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The Microsoft MCSA (Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator) course is perfect for men and women looking to get into supporting networks. Whether you want to get going or already have knowledge but want to formalise that with an acknowledged certification, it’s possible to achieve your goals with the right training. For someone just entering the world of computers, it could be appropriate to pick up some skills ahead of getting involved in the first of the four Microsoft Certified Professional exams (MCP’s) that are required to achieve an MCSA. Look for a company that can create a bespoke package to suit you – one who will guide you to guarantee that you make the right choices.

We’re often asked why traditional academic studies are being replaced by more commercially accredited qualifications? As demand increases for knowledge about more and more complex technology, industry has been required to move to the specialised training only available through the vendors themselves – for example companies such as CISCO, Adobe, Microsoft and CompTIA. This often comes in at a fraction of the cost and time. The training is effectively done by focusing on the particular skills that are needed (along with a proportionate degree of related knowledge,) as opposed to going into the heightened depths of background ‘extras’ that computer Science Degrees can get bogged down in – to pad out the syllabus.

Just like the advert used to say: ‘It does what it says on the tin’. The company just needs to know where they have gaps, and then match up the appropriate exam numbers as a requirement. Then they know that anyone who applies can do the necessary work.

Frequently, a normal IT hopeful really has no clue in what direction to head in the IT industry, or even what area is worth considering for retraining. Therefore, if you’ve got no background in IT in the workplace, what chance is there for you to know what a particular IT employee actually does day-to-day? And of course decide on which certification program is the most likely for ultimate success. To get through to the essence of this, there should be a discussion of a number of core topics:

* Personality plays a major part – what things get your juices flowing, and what are the activities that put a frown on your face.

* Why it seems right starting in IT – is it to achieve a particular goal such as firing your boss and working for yourself maybe.

* The income requirements you may have?

* Learning what the main career roles and sectors are – plus how they’re different to each other.

* The time and energy you will set aside for the training program.

At the end of the day, the best way of understanding everything necessary is through an in-depth discussion with an advisor who understands the market well enough to lead you to the correct decision.

A typical blunder that students everywhere can make is to concentrate on the course itself, instead of focusing on the end result they want to achieve. Training academies are stacked to the hilt with unaware students who chose a course based on what sounded good – in place of something that could gain them their end-goal of a job they enjoyed. You may train for one year and then end up doing a job for a lifetime. Don’t make the mistake of taking what may be an ‘interesting’ course and then spend decades in something you don’t even enjoy!

Spend some time thinking about how much you want to earn and how ambitious you are. This will influence what certifications you’ll need to attain and what you can expect to give industry in return. We recommend that students seek guidance and advice from a professional advisor before making your final decision on a study path, so there’s no doubt that the content of a learning package provides the skills necessary.

A study programme must provide a properly recognised accreditation at the finale – and not some unimportant ‘in-house’ printed certificate to hang in your hallway. From an employer’s viewpoint, only the major heavyweights such as Microsoft, Adobe, Cisco or CompTIA (as an example) give enough bang for your buck. Nothing else hits the mark.

A service offered by some training providers is job placement assistance. This is to help you get your first commercial position. Ultimately it’s not as hard as some people make out to get employment – 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.

You would ideally have help and assistance with preparing a CV and getting interviews though; and we’d encourage everybody to get their CV updated right at the beginning of their training – don’t delay until you’ve qualified. It’s possible that you won’t have even passed your first exam when you will get your initial junior support position; yet this won’t be the case if interviewers don’t get sight of your CV. If you’d like to get employment in your home town, then you may well find that a specialist independent regional recruitment consultant or service could be of more use than some national concern, due to the fact that they are much more inclined to be familiar with what’s available near you.

Various students, apparently, spend evenings and weekends on their training and studies (sometimes for years), and then just stop instead of attempting to secure a good job. Introduce yourself… Do everything you can to put yourself out there. Don’t expect a job to just fall into your lap.

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