Sunday, January 17, 2010

Microsoft MCSA-MCSE Computer Training Examined

By Jason Kendall

Should you be wanting to study to get an MCSE, it's likely you'll come into one of two categories. You could be about to enter the computer sector, as it's apparent this commercial sector has lots of demand for people with the right qualifications. Or you could be a knowledgeable person wanting to polish up your CV with the Microsoft qualification.

When looking into training companies, make sure you steer clear of those who cut costs by failing to use the most up-to-date Microsoft version. Such institutions will hold back the student as they will have been learning from the wrong MCSE version which doesn't match the present exams, so it could be impossible for them to pass.

Don't get bullied into a course without the right advice. Find a training provider that will make sure that you're on an appropriate training track for your requirements.

A study programme really needs to work up to a nationally (or globally) recognised certification as an end-result - definitely not some 'in-house' plaque for your wall.

You'll find that only recognised certification from companies such as Microsoft, Cisco, Adobe and CompTIA will open the doors to employers.

Many trainers will provide a useful Job Placement Assistance facility, to assist your search for your first position. However sometimes people are too impressed with this facility, for it is genuinely quite straightforward for any focused and well taught person to get a job in IT - as there is such a shortage of qualified personnel.

Update your CV at the beginning of your training though - look to your training company for advice on how to do this. Don't procrastinate and leave it for when you're ready to start work.

Various junior support jobs have been offered to trainees who are still learning and haven't even passed a single exam yet. At the very least this will get your CV into the 'possible' pile and not the 'no' pile.

Normally you'll get better performance from a specialist independent regional employment service than you'll get from a training company's centralised service, because they'll know local industry and the area better.

A regular aggravation of a number of training providers is how much men and women are prepared to study to get top marks in their exams, but how un-prepared they are to work on getting the position they're qualified for. Have confidence - the IT industry needs YOU.

OK, why should we consider qualifications from the commercial sector rather than traditional academic qualifications gained through schools, colleges or universities?

Industry is of the opinion that for an understanding of the relevant skills, certified accreditation supplied for example by Microsoft, CompTIA, CISCO and Adobe most often has much more specialised relevance - and a fraction of the cost and time.

This is done through concentrating on the skills that are really needed (together with an appropriate level of related knowledge,) rather than going into the heightened depths of background 'padding' that degrees in computing can get bogged down in - to fill a three or four year course.

Assuming a company is aware what they're looking for, then all it takes is an advert for the particular skill-set required. The syllabuses are set to exacting standards and can't change from one establishment to the next (as academic syllabuses often do).

One thing you must always insist on is 24x7 round-the-clock support via professional mentors and instructors. So many companies we come across will only offer a basic 9am till 6pm support period (maybe later on certain days) with very little availability over the weekend.

Don't buy study programmes that only provide support to trainees via a message system when it's outside of usual working hours. Training organisations will give you every excuse in the book why you don't need this. Essentially - support is required when it's required - not as-and-when it's suitable for their staff.

We recommend that you search for training programs that have multiple support offices around the globe in several time-zones. These should be integrated to offer a simple interface as well as 24x7 access, when it's convenient for you, with no hassle.

If you accept anything less than direct-access 24x7 support, you'll regret it. It may be that you don't use it in the middle of the night, but consider weekends, late evenings or early mornings.

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