Microsoft MCSA-MCSE Training Programs Compared



Posted: Monday, October 12, 2009

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As you're researching MCSE courses, you're most likely in one of two categories: You could be considering a complete career change to get into the IT field, and research demonstrates there's a massive need for properly qualified people. Alternatively you're already a professional - and you need to formalise your skill-set with a qualification such as MCSE.

As you discover more about computer training companies, avoid those who cut costs by failing to up-grade to the latest level of Microsoft development. In the long-run, this will end up costing the student a great deal more due to the fact that they've been learning from an old version of MCSE which will require an up-date pretty much straight away. Avoid the companies who're just out to sell you anything. Advisors should be helping to verify that you're on the best program for your needs. Guard against being rushed into some generic product by some pushy sales person.

Some commercial training providers will only provide basic 9am till 6pm support (maybe a little earlier or later on certain days); very few go late in the evening or at weekends. Be wary of any training providers that use call-centres 'out-of-hours' - with the call-back coming in during standard office hours. This is no use if you're stuck and need an answer now.

World-class organisations provide a web-based round-the-clock facility involving many support centres across the globe. You get a single, easy-to-use environment that seamlessly accesses whichever office is appropriate at any time of day or night: Support when you need it. Look for a training provider that cares. Because only 24x7 round-the-clock live support truly delivers for technical programs.

Be alert that all exams you're studying for will be recognised by employers and are current. Training companies own certificates are generally useless. The main industry leaders such as Microsoft, Adobe, Cisco or CompTIA have globally renowned skills programmes. These big-hitters will make your CV stand-out.

The sometimes daunting task of finding your first job is often eased by some training providers because they offer a Job Placement Assistance service. But don't place too much emphasis on it - it's easy for eager sales people to make too much of it. In reality, the need for well trained IT people in the UK is the reason you'll find a job.

Advice and support about getting interviews and your CV is sometimes offered (alternatively, check out one of our sites for help). It's essential that you update that dusty old CV immediately - don't leave it till you pass the exams! Having the possibility of an interview is better than being rejected. A decent number of junior support roles are got by students (sometimes when they've only just got going.) Generally, a specialist independent regional employment agency - who make their money when they've found you a job - will be more pro-active than a sector of a centralised training facility. They should, of course, also be familiar with the local industry and employment needs.

Do ensure you don't spend hundreds of hours on your training and studies, and then do nothing more and leave it up to everyone else to sort out your employment. Stop procrastinating and make your own enquiries. Invest the same time and energy into landing the right position as you did to gain the skills.

People attracted to this sort of work are often very practical, and don't always take well to classrooms, and endless reading of dry academic textbooks. If this is putting you off studying, use multimedia, interactive learning, where learning is video-based. Research has consistently shown that becoming involved with our studies, to utilise all our senses, is far more likely to produce long-lasting memories.

Find a course where you'll receive a library of CD and DVD based materials - you'll begin by watching videos of instructors demonstrating the skills, with the facility to use virtual lab's to practice your new skills. You must ensure that you see courseware examples from the company you're considering. You'll want to see that they include instructor-led video demonstrations with virtual practice-lab's.

Purely on-line training should be avoided. Ideally, you should opt for CD and DVD ROM courseware where available, so you can use them wherever and whenever you want - ISP quality varies, so you don't want to be totally reliant on your broadband being 'up' 100 percent of the time.(C) Jason Kendall. Pop over to LearningLolly.com for in-depth ideas on MCSE 2008 Certification and MCSA Training.
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