As you've arrived here then it's likely that you'd like to enter the world of computers and you fancy taking your MCSE, or you're currently an IT prof...
As you've arrived here then it's likely that you'd like to enter the world of computers and you fancy taking your MCSE,
or you're currently an IT professional and it's apparent that you need a qualification such as MCSE.
Be sure you check that the training provider you're using is educating you on the latest Microsoft version. A lot of students become very demoralised when they discover they've been educated in an out-of-date syllabus which will require an up-date. Don't be pushed into a course for MCSE before having all your questions answered. Set your sights on finding a company that will spend time helping and advising you on the most suitable training path for you.
Make sure you don't get caught-up, as many people do, on the training course itself. Training for training's sake is generally pointless; you should be geared towards the actual job at the end of it. Focus on the end-goal. Don't let yourself become part of that group who choose a training program that on the surface appears interesting - and get to the final hurdle of an accreditation for something they'll never enjoy.
It's essential to keep your focus on where you want to go, and formulate your training based on that - not the other way round. Stay focused on the end-goal and ensure that you're training for a career you'll enjoy for years to come. Look for help from an experienced advisor who appreciates the market you're interested in, and is able to give you 'A day in the life of' synopsis of what duties you'll be performing day-to-day. It just makes sense to discover if this is the right course of action for you well before you jump into the study-program. After all, what is the reason in beginning your training only to realise you've made a huge mistake.
Trainees looking at this market often have a very practical outlook on work, and aren't really suited to the classroom environment, and struggling through thick study-volumes. If you're thinking this sounds like you, use multimedia, interactive learning, with on-screen demonstrations and labs. Our ability to remember is increased when all our senses are brought into the mix - educational experts have expounded on this for many years.
Interactive full motion video featuring instructor demo's and practice lab's will beat books every time. And you'll actually enjoy doing them. All companies should willingly take you through samples of their courseware. You're looking for evidence of tutorial videos and demonstrations and a wide selection of interactive elements.
Choose actual CD or DVD ROM's if possible. This then avoids all the potential pitfalls with broadband outages, failure and signal quality issues etc.
Consider the following facts in detail if you believe the marketing blurb about an 'Exam Guarantee' sounds great value:
You'll be charged for it by some means. It's definitely not free - they've simply charged more for the whole training package. Trainees who take exams one at a time, paying as they go are in a much stronger position to qualify at the first attempt. They are mindful of the cost and prepare more appropriately to make sure they're ready.
Go for the best offer you can find at the appropriate time, and keep hold of your own money. In addition, it's then your choice where to sit the exam - meaning you can choose a local testing centre. Considerable numbers of so-called credible training companies secure huge profits through getting paid for all the exam fees up-front and hoping you won't see them all through. Many training companies will insist that you take mock exams first and with-hold subsequent exam entries from you until you've completely proven that you're likely to pass - so an 'Exam Guarantee' comes with many clauses in reality.
Exams taken at local centres are in the region of 112 pounds in Great Britain. Students should be very wary of forking out hundreds of pounds extra in 'Exam Guarantee' costs (often covertly rolled into the cost of the course) - when a quality course, support and commitment, effort and practice with quality exam preparation systems are the factors that really get you through.
You have to make sure that all your accreditations are current and commercially required - don't even consider courses that lead to in-house certificates. From the viewpoint of an employer, only the major heavyweights like Microsoft, Adobe, Cisco or CompTIA (to give some examples) will get you short-listed. Anything less just won't hit the right spot.
