Are you toying with the idea of doing an MCSE? If so, it’s probable that it’s likely you’ll come into one of two categories: You’re already a professional and you should formalise your skills with an MCSE. In contrast you could be completely new to the IT environment, but it’s apparent to you that there’s a growing demand for people with the right qualifications.
When researching training companies, make it a policy to stay away from those that compromise their offerings by failing to provide the latest version from Microsoft. This will only hamper the trainee as they will have been learning from an old version of MCSE which doesn’t fall in with the present exams, so it’s going to be hugely difficult for them to get qualified.
Watch out for training colleges that are simply out to sell something. Understand that buying training to get an MCSE is the same in a way as buying a car. They’re very diverse; some will be fantastic, whilst others will constantly let you down. A valid provider will offer you plenty of help to ensure you’re on the right course. When providers are proud of their courses, they’ll show you examples of it prior to registering.
Beginning with the idea that it’s good to choose the market that sounds most inviting first, before we can mull over which training program meets that requirement, how do we decide on the right direction?
Since in the absence of any commercial background in IT, how should we possibly be expected to know what someone in a particular job does?
To get through to the essence of this, we need to discuss many different aspects:
* What nature of person you are – what kind of jobs you enjoy, and don’t forget – what don’t you like doing.
* Are you looking to realise a key dream – for example, working for yourself sometime soon?
* What priority do you place on salary vs job satisfaction?
* Getting to grips with what typical IT areas and markets are – including what sets them apart.
* Having a cold, hard look at what commitment and time you’ll make available.
For most of us, dissecting so much data requires a good chat with an experienced pro that knows what they’re talking about. And we’re not only talking about the accreditations – but the commercial expectations and needs besides.
In amongst the top nominees for the top potential problem in the IT training sector is often the ‘in-centre’ workshop requirement. A lot of training schools wax lyrical on the plus points of attending, however, they quickly become a thorn in your side due to many reasons:
* All the travelling required – many visits and quite often hundreds of miles a time.
* Taking time off work – a lot of schools will only provide weekday availability – typically grouping 2 or 3 days together. This isn’t ideal for most people who work, and this is made worse when travel time is included.
* Lost holiday days – many employed people are given only twenty days of leave annually. If over half of it is swallowed up by training days, that isn’t going to leave much vacation time for students and their families.
* Training workshops can become too big.
* Class pace – classes usually contain trainees of varying aptitude, so tension can be created between the quicker-learners and those who prefer a more relaxed pace.
* Let’s not disregard the added expense of arranging transport and over-night accommodation either. This may well run to many hundreds of pounds more – sometimes thousands. Work it out – you’ll get a shock.
* Many students want their studies to remain private to avoid any kind of come-back in their job.
* Many of us feel awkward about asking questions when surrounded by other attendees – as we don’t want to look silly.
* When your work takes you away from home, you have the added problem that days in-centre can often become difficult to get to – but unfortunately, the money has already been paid.
It really does make much more sense to study when it suits you — not the training company – and make use of videos of instructors with interactive virtual-lab’s.
Any time you get a problem, make use of the 24×7 support (that should’ve been packaged with any technical type of training.) You should remember, if you’ve got a laptop, study can take place anywhere.
It doesn’t matter how regularly you have to re-cover a topic, filmed tutors aren’t ever likely to rush you! Also, because of this, you’ll never have to write notes again. Everything is already there for you to use.
What could be more straightforward: Time and money is saved and travelling is avoided altogether; plus you get a more relaxed training environment.
Copyright Scott Edwards 2009. Check out INeedANewCareer.co.uk/KINANC.html or Website Design Courses.
Like this blog post? Buy me a coffee or send me a tip!!!Posted under Software
This post was written by Jason Kendall on February 3, 2010
