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How to Prepare for a Career in IT

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Preparing for a career in IT can be very confusing. Upon entering the field, you are greeted with a variety of options and choices, with each choice having the potential to greatly impact your career. Even the ways of getting into IT can seem technical. What are the training options? What are the training costs? Are some training methods more appropriate than others? Do employers have a training preference? Is experience more valuable than training?

Unfortunately, there is no single universally accepted method to prepare for a career in IT. Some jobs require a bachelors degree or higher, for others technical certification is more than enough to get a foot in the employment door. Relevant work experience adds another ingredient to the mixture. How much experience do you need? How do you get it? Do you really need it? Preparation, research, and clear career direction is what you need to find these answers.

In this article, we address these questions. We discuss the significance of on-the-job experience, provide insight into the various types of training available, and explore certification. We help you evaluate which certification may be right for you, and discuss how certification compares to an accredited degree. In each discussion, we address both the advantages as well as the disadvantages. The intention, as in other chapters, is to assist you in making an informed and prudent decision that best suits your needs and situation.You will find that preparation, research, and a clear understanding of what career direction you choose to take will all play an integral role in your ultimate decisions.



  • What courseware is supplied and what do you have to provide? As mentioned previously, courseware can be very expensive. The training center most likely will provide all of the courseware you need, but may also have a list of recommendations for other materials.

  • Before you embark on a long course, especially if you are required to pay money before the course starts, check into the background of the institution. Don't be embarrassed to ask about what happens if the institution experiences financial problems.

  • Inquire about the equipment you will be using, and ask what additional equipment you may be exposed to during the course. Also find out what the ratio of equipment to students is. Nowadays there is no reason why the ratio should not be one to one.

  • Some training centers offer continued support to students after they finish the course, such as email access to instructors or revision sessions. If the institution you are considering offers these facilities, and you think you may use them, check exactly what they are.

After you have your shortlist of training centers, and certainly if you are going to be embarking on a long course, ask if the training company or organization would mind if you sat in for an hour to preview a course. As long as you are prepared to be flexible with your request, many companies have no objection to this-it is a reasonable request if you are considering spending tens of thousands of dollars with them.

Advantages of Classroom Instruction

  • Classroom attendance typically allows the students to use the equipment and software they will use on the job. For those doing self-study, the access to such equipment can often be limited by the cost.

  • The value of an experienced instructor cannot be overstated. Experienced instructors combine relevant job experience and the course materials to provide not only the necessary education but also a glimpse into the job itself.

  • Classroom-based training allows you to meet and work with other professionals with similar career goals. Working through the same trials and tribualtions as others can develop a sense of community that can help you through the tough times.

  • A classroom setting provides less opprtunity for distraction, making it easier to focus on the material. If your mind does start to wander, you can try reminding yourself of the money you are paying to be in the class. That should focus you.

Disadvantages of Classroom Instruction

  • Classroom instruction is based around a set timetable. That timetable may or may not be suited to your learning pace. The problem is that the pace cannot be altered. If you can't keep up, the money you spent on the class compared to the value you receive may be greatly impacted.

  • Your desired training center may be in another town or city, requiring you to spend time and money traveling, which can be an inconvenience.

  • As much as a good instructor can make a good course, a bad instructor can seriously devalue a course. This factor is beyond your control.

  • Curriculum of instructor-led training is often very class specific. Time may not allow for you to look at at a certain aspect of the technology in more detail, although many instructors allow students to use the classroom before and after class hours.

When taking classroom based courses, keep in mind that your experience can be enhanced outisde of the classroom. Each evening you should review the material that was covered that day, and make notes about any aspect you don't understand or that you want to better understand. The next morning, catch your instructor before class, and ask if there is a convenient time when the two of you can meet to further discuss this topic. Try not to wait to ask the instructor at the end of the day, as both of you may be tired. This benefit is hard to put a price tag on when comparing training options.
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