Networking Career Retraining - Thoughts
In the UK today, many workplaces couldn’t function properly if it weren’t for support workers solving problems with networks and computers, while recommending solutions to users each and every day. The world’s desire for such skilled and qualified people is constantly growing, as everywhere we work becomes progressively more technologically advanced.
Proper support is incredibly important - ensure you track down something that provides 24×7 direct access, as anything less will frustrate you and could hold up your pace and restrict your intake.
Look for training with proper support available at all hours of the day and night (irrespective of whether it’s the wee hours on Sunday morning!) Ensure you get direct access to tutors, and not simply some messaging service that means you’re constantly waiting for a call-back during office hours.
Top training companies use multiple support centres from around the world. They use an online interactive interface to join them all seamlessly, irrespective of the time you login, there is always help at hand, avoiding all the delays and problems.
Never ever take second best when you’re looking for the right support service. Many IT hopefuls that can’t get going properly, are in that situation because of support (or the lack of).
People attracted to this sort of work are often very practical, and won’t enjoy sitting at a desk in class, and slogging through piles of books. If this could be you, go for more modern interactive training, where you can learn everything on-screen.
Studies have consistently shown that becoming involved with our studies, to utilise all our senses, is proven to produce longer-lasting and deeper memory retention.
The latest home-based training features self-contained CD or DVD materials. By watching and listening to instructors on video tutorials you’ll learn your subject via the expert demonstrations. Knowledge can then be tested by utilising the practice lab’s and modules.
It’s very important to see the type of training provided by any company that you may want to train through. Be sure that they contain instructor-led video demonstrations with virtual practice-lab’s.
Many companies provide training that is purely available online; and although this is okay the majority of the time, think what will happen if your access to the internet is broken or you get a slow connection speed. It is usually safer to have DVD or CD discs that don’t suffer from these broadband issues.
A capable and professional advisor (as opposed to a salesman) will ask questions and seek to comprehend your current level of ability and experience. There is no other way of understanding your study start-point.
Don’t forget, if in the past you’ve acquired any previous certification, then you will often be able to pick-up at a different starting-point to someone new to the industry.
Where this will be your first attempt at IT study then it may be wise to cut your teeth on user-skills and software training first.
Every program under consideration really needs to work up to a properly recognised qualification at the finale - definitely not some ‘in-house’ plaque for your wall.
Only properly recognised accreditation from the likes of Microsoft, Adobe, CompTIA and Cisco will be useful to a future employer.
(C) Jason Kendall. Look at LearningLolly.com for quality career advice. Network+ Training Courses or Comptia Networking Courses.