Computer Training For CompTIA - Thoughts
Four separate areas of study make up a full CompTIA A+; you're thought of as competent at A+ when you've gained exams for 2 out of 4 subjects. For this reason, the majority of training establishments offer only two of the training courses. In reality it's necessary to have the teaching in all areas as many jobs will ask for an awareness of the whole A+ program. It isn't necessary to qualify in them all, although it would seem prudent that you at least have a working knowledge of every area.
As well as learning how to build PC's and fix them, students on an A+ training course will learn how to work in antistatic conditions, along with remote access, fault finding and diagnostics.
If you would like to be a man or woman who works for a larger company - fixing and supporting networks, build on A+ with Network+, or consider the Microsoft networking route (MCSA - MCSE) because it's necessary to have a wider knowledge of how networks work.
We need to make this very clear: You have to get round-the-clock 24x7 instructor and mentor support. We can tell you that you'll strongly regret it if you don't follow this rule rigidly.
Find a good quality service with proper support available at any time you choose (even if it's early hours on Sunday morning!) Ensure you get direct access to tutors, and not access to a call-in service which takes messages - so you're constantly waiting for a call-back at a convenient time for them.
Keep your eyes open for training programs that incorporate three or four individual support centres around the globe in several time-zones. All of them should be combined to give a single entry point and 24x7 access, when it's convenient for you, with no hassle.
Never make do with less than this. Direct-access 24x7 support is the only viable option when it comes to technical study. Maybe burning the midnight-oil is not your thing; usually though, we're out at work when traditional support if offered.
So many training providers only look at the plaque to hang on your wall, and completely avoid what it's all actually about - which will always be getting the job or career you want. Always start with the end goal - don't get hung-up on the training vehicle.
You could be training for only a year and end up doing a job for a lifetime. Avoid the mistake of taking what may be an 'interesting' course and then spend decades in a job you don't like!
You need to keep your eye on where you want to go, and formulate your training based on that - avoid getting them back-to-front. Keep on track - making sure you're training for something you'll still be enjoying many years from now.
Sense dictates that you look for advice and guidance from an experienced industry professional before making your final decision on some particular training course, so there's little doubt that the chosen route will give you the skill-set required for your career choice.
Some training providers will provide a useful Job Placement Assistance program, to assist your search for your first position. Because of the great demand for appropriately skilled people in Britain even when times are hard, there isn't a great need to place too much emphasis on this feature however. It really won't be that difficult to secure a job as long as you've got the necessary skills and qualifications.
Help with your CV and interview techniques is sometimes offered (if it isn't, consult one of our sites). Make sure you work on your old CV today - don't leave it till you pass the exams!
It's possible that you won't have even taken your exams when you land your first junior support role; but this isn't going to happen unless your CV is with employers.
Generally, you'll receive better results from an independent and specialised local recruitment consultancy than any training course provider's national service, because they will be more familiar with the area and local employers.
To bottom line it, as long as you focus the same level of energy into landing a job as into training, you're not going to hit many challenges. A number of people bizarrely put hundreds of hours into their training course and then call a halt once qualified and seem to suppose that interviewers know they're there.
A so-called advisor who doesn't dig around with lots of question - chances are they're actually nothing more than a salesman. If they push a particular product before looking at your personality and current experience level, then it's definitely the case.
Remember, if in the past you've acquired any qualifications that are related, then you will often be able to pick-up at a different starting-point to someone who is new to the field.
If this is going to be your opening crack at an IT exam then you may want to start with a user-skills course first.
As well as learning how to build PC's and fix them, students on an A+ training course will learn how to work in antistatic conditions, along with remote access, fault finding and diagnostics.
If you would like to be a man or woman who works for a larger company - fixing and supporting networks, build on A+ with Network+, or consider the Microsoft networking route (MCSA - MCSE) because it's necessary to have a wider knowledge of how networks work.
We need to make this very clear: You have to get round-the-clock 24x7 instructor and mentor support. We can tell you that you'll strongly regret it if you don't follow this rule rigidly.
Find a good quality service with proper support available at any time you choose (even if it's early hours on Sunday morning!) Ensure you get direct access to tutors, and not access to a call-in service which takes messages - so you're constantly waiting for a call-back at a convenient time for them.
Keep your eyes open for training programs that incorporate three or four individual support centres around the globe in several time-zones. All of them should be combined to give a single entry point and 24x7 access, when it's convenient for you, with no hassle.
Never make do with less than this. Direct-access 24x7 support is the only viable option when it comes to technical study. Maybe burning the midnight-oil is not your thing; usually though, we're out at work when traditional support if offered.
So many training providers only look at the plaque to hang on your wall, and completely avoid what it's all actually about - which will always be getting the job or career you want. Always start with the end goal - don't get hung-up on the training vehicle.
You could be training for only a year and end up doing a job for a lifetime. Avoid the mistake of taking what may be an 'interesting' course and then spend decades in a job you don't like!
You need to keep your eye on where you want to go, and formulate your training based on that - avoid getting them back-to-front. Keep on track - making sure you're training for something you'll still be enjoying many years from now.
Sense dictates that you look for advice and guidance from an experienced industry professional before making your final decision on some particular training course, so there's little doubt that the chosen route will give you the skill-set required for your career choice.
Some training providers will provide a useful Job Placement Assistance program, to assist your search for your first position. Because of the great demand for appropriately skilled people in Britain even when times are hard, there isn't a great need to place too much emphasis on this feature however. It really won't be that difficult to secure a job as long as you've got the necessary skills and qualifications.
Help with your CV and interview techniques is sometimes offered (if it isn't, consult one of our sites). Make sure you work on your old CV today - don't leave it till you pass the exams!
It's possible that you won't have even taken your exams when you land your first junior support role; but this isn't going to happen unless your CV is with employers.
Generally, you'll receive better results from an independent and specialised local recruitment consultancy than any training course provider's national service, because they will be more familiar with the area and local employers.
To bottom line it, as long as you focus the same level of energy into landing a job as into training, you're not going to hit many challenges. A number of people bizarrely put hundreds of hours into their training course and then call a halt once qualified and seem to suppose that interviewers know they're there.
A so-called advisor who doesn't dig around with lots of question - chances are they're actually nothing more than a salesman. If they push a particular product before looking at your personality and current experience level, then it's definitely the case.
Remember, if in the past you've acquired any qualifications that are related, then you will often be able to pick-up at a different starting-point to someone who is new to the field.
If this is going to be your opening crack at an IT exam then you may want to start with a user-skills course first.
About the Author:
(C) S. Edwards 2009. Hop over to www.AdultTrainingCourse.co.uk/aadtrc.html or Computer Based Training.
posted by KnowledgeableIdiot | 2:36 AM
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