As you're in the process of finding out about courses for MCSE, it's possible you're in one of two situations: Maybe you're thinking of a dynamic move to get into the IT field, and all evidence points to a growing demand for properly qualified people. On the other hand you're someone with a certain amount of IT knowledge - and you'd like to consolidate your skill-set with the MCSE accreditation.
When looking into training companies, make sure you steer clear of those who cut costs by failing to use the most up-to-date Microsoft version. Such institutions will hold back the student as they will have been learning from the wrong MCSE version which doesn't match the present exams, so it could be impossible for them to pass.
A company's mission statement must be based upon doing the most for their students, and they should be passionate about their results. Working towards an MCSE isn't just about passing exams - the procedure must also be geared towards assisting you in working on the best action plan for your future.
A study programme really needs to work up to a nationally (or globally) recognised certification as an end-result - definitely not some 'in-house' plaque for your wall.
From a commercial standpoint, only the big-boys like Microsoft, Adobe, Cisco or CompTIA (for instance) will get you into the interview seat. Nothing else makes the grade.
Searching for your first position in IT can feel more straightforward with a Job Placement Assistance facility. The fact of the matter is it's not as hard as some people make out to land a job - assuming you're well trained and qualified; because there's still a great need for IT skills in the UK today.
You would ideally have advice and support about your CV and interviews though; also we would encourage all students to update their CV the day they start training - don't delay for when you're ready to start work.
Various junior support jobs have been offered to trainees who are still learning and haven't even passed a single exam yet. At the very least this will get your CV into the 'possible' pile and not the 'no' pile.
Generally, a specialist locally based employment service (who will get paid commission to place you) will perform better than any division of a training company. They should, of course, also know the local industry and employment needs.
Please make sure you don't put hundreds of hours of effort into your studies, just to give up and leave it up to everyone else to secure your first position. Stop procrastinating and start looking for yourself. Invest as much time and energy into finding a good job as it took to get qualified.
Commercial certification is now, without a doubt, taking over from the traditional academic paths into the IT sector - but why should this be?
Accreditation-based training (to use industry-speak) is most often much more specialised. The IT sector is aware that specialisation is essential to meet the requirements of a technologically complex workplace. CISCO, Adobe, Microsoft and CompTIA dominate in this arena.
University courses, for instance, can often get caught up in a lot of loosely associated study - and much too wide a syllabus. Students are then prevented from learning the core essentials in sufficient depth.
Imagine if you were an employer - and you required somebody who had very specific skills. Which is the most straightforward: Wade your way through reams of different degrees and college qualifications from several applicants, asking for course details and what commercial skills they've mastered, or choose a specific set of accreditations that exactly fulfil your criteria, and then choose your interviewees based around that. You'll then be able to concentrate on getting a feel for the person at interview - rather than establishing whether they can do a specific task.
One thing you must always insist on is 24x7 round-the-clock support via professional mentors and instructors. So many companies we come across will only offer a basic 9am till 6pm support period (maybe later on certain days) with very little availability over the weekend.
Find a good quality service with help available at any time of the day or night (no matter if it's in the middle of the night on a weekend!) Make sure it's always 24x7 direct access to mentors and instructors, and not access to a call-in service which takes messages - so you're parked in a queue of others waiting to be called back during office hours.
World-class organisations utilise an online access round-the-clock system combining multiple support operations throughout multiple time-zones. You'll have an easy to use environment which accesses the most appropriate office at any time of day or night: Support available as-and-when you want it.
Don't accept second best when you're looking for the right support service. Most IT hopefuls who throw in the towel, are in that situation because of support (or the lack of).
When looking into training companies, make sure you steer clear of those who cut costs by failing to use the most up-to-date Microsoft version. Such institutions will hold back the student as they will have been learning from the wrong MCSE version which doesn't match the present exams, so it could be impossible for them to pass.
A company's mission statement must be based upon doing the most for their students, and they should be passionate about their results. Working towards an MCSE isn't just about passing exams - the procedure must also be geared towards assisting you in working on the best action plan for your future.
A study programme really needs to work up to a nationally (or globally) recognised certification as an end-result - definitely not some 'in-house' plaque for your wall.
From a commercial standpoint, only the big-boys like Microsoft, Adobe, Cisco or CompTIA (for instance) will get you into the interview seat. Nothing else makes the grade.
Searching for your first position in IT can feel more straightforward with a Job Placement Assistance facility. The fact of the matter is it's not as hard as some people make out to land a job - assuming you're well trained and qualified; because there's still a great need for IT skills in the UK today.
You would ideally have advice and support about your CV and interviews though; also we would encourage all students to update their CV the day they start training - don't delay for when you're ready to start work.
Various junior support jobs have been offered to trainees who are still learning and haven't even passed a single exam yet. At the very least this will get your CV into the 'possible' pile and not the 'no' pile.
Generally, a specialist locally based employment service (who will get paid commission to place you) will perform better than any division of a training company. They should, of course, also know the local industry and employment needs.
Please make sure you don't put hundreds of hours of effort into your studies, just to give up and leave it up to everyone else to secure your first position. Stop procrastinating and start looking for yourself. Invest as much time and energy into finding a good job as it took to get qualified.
Commercial certification is now, without a doubt, taking over from the traditional academic paths into the IT sector - but why should this be?
Accreditation-based training (to use industry-speak) is most often much more specialised. The IT sector is aware that specialisation is essential to meet the requirements of a technologically complex workplace. CISCO, Adobe, Microsoft and CompTIA dominate in this arena.
University courses, for instance, can often get caught up in a lot of loosely associated study - and much too wide a syllabus. Students are then prevented from learning the core essentials in sufficient depth.
Imagine if you were an employer - and you required somebody who had very specific skills. Which is the most straightforward: Wade your way through reams of different degrees and college qualifications from several applicants, asking for course details and what commercial skills they've mastered, or choose a specific set of accreditations that exactly fulfil your criteria, and then choose your interviewees based around that. You'll then be able to concentrate on getting a feel for the person at interview - rather than establishing whether they can do a specific task.
One thing you must always insist on is 24x7 round-the-clock support via professional mentors and instructors. So many companies we come across will only offer a basic 9am till 6pm support period (maybe later on certain days) with very little availability over the weekend.
Find a good quality service with help available at any time of the day or night (no matter if it's in the middle of the night on a weekend!) Make sure it's always 24x7 direct access to mentors and instructors, and not access to a call-in service which takes messages - so you're parked in a queue of others waiting to be called back during office hours.
World-class organisations utilise an online access round-the-clock system combining multiple support operations throughout multiple time-zones. You'll have an easy to use environment which accesses the most appropriate office at any time of day or night: Support available as-and-when you want it.
Don't accept second best when you're looking for the right support service. Most IT hopefuls who throw in the towel, are in that situation because of support (or the lack of).
About the Author:
Copyright 2009 Scott Edwards. Navigate to HTML Training or www.INeedANewCareer.co.uk/LINANC.html.
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