It's really great that you've made it this far! Only one in ten folks say they enjoy their work, but most of us just go off on one from time to time and do nothing. Because you've done research we have a hunch that you're finding out about training, so even now you're ahead of the game. What comes next is get busy to find your direction.
We recommend you seek advice first - talk to a knowledgeable person; a guide who can really get to know you and find the best job role for you, and offer only the learning programs that will suit you:
* Would you like to work with others? If so, do you want a team or are you more comfortable dealing with strangers? Alternatively, do you like to deal with your responsibilities alone?
* What's important that you get from the industry your job is in? (If it's stability you're after, you might think twice about banks or the building industry right now.)
* After re-training, how long a career do you hope for, and can the industry you choose give you the confidence that will happen?
* Do you believe that retraining in your chosen sector will offer you employment opportunities, and provide the facility to allow you to work up to the time you want to stop?
It's important that you don't overlook the IT industry - it's well known that it's developing all the time. It's not all nerdy people looking at computer screens the whole time - we know those roles do exist, but the majority of roles are filled with ordinary men and women who get on very well.
Beginning from the viewpoint that it's good to home-in on the employment that excites us first and foremost, before we can even ponder which method of training meets that requirement, how are we supposed to find the way that suits us?
Scanning a list of IT job-titles is a complete waste of time. The majority of us have no idea what the neighbours do for a living - so we have no hope of understanding the complexities of a particular IT career.
The key to answering this predicament appropriately lies in a thorough discussion of some important points:
* What nature of person you think yourself to be - the tasks that you find interesting, and don't forget - what don't you like doing.
* What time-frame are you looking at for the retraining?
* What are your thoughts on salary vs job satisfaction?
* Some students don't fully understand the amount of work required to achieve their goals.
* You need to understand the differences across each individual training area.
The best way to avoid all the jargon and confusion, and reveal the best route for you, have a good talk with an industry expert and advisor; a person who understands the commercial reality as well as each certification.
So many training providers only concern themselves with gaining a certificate, and completely avoid why you're doing this - getting yourself a new job or career. Your focus should start with the end in mind - don't make the vehicle more important than the destination.
Students often train for a single year but end up doing a job for a lifetime. Avoid the mistake of opting for what may seem to be a program of interest to you only to spend 20 years doing a job you don't like!
You must also consider how you feel about career progression and earning potential, plus your level of ambition. It makes sense to understand what the role will demand of you, what exams will be required and how to develop your experience.
We'd recommend you take advice from an experienced industry advisor before you begin some particular study path, so you can be sure that the content of a learning package provides the skills necessary.
Always expect the latest Microsoft (or Cisco, CompTIA etc.) authorised exam preparation packages.
Because most IT examination boards are from the USA, you need to become familiar with their phraseology. It's not sufficient simply going through the right questions - they need to be in the proper exam format.
It's a good idea to have some simulated exam questions so you'll be able to check your understanding along the way. Practice exams log the information in your brain - then the actual exam is much easier.
Be watchful that any accreditations you're considering doing will be recognised by employers and are up-to-date. The 'in-house' certifications provided by many companies are not normally useful in gaining employment.
Unless your qualification is issued by a big-hitter like Microsoft, Adobe, CompTIA or Cisco, then you'll probably find it will be commercially useless - as no-one will have heard of it. - 29852
We recommend you seek advice first - talk to a knowledgeable person; a guide who can really get to know you and find the best job role for you, and offer only the learning programs that will suit you:
* Would you like to work with others? If so, do you want a team or are you more comfortable dealing with strangers? Alternatively, do you like to deal with your responsibilities alone?
* What's important that you get from the industry your job is in? (If it's stability you're after, you might think twice about banks or the building industry right now.)
* After re-training, how long a career do you hope for, and can the industry you choose give you the confidence that will happen?
* Do you believe that retraining in your chosen sector will offer you employment opportunities, and provide the facility to allow you to work up to the time you want to stop?
It's important that you don't overlook the IT industry - it's well known that it's developing all the time. It's not all nerdy people looking at computer screens the whole time - we know those roles do exist, but the majority of roles are filled with ordinary men and women who get on very well.
Beginning from the viewpoint that it's good to home-in on the employment that excites us first and foremost, before we can even ponder which method of training meets that requirement, how are we supposed to find the way that suits us?
Scanning a list of IT job-titles is a complete waste of time. The majority of us have no idea what the neighbours do for a living - so we have no hope of understanding the complexities of a particular IT career.
The key to answering this predicament appropriately lies in a thorough discussion of some important points:
* What nature of person you think yourself to be - the tasks that you find interesting, and don't forget - what don't you like doing.
* What time-frame are you looking at for the retraining?
* What are your thoughts on salary vs job satisfaction?
* Some students don't fully understand the amount of work required to achieve their goals.
* You need to understand the differences across each individual training area.
The best way to avoid all the jargon and confusion, and reveal the best route for you, have a good talk with an industry expert and advisor; a person who understands the commercial reality as well as each certification.
So many training providers only concern themselves with gaining a certificate, and completely avoid why you're doing this - getting yourself a new job or career. Your focus should start with the end in mind - don't make the vehicle more important than the destination.
Students often train for a single year but end up doing a job for a lifetime. Avoid the mistake of opting for what may seem to be a program of interest to you only to spend 20 years doing a job you don't like!
You must also consider how you feel about career progression and earning potential, plus your level of ambition. It makes sense to understand what the role will demand of you, what exams will be required and how to develop your experience.
We'd recommend you take advice from an experienced industry advisor before you begin some particular study path, so you can be sure that the content of a learning package provides the skills necessary.
Always expect the latest Microsoft (or Cisco, CompTIA etc.) authorised exam preparation packages.
Because most IT examination boards are from the USA, you need to become familiar with their phraseology. It's not sufficient simply going through the right questions - they need to be in the proper exam format.
It's a good idea to have some simulated exam questions so you'll be able to check your understanding along the way. Practice exams log the information in your brain - then the actual exam is much easier.
Be watchful that any accreditations you're considering doing will be recognised by employers and are up-to-date. The 'in-house' certifications provided by many companies are not normally useful in gaining employment.
Unless your qualification is issued by a big-hitter like Microsoft, Adobe, CompTIA or Cisco, then you'll probably find it will be commercially useless - as no-one will have heard of it. - 29852
About the Author:
Copyright Scott Edwards. Navigate to MCSE Course or CareerChangeCourses.co.uk/hcachco.html.
