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PC and network support technicians are constantly sought after in the
United Kingdom, as organisations have come to depend upon their
knowledge and fixing and repairing abilities. The need for such
qualified and commercially astute people is growing at an impressive
rate, as everything becomes more and more dependent upon technology.
Qualifications
from the commercial sector are now, without a doubt, already replacing
the older academic routes into the IT sector - why then should this be?
With a growing demand for specific technological expertise, the IT
sector has had to move to the specialised training that can only come
from the vendors - in other words companies like Microsoft, CompTIA,
CISCO and Adobe. Frequently this is at a far reduced cost both money
and time wise. In a nutshell, the learning just focuses on what's
actually required. It isn't quite as lean as that might sound, but the
principle objective is to master the precisely demanded skill-sets
(with some necessary background) - without attempting to cover a bit
about all sorts of other things (as universities often do).
In
simple terms: Commercial IT certifications tell an employer precisely
what skills you have - the title says it all: for example, I am a
'Microsoft Certified Professional' in 'Managing and Maintaining Windows
Server 2003'. So employers can identify exactly what they need and what
certifications will be suitable to deal with those needs.
Students
who consider this area of study are usually quite practically-minded,
and aren't really suited to the classroom environment, and struggling
through thick study-volumes. If you're thinking this sounds like you,
use multimedia, interactive learning, with on-screen demonstrations and
labs. Studies have constantly demonstrated that getting into our
studies physically, is much more conducive to long-term memory.
Start a study-program in which you'll receive a selection of CD or DVD
ROM's - you'll learn by watching video tutorials and demonstrations,
with the facility to hone your abilities through virtual lab's. It's
very important to see some example materials from the company you're
considering. They have to utilise video demo's and interactive elements
such as practice lab's.
Select physical media such as CD or DVD
ROM's whenever you can. This then avoids all the potential pitfalls
with broadband 'downtime' or slow-speeds.
Ensure all your
qualifications are current and commercially required - forget
programmes which lead to some in-house certificate (which is as useless
as if you'd printed it yourself). All the major IT organisations like
Microsoft, Adobe, CompTIA or Cisco each have widely acknowledged skills
programmes. Huge conglomerates such as these will make your CV
stand-out.
Make sure you don't get caught-up, as a lot of
students can, on the accreditation program. Your training isn't about
getting a plaque on your wall; you're training to become commercially
employable. Begin and continue with the end in mind. Imagine training
for just one year and then end up doing the job for 20 years. Ensure
you avoid the fatal error of choosing what sounds like a program of
interest to you and then put 10-20 years into an unrewarding career!
Take time to understand your feelings on earning potential and career
progression, and if you're ambitious or not. It's vital to know what
the role will demand of you, what particular certifications are
required and how to develop your experience. Before you embark on a
training program, it makes sense to discuss individual market
requirements with a skilled professional, to make sure the training
programme covers all the bases.(C) Jason Kendall. Browse LearningLolly.com for smart information on
Computer
Course and Comptia
Network Certification.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
