The Microsoft MCSA (Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator) course is an ideal qualification for anybody thinking of getting into network support. Whether you want to get going or already have knowledge but need to formalise your skills with a recognised qualification, the right training exists for you. For a person with no knowledge of the world of computers, it may well be necessary to improve your skill-set prior to getting into your four MCP exams that are required to become qualified at the MCSA level. Search for an organisation that can create a bespoke package to help you - one who will work with you to ensure that your choices are good ones.
Being a part of progressive developments in new technology is as thrilling as it comes. You personally play your part in creating a future for us all. We’re barely beginning to get a handle on how this will truly impact our way of life. The way we interact with the world will be massively affected by computers and the web.
A usual IT technician over this country as a whole is likely to earn considerably more than fellow workers in another industry. Average salaries are some of the best to be had nationwide. Excitingly, there is a lot more room for IT sector development in Great Britain as a whole. The sector continues to grow enormously, and as we have a skills gap that means we only typically have three IT workers for every four jobs it’s not likely that it will even slow down for the significant future.
Apparently, the UK computer industry offers exceptional possibilities. Yet, to fully investigate, what kind of questions should we pose, and which are the most important considerations?
Remember: a actual training program or a qualification is not what you’re looking for; the career you’re training for is. Many trainers unfortunately over-emphasise just the training course. It’s common, for instance, to obtain tremendous satisfaction from a year of studying and then find yourself trapped for decades in a job you hate, simply because you did it without the correct level of soul-searching when it was needed - at the start.
Set targets for earning potential and whether you’re an ambitious person or not. Sometimes, this affects which certifications will be expected and what you can expect to give industry in return. Seek advice from an industry professional, even if you have to pay - it’s much safer and cheaper to investigate at the start whether a chosen track will suit, instead of discovering following two years of study that you’re doing entirely the wrong thing and have wasted years of effort.
Those that are drawn to this type of work are usually quite practically-minded, and don’t always take well to classrooms, and poring through books and manuals. If this could be you, use multimedia, interactive learning, where you can learn everything on-screen. Memory is vastly improved when multiple senses are involved - this has been an accepted fact in expert circles for years now.
Search for a course where you’ll receive a selection of DVD-ROM’s - you’ll begin by watching videos of instructors demonstrating the skills, and be able to practice your skills in interactive lab’s. Be sure to get a demonstration of the study materials from any training college. The package should contain slide-shows, instructor-led videos and virtual practice lab’s for your new skills.
It doesn’t make sense to opt for on-line only training. With highly variable reliability and quality from most broadband providers, you should always obtain actual CD or DVD ROM’s.
One of the most important things to insist on has to be full 24×7 support from dedicated instructors and mentors. It’s an all too common story to find providers that only provide support to you inside of office hours (typically 9am-6pm) and sometimes a little earlier or later (but not weekends usually). Avoid those companies which use ‘out-of-hours’ call-centres - with the call-back coming in during the next ‘working’ day. This is no use if you’re stuck and need help now.
The very best programs utilise an internet-based 24×7 facility pulling in several support offices over many time-zones. You will have an interface which seamlessly accesses whichever office is appropriate irrespective of the time of day: Support when you need it. If you accept anything less than support round-the-clock, you’ll regret it. You might not want to use the service during late nights, but you may need weekends, early mornings or late evenings.
Qualifications from the commercial sector are now, most definitely, already replacing the traditional academic paths into the industry - why then is this happening? Key company training (to use industry-speak) is far more effective and specialised. The IT sector has realised that specialisation is what’s needed to cope with a technically advancing commercial environment. Microsoft, CompTIA, CISCO and Adobe are the key players in this arena. Clearly, a necessary degree of relevant additional detail must be taught, but core specialisation in the particular job function gives a vendor educated student a distinct advantage.
Think about if you were the employer - and you needed to take on someone with a very particular skill-set. What is easier: Trawl through a mass of different academic qualifications from several applicants, having to ask what each has covered and what vocational skills have been attained, or pick out specific commercial accreditations that specifically match what you’re looking for, and then select who you want to interview from that. You’ll then be able to concentrate on getting a feel for the person at interview - rather than on the depth of their technical knowledge.
Exam ‘guarantees’ are sometimes offered as part of a training package - this always means exams have to be paid for upfront, at the very beginning of your studies. Before you get carried away with a course with such a promise, why not look at the following:
We all know that we’re still footing the bill for it - it’s obviously been added into the gross price invoiced by the training company. It’s definitely not free (it’s just marketing companies think we’ll fall for anything they say!) It’s well known in the industry that if a student pays for each examination, at the time of taking them, they’ll be in a better position to pass first time - because they’re aware of what they’ve paid and their application will be greater.
Doesn’t it make more sense to not pay up-front, but when you take the exam, not to pay any mark-up to a training college, and to do it in a local testing office - rather than in some remote centre? Huge profits are secured by some training companies who take the exam money up-front. A number of students don’t take them for various reasons and so they pocket the rest. Astoundingly enough, there are companies around that rely on that fact - and that’s how they increase their profits. Re-takes of any failed exams through training course providers who offer an ‘Exam Guarantee’ inevitably are heavily regulated. They’ll insist that you take mock exams first so you can prove to them you have a good chance of passing.
Splashing out often many hundreds of pounds extra on ‘Exam Guarantees’ is remiss - when a commitment to studying and the use of authorised exam preparation tools is what will really guarantee success.
Many training companies supply a practical Job Placement Assistance program, to help you get your first job. The honest truth is that it isn’t so complicated as you might think to land your first job - as long as you’re correctly trained and certified; employers in this country need your skills.
Help with your CV and interview techniques should be offered (if not, see one of our sites for help). Make sure you bring your CV right up to date right away - don’t leave it till you pass the exams! You might not even have got to the exam time when you land your first junior support position; however this won’t be the case unless your CV is with employers. The most efficient companies to help you find a job are generally specialist independent regional recruitment consultancies. As they will get paid by the employer when they’ve placed you, they’re perhaps more focused on results.
A good number of students, so it seems, are prepared to study their hearts out (for years sometimes), and just give up when it comes to trying to get the right position. Market yourself… Make an effort to get in front of employers. Don’t think a job’s just going to jump out in front of you.
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