Computer Career Training – How Do You Choose 2009
March 19, 2009 by Jason Kendall
Filed under Online Colleges
It’s really great that you’ve already got this far! Only one in ten folks claim contentment with their job, but a huge number just bitch about it and do nothing. By looking for this we have a hunch that you’ve a personal interest in re-training, which means you’re already ahead of the pack. The next step is to get busy to find your direction.
On the subject of training, it’s crucial to first define your requirements from the career you would like to get. You need to know that the grass actually is greener before you put a lot of energy into changing the direction of your life. Prudence suggests looking at the end goal first, to make an informed decision:
* Are you hoping to be involved with others in the workplace? Would that be with a small ‘tightly-knit’ team or with a lot of new people? Perhaps working alone in a task-based situation may be your preference?
* Banking and building are not coping well at the moment, so think carefully about the sector that would give you the most options?
* Is it important that this should be a one off time that you will need more qualifications?
* Do you think being qualified will give you the opportunity to find the work you’re looking for, and keep working until you wish to retire?
When listing your options, it’s relevant that your number one choice is the IT sector – everyone knows that it’s developing all the time. It’s not full of geeky individuals staring at computers the whole time – of course those jobs exist, but most jobs are carried out by Joe averages who are earning rather well.
IT has become one of the most exciting and ground-breaking industries that you can get into right now. To be working on the cutting-edge of technology is to do your bit in the gigantic changes that will affect us all over the next generation. We’re in the very early stages of beginning to see just how technology will affect our lives in the future. Technology and the web will massively revolutionise how we see and interact with the rest of the world over the next few years.
The standard IT employee in the UK will also earn a lot more than his or her counterpart in other market sectors. Standard IT wages are around the top of national league tables. Due to the technological sector emerging nationally and internationally, it’s looking good that the requirement for certified IT professionals will continue to boom for quite some time to come.
Be under no illusions, the computer sector provides outstanding potential. Yet, to fully investigate, what questions do we need to raise, and what are the sectors we need to investigate?
A capable and specialised advisor (in direct contrast to a salesman) will talk through your abilities and experience. This is paramount to calculating the point at which you need to start your studies. If you have a strong background, or even a touch of work-based experience (some industry qualifications maybe?) then it’s likely the level you’ll need to start at will be very different from a trainee who has no experience. Working through a user skills program first may be the ideal way to start into your IT studies, but really depends on your level of familiarity with computers.
Training support for students is an absolute must – locate a good company providing 24×7 full access, as anything else will annoy you and definitely put a damper on the speed you move through things. Avoid, like the plague, any organisations that use ‘out-of-hours’ messaging systems – where an advisor will call back during office hours. It’s no use when you’re stuck on a problem and could do with an answer during your scheduled study period.
The very best training providers utilise several support facilities active in different time-zones. They use an online interactive interface to provide a seamless experience, at any time you choose, there is always help at hand, with no hassle or contact issues. If you opt for less than direct-access 24×7 support, you’ll regret it very quickly. You may not need it during the night, but what about weekends, early mornings or even late evenings at some point.
The age-old way of teaching, with books and manuals, can be pretty hard going sometimes. If this describes you, look for learning programmes which feature interactive and multimedia modules. Learning psychology studies show that we remember much more when we involve as many senses as possible, and we get physically involved with the study process.
Start a study-program in which you’re provided with an array of CD and DVD ROM’s – you’ll learn by watching video tutorials and demonstrations, and then have the opportunity to use virtual lab’s to practice your new skills. You’ll definitely want a study material demo’ from your training provider. The package should contain instructor videos, demonstrations, slide-shows and lab’s for you to practice your skills in.
You’ll find that many companies will only provide purely on-line training; and while this is acceptable much of the time, think what will happen if you lose your internet access or you only get very a very slow connection sometimes. It’s much safer to rely on CD and DVD ROM materials that will solve that problem.
Quite often, students have issues with a single courseware aspect which is often not even considered: The method used to ‘segment’ the courseware before being delivered to your home. Typically, you will purchase a course requiring 1-3 years study and receive a module at a time. This may seem sensible until you think about these factors: Sometimes the steps or stages prescribed by the provider doesn’t suit you. What if you find it hard to complete all the sections at the speed required?
To provide the maximum security and flexibility, it’s not unusual for students to make sure that every element of their training is delivered immediately, and not in stages. It’s then up to you how fast or slow and in what order you’d like to work.
‘Exam Guarantees’ are often bundled with training offers – this always means you have to pay for the exams at the very beginning of your studies. However, prior to embracing a course with such a promise, why not look at the following:
Patently it’s not free – you’re still paying for it – the cost has just been rolled into the whole training package. Those who take each progressive exam, funding them as they go are much better placed to get through first time. They are mindful of their investment and revise more thoroughly to be ready for the task.
Do your exams somewhere local and go for the best offer you can find when you’re ready. Why tie up your cash (or borrow more than you need) for examinations when you didn’t need to? Big margins are made because training colleges are charging upfront for all their exams – and then cashing in when they’re not all taken. Additionally, many exam guarantees are worthless. Most companies won’t pay for re-takes until you have demonstrated conclusively that you won’t fail again.
Exams taken at local centres are approximately 112 pounds in the United Kingdom today. Why spend so much more on fees for ‘exam guarantees’ (often covertly rolled into the cost of the course) – when a quality course, support and exam preparation systems and a dose of commitment and effort are what’s required.
A service offered by some training providers is job placement assistance. The service is put in place to assist your search for your first position. Because of the massive shortage of skills in Great Britain today, it’s not too important to become overly impressed with this service however. It really won’t be that difficult to find the right work once you’re trained and certified.
Help with your CV and interview techniques is sometimes offered (alternatively, check out one of our sites for help). Make sure you polish up your CV straight away – don’t leave it till you pass the exams! It’s not unusual to find that you will be offered your initial job whilst you’re still studying (occasionally right at the beginning). If your CV doesn’t show your latest training profile (and it hasn’t been posted on jobsites) then you don’t stand a chance! Normally you’ll get better results from a specialised and independent local recruitment service than any course provider’s employment division, as they’ll know the local area and commercial needs better.
Not inconsiderable numbers of trainees, so it seems, put a great deal of effort into their studies (sometimes for years), only to do nothing special when trying to get their first job. Introduce yourself… Make an effort to get in front of employers. Don’t expect a job to just fall into your lap.