Training For a Career in Networking Explained
Posted by Scott Edwards | Under Uncategorized Thursday Jan 14, 2010Network and computer support technicians are ever more sought after in this country, as businesses have come to depend on their technical advice and capacity to solve problems. Industry’s need for more technically qualified people grows, as we turn out to be ever more dependent on computers in the twenty first century.
Training support for students is an absolute must – ensure you track down something that provides 24×7 direct access, as anything less will not satisfy and will also hold up your pace and restrict your intake.
Find a good quality service where you can access help at any time of day or night (no matter if it’s in the middle of the night on a weekend!) You want direct-access to qualified mentors and tutors, and not a call-centre that will take messages so you’re parked in a queue of others waiting to be called back during office hours.
The best trainers utilise several support facilities across multiple time-zones. Online access provides the interactive interface to join them all seamlessly, no matter what time you login, help is just a click away, without any problems or delays.
You can’t afford to accept anything less. 24×7 support is the only viable option for computer-based courses. Perhaps you don’t intend to study during the evenings; often though, we’re out at work at the time when most support is available.
One fatal mistake that potential students often succumb to is to concentrate on the course itself, and not focus on where they want to get to. Training academies are brimming over with students that chose an ‘interesting’ course – instead of the program that would surely get them an enjoyable career or job.
Students often train for a single year but end up doing the actual job for 10-20 years. Don’t make the error of opting for what may seem to be an ‘interesting’ course and then spend decades in a job you don’t like!
Make sure you investigate your feelings on earning potential and career progression, and how ambitious you are. It’s vital to know what the role will demand of you, what particular exams are needed and how you’ll gain real-world experience.
Seek guidance and advice from an experienced industry professional, even if you have to pay a small fee – it’s much safer and cheaper to find out at the start if your choices are appropriate, rather than find out following two years of study that the job you’ve chosen is not for you and have to return to the start of another program.
So, why is it better to gain commercial certification as opposed to traditional academic qualifications gained through schools, colleges or universities?
Corporate based study (in industry terminology) is most often much more specialised. The IT sector is aware that specialisation is essential to service the demands of an increasingly more technical commercial environment. CISCO, Adobe, Microsoft and CompTIA are the big boys in this field.
This is done through honing in on the actual skills required (along with a proportionate degree of background knowledge,) instead of covering masses of the background detail and ‘fluff’ that computer Science Degrees can often find themselves doing – to pad out the syllabus.
As long as an employer is aware what areas they need covered, then they simply need to advertise for someone with a specific qualification. Commercial syllabuses all have to conform to the same requirements and do not vary between trainers (in the way that degree courses can).
Many trainers offer a Job Placement Assistance program, to help you into your first commercial role. Often, there is more emphasis than is necessary on this service, because it’s relatively easy for a well trained and motivated person to get work in the IT environment – because companies everywhere are seeking trained staff.
Nevertheless, don’t wait till you’ve finished your training before getting your CV updated. As soon as you start studying, list what you’re working on and get it out there!
It can happen that you haven’t even qualified when you land your first junior support role; yet this can’t and won’t happen unless your CV is with employers.
Generally, you’ll receive better performance from an independent and specialised local recruitment consultancy than you’ll get from a course provider’s employment division, because they’ll know the local area and commercial needs better.
In a nutshell, as long as you put the same commitment into landing your first job as into training, you won’t find it too challenging. Some people inexplicably invest a great deal of time on their training and studies and do nothing more once qualified and appear to be under the impression that jobs will come to them.
Copyright Scott Edwards 2009. Pop to Click HERE or Computer Courses Online.