PC Support Training Online - Insights
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by: Jason Kendall
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Date: Mon, 4 Jan 2010 Time: 12:33 PM
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The CCNA is the way to go for training in Cisco. This teaches you how to work on maintaining and installing routers and network switches. Fundamentally, the internet is based upon huge numbers of routers, and commercial ventures who have several locations utilise them to allow their networks to keep in touch.
Routers are linked to networks, therefore it is necessary to have an understanding of the operation of networks, or you'll struggle with the program and not be able to understand the work. Seek out a program that teaches the basics (for example CompTIA) before you start the CCNA.
Achieving CCNA is where you need to be aiming - don't be pushed into attempting your CCNP for now. After gaining experience in the working environment, you'll know if it's relevant for you to have this next level up. If it is, you'll have significantly improved your chances of success - because you'll know so much more by then.
A study programme really needs to work up to a widely recognised certification at the end - not some little 'in-house' diploma - fit only for filing away and forgetting.
Unless the accreditation comes from a company like Microsoft, CompTIA, Adobe or Cisco, then chances are it will be commercially useless - because no-one will recognise it.
Students hoping to begin a career in computers and technology normally aren't sure what direction they should take, let alone which sector to obtain accreditation for.
Working through long lists of different and confusing job titles is a complete waste of time. The majority of us don't even know what our own family members do for a living - so we're in the dark as to the ins and outs of a specific IT job.
Usually, the way to come at this dilemma properly flows from a full chat, covering a variety of topics:
* The sort of individual you are - which things you enjoy doing, and don't forget - what you definitely don't enjoy.
* Do you want to obtain training due to a precise raison d'etre - i.e. are you looking at working from home (self-employment?)?
* What scale of importance is the salary - is it of prime importance, or do you place job satisfaction higher up on the priority-scale?
* Getting to grips with what the normal work types and sectors are - plus how they're different to each other.
* You have to understand what differentiates each individual training area.
For most of us, considering all these ideas tends to require the help of an advisor who knows what they're talking about. And not just the accreditations - but also the commercial requirements of the market as well.
Have a conversation with a proficient advisor and they'll regale you with many terrible tales of how students have been duped by salespeople. Only deal with an experienced industry advisor who asks some in-depth questions to find out what's appropriate to you - not for their pay-packet! You must establish the right starting point of study for you.
With some real-world experience or qualifications, you could discover that your appropriate starting-point is not the same as someone new to the industry.
Consider starting with user-skills and software training first. It will usually make the slope up to the higher-levels a less steep.
A sneaky way that training providers make more money is by adding exam fees upfront to the cost of a course and presenting it as a guarantee for your exams. This sounds impressive, but is it really:
You're paying for it somehow. One thing's for sure - it isn't free - it's simply been shoe-horned into the price as a whole.
If it's important to you to get a first time pass, you must fund each exam as you take it, prioritise it appropriately and apply yourself as required.
Why should you pay the college early for examinations? Find the best deal you can at the appropriate time, rather than coughing up months or even a year or two in advance - and take it closer to home - rather than in some remote place.
A lot of so-called credible training companies make huge profits because they're getting in the money for exams at the start of the course and cashing in if they're not all taken.
In addition to this, 'Exam Guarantees' often aren't worth the paper they're written on. The majority of organisations won't pay for you to re-take until you've completely satisfied them that you're ready this time.
Exams taken at local centres are in the region of 112 pounds in Britain at the time of writing. Why pay exorbitant 'Exam Guarantee' fees (most often hidden in the package) - when the best course materials, the right level of support and study, commitment and preparing with good quality mock and practice exams is what will really guarantee success.
About the Author
Copyright Scott Edwards 2009. Browse around New Career Options or www.AdultRetrainingCourses.co.uk.
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