Should you want a future in network support then the Microsoft MCSA (Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator) course is the ideal one for you. Whether you want to get into IT or are experienced already but need to formalise your skills, a range of courses exist to fit either requirement. Each option requires a specific course, so pay attention that you’re on the right training programme when making a start. Identify a training provider that’s happy to take the time to get to know you, and what you’d like to do, and can give you enough information to make your choice.
Of all the important things to consider, one of the most essential is always proper direct-access 24×7 support from dedicated instructors and mentors. Far too often we see trainers who only provide office hours (or extended office hours) support. Beware of institutions which use ‘out-of-hours’ call-centres – with your call-back scheduled for standard office hours. It’s not a lot of help when you’ve got study issues and need an answer now.
It’s possible to find professional companies which recommend and use direct-access support at all times – at any time of day or night. If you opt for less than 24×7 support, you’ll very quickly realise that you’ve made a mistake. You might not want to use the service during late nights, but what about weekends, late evenings or early mornings.
We can all agree: There’s no such thing as individual job security now; there’s only industry or sector security – a company will let anyone go when it meets the business’ business interests. Security can now only exist through a rapidly increasing market, pushed forward by work-skills shortages. This shortage creates the right environment for a higher level of market-security – a far better situation.
Offering the computing industry for instance, the most recent e-Skills survey brought to light major skills shortages in the United Kingdom around the 26 percent mark. Put directly, we only have the national capacity to fill three out of each 4 job positions in the computing industry. Attaining full commercial computing exams is correspondingly a ‘Fast Track’ to a long-term and pleasing profession. Actually, retraining in Information Technology throughout the next year or two is probably the safest career move you’ll ever make.
Kick out a salesperson who offers any particular course without an in-depth conversation to better understand your current abilities and also your experience level. They should be able to select from a generous choice of training products from which they could give you a program that suits you.. Often, the level to start at for someone with a little experience is often massively different to someone just starting out. Consider starting with user-skills and software training first. Beginning there can make the learning curve a a little easier.
If you’re like many of the students we talk to then you’re a practical sort of person – a ‘hands-on’ personality type. If you’re anything like us, the unfortunate chore of reading reference guides is something you’ll force on yourself if you absolutely have to, but you really wouldn’t enjoy it. So look for on-screen interactive learning packages if you’d really rather not use books. Years of research and study has constantly verified that getting into our studies physically, is far more likely to produce long-lasting memories.
Find a course where you’re provided with an array of CD or DVD ROM’s – you’ll be learning from instructor videos and demo’s, and then have the opportunity to practice your skills in interactive lab’s. It makes sense to see some examples of the kind of training materials you’ll be using before you purchase a course. The minimum you should expect would be instructor demonstrations, video tutorials and a variety of audio-visual and interactive sections.
Avoid training that is purely online. Always choose CD or DVD based study materials where possible, as you need to be able to use them whenever it’s convenient for you – it’s not wise to be held hostage to your internet connection always being ‘up’ and available.
Often, students don’t think to check on something that can make a profound difference to their results – the way the company segments the courseware sections, and into how many parts. Most companies will sell you a program typically taking 1-3 years, and send out each piece as you complete each exam. Sounds reasonable? Well consider these facts: Often, the staged breakdown prescribed by the provider doesn’t suit you. What if you find it hard to complete all the modules within the time limits imposed?
Ideally, you’d get ALL the training materials right at the beginning – meaning you’ll have all of them to come back to in the future – at any time you choose. This allows a variation in the order that you complete each objective where a more intuitive path can be found.
