EPIA wiki

In this day and age, industry couldn’t function properly without assistance from support workers fixing both computers and networks, while making recommendations to users on a day to day basis. As we get to grips with the complex nature of technology, many more competent professionals are needed to dedicate themselves to the many areas we rely on.

Any advisor who doesn’t dig around with lots of question – chances are they’re just trying to sell you something. If they wade straight in with a specific product before understanding your background and current experience level, then you know you’re being sold to.

If you’ve got a strong background, or maybe some work-based experience (some certifications gained previously perhaps?) then it’s likely your starting point will be quite dissimilar from a trainee who has no experience.

Always consider starting with user-skills and software training first. This can set the scene for your on-going studies and make your learning curve a less steep.

The age-old way of teaching, utilising reference manuals and books, is usually pretty hard going. If this sounds like you, find training programs which have a majority of interactive, multimedia parts.

Many studies have proved that we remember much more when we use all our senses, and we take action to use what we’ve learned.

Search for a course where you’re provided with an array of CD or DVD ROM’s – you’ll be learning from instructor videos and demo’s, and then have the opportunity to fine-tune your skills in fully interactive practice sessions.

Don’t take any chances and look at a small selection of training examples before you sign on the dotted line. What you want are instructor-led video demonstrations and interactive audio-visual sections with practice modules.

Avoid training that is purely online. Always choose CD or DVD based study materials where available, as you need to be able to use them whenever it’s convenient for you – it’s not wise to be held hostage to your internet connection always being ‘up’ and available.

Being a part of the information technology industry is amongst the most stimulating and innovative industries to be involved in today. To be working on the cutting-edge of technology is to do your bit in the gigantic changes shaping life over the next few decades.

There are people who believe that the technological advancement that’s been a familiar part of our recent lives is lowering its pace. All indicators point in the opposite direction. Terrific advances are ahead of us, and the internet particularly is going to dominate how we conduct our lives.

Let’s not ignore salaries moreover – the usual income in the United Kingdom for a typical IT worker is much more than remuneration packages in other sectors. It’s likely that you’ll receive a much better deal than you could reasonably hope to get in other industries.

Due to the technological sector developing nationally and internationally, it’s predictable that demand for certified IT specialists will remain buoyant for years to come.

It’s important to understand: a actual training program or a qualification is not the ultimate goal; a job you’re training for is. Far too many training organisations put too much weight in the qualification itself.

You could be training for only a year and end up performing the job-role for decades. Ensure you avoid the fatal error of taking what may be a very ‘interesting’ program and then spend decades in something you don’t even enjoy!

Take time to understand what your attitude is towards earning potential and career progression, and whether you intend to be quite ambitious. It’s vital to know what the role will demand of you, which exams are required and how you’ll gain real-world experience.

Our recommendation would be to seek advice from a professional advisor before settling on a learning programme, so there’s little doubt that a program provides the skill-set required for your career choice.

(C) S. Edwards 2010. Check out Cisco Course or www.CiscoCertification4U.co.uk.