Sunday, August 16, 2009

Selecting Database Courses - Thoughts

By Jason Kendall

What are the sort of things you'd expect the top of the range training organisations accredited by Microsoft to give a student in the United Kingdom at present? Obviously, the finest Microsoft authorised training routes, supplying a selection of courses to take you to a variety of careers in the IT workplace. Additionally you might like to get advice on the sort of careers to be had when you've finished studying, and the type of individual that work may be appropriate for. Most students like to discuss what they might be good at. Confirm that your training course is tailored to your skills and abilities. A reputable training company will always guarantee that your training program is appropriate for the status you wish to achieve.

The perhaps intimidating chore of finding your first IT job is often eased by some training providers because they offer a Job Placement Assistance service. Because of the massive skills shortage in this country at the moment, there isn't a great need to get too caught up in this feature though. It's actually not as hard as some people make out to land employment once you're trained and certified.

Help and assistance with preparing a CV and getting interviews should be offered (if not, see one of our sites for help). Make sure you update that dusty old CV immediately - not after you've qualified! Various junior support roles have been bagged by trainees who're still on their course and have still to get qualified. This will at the very least get you on your way. Generally, a specialist independent regional recruitment consultant or service (who will get paid commission to place you) will perform better than any sector of a centralised training facility. It also stands to reason that they'll be familiar with local industry and the area better.

A regular aggravation for many training providers is how hard men and women are prepared to study to get top marks in their exams, but how ill-prepared they are to market themselves for the role they've trained for. Don't falter at the last fence.

Any program that you're going to undertake should always lead to a properly recognised accreditation at the end - and not some unimportant 'in-house' printed certificate to hang in your hallway. All the major IT organisations like Microsoft, Cisco, CompTIA or Adobe have internationally approved proficiency programs. These heavyweights will make your CV stand-out.

A ridiculously large number of organisations only look at the plaque to hang on your wall, and avoid focusing on why you're doing this - which is a commercial career or job. You should always begin with where you want to get to - don't get hung-up on the training vehicle. Avoid becoming one of those unfortunate students who choose a training program that sounds really 'interesting' and 'fun' - and end up with a certification for something they'll never enjoy.

Stay focused on what it is you're trying to achieve, and build your study action-plan from that - don't do it the other way round. Stay on target and begin studying for a job you'll still be enjoying many years from now. Your likely to need help from someone that knows the commercial realities of the sector you're considering, and who can offer 'A day in the life of' synopsis for that career-path. These things are incredibly important as you'll need to fully understand if this change is right for you.

Don't accept anything less than the current Microsoft (or any other key organisation's) authorised exam preparation packages. Sometimes people can get confused by practicing questions for their exams that don't come from official boards. Sometimes, the terminology in the real exams is unfamiliar and it's vital that you know this. Why don't you test your knowledge through tests and practice in simulated exam environments before you take the real thing.

Many training providers only give support to you inside of office hours (typically 9am-6pm) and sometimes a little earlier or later; It's rare to find someone who offers late evening or full weekend cover. Many only provide email support (too slow), and phone support is often to a call-centre that will make some notes and then email an advisor - who'll call back sometime over the next 1-3 days, at a suitable time to them. This is not a lot of use if you're stuck and can't continue and only have certain times available in which to do your studies.

The best training colleges opt for an online round-the-clock facility combining multiple support operations over many time-zones. You're offered an environment that switches seamlessly to the best choice of centres any time of the day or night: Support when you need it. Never make do with anything less. Direct-access 24x7 support is the only kind to make the grade with computer-based study. Maybe burning the midnight-oil is not your thing; often though, we're at work at the time when most support is available.

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