doubt, starting to replace the older academic routes into IT - so why is this the case?
Key company training (in industry terminology) is far more specialised and product-specific. The IT sector is aware that specialisation is what's needed to service the demands of a technically advancing marketplace. Microsoft, CISCO, Adobe and CompTIA dominate in this arena.
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.
It's a bit like the TV advert: 'It does what it says on the tin'. All an employer has to do is know where they have gaps, and then advertise for someone with the specific certification. They'll know then that all applicants can do what they need.
With all the options available, does it really shock us that a large percentage of newcomers to the industry don't really understand the best career path they could be successful with.
Reading a list of IT job-titles is no use whatsoever. Most of us have no idea what our next-door neighbours do at work each day - so what chance do we have in understanding the complexities of a new IT role.
Ultimately, the right conclusion can only grow from a detailed examination covering many varying key points:
* What hobbies you're involved with in your spare-time - as they can highlight what possibilities will satisfy you.
* What length of time can you allocate for retraining?
* Where do you stand on salary vs job satisfaction?
* With everything that the IT industry covers, it's obvious you'll need to be able to see what is different.
* The level of commitment and effort you'll have available to spend on obtaining your certification.
In all honesty, the only way to seek advice on these issues tends to be through a good talk with an advisor or professional that has a background in IT (and more importantly it's commercial requirements.)
The best type of training course package will undoubtedly also include fully authorised exam simulation and preparation packages.
Some students can get thrown by practicing questions for their exams that don't come from official sources. It's not uncommon that the phraseology is unfamiliar and you need to be ready for this.
Mock exams will prove very useful for confidence building - so when it comes to taking the real thing, you don't get phased.
Get rid of a salesperson who just tells you what course you should do without a thorough investigation to assess your abilities as well as level of experience. Make sure they can draw from a expansive product range so they're able to give you a program that suits you..
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.
It's not uncommon for companies to offer inclusive exam guarantees - this always means exams have to be paid for upfront, at the very beginning of your studies. Before you jump at guaranteed exams, consider this:
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.
People who take each progressive exam, funding them one at a time are in a much stronger position to qualify at the first attempt. They're conscious of their investment and so are more inclined to ensure they are ready.
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.
Paying upfront for exams (and interest charges if you're borrowing money) is a false economy. Resist being talked into filling the training company's account with your hard-earned cash simply to help their cash-flow! A lot bank on the fact that you won't get to do them all - then they'll keep the extra money.
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.
The cost of exams was approximately 112 pounds twelve months or so ago when taken at Prometric or VUE centres around the United Kingdom. So what's the point of paying maybe a thousand pounds extra to have 'Exam Guarantees', when it's no secret that the most successful method is a commitment to studying and the use of authorised exam preparation tools.
Commercial qualifications are now, without a doubt, starting to replace the older academic routes into IT - so why is this the case?
Key company training (in industry terminology) is far more specialised and product-specific. The IT sector is aware that specialisation is what's needed to service the demands of a technically advancing marketplace. Microsoft, CISCO, Adobe and CompTIA dominate in this arena.
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.
It's a bit like the TV advert: 'It does what it says on the tin'. All an employer has to do is know where they have gaps, and then advertise for someone with the specific certification. They'll know then that all applicants can do what they need.
About the Author:
(C) Jason Kendall. Navigate to LearningLolly.com for intelligent information on Computer Courses and Network+ Certification.
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