Computer and network support workers are ever more sought after in Great Britain, as businesses become progressively more dependent on their technical advice and fixing and repairing abilities. Due to the progressively multifaceted levels of technological advances, growing numbers of trained staff are required to specialise in the many areas we need to be sure will work effectively.
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.
How likely is it for us to understand the many facets of a particular career when we’ve never done it? We normally don’t know someone who works in that sector anyway.
Generally, the way to deal with this predicament correctly lies in a full talk over several different topics:
* Which type of person you are – which things you really enjoy, and on the other side of the coin – what you hate to do.
* 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.
* Our advice is to think deeply about the amount of time and effort you’re going to give to your training.
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.)
Accredited exam simulation and preparation software is essential – and absolutely ought to be obtained from your training supplier.
Ensure that the simulated exams aren’t just asking you the right questions on the correct subjects, but ask them in the way that the actual final exam will phrase them. This can really throw some trainees if they’re met with completely different formats and phraseologies.
As you can imagine, it is vital to know that you’ve thoroughly prepared for your actual certification exam prior to doing it. Rehearsing mock-up tests adds to your knowledge bank and will save a lot of money on thwarted exam entries.
Any advisor who doesn’t dig around with lots of question – it’s likely they’re really a salesperson. If they push a particular product before getting to know your background and whether you have any commercial experience, then you know it’s true.
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.
Starting with a foundation module first can be the best way to get up and running on your computer studies, but depends on your skill level.
Adding in the cost of exams up-front and offering an ‘Exam Guarantee’ is a popular marketing tool with a number of training colleges. However, let’s consider what’s really going on:
Everybody’s aware that they’re still being charged for it – it’s quite obvious to see that it’s already in the overall figure from the training company. It’s absolutely not free – don’t think these companies are so generous with their money!
Qualifying on the first ‘go’ is what everyone wants to do. Going for exams in order and paying as you go has a marked effect on pass-rates – you prepare appropriately and are mindful of the investment you’ve made.
Go for the best offer you can find at the appropriate time, and avoid college mark-up fees. You’ll then be able to select where you do your exams – which means you can stay local.
Why borrow the money or pay in advance (plus interest of course) on examination fees when there’s absolutely nothing that says you have to? Huge profits are made because training colleges are getting money in early for exam fees – and then cashing in when they’re not all taken.
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.
Prometric and VUE exams are currently clocking in at an average of 112 pounds in this country. What’s the point of paying huge ‘Exam Guarantee’ costs (often covertly rolled into the cost of the course) – when the best course materials, the right level of support and commitment, effort and practice with quality exam preparation systems are the factors that really get you through.
We’re often asked why traditional academic studies are now falling behind more commercially accredited qualifications?
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.
Essentially, the learning just focuses on what’s actually required. Actually, it’s not quite as pared down as that, but the principle remains that students need to master the precisely demanded skill-sets (including a degree of required background) – without trying to cram in all sorts of other things (as universities often do).
If an employer understands what they’re looking for, then they just need to look for someone with a specific qualification. Syllabuses are set to exacting standards and aren’t allowed to deviate (as academic syllabuses often do).
(C) Jason Kendall. Hop over to LearningLolly.com for great career advice on IT Training Courses and Comptia Network Training.
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