The Microsoft MCSA (Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator) course is an ideal qualification for those thinking of getting into supporting networks. Whether you’re about to join the IT industry or have previous knowledge but need to formalise your skills with an acknowledged certification, the right training exists for you.
Each scenario should have a different training track, so verify that you’ve got the correct program prior to spending your money. Search for a company that wants to understand what you hope to do, and can help you work out what you’ll be doing, long before they start talking about courses.
We can see an excess of professional positions up for grabs in computing. Picking the right one out of this complexity can be very difficult.
After all, without any understanding of IT in the workplace, what chance is there for you to know what someone in a particular field does each day? Let alone arrive at which accreditation path is the most likely for ultimate success.
To get to the bottom of this, we need to discuss a number of definitive areas:
* The sort of individual you are - the tasks that you get enjoyment from, and don’t forget - what you definitely don’t enjoy.
* Why you want to consider stepping into computing - maybe you’d like to overcome some personal goal such as self-employment for example.
* How important is salary to you - is it the most important thing, or do you place job satisfaction further up on your list of priorities?
* Getting to grips with what the main career roles and sectors are - including what sets them apart.
* Having a serious look at what commitment and time that you’re going to put into it.
In all honesty, you’ll find the only real way to gain help on these issues is through a chat with an advisor that has years of experience in computing (and specifically it’s commercial needs and requirements.)
Several companies supply a practical Job Placement Assistance facility, designed to steer you into your first job. The need for this feature can be bigged up out of proportion though - it’s quite easy for their marketing department to make it sound harder than it is. Ultimately, the massive skills shortage in the UK is the reason you’ll find a job.
Get your CV updated straight-away though (advice and support for this should come from your course provider). Don’t put it off till you’ve finished your exams.
Quite frequently, you’ll land your first role whilst you’re still studying (even in the early stages). If your CV doesn’t say what you’re learning (and it hasn’t been posted on jobsites) then you aren’t even in the running!
The best services to help you find a job are normally specialist independent regional recruitment consultancies. Because they get paid commission to place you, they have the necessary incentive to try that bit harder.
To bottom line it, as long as you put the same commitment into landing your first IT position as into studying, you won’t have any problems. Some students curiously put hundreds of hours into their training course and then call a halt once they’ve got certified and seem to expect employers to find them.
The classroom style of learning we remember from school, involving piles of reference textbooks, is an up-hill struggle for the majority of us. If you’re nodding as you read this, find training programs which feature interactive and multimedia modules.
Where possible, if we can study while utilising as many senses as possible, then we normally see dramatically better results.
Find a course where you’ll receive a library of CD or DVD ROM’s - you’ll learn by watching video tutorials and demonstrations, with the facility to fine-tune your skills in fully interactive practice sessions.
It’s wise to view some examples of the kind of training materials you’ll be using before you sign on the dotted line. You should expect instructor-led video demonstrations and audio-visual elements backed up by interactive lab’s.
Go for CD and DVD ROM based physical training media if possible. Thus avoiding all the issues associated with broadband ‘downtime’ or slow-speeds.
Many companies focus completely on the certification process, and forget why you’re doing this - which is of course employment. Your focus should start with the end goal - don’t get hung-up on the training vehicle.
It’s not unheard of, for example, to thoroughly enjoy one year of training and then spend 20 miserable years in a job you hate, as an upshot of not doing some decent due-diligence when you should’ve - at the outset.
Make sure you investigate your leanings around earning potential and career progression, and how ambitious you are. It makes sense to understand what the role will demand of you, what qualifications are needed and how you’ll gain real-world experience.
Prior to embarking on a particular study programme, it’s good advice to talk through specific job needs with an industry professional, to make sure the study programme covers all the necessary elements.
Written by Scott Edwards. Check out Finding A New Career or Career Alternatives.
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