Microsoft MCSA Study Programs - News
Posted: Monday, January 18, 2010
by Jason Kendall
Whether you are new to network support, or an experienced technician looking to gain accredited qualifications, you'll discover interactive Microsoft MCSA courses to cater for both student levels. Each option requires different material, so ensure you're on the right one in advance of getting your credit card out. Find a training company that takes the time to understand you, and what you're trying to achieve, and will make available enough facts to arrange your thoughts.
Adding in the cost of exams as an inclusive element of the package price and presenting it as a guarantee for your exams is a popular marketing tool with a good many training companies. But look at the facts:
These days, we tend to be a bit more aware of hype - and most of us realise that of course it is actually an additional cost to us - they're not just being charitable and doling out freebies! Students who take each progressive exam, funding them one at a time are much better placed to get through first time. They are conscious of what they've paid and prepare more appropriately to make sure they're ready.
Why pay a training course provider at the start of the course for exams? Find the best exam deal or offer at the time, instead of paying any mark-up - and do it in a local testing centre - instead of miles away at the college's beck and call. Why borrow the money or pay in advance (plus interest of course) on exam fees when you didn't need to? A great deal of money is netted by organisations charging upfront for all their exams - and hoping either that you won't take them, or it will be a long time before you do. Additionally, 'Exam Guarantees' often aren't worth the paper they're written on. The majority of companies won't pay again for an exam until you have demonstrated conclusively that you won't fail again.
On average, exams cost approximately 112 pounds last year through UK VUE or Prometric centres. So why pay hundreds or thousands of pounds extra for 'an Exam Guarantee', when it's no secret that the responsible approach is a regular, committed, study programme, with an accredited exam preparation system.
One feature that several companies offer is job placement assistance. This is to help you get your first commercial position. However sometimes this feature is bigged up too much, because it's relatively easy for well qualified and focused men and women to secure work in IT - because companies everywhere are seeking qualified personnel.
Work on polishing up your CV right away however (advice and support for this should come from your course provider). Don't put it off for when you're ready to start work. It can happen that you haven't even taken your exams when you will get your initial junior support job; but this won't be the case unless your CV is with employers. In many cases, a specialist independent regional employment service (who will get paid by the employer when they've placed you) should get better results than any sector of a centralised training facility. In addition, they will no doubt know local industry and the area better.
Fundamentally, as long as you put the same commitment into getting your first IT position as into training, you're not going to hit many challenges. Some men and women curiously conscientiously work through their training and studies and then call a halt once they've got certified and seem to suppose that interviewers know they're there.
A ridiculously large number of organisations are all about the certification, and completely avoid what you actually need - which is a commercial career or job. Always start with the final destination in mind - don't make the vehicle more important than the destination. It's common, for instance, to find immense satisfaction in a year of study only to end up putting 20 long years into something completely unrewarding, as a consequence of not performing the correct research at the outset.
You must also consider your leanings around career development, earning potential, and how ambitious you are. You need to know what the role will demand of you, which particular certifications they want you to have and where you'll pick-up experience from. Your likely to need help from a professional who knows the commercial realities of the industry you think may suit you, and will be able to provide 'A typical day in the life of' outline for that career-path. This is very important as you'll need to fully understand if this change is right for you.
(C) Jason Kendall. Visit LearningLolly.com for excellent career tips. Click Here or MCSA Training.
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