How To Start A Career In The Computer Field

By Chris Bryant

If you’re considering a career working in Information Technology – a fancy way of saying “working with computers” – congratulations! I can tell you from personal experience that it’s one of the best decisions you’ll ever make. I can also tell you from personal experience that it is never too late to begin!

I started my IT career 10 years ago, and it was a tough decision. I was 34 years old, and really knew next to nothing about computers. I decided to attend a technical school to get my career started, and it was the best decision I’ve ever made. Ten years later, I write ebooks and teach classes dealing with different facets of networking, I’ve earned the most difficult computer certification in the world, and I’ve never been happier. The same thing can happen for you.

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Information Technology Certification Test Taking Tips & Techniques

How to pass your Information Technology Certification Exam is the question that ALL students who are preparing for their IT certification exam should be asking! With many online sites giving you certification test taking tips and techniques where do you begin with gathering the pertinent information about being prepared for your certification? There are 2 major questions that every prospective student looking for their information technology certification should be inquiring. Certification test taking tips and techniques really come down to the study technique and the appropriate material.

There are many Information Technology Certification practice test questions, free study guides, free online tutoring and practice exam questions that people want such as: Microsoft, Comp TIA, MCDST, MCP, MCSA, MCSE, A+, MCPD, Comp TIA Network+, Comp TIA Security+, CCNA, CNA, CISA and many others. Knowing the secrets of certification test taking and implementing the most effective technique will give you the edge in passing your certification exam. You can lose your fear of test taking and have the confidence you need when going to your certification exam center.

What is the most effective study technique to use when studying for your information technology certification exam? Many online certification training centers will tell you to relax, use flash cards to prepare, review your material the day before the exam and to think positive about passing. Memorization of all your material is not the most logical choice for exam preparation. If you have a book that is eight hundred pages long and five hundred practice exam questions then you would be foolish to try to memorize all of this material or even part of it. There is another very effective way of retaining the information that you need to pass your information technology certification exam. Simple repetition of the actual exam material will better prepare you for your certification exam.

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MCSA-MCSE Training Courses Explained

As you’re looking to study for the MCSE certificate, it’s probable that you fall into one of the following categories. You might be ready to enter the computer sector, and your research tells you this commercial sector has a huge demand for those with appropriate certifications. Alternatively you might be already a professional ready to gain accreditation with the Microsoft qualification.

Be sure you see evidence that your training company is definitely teaching with the most up-to-date Microsoft version. A number of trainees have come unstuck when they discover they’ve been educated in an outdated MCSE program which will require an up-date. The focus of a training company should be on doing the very best they can for their clients, and everyone involved should have a passion for their results. Studying for a career isn’t simply about qualifications – it should initially look at helping you to decide on the best action plan for your future.

Beware of putting too much emphasis, as many people do, on the accreditation program. Training is not an end in itself; you’re training to become commercially employable. Focus on the end-goal. It’s an awful thing, but a great many students begin programs that seem spectacular in the syllabus guide, but which delivers a career that doesn’t fulfil at all. Talk to many university graduates and you’ll see where we’re coming from.

Be honest with yourself about what you want to earn and the level of your ambition. Usually, this will point the way to what precise certifications will be required and what industry will expect from you in return. Our recommendation would be to look for advice and guidance from a professional advisor before settling on some particular learning course, so there’s no doubt that a program provides the skill-set required for your career choice.

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Your Information Technology Career

I’ve seen it happen time and again to programmers, network engineers and administrators, and other IT personnel. They get a solid IT position, a good-paying job, and they get comfortable. They stop keeping up with the latest technologies, they stop studying, they no longer keep their CCNA, MCSE, and other industry certifications up-to-date…. and then one day, their comfortable job is gone. Maybe they get laid off, maybe the company moves and they don’t want to move with it… but for one reason or another, they’re in the worst position possible. They have no job, and they have allowed their IT skills to deteriorate to the point where they are no longer employable.

If you’re in IT, you must be constantly learning. You must continually take the long view, and ask yourself three important questions. First, where do you want to be in three years? Second, what are you doing now in order to reach this goal? And finally, if you were laid off today, are your current skills sharp enough to quickly get another job?

That third question can be the hardest of all to answer honestly. I’m reminded of Microsoft announcing years ago that they would no longer be recognizing the MSCE 4.0 certification, since the network operating systems that certification was based upon would no longer be supported by MS. (Keep in mind that this change was announced months in advance, giving those holding the MCSE 4.0 plenty of time to earn the latest MS certification.)

Some MCSE 4.0s just went nuts. Microsoft’s certification magazine printed letter after letter from angry MCSEs saying that their company would always run NT 4.0, and that there was no reason for them to ever upgrade their certification.

This wasn’t just denial. This was career suicide. Let’s say that their network never moved from NT 4.0. Let’s also say that they got laid off yesterday. Would you want to go out into the current IT workplace and have your most recent network operating system experience be on NT 4.0 ? I sure wouldn’t.

The fact is that you’ve got to continue studying, continue growing, and continue learning new things if you want to have a successful long-term IT career. If you plan on studying only one topic, getting into IT, and then never cracking a book again, you’re entering the wrong field. And for those of us who have been in it for a while – again, ask yourself this question: “Am I prepared for what would happen if I were laid off today?” And if you’re not, do something about it!

About the author: Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933, is the owner of The Bryant Advantage (http://www.thebryantadvantage.com), home of free CCNA and CCNP tutorials! For my FREE “How To Pass The CCNA” or “CCNP” ebook, visit the website and download your copies!

IT Certification Self Study

By Tom Lord

One question I hear quite often is do I need formal/classroom training to be able to get an IT certification? This is asked for many different qualifications from the A+ or MCDST exams up to the MCSE, CCNA and beyond.

 The first question I ask back is what experience do you have?

 IT certification should not be considered as a sole means to learn a new skill but as a way to validate an existing skill set and to give you the credentials to prove your experience in a particular technology. By this I mean that if you want for example to achieve the MCSE qualification, it should not be gained by simply sitting in a classroom and memorising details. It should be earned through experience in a production environment which then may be topped up with additional learning.

 Those with experience who do want to get certified have the option of a formal training program or self study. The choice can depend on the individuals learning style, and also their existing knowledge. Self study has the obvious benefit of being substantially cheaper than a training course. Some courses can cost thousands whereas if you are disciplined enough you can study from a book for a small fraction of the cost.

 When deciding on the material you want to use for yourself study it is also worth looking at the practice tests that are available as these can be invaluable in gauging your readiness for an exam.

 Some people require the discipline of a structured training course to help them learn effectively, but self study is definitely the best choice for many as it is by far the cheapest option and can offer the most flexibility for those who can do it properly.

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