Choosing a study program that fulfils industries needs is essential in today’s economy. But it’s also just as relevant to select a course that will suit you, that fits your character and ability level.
Should you be thinking of advancing your technological abilities, maybe with some office user skills, or even loftier ambitions, you can choose from many training options.
Modern training methods currently enable students to be educated on an innovative style of course, that is far less expensive than old-style courses. The economies of scale of these courses means anyone can afford them.
A question; why is it better to gain commercially accredited qualifications and not familiar academic qualifications obtained from tech’ colleges and universities?
With university education costs increasing year on year, along with the industry’s general opinion that vendor-based training most often has much more commercial relevance, there’s been a dramatic increase in Microsoft, CISCO, Adobe and CompTIA based training courses that provide key skills to an employee for considerably less.
The training is effectively done by honing in on the skill-sets required (together with a proportionate degree of associated knowledge,) as opposed to covering masses of the background ‘extras’ that computer Science Degrees can often find themselves doing – to pad out the syllabus.
It’s a bit like the TV advert: ‘It does what it says on the tin’. The company just needs to know what they’re looking for, and then advertise for someone with the specific certification. Then they’re assured that a potential employee can do exactly what’s required.
Several companies will provide a useful Job Placement Assistance program, to assist your search for your first position. The fact of the matter is it’s not as difficult as you may be led to believe to land the right work – as long as you’ve got the necessary skills and qualifications; the growing UK skills shortage sees to that.
Ideally you should have help with your CV and interview techniques though; and we’d recommend any student to update their CV as soon as they start a course – don’t put it off till you’ve finished your exams.
You’ll often find that you’ll land your first job whilst you’re still studying (even when you’ve just left first base). If your CV doesn’t show your latest training profile (and it hasn’t been posted on jobsites) then you aren’t even in the running!
In many cases, a specialist independent regional employment agency – who make their money when they’ve found you a job – will perform better than any centralised training company’s service. It also stands to reason that they’ll know the local area and commercial needs.
Not inconsiderable numbers of people, apparently, are prepared to study their hearts out (for years sometimes), and just give up when it comes to trying to get their first job. Introduce yourself… Do everything you can to get yourself known. Good jobs don’t just knock on your door.
Authorised exam preparation and simulation materials are vital – and absolutely ought to be offered by your training provider.
Often students can get confused by going through practice questions that don’t come from authorised sources. Sometimes, the question formats and phraseology can be quite different and it’s vital that you know this.
Practice exams will prove enormously valuable for confidence building – so that when you come to take your actual exams, you will be much more relaxed.
Far too many companies only concern themselves with gaining a certificate, and forget what you actually need – which will always be getting the job or career you want. Always start with where you want to get to – too many people focus on the journey.
It’s a sad fact, but thousands of new students begin programs that seem marvellous in the sales literature, but which gets us a career that is of no interest. Talk to many college graduates for examples.
Make sure you investigate your leanings around career progression and earning potential, and whether you intend to be quite ambitious. You need to know what (if any) sacrifices you’ll need to make for a particular role, which particular accreditations are required and how you’ll gain real-world experience.
Talk to someone that knows about the sector you’re looking at, and is able to give you an in-depth explanation of the kind of things you’ll be doing on a daily basis. Establishing this before starting out on a study path has obvious benefits.
Author: Scott Edwards. Look at Click HERE or InDesign CS2.