CompTIA Network Plus Training Programs – Thoughts
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.
Quite often, you’ll secure your initial job while you’re still a student (occasionally right at the beginning). If you haven’t updated your CV to say what you’re studying (and it hasn’t been posted on jobsites) then you don’t stand a chance!
The most reliable organisations to help get you placed are normally specialist independent regional recruitment consultancies. As they will get paid by the employer when they’ve placed you, they’ll work that much harder to get a result.
Essentially, if you put as much hard work into getting a job as into training, you’re not likely to experience problems. A number of people strangely put hundreds of hours into their training course and just give up once they’ve passed their exams and seem to expect employers to find them.
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 if for some reason you don’t get to the end of every single section? And what if you find the order of the modules counter-intuitive? Through no fault of your own, you may not meet the required timescales and not get all the study materials as a result.
To be honest, the best solution is to have a copy of their prescribed order of study, but get everything up-front. Everything is then in your possession in case you don’t finish inside of their required time-scales.
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.
You’ll want to understand the expectations of your industry. Which precise exams you’ll need and in what way you can gain some industry experience. Spend some time considering how far you wish to progress your career as it will affect your choice of qualifications.
Always seek guidance and advice from an experienced industry professional, even if you have to pay a small fee – it’s considerably cheaper and safer to investigate at the start if your choices are appropriate, instead of discovering after several years of study that you’ve picked the wrong track and have wasted years of effort.
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.
Locate a program where you’ll get a host of DVD-ROM’s – you’ll start with videos of instructor demonstrations, with the facility to fine-tune your skills in fully interactive practice sessions.
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.
It is generally unwise to opt for on-line only training. Due to the variable nature of connection quality from all internet service providers, you should always obtain actual CD or DVD ROM’s.
(C) Jason Kendall. Hop over to www.mcsamcse.co.uk for logical information on Networking Careers & Computer Training.
