The News is…

What kind of things might a person searching for Microsoft authorised training expect to discover? Patently, companies should be offering a variety of course choices that match the needs of Microsoft authorised training routes.

Perhaps you’d hope to be given advice on the careers you might go for when you’ve finished studying, and what sort of person those jobs may be appropriate for. Lots of people like to discuss what would be best for them.

Training should be tailored to suit your current level of knowledge and ability. So, having got to grips with the best kind of work for you, your next requirement is the most suitable program to see you into your career.

Many companies are all about the certification, and avoid focusing on what it’s all actually about – which will always be getting the job or career you want. Always start with the final destination in mind – don’t get hung-up on the training vehicle.

It’s a sad testimony to the sales skills of many companies, but a large percentage of students start out on programs that sound great from the marketing materials, but which delivers a career that is of no interest at all. Speak to a selection of university students for examples.

Take time to understand what your attitude is towards earning potential and career progression, and how ambitious you are. You should understand what will be expected of you, what particular certifications are needed and where you’ll pick-up experience from.

Look for help from a professional advisor who has commercial knowledge of your chosen market-place, and is able to give you ‘A day in the life of’ outline of what duties you’ll be performing on a day-to-day basis. It’s good sense to discover if this is the right course of action for you long before you commence your studies. What’s the reason in starting to train and then discover you’re on the wrong course.

Many trainers provide a big box of books. This isn’t very interesting and not a very good way of taking things in.

Learning psychology studies show that much more of what we learn in remembered when we receive multi-sensorial input, and we get physically involved with the study process.

Top of the range study programs now offer interactive CD and DVD ROM’s. By watching and listening to instructors on video tutorials you’ll take everything in by way of the expert demonstrations. Then you test your knowledge by interacting with the software and practicing yourself.

All companies should be able to show you a few examples of their training materials. Make sure you encounter videos of instructor-led classes and a variety of interactive modules.

Seek out CD or DVD ROM based materials wherever available. You’re then protected from internet connection failure and issues with signal quality.

Many training companies have a handy Job Placement Assistance program, designed to steer you into your first job. In reality it isn’t so complicated as you might think to land the right work – as long as you’ve got the necessary skills and qualifications; the shortage of IT personnel in Britain looks after that.

Bring your CV up to date as soon as possible however (advice and support for this should come from your course provider). Don’t wait till you’ve finished your exams.

Many junior support jobs have been bagged by students who are still learning and haven’t got any qualifications yet. At least this will get your CV into the ‘possible’ pile and not the ‘no’ pile.

If you don’t want to travel too far to work, then you may well find that an independent and specialised local employment service may serve you better than a centralised service, due to the fact that they’re going to have insider knowledge of the local job scene.

Not inconsiderable numbers of trainees, it would appear, put a great deal of effort into their studies (for years sometimes), only to give up at the first hurdle when trying to get a good job. Introduce yourself… Do everything you can to let employers know about you. Don’t think a job’s just going to jump out in front of you.

Typically, a new trainee will not know to ask about something of absolutely vital importance – how their company actually breaks down and delivers the courseware sections, and into what particular chunks.

Drop-shipping your training elements one piece at a time, as you complete each module is the normal way of receiving your courseware. While sounding logical, you must understand the following:

What if you don’t finish every exam? Maybe the prescribed order won’t suit you? Through no fault of your own, you might take a little longer and not receive all the modules you’ve paid for.

Ideally, you want ALL the study materials up-front – so you’ll have them all to return to any point – as and when you want. This also allows you to vary the order in which you complete each objective where a more intuitive path can be found.

(C) Scott Edwards 2010. Check out MCDST Courses or www.Alternative-Careers.co.uk/AltCarL.html.