In the fast-paced world we live in, support workers who are qualified to solve problems with networks and PC’s, plus give constant help to users, are hugely valuable in all sections of industry. Industry’s need for better commercially qualified individuals is growing, as we become vastly more reliant on computers in the modern world.
Getting into your first IT role can feel more straightforward if you’re supported with a Job Placement Assistance service. With the great skills shortage in Britain at the moment, there’s no need to become overly impressed with this service however. It’s actually not as hard as some people make out to find your first job once you’re trained and certified.
Bring your CV up to date as soon as possible however (advice and support for this should come from your course provider). Don’t delay for when you’re ready to start work.
You may not have got to the stage where you’ve got to the exam time when you land your first junior support role; although this is not possible unless your CV is with employers.
Normally you’ll get better results from a specialist locally based employment agency than any training provider’s recruitment division, as they’ll know local industry and the area better.
Certainly make sure you don’t conscientiously work through your course materials, and then just stop and leave it up to everyone else to land you a job. Stand up for yourself and start looking for yourself. Channel the same time and energy into landing a good job as you did to gain the skills.
It’s quite a normal occurrence for students not to check on a vitally important element – the way their training provider actually breaks down and delivers the courseware elements, and into what particular chunks.
Usually, you will join a program requiring 1-3 years study and receive a module at a time. This sounds logical on one level, until you consider this:
What would happen if you didn’t finish each section at the proposed pace? Often the prescribed exam order won’t fit you as well as another different route may.
To avoid any potential future issues, most students now choose to have all their training materials (which they’ve now paid for) couriered out in one package, all at the beginning. You can then decide in which order and at what speed you’d like to take your exams.
A fatal Faux-Pas that we encounter all too often is to concentrate on the course itself, instead of focusing on the end result they want to achieve. Colleges are full of students who took a course because it seemed fun – instead of the program that would surely get them an enjoyable career or job.
Never let yourself become part of the group who choose a training program that on the surface appears interesting – and end up with a plaque on the wall for a career they’ll never really get any satisfaction from.
Be honest with yourself about earning potential and what level of ambition fits you. This will influence what precise exams you’ll need to attain and how much effort you’ll have to give in return.
Look for help from an experienced advisor who understands the sector you wish to join, and who can give you ‘A typical day in the life of’ outline of what you’ll actually be doing with each working day. It just makes sense to know if this change is right for you before the training program is started. There’s really no reason in kicking off your training only to realise you’ve made a huge mistake.
The old fashioned style of teaching, involving piles of reference textbooks, can be pretty hard going sometimes. If all this is ringing some familiar bells, check out study materials that are multimedia based.
Where possible, if we can involve all our senses in the learning process, then the results are usually dramatically better.
The latest audio-visual interactive programs utilising video demo’s and practice lab’s beat books hands-down. And you’ll find them fun and interesting.
Always insist on a demonstration of the study materials from your training provider. You’ll want to see instructor videos, demonstrations, slide-shows and virtual practice lab’s for your new skills.
Often, companies will only use purely on-line training; while you can get away with this much of the time, consider how you’ll deal with it if your access to the internet is broken or you get slow speeds and down-time etc. It’s much safer to rely on physical CD or DVD discs that removes the issue entirely.
(C) Jason Kendall. Check out www.ccnatraining4.co.uk for excellent career tips on Computer Training & Cisco Courses.