Are you toying with the idea of doing an MCSE? If the answer’s ‘yes’, there’s a good chance that you’ll fall into one of two camps: You are a knowledgeable person and you should formalise your skills with a qualification such as MCSE. Instead this could be your first step into commercial IT, but it’s apparent to you that there are many opportunities for qualified people.
Be sure you prove conclusively that the training provider you’re using is educating you on the latest level of Microsoft development. Many students are left in a mess when they find that they’ve been studying for an out-of-date syllabus which now needs updating.
Steer clear of providers who are just trying to sell you something. You deserve time, expertise and advice to make sure you’re on the right course for you. Don’t allow yourself to be sold their standard course by an inadequate outfit.
The best type of package of training will undoubtedly incorporate accredited exam preparation packages.
Due to the fact that a lot of examination boards in IT come from the United States, you’ll need to be used to the correct phraseology. It’s no use merely answering any old technical questions – it’s essential that you can cope with them in the proper exam format.
It’s a good idea to have some simulated exam questions so you can check your knowledge along the way. Simulated or practice exams prepare you properly – then you won’t be quite so nervous at the actual exam.
People attracted to this sort of work are often very practical, and aren’t really suited to the classroom environment, and struggling through thick study-volumes. If this could be you, try the newer style of interactive study, with on-screen demonstrations and labs.
Memory is vastly improved when all our senses are brought into the mix – learning experts have been saying this for as long as we can remember.
Locate a program where you’ll receive a selection of CD and DVD based materials – you’ll start with videos of instructor demonstrations, followed by the chance to hone your abilities through virtual lab’s.
It’s imperative to see examples of the study materials provided by your chosen company. Be sure that they contain video, demonstrations and various interactive elements.
Select physical media such as CD or DVD ROM’s in all circumstances. Thus avoiding all the issues associated with internet connection failure and issues with signal quality.
Adding in the cost of exam fees upfront and offering an ‘Exam Guarantee’ is common for many training course providers. However, let’s consider what’s really going on:
Clearly it’s not free – you’re still footing the bill for it – the price has simply been included in the whole thing.
It’s everybody’s ambition to qualify on the first attempt. Progressively working through your exams in order and funding them one at a time puts you in a much stronger position to qualify at the first attempt – you put the effort in and are mindful of the investment you’ve made.
Isn’t it in your interests to hold on to your money and pay for the exam at the appropriate time, rather than coughing up months or even a year or two in advance to a training college, and to take it closer to home – rather than in some remote centre?
A great deal of money is netted by a significant number of organisations that get money upfront for exam fees. A number of students don’t take them for various reasons but no refunds are given. Surprising as it sounds, there are companies around who rely on that fact – and that’s how they increase their profits.
You should fully understand that re-takes through training companies who offer an ‘Exam Guarantee’ inevitably are heavily regulated. They will insist that you take pre-tests first till you’ve proven conclusively that you can pass.
Exams taken at VUE and Prometric centres are approximately 112 pounds in the UK. What’s the point of paying huge ‘Exam Guarantee’ fees (usually wrapped up in the course package price) – when a quality course, support and a commitment to studying and the use of authorised exam preparation tools are actually the key to your success.
The market provides a myriad of employment in the IT industry. Arriving at the correct choice in this uncertainty can be very difficult.
Flicking through lists of IT career possibilities is a complete waste of time. Surely, most of us have no concept what our next-door neighbours do at work each day – so we have no hope of understanding the subtleties of any specific IT role.
Consideration of these different points is imperative if you need to discover a solution that suits you:
* Your personality can play a major role – what things get your juices flowing, and what tasks get you down.
* What time-frame are you looking at for your training?
* Where do you stand on salary vs the travel required?
* Often, trainees don’t consider the energy involved to attain their desired level.
* You’ll also need to think hard about the amount of time and effort you’re going to invest in the accreditation program.
When all is said and done, your only chance of understanding everything necessary is via a meeting with an advisor or professional who understands the market well enough to provide solid advice.
(C) Jason Kendall. Try LearningLolly.com for quality career advice on MCSE Certification Training and MCSE Course.
The Microsoft MCSA course (Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator) is a perfect match for all those considering becoming a supporter of networks. Whether you already have experience but need a professional course with a good qualification, or you are just getting into the industry, you’ll quickly see how to select a course to suit your needs.
To achieve certification for an MCSA you need to pass 4 Microsoft Certified Professional exams (MCP’s). If this is your first entry into computing exams, the chances are you’ll have to pick up some skills prior to studying for the first of the MCP’s. Find a provider with people who will find the right way to tackle your goal and who will get you started in the right place.
It’s not uncommon for companies to offer inclusive exam guarantees – this always means you have to pay for the exams when you pay for the rest of your course. Before you jump at this so-called guarantee, look at the following:
Thankfully, today we’re a little bit more aware of sales ploys – and usually we cotton on to the fact that we’re actually paying for it (it isn’t free or out of the goodness of their hearts!)
Passing first time is everyone’s goal. Going for exams in order and paying as you go makes it far more likely you’ll pass first time – you prepare appropriately and are aware of the costs involved.
Doesn’t it make more sense to go for the best offer at the time, instead of paying a premium to a college, and to do it in a local testing office – instead of miles away at the college’s beck and call?
Paying upfront for exam fees (which also includes interest if you’ve taken out a loan) is a false economy. Resist being talked into filling the training company’s account with additional funds just to give them a good cash-flow! Some will be pinning their hopes on the fact that you won’t get round to taking them – so they don’t need to pay for them.
Most companies will require you to sit pre-tests and prohibit you from re-taking an exam until you’ve completely proven that you’re likely to pass – which actually leaves you with no guarantee at all.
With average Prometric and VUE exams costing in the region of 112 pounds in this country, by far the best option is to pay for them as you take them. Not to fork out thousands extra in up-front costs. Commitment, effort and practice with quality exam preparation systems are the factors that really get you through.
Kick out a salesperson that offers any particular course without performing a ‘fact-find’ to gain understanding of your current abilities and also your experience level. They should be able to select from a generous product range from which they could give you an appropriate solution.
If you’ve got a strong background, or maybe some real-world experience (some industry qualifications maybe?) then it’s likely your starting level will be very different from someone with no background whatsoever.
If this is going to be your opening effort at studying for an IT examination then you might also want to start out with some basic Microsoft package and Windows skills first.
Commercially accredited qualifications are now, very visibly, beginning to replace the traditional academic paths into IT – so why is this?
With 3 and 4 year academic degree costs increasing year on year, alongside the industry’s recognition that vendor-based training most often has much more commercial relevance, we have seen a large rise in CISCO, Adobe, Microsoft and CompTIA based training courses that supply key solutions to a student at a fraction of the cost and time involved.
Typically, only that which is required is learned. It’s slightly more broad than that, but the most important function is always to cover the precise skills needed (along with a certain amount of crucial background) – without going into too much detail in everything else (as degree courses are known to do).
It’s rather like the advert: ‘It does what it says on the tin’. Companies need only to know where they have gaps, and then request applicants with the correct exam numbers. That way they can be sure they’re interviewing applicants who can do the job.
One area often overlooked by people weighing up a particular programme is the concept of ‘training segmentation’. This basically means the way the course is divided up for drop-shipping to you, which can make a dramatic difference to the point you end up at.
You may think it logical (with training often lasting 2 or 3 years to pass all the required exams,) for your typical trainer to courier a single section at a time, as you complete each part. But:
Often, the staged breakdown insisted on by the company won’t suit you. You may find it a stretch to finalise all the sections at the speed required?
In all honesty, the best solution is to obtain their recommendation on the best possible order of study, but get everything up-front. Everything is then in your possession should you not complete it within their ideal time-table.
(C) Jason Kendall. Visit LearningLolly.com for clear career tips on MCSA Certification and MCSA 2008 Training.
Should you fancy being a web designer, find a course in Adobe Dreamweaver.
For commercial applications you should have an in-depth understanding of the whole Adobe Web Creative Suite. This will include (but is by no means restricted to) Flash and Action Script. Should you desire to become an Adobe Certified Professional (ACP) or an Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) then such knowledge is non-negotiable.
To become a well-rounded web professional however, there are other things to consider. You’ll need to bolt on programming skills like HTML, PHP and database engines like MySQL. A working knowledge of Search Engine Optimisation and E Commerce will also improve your CV and employability.
How the program is actually delivered to you can often be overlooked. How many stages do they break the program into? And in what order and how fast does each element come?
Most companies will sell you a 2 or 3 year study programme, and deliver each piece one-by-one as you complete each exam. If you think this sound logical, then consider this:
It’s not unusual for trainees to realise that the company’s ’standard’ path of training isn’t ideal for them. You may find that it’s more expedient to use an alternative order of study. And what happens if they don’t finish at the pace they expect?
To be straight, the best option is to have a copy of their prescribed order of study, but get everything up-front. You’re then in possession of everything should you not complete it inside of their required time-scales.
Some commercial training providers will only offer support to you inside of office hours (typically 9am-6pm) and sometimes a little earlier or later; It’s rare to find someone who offers late evening or full weekend cover.
Many only provide email support (too slow), and telephone support is usually to a call-centre who will chat nicely with you for 5 minutes to ask what the issue is and then simply send an email to an instructor – who will then call back sometime over the next 24hrs, at a time suitable for them. This is not a lot of use if you’re stuck and can’t continue and only have a specific time you can study.
Keep your eyes open for training programs that incorporate three or four individual support centres around the globe in several time-zones. All of them should be combined to offer a simple interface as well as round-the-clock access, when it’s convenient for you, with no fuss.
Search out an educator that goes the extra mile. As only live 24×7 support gives you the confidence to make it.
Don’t get hung-up, as a lot of students can, on the certification itself. Training for training’s sake is generally pointless; you’re training to become commercially employable. Focus on the end-goal.
You may train for one year and then end up performing the job-role for decades. Ensure you avoid the fatal error of finding what seems like a program of interest to you and then spend decades in something you don’t even enjoy!
It’s well worth a long chat to see the exact expectations industry will have. What precise certifications they will want you to have and in what way you can gain some industry experience. Spend some time considering how far you reckon you’re going to want to go as it will often control your selection of accreditations.
All students are advised to talk with an experienced industry advisor before they embark on a training course. This is required to ensure it contains the commercially required skills for the chosen career.
Qualifications from the commercial sector are now, very visibly, starting to replace the older academic routes into IT – but why is this the case?
With 3 and 4 year academic degree costs increasing year on year, along with the industry’s recognition that corporate based study is closer to the mark commercially, there’s been a great increase in Microsoft, CISCO, Adobe and CompTIA authorised training programmes that educate students at a fraction of the cost and time involved.
Typically, only required knowledge is taught. It isn’t quite as lean as that might sound, but the most important function is always to cover the precise skills needed (with some necessary background) – without going into too much detail in every other area – in the way that academic establishments often do.
When it comes down to the nitty-gritty: Authorised IT qualifications provide exactly what an employer needs – the title is a complete giveaway: for example, I am a ‘Microsoft Certified Professional’ in ‘Designing Security for a Windows 2003 Network’. Therefore employers can look at their needs and what certifications are required to fulfil that.
(C) Jason Kendall. Pop to LearningLolly.com for quality information on Adobe Dreamweaver Course and Dreamweaver Training Course.
It’s really great that you’re reading this article! A small number of workers say they enjoy their work, but a huge number simply moan about it and that’s it. As you’ve reached this page we can guess that you’ve a personal interest in re-training, which means you’re already ahead of the pack. The next step is to discover where you want to go and get going.
We’d recommend that prior to beginning any individual training program, you discuss your plans with a person who can see the bigger picture and can make recommendations. They can look at aspects of your personality and give you guidance on the right role for you:
* Do you hope for interaction with others? If so, do you like working with the same people or are you more comfortable dealing with strangers? Alternatively, do you like to deal with your responsibilities alone?
* Building and Banking are not coping well at the moment, so think carefully about the sector that would suit you best?
* How long a career do you hope to have once retrained, and will the market sector offer you that opportunity?
* Do you feel uncomfortable with regard to your chances of getting another job, and keeping a job to the end of your working life?
The biggest industry in the UK that fulfils the above criteria is Information Technology. There is a requirement for greater numbers of qualified staff in IT, simply have a look at a local jobsite and you will find them yourself. Don’t let people tell you it’s only geeky nerds sitting in front ofscreens all day – there’s a lot more to it than that. Large numbers of the people in the computer industry are just like you and me, and they have very interesting and well paid jobs.
Many certification companies are still maintaining the slightly musty old method of in-centre classes. Usually touted as a major benefit, after discussion with someone who has first-hand experience, you’ll find them listing some or all of the following problems:
* Lots of round journeys – often hundreds of miles each and every time.
* For those of us that work, then Mon-Fri events represent a difficulty in getting time off. You’re usually having to deal with 2-3 days at a time as well.
* And let’s not overlook lost vacation time. Most of us have 4 weeks annual leave. If at least half is sacrificed to learning, then it doesn’t leave much for us and our families.
* Training events fill up fast and can be very crammed in.
* Workshop pace – workshops usually consist of students of varied skill, consequently tension can run high between students with more background knowledge and the ones who need a little longer.
* Add up the cost of all the fares or petrol, parking, accommodation and food and you’ll be in for a big surprise. Trainees talk of increased costs mounting to several hundred and sometimes thousands of pounds. Take some time to add it all up – and see for yourself.
* We all enjoy our privacy. We don’t want to risk throwing away any potential advancement that we’re owed while we retrain.
* We all find that, at times, it’s uncomfortable to raise questions when surrounded by other students – who wants to look like they’re the only one who doesn’t get it?
* For students working away from home occasionally, you face the added difficulty that events are now difficult to get to – but unfortunately, the fees were paid along with everything else at the start.
It would be better to simply watch and study with industry specialists one-to-one through pre-made modules, studying them when it suits you – not somebody else.
You could study at home on your PC or use your laptop to enjoy the sun. Any questions; then utilise the 24×7 Support (that we hope you’ll insist on with any technical courses.)
All the lessons can be repeated at any time you need to brush up – memory is aided by repetition. And note-taking is a thing of the past – it’s already laid on for you.
Even though this can’t completely stop every single problem, it definitely makes things easier, simpler and less stressful. Plus you’ve got less hassle, costs and travel.
Commencing from the viewpoint that we need to locate the area of most interest first, before we can even consider which training program would meet that requirement, how can we choose the correct route?
How can we possibly grasp the tasks faced daily in an IT career when we’ve never done it? Maybe we don’t know someone who works in that sector anyway.
Generally, the way to deal with this question appropriately flows from an in-depth talk over several different topics:
* Your personality type plus what interests you – the sort of working tasks you love or hate.
* Are you aiming to pull off a specific aim – for instance, working from home as quickly as possible?
* How highly do you rate salary – is an increase your main motivator, or is day-to-day enjoyment a lot higher on your priority-list?
* There are many markets to choose from in IT – it’s wise to get some key facts on what separates them.
* Having a serious look at the level of commitment, time and effort that you’re going to put into it.
When all is said and done, the best way of investigating all this is via a meeting with an advisor or professional who has enough background to provide solid advice.
(C) 2009. Visit LearningLolly.com for smart ideas on Supervise People and Advice Interviews Questions.
When you decide upon a training program it’s crucial that the qualification it leads to falls in line with the needs of industry. As well as this, be sure that the program is a match for you, and is pitched at the right level.
Whether it’s office skills you’re looking to polish up on, or dream of getting professional IT certifications, there are technically advanced courses and assistance to turn your goals into reality.
Today, there are many user-friendly and accessibly priced options available that will give you everything you need.
Does job security really exist anywhere now? Here in the UK, with industry changing its mind on a day-to-day basis, there doesn’t seem much chance.
It’s possible though to hit upon market-level security, by looking for areas of high demand, together with a lack of qualified workers.
Looking at the Information Technology (IT) industry, a recent e-Skills study brought to light an over 26 percent shortfall of skilled workers. This shows that for every 4 jobs existing across computing, there are only 3 trained people to perform that task.
This one idea alone shows why the United Kingdom urgently requires a lot more workers to get trained and enter the Information Technology market.
In actuality, seeking in-depth commercial IT training during the next few years is almost definitely the greatest career choice you could ever make.
You’ll come across courses which guarantee examination passes – this always means you have to pay for the exams at the very beginning of your studies. But before you get taken in by guaranteed exams, be aware of the facts:
Thankfully, today we’re a tad more knowledgeable about sales gimmicks – and most of us grasp that it is actually an additional cost to us (it isn’t free or out of the goodness of their hearts!)
Should you seriously need to qualify first ‘go’, then the most successful route is to pay for each exam as you go, give it the priority it deserves and give the task sufficient application.
Find the best exam deal or offer available at the appropriate time, and hang on to your cash. You’ll then be able to select where you do your exams – which means you can stay local.
What’s the point in paying early for exams when there was no need to? Huge profits are secured by training companies charging upfront for all their exams – and then hoping that you won’t take them all.
It’s worth noting that exam re-takes with training companies who offer an ‘Exam Guarantee’ are tightly controlled. You will be required to do mock exams so you can prove to them you have a good chance of passing.
Spending hundreds or even thousands extra on ‘Exam Guarantees’ is remiss – when consistent and systematic learning, coupled with quality exam simulation software is actually the key to your success.
Always expect the very latest Microsoft (or Cisco, CompTIA etc.) authorised exam preparation and simulation materials.
Avoid depending on unauthorised exam preparation systems. The type of questions asked is sometimes startlingly different – and sometimes this can be a real headache when the proper exam time arrives.
Ensure that you verify whether you’re learning enough by doing tests and practice exams to prepare you for taking the proper exam.
Sometimes students presume that the state educational track is the right way even now. So why then are commercial certificates becoming more in demand?
Industry is now aware that to cover the necessary commercial skill-sets, certified accreditation from such organisations as Microsoft, CISCO, Adobe and CompTIA is far more effective and specialised – saving time and money.
Vendor training works through concentrating on the particular skills that are needed (together with an appropriate level of related knowledge,) rather than spending months and years on the background detail and ‘fluff’ that academic courses can get bogged down in – to pad out the syllabus.
Just like the advert used to say: ‘It does what it says on the label’. The company just needs to know where they have gaps, and then advertise for someone with the specific certification. Then they’re assured that a potential employee can do exactly what’s required.
(C) 2009. Navigate to LearningLolly.com for quality information on Filemaker Server 8 and Filemaker Server 8 Training.
There are some people who seem to breeze through life, rejoicing from one triumph to the next. By contrast, there are others who never quite make it, and always have a reason why life has dealt them a hard blow. Society is made up of victors and victims, and the difference can very often be boiled down to one key factor – attitude.
When you move in a new career direction, it’s vital to learn the habits of victors to gain a successful outcome. The victims pursue their actions in a timid manner, hoping for great things, but never really believing they’re worthy of them. Victors commit mentally to a successful result, and use emotion to back their actions.
Take a couple of tennis players about to play a championship game. One says “It’s my last chance – I’ll give it my best efforts,” but the other one says “Winning is my destiny – it’s everything to me.” No prizes for guessing who’ll win the championship. They might both put in the same amount of time, but the victor spends more of it on his mental training to win.
The victor is defined by the word OAR – a figure paddling towards success. The victim is defined by the word BED – one who stays in bed and gives up. OAR = Ownership, Accountability and Responsibility. BED = Blame, Excuses and Denial.
The victor takes responsibility for his or her tasks, and doesn’t hope for someone else to lead the way. He’s accountable for his actions, so takes them seriously, and sees things through by tackling problems not creating them. He doesn’t take excuses from himself and is responsible for the outcome of his actions.
In the victim’s eyes, there’s always a reason why he’s not achieving, and it’s rarely to do with himself. It’s always someone else’s fault – he feels out of control so justifies it by blaming someone else. He makes excuses for his lack of performance, but the only person he’s convincing is himself. With this continual pattern of blame and excuses, the victim lives a life of complete denial, convinced that there’s absolutely nothing he can do about his situation.
Students approaching a life-changing training program need to give themselves a mental work-out, to stack the odds in their favour. Anyone who’s a fully paid up member of the victim society will have to address their issues before they start, to truly embrace the potential in front of them.
Both sets of attitudes are just habits, and with constant repetition, habits can be changed. Listen to the voice inside your head – if it sounds like a victim, then stop it and verbalise why you can achieve. No one is any better than you – some have just fought their demons and emerged victorious.
To quote Winston Churchill, “There is no such thing as a hero, only those who rise to the occasion”. In learning as well as in life, we must have the attitude of a winner to allow ourselves to become a winner.
(C) 2009. Browse LearningLolly.com for the best tips on Apple Soundtrack Pro 2 and Apple Soundtrack Pro 2 Training.
I’m not suggesting that IT training and IT careers are the be-all and end-all of life on this planet. Can you imagine, for example, where we would be without the football superstars who entertain us so well on a weekly basis? Yet there’s got to be a reason why more and more people are training for careers within the IT industry.
A development I find interesting has been the increase in IT training amongst people who are seeking a career change or an enhancement to their existing skill sets. Reviewing this, I’m intrigued as to why IT continues to offer the attraction, and is this really a viable option?
Whilst we all acknowledge that in relationships, key elements and people themselves can change. At the age of 10, a boyfriend or girlfriend can be considered a cute thing, but it isn’t expected to last. At the age of 18-20, relationships are often less transient, but they also have a shorter lifespan than others later in life.
Equally we ask our young people to plan and make decisions as to their working career fairly early on in life, and yet historically there seems to be an inherent resistance to change as times goes on. If we accept that life changes, and we also accept that circumstances also change, then isn’t it prudent for us to accept that career paths should and could change?
The ongoing dependence of today’s society on IT, and factors related to IT, means that many people assume a career in this industry would be well paid and reliable, (based on simple economics of supply and demand). A lot see a direct correlation of how they utilise IT systems in a social environment (such as playing games and social interaction on the internet e.g. facebook etc.) and transfer that into a career. Could this genuinely lead to a career within IT, and what factors would be necessary for a successful career?
A key element in answering this, I believe, is an understanding that a career in IT is as dependent on factors such as a client base (if self-employed,) or an employer and economic issues, as any other career path. Nevertheless, there is a great deal of evidence to suggest that professional people within the IT industry can move between employers and industry sectors more freely. This is due to the wide dependence on IT services across both geographic and industry models.
One of the key elements is the term ‘Professional IT People’ – just as in any other industry, employers have consistently sought human resources where the skills can be proven by both experience and an approved benchmark. This applies whether that is a degree, or recognised apprenticeship culminating in an industry standard qualification, such as electrician and plumber.
It’s no different in the IT industry. Just because many people have a computer at home, and can experience many areas of the IT industry domestically, this is vastly different in many cases from the skills and resources required in the commercial sector. I’m sure we’d all acknowledge that playing games for four hours a night or surfing the internet doesn’t make us a qualified games designer, or a qualified webmaster.
Within the IT field, professional qualifications such as MCSE or MCSA are immediately recognisable as an industry standard. Employers know they can rely upon the skills offered, and as such there’s a reduced risk of breach of commercial insurance policies for work and services provided by such people. This applies whether they are self-employed or directly employed.
If you’re seriously considering a future within the IT industry, you must look at how best to position yourself to become attractive to an employer. Holding a professional qualification goes a long way towards this. We should at least be aware of what the employer or client is looking for in recruitment or engagement, as they are the ones paying the salary.
Plenty of data exists to support the view that the growth in the IT sector is faster and more resilient than many other industry sectors. We’re witnessing a transitional shift in industry sectors, from the first world through to the third world, and the rate at which many growing or ‘tiger’ economies are adapting to (and embracing) long standing IT systems is very fast indeed.
So far within this article we’ve considered the trends, which with the demise of traditional industry and therefore traditional job-for-life expectancies, there will be an increasing propensity towards multiple jobs and career paths throughout our life span.
In addition, we’ve observed that as the IT industry provides both consistencies in supply and demand across industry sectors and across geographical boundaries, it remains consistently attractive. Current forecasts also predict the increasing reliance on both IT systems overall, and the professional people who develop, use and maintain those systems, as they remain integral to many organisations requirements long-term.
Salary forecasts remain high within this industry, with plenty of evidence to suggest that this is achievable. It’s worth noting however,that in many other sectors the top-people get paid the top-money, and just ‘being there’ isn’t good enough and doesn’t guarantee the top-money.
We have also put forward the case that employers review recruitment for IT skills as no different to any other facet of their business, and they expect the individuals to formally demonstrate their skills and qualifications, in exactly the same way as they expect their electricians and accountants to be professionally qualified to do the work they’re employed to do.
I believe that there is considerable evidence to promote a career within the IT industry as a strong and viable option to many people within today’s economic and social climate. High salaries are definitely achievable. Yet it’s equally clear and, to be fair, common sense to expect to have to achieve a recognisable professional IT qualification to be able to clearly demonstrate one’s own ability, and at the very least the attitude that you are serious about this career path and that your prospective employer can rely on you in the commercial field.
(C) 2009. Go to LearningLolly.com for great info on AutoCAD LT 2008 and AutoCAD LT 2008 Training.
Dividing up the different stages of learning can be very useful when we’re working out where we are and how far we can go. It can be a little frightening to look at the big goal – maybe professional web designer with many clients who rely on our expertise, when we’re still having difficulty remembering the names of the software we’ll be using to learn!
Let’s look at four different levels of understanding. Whenever we take on anything new, we all experience these stages, and recognising them helps us to evaluate ourselves and our progress.
1. Unconscious Incompetent, 2. Conscious Incompetent, 3. Conscious Competent, 4. Unconscious Competent
Career changers frequently begin at stage one – Unconscious Incompetent. We know we want to change at this stage, but we don’t yet know what we don’t know, what we need to know, how to learn it or where it might lead us! It sounds pretty desperate, but knowing we want to change is the important thing – we can be taught everything else .
Getting advice is the essential thing for the stage one person. By talking things through with an experienced advisor, they can find out what’s involved in the process; discover where they want to go and what they need to learn.
Next comes stage two – Conscious Incompetent. We’re now probably at the start of our training course. Having been explained the different options, we’ve decided on our career path. So we now know what we have to learn – in other words we’re conscious of what we don’t know yet, or what we’re currently incompetent at.
It’s important to understand this, to have the wisdom of knowing where we are. Understanding conscious incompetence means that we don’t get so frustrated in our early stages of learning – we might not be very good at it (especially if it’s been a while since school…) but we know we’ll get better. Modern interactive learning accelerates this process, so we don’t have to stay at this stage for long.
Stage three is Conscious Competent. We’re in the flow of the learning environment, and are picking things up much faster. We still have to consciously think about what we’re doing all the time, but we’re able to learn competently. We’ll probably complete our studies and successfully pass our exams whilst in this learning stage, which is likely to also extend into our working life too.
Remember when we learned to drive a car? We’d got to conscious competency by test time – good enough to pass the exam but still consciously aware of every manoeuvre. It wasn’t until we gained more experience to consolidate the knowledge that we moved into stage four.
In IT, we’ll probably be several years into our working experience before we become Unconsciously Competent. We know what we need to know, and no longer have to consciously think about why we do something. Although school’s never over for the true professional, (and certainly in IT the joy is there’s always more to learn) achieving this lofty height of understanding makes all the hard work worth it.
(C) 2009. Go to LearningLolly.com for quality ideas on Excellence in Supervision and Consider User Skills.
As a child, I used to sit at the back of the class and will the teacher not to ask me the answer to any questions. This wasn’t because I couldn’t answer them, or at least have a stab at them. I likened it to going on a TV quiz show, where answering on-time and in front of other people is not always as easy as it might seem.
This didn’t mean that I couldn’t learn the subject matter – but rather that the environment didn’t work for me.
Considering this, I greatly believe in and support the new wave of training plans being offered, as they clearly support new ways of learning.
One of the best examples of this has to be the strategies being employed within the IT industry. Not surprisingly, using the latest technological assets to teach what can be complex skills and techniques, with a high level of success.
Offering the option of on-line and multimedia lessons, presented by leaders in their respective field, gives high grade access to a vast array of learning material – whenever the student wants, and wherever they want it. True 24×7 learning and the real option to choose where to study; all of which adds to the learning experience and ultimately improves learning success.
A long way away from the intimidating and sterile classroom experience of youth.
Other benefits clearly become apparent: The ability to carry on studying regardless of the weather outside, and the ability to study in the security of one’s own home. Training schemes are available to all, including those with disabilities who find it difficult to study at a centralised centre. The ability to carry on study when the student may not feel wholly well, or during incapacitation.
Further advantages include a reduction in ‘down-time’ and cost; in terms of the journey time to and from the training centre, the issue of having to attend at a set time, and the money spent travelling there and back. All this supports the strategy of ’smart study’ – learning what you want, when you want it, at a place that suits you best, and in a cost effective way.
This method of training is not dependent upon the slow upgrades or revisions of books and reading material. Students are more likely to be studying the latest concepts and skills available, giving them an edge over their counterparts.
That’s not to say you’re forced to study in isolation though. This new training philosophy recognises that some people need to have human communication built into their study program. To this end, a truly effective plan includes ‘interactive’ on-line support with real people. Many students also set up their own study-buddy network, where they can exchange their ideas in a relaxed environment and discuss the concepts they’re studying.
In the field of IT and educational strategies, there have been incredible developments. It seems only natural that for the advantage of the student, these two disciplines would come together, to create a training environment where the student is more in-control, and finds learning more pleasurable overall. Surely that is one of the basic tenets of studying?
(C) 2009. Pop over to LearningLolly.com for logical info on Project Management Professional 2009 Certification and Project Management Professional 2009 Certification Training.
A glance at any Best Seller list in bookshops today, will reveal a multitude of autobiographies of the rich and famous. From footballers to glamour models to empire builders, they all have their own story to tell, but each has a common theme – they overcame adversity by focusing on the positives.
That’s the way of the world; life’s achievers allow positive reasons why ‘they can’ to flood their consciousness, and drown out negative reasons why they can’t.
This attitude to studying is paramount for the student. To successfully complete a training program, an optimistic mindset is the biggest tool in a trainee’s workbox. A positive approach brings about all sorts of possibilities, circumstances, answers and opportunities to achieve. By contrast, a pessimistic outlook blocks our learning receptors and thwarts creativity .
This is due to our Reticular Activation System, which is a mechanism in our brain that automatically tells us what to focus on. We’ve experienced many things throughout our lives that no longer stay in the forefront of our minds – most of what we’ve learned moves from our conscious mind to our sub-conscious mind, a sort of store cupboard stocked up with all our past knowledge and beliefs.
When we attempt to do something consciously, our Reticular Activation System (RAS) will go through our sub-conscious mind for any associated information it holds, and bring it into focus. As we’re walking down a road, we’re made aware only of things that are relevant to us – anything else is just background noise.
This means that if our conscious mind has been regularly sending messages that are upbeat and positive to our sub-conscious mind, then that’s what it will transfer back. But if our sub-conscious has been given loads of downbeat and defeatist messages, then that’s equally what will be sent back.
Achievers, it appears, are able to manipulate the messages streamimg through to their sub-conscious minds. They do this by choosing the exact messages the conscious mind sends and deliberately programming their RAS. As such, it’s an essential tool for achieving goals, as the sub-conscious mind can’t tell the difference between real or imaginary events.
So, as it believes what it’s told, we must create a really specific picture of our goal in our conscious mind. This will then pass on to our subconscious via the RAS – which will then help us to achieve our goal. This is done by bringing to our attention all the meaningful information which might otherwise have remained as ‘background noise’.
Napoleon Hill once wrote that we can attain any realistic goal if we keep that goal clearly in our mind, and stop allowing any negative thoughts about it. If we keep thinking that we can’t achieve a goal, of course, our subconscious will help us not to achieve it.
(C) 2009. Go to LearningLolly.com for logical ideas on Motivation Goal Setting and LearningLolly FAQs.