It’s quite some achievement that you’ve already got this far! A small number of workers enjoy their work and find it stimulating, but the majority complain to each other and nothing happens. The fact that you’re here means it’s probable that you’re at least considering retraining, so well done to you. Now you just need to get busy to find your direction.
Before embarking on a course, look for some advice – find an industry expert; someone who’ll give you career advice based on what works best for you, and then show you the courses that will suit you:
* Are you happier left to your own devices at work or do you find company is an important option?
* Are you thinking carefully about which area you would be suited to? (In this economy, it’s vital to get it right.)
* Having completed your retraining, would you like this skill to get you jobs for the rest of your working life?
* Is it important for the course you’re re-training in to be in an industry where you’re comfortable you’ll have a job until retirement?
We ask you to consider the computer industry – there are greater numbers of jobs than staff to fill them, and it’s a rare career choice where the market sector is growing. In contrast to the opinions of certain people, it isn’t a bunch of techie geeks gazing at their computer screens all day long (some jobs are like that of course.) The vast majority of roles are taken by ordinary people who enjoy a very nice lifestyle due to better than average wages.
A successful training package will undoubtedly also offer Microsoft (or key company) simulation materials and exam preparation packages.
Don’t go for training programs relying on non-official exam preparation systems. The terminology of their questions can be quite different – and this could lead to potential problems when it comes to taking the real exam.
Be sure to ask for testing modules so you’ll be able to verify your knowledge whenever you need to. Simulations of exams add to your knowledge bank – then the actual exam is much easier.
At the top of your shopping list for a training program should be 24×7 round-the-clock support with expert mentors and instructors. So many companies we come across only seem to want to help while they’re in the office (9am till 6pm, Monday till Friday usually) and nothing at the weekends.
Locate training schools where you can receive help at all hours of the day and night (irrespective of whether it’s the wee hours on Sunday morning!) Make sure it’s always 24×7 direct access to mentors and instructors, and not a call-centre that will take messages so you’re consistently being held in a queue for a call-back at a convenient time for them.
The best training colleges offer an internet-based round-the-clock facility combining multiple support operations from around the world. You’ll have a single, easy-to-use environment which seamlessly accesses whichever office is appropriate no matter what time of day it is: Support on demand.
Look for a training provider that goes the extra mile. Because only round-the-clock 24×7 support gives you the confidence to make it.
Now, why might we choose commercial qualifications as opposed to more traditional academic qualifications taught at the state educational establishments?
With 3 and 4 year academic degree costs spiralling out of control, alongside the industry’s general opinion that accreditation-based training most often has much more commercial relevance, we have seen a dramatic increase in CISCO, Adobe, Microsoft and CompTIA accredited training programmes that create knowledgeable employees for considerably less.
Many degrees, for example, become confusing because of a lot of loosely associated study – with a syllabus that’s far too wide. Students are then held back from learning the core essentials in sufficient depth.
Just like the advert used to say: ‘It does what it says on the label’. Companies need only to know what areas need to be serviced, and then advertise for someone with the specific certification. They’ll know then that all applicants can do what they need.
Commencing from the idea that it’s good to home-in on the market that sounds most inviting first, before we’re even able to mull over which development program fulfils our needs, how can we choose the right path?
What is our likelihood of grasping what is involved in a particular job when we haven’t done that before? Often we have never met anyone who performs the role either.
Usually, the way to come at this issue properly flows from a deep conversation around several areas:
* Your individual personality as well as your interests – the sort of work-related things you like and dislike.
* What length of time can you allocate for your training?
* What priority do you place on salary vs the travel required?
* Many students don’t properly consider the level of commitment demanded to achieve their goals.
* The time and energy you will spend on getting qualified.
In all honesty, it’s obvious that the only real way to seek advice on these matters tends to be through a good talk with an advisor that understands Information Technology (and more importantly the commercial needs.)
Written by Scott Edwards. Pop over to Career Change Job or www.CareerSkillsAdvice.co.uk.