| In this day and age, many workplaces would struggle | | | | * Where do you stand on traveling time and locality |
| were it not for support workers fixing both | | | | vs salary? |
| computers and networks, while giving advice to users | | | | * Always think in-depth about the amount of work |
| on a constant basis. Because we are getting more | | | | required to attain their desired level. |
| and more beholden to computers and networks, we | | | | * You have to appreciate the differences between |
| simultaneously become more reliant on the technically | | | | each area of training. |
| knowledgeable networking professionals, who keep | | | | In actuality, your only option to investigate these |
| the systems going. | | | | issues is via a conversation with an advisor or |
| Far too many companies are all about the | | | | professional that has years of experience in IT (and |
| certification, and forget what it's all actually about -- | | | | specifically the commercial requirements.) |
| getting yourself a new job or career. Your focus | | | | Commercially accredited qualifications are now, very |
| should start with where you want to get to - don't | | | | visibly, beginning to replace the more academic tracks |
| make the vehicle more important than the | | | | into IT -- but why is this the case? With fees and |
| destination. You may train for one year and then end | | | | living expenses for university students spiraling out of |
| up doing the actual job for 10-20 years. Avoid the | | | | control, plus the IT sector's increasing awareness |
| mistake of choosing what sounds like a very | | | | that vendor-based training is closer to the mark |
| 'interesting' program and then put 10-20 years into an | | | | commercially, there has been a dramatic increase in |
| unrewarding career! | | | | CISCO, Adobe, Microsoft and CompTIA authorized |
| Spend some time thinking about earning potential and | | | | training courses that create knowledgeable |
| what level of ambition fits you. Often, this changes | | | | employees at a much reduced cost in terms of |
| which accreditations will be expected and what'll be | | | | money and time. University courses, as a example, |
| expected of you in your new role. It's good advice | | | | often get bogged down in too much background |
| for all students to talk with a professional advisor | | | | study -- and a syllabus that's too generalized. |
| before deciding on their training program. This is | | | | Students are then held back from getting enough |
| essential to ensure it contains the relevant skills for | | | | specific knowledge about the core essentials. |
| the career that is sought. | | | | Just as the old advertisement said: 'It does what it |
| With all the options available, it's not really surprising | | | | says on the tin'. Employers simply need to know |
| that a large percentage of career changers have no | | | | where they have gaps, and then match up the |
| idea which career they should even pursue. Scanning | | | | appropriate exam numbers as a requirement. They'll |
| a list of IT job-titles is a complete waste of time. | | | | know then that all applicants can do what they need. |
| Surely, most of us have no concept what our | | | | Accredited exam simulation and preparation packages |
| next-door neighbors do at work each day -- so what | | | | are a must -- and really must be offered by your |
| chance do we have in understanding the complexities | | | | training company. Students regularly can be thrown |
| of a particular IT career. Contemplation on these | | | | off course by going through practice questions that |
| factors is imperative when you want to reveal the | | | | aren't from the authorized examining boards. |
| right answers: | | | | Sometimes, the terminology in the real exams is |
| * Your personality can play an important role -- what | | | | startlingly different and it's vital that you know this. |
| things get your juices flowing, and what tasks get | | | | 'Mock' or practice exams are enormously valuable in |
| you down. | | | | helping you build your confidence - so much so, that |
| * What sort of time-frame do you want for the | | | | at the real deal, you don't get uptight. |
| training process? | | | | |