IT Study Considerations Examined
There are four specialised areas of training in the A+ syllabus, of which 2 passes are needed to be considered A+ qualified. We would advise however that limiting yourself to 2 of the specialised areas could expose flaws in your knowledge when applying for a job. Try to cover all four – you’ll be glad you did when it comes to interview time.
A+ certification in isolation will mean that you’re able to repair and fix laptops, Macs and PC’s; ones that are most often not part of a network – which means the home or small business market. If you aspire to maintaining networks, you’ll need to add Network+ to your training package. Taking this course as well will prepare you to command a more senior job role. Alternatively, you may prefer the networking qualifications from Microsoft, i.e. MCP, MCSA MCSE.
Many trainers provide piles of reference manuals and workbooks. This isn’t very interesting and not a very good way of taking things in. Studies have constantly demonstrated that getting into our studies physically, will more likely produce memories that are deeper and longer-lasting.
Programs are now found via DVD-ROM discs, where everything is taught on your PC. Utilising the latest video technology, you can sit back and watch the teachers showing you precisely how something is done, with some practice time to follow – in a virtual lab environment. Each company you’re contemplating must be able to demonstrate some samples of the materials provided for study. You’re looking for evidence of tutorial videos and demonstrations and a variety of interactive modules.
It is generally unwise to opt for on-line only training. Due to the variable nature of connection quality from the ISP (internet service provider) market, ensure that you have access to disc based courseware (On CD or DVD).
Most commercial training providers will only offer support available from 9-6 (office hours) and sometimes later on specific days; most won’t answer after 8-9pm at the latest and frequently never at the weekends. Many only provide email support (too slow), and phone support is usually just a call-centre that will chat nicely with you for 5 minutes to ask what the issue is and then simply send an email to an instructor – who will call back over the next day or so (assuming you’re there), when it suits them. This is no good if you’re stuck with a particular problem and only have certain times available in which to do your studies.
Top training companies incorporate three or four individual support centres active in different time-zones. Online access provides the interactive interface to link them all seamlessly, irrespective of the time you login, help is just a click away, without any contact issues or hassle. Seek out an educator that is worth purchasing from. Because only live 24×7 round-the-clock support gives you the confidence to make it.
A valuable training course package will undoubtedly also offer fully authorised exam preparation packages. Don’t fall foul of relying on unofficial exam papers and questions. The type of questions asked is often somewhat different – and this leads to huge confusion in the actual examination. Obviously, it is vital to know that you’ve thoroughly prepared for your commercial exam prior to going for it. Revising simulated exams adds to your knowledge bank and saves you time and money on failed exams.
Many training companies have a handy Job Placement Assistance facility, designed to steer you into your first job. It can happen though that too much is made of this feature, as it’s relatively easy for a well trained and motivated person to get work in IT – because there’s a great need for skilled employees.
Whatever you do, avoid waiting until you have finished your training before bringing your CV up to date. As soon as you start a course, enter details of your study programme and get it out there! A good number of junior support roles are offered to trainees who are still learning and haven’t got any qualifications yet. At the very least this will get you on your way. Normally you’ll get quicker results from a specialised and independent local recruitment service than you’ll get from a course provider’s employment division, as they’ll know the local area and commercial needs better.
Essentially, if you put as much hard work into getting your first job as into training, you won’t find it too challenging. Some students strangely conscientiously work through their learning program and do nothing more once qualified and seem to expect employers to find them.
What is the reason why traditional degrees are now falling behind more commercially accredited qualifications? As we require increasingly more effective technological know-how, industry has moved to specific, honed-in training that the vendors themselves supply – that is companies like Microsoft, CompTIA, CISCO and Adobe. Often this saves time and money for the student. Many degrees, as a example, clog up the training with vast amounts of loosely associated study – and a syllabus that’s too generalised. This prevents a student from learning the core essentials in sufficient depth.
When it comes down to the nitty-gritty: Recognised IT certifications provide exactly what an employer needs – it says what you do in the title: for example, I am a ‘Microsoft Certified Professional’ in ‘Managing and Maintaining Windows Server 2003′. Consequently companies can look at the particular needs they have and which qualifications are required to perform the job.
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