Well Done! As you're looking at this you're probably toying with the idea of getting re-qualified for a new job - that puts you way ahead of the crowd. Only one in ten of us are satisfied with our careers, but most complain but just stay there. Why not be one of a small number who decide to make the change.
We'd politely request that before you start any study program, you run through some things with a mentor who can see the bigger picture and can make recommendations. They can assess your personality and help you sort out a role to fit you:
* Do you see yourself dealing with people? Would that be with a small 'tightly-knit' team or with a lot of new people? Maybe working on your own on specific tasks may be your preference?
* Banking and building are struggling today, so which industry would suit you best?
* Is this the last time you want to study, and if it is, do you believe this career choice will service that need?
* Are you worried with regard to the possibility of getting new work, and being gainfully employed right up to retirement?
The most significant market sector in Great Britain to tick all of the above boxes is the IT industry. There's a need for more skilled people in this market, - take a look at any jobs website and you'll discover what we mean. Don't let people tell you it's all techie people looking at their computerscreens all day long - it's much more diverse than that. Most of the people in the industry are just like you and me, with well paid and stimulating jobs.
Students who consider this area of study are usually quite practically-minded, and don't really enjoy classrooms, and struggling through thick study-volumes. If you identify with this, try the newer style of interactive study, with on-screen demonstrations and labs. Long-term memory is enhanced when all our senses are brought into the mix - this has been an accepted fact in expert circles for years now.
Start a study-program in which you'll receive a selection of CD or DVD ROM's - you'll be learning from instructor videos and demo's, with the facility to use virtual lab's to practice your new skills. It's wise to view some of the typical study materials provided before you sign on the dotted line. What you want are videoed instructor demonstrations and a variety of audio-visual and interactive sections.
Opt for CD and DVD ROM based physical training media where possible. You're then protected from internet connection failure and issues with signal quality.
The area most overlooked by trainees considering a training program is that of 'training segmentation'. Essentially, this is the method used to break up the program for delivery to you, which makes a huge difference to how you end up. The majority of training companies will set up a program typically taking 1-3 years, and drop-ship the materials to you piecemeal as you finish each section. If you think this sound logical, then consider this: Many students find that the company's 'standard' path of training isn't ideal for them. They might find varying the order of study will be far more suitable. And what if you don't get to the end at the pace they expect?
For maximum flexibility and safety, it's normal for most trainees to request that all their modules (now paid for) are posted to them in one go, with nothing held back. You can then decide in which order and at what speed you want to work.
One fatal mistake that students everywhere can make is to choose a career based on a course, rather than starting with the desired end-result. Colleges have thousands of unaware students who chose a course based on what sounded good - in place of something that could gain them the career they desired. It's quite usual, in many cases, to obtain tremendous satisfaction from a year of studying but end up spending 10 or 20 years in a career that does nothing for you, as a consequence of not performing some quality research at the beginning.
It's well worth a long chat to see the exact expectations industry will have. What accreditations they will want you to have and in what way you can gain some industry experience. It's definitely worth spending time setting guidelines as to how far you wish to go as it will often force you to choose a particular set of exams. Before you embark on a particular training programme, you'd be well advised to chat over individual job requirements with an experienced industry professional, in order to be sure the training course covers all that is required.
At times people don't really get what IT means. It is stimulating, innovative, and means you're a part of the huge progress of technology that will impact the whole world for generations to come. Many people are of the opinion that the increase in technology we've been going through is easing off. This couldn't be more wrong. Terrific advances are ahead of us, and the internet particularly will be the most effective tool in our lives.
Let's not forget that the average salary in the IT sector in Great Britain is noticeably more than average salaries nationally, therefore you will most likely receive significantly more once qualified in IT, than you'd get in most other industries. Because the IT market sector is still emerging at an unprecedented rate, the chances are that the requirement for professionally qualified and skilled IT workers will continue actively for quite some time to come.
Finding your first job in the industry can be a little easier with the help of a Job Placement Assistance service. The honest truth is that it isn't so complicated as you might think to land your first job - as long as you've got the necessary skills and qualifications; because there's still a great need for IT skills in the UK today.
Get your CV updated straight-away though - you should get plenty of help from your training provider on this. Don't delay until you've graduated or passed any exams. It's not uncommon to find that junior support jobs have been offered to trainees who are still learning and have yet to take their exams. At least this will get you into the 'maybe' pile of CV's - rather than the 'No' pile. You'll normally experience better results from a local IT focused recruitment consultant or service than you'll experience from any course provider's national service, because they will understand the local industry and employment needs.
A regular grievance for many training providers is how much students are prepared to work to get qualified, but how ill-prepared they are to market themselves for the position they have acquired skills for. Don't falter at the last fence.
We'd politely request that before you start any study program, you run through some things with a mentor who can see the bigger picture and can make recommendations. They can assess your personality and help you sort out a role to fit you:
* Do you see yourself dealing with people? Would that be with a small 'tightly-knit' team or with a lot of new people? Maybe working on your own on specific tasks may be your preference?
* Banking and building are struggling today, so which industry would suit you best?
* Is this the last time you want to study, and if it is, do you believe this career choice will service that need?
* Are you worried with regard to the possibility of getting new work, and being gainfully employed right up to retirement?
The most significant market sector in Great Britain to tick all of the above boxes is the IT industry. There's a need for more skilled people in this market, - take a look at any jobs website and you'll discover what we mean. Don't let people tell you it's all techie people looking at their computerscreens all day long - it's much more diverse than that. Most of the people in the industry are just like you and me, with well paid and stimulating jobs.
Students who consider this area of study are usually quite practically-minded, and don't really enjoy classrooms, and struggling through thick study-volumes. If you identify with this, try the newer style of interactive study, with on-screen demonstrations and labs. Long-term memory is enhanced when all our senses are brought into the mix - this has been an accepted fact in expert circles for years now.
Start a study-program in which you'll receive a selection of CD or DVD ROM's - you'll be learning from instructor videos and demo's, with the facility to use virtual lab's to practice your new skills. It's wise to view some of the typical study materials provided before you sign on the dotted line. What you want are videoed instructor demonstrations and a variety of audio-visual and interactive sections.
Opt for CD and DVD ROM based physical training media where possible. You're then protected from internet connection failure and issues with signal quality.
The area most overlooked by trainees considering a training program is that of 'training segmentation'. Essentially, this is the method used to break up the program for delivery to you, which makes a huge difference to how you end up. The majority of training companies will set up a program typically taking 1-3 years, and drop-ship the materials to you piecemeal as you finish each section. If you think this sound logical, then consider this: Many students find that the company's 'standard' path of training isn't ideal for them. They might find varying the order of study will be far more suitable. And what if you don't get to the end at the pace they expect?
For maximum flexibility and safety, it's normal for most trainees to request that all their modules (now paid for) are posted to them in one go, with nothing held back. You can then decide in which order and at what speed you want to work.
One fatal mistake that students everywhere can make is to choose a career based on a course, rather than starting with the desired end-result. Colleges have thousands of unaware students who chose a course based on what sounded good - in place of something that could gain them the career they desired. It's quite usual, in many cases, to obtain tremendous satisfaction from a year of studying but end up spending 10 or 20 years in a career that does nothing for you, as a consequence of not performing some quality research at the beginning.
It's well worth a long chat to see the exact expectations industry will have. What accreditations they will want you to have and in what way you can gain some industry experience. It's definitely worth spending time setting guidelines as to how far you wish to go as it will often force you to choose a particular set of exams. Before you embark on a particular training programme, you'd be well advised to chat over individual job requirements with an experienced industry professional, in order to be sure the training course covers all that is required.
At times people don't really get what IT means. It is stimulating, innovative, and means you're a part of the huge progress of technology that will impact the whole world for generations to come. Many people are of the opinion that the increase in technology we've been going through is easing off. This couldn't be more wrong. Terrific advances are ahead of us, and the internet particularly will be the most effective tool in our lives.
Let's not forget that the average salary in the IT sector in Great Britain is noticeably more than average salaries nationally, therefore you will most likely receive significantly more once qualified in IT, than you'd get in most other industries. Because the IT market sector is still emerging at an unprecedented rate, the chances are that the requirement for professionally qualified and skilled IT workers will continue actively for quite some time to come.
Finding your first job in the industry can be a little easier with the help of a Job Placement Assistance service. The honest truth is that it isn't so complicated as you might think to land your first job - as long as you've got the necessary skills and qualifications; because there's still a great need for IT skills in the UK today.
Get your CV updated straight-away though - you should get plenty of help from your training provider on this. Don't delay until you've graduated or passed any exams. It's not uncommon to find that junior support jobs have been offered to trainees who are still learning and have yet to take their exams. At least this will get you into the 'maybe' pile of CV's - rather than the 'No' pile. You'll normally experience better results from a local IT focused recruitment consultant or service than you'll experience from any course provider's national service, because they will understand the local industry and employment needs.
A regular grievance for many training providers is how much students are prepared to work to get qualified, but how ill-prepared they are to market themselves for the position they have acquired skills for. Don't falter at the last fence.
About the Author:
(C) Jason Kendall. Check out LearningLolly.com for intelligent advice on IT Courses and SQL Server Training.
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