Microsoft MCSE Networking Training Clarified
Posted by Jason Kendall in Uncategorized, tags: a, advice, c, career, computer, computer;internet, computers, e, education, g, games, h, hobbies, home, m, money, o, r, Reference Education, s, self improvement, shop, software, t, technology, u, Uncategorized, w, web, workAs you’re considering studying a course to qualify for an MCSE, you’re probably in 1 of 2 situations. You might be ready to get into the IT environment, and your research tells you the IT industry has many opportunities for men and women who are commercially qualified. On the other hand you are perhaps an IT professional attempting to gain acknowledgement with the Microsoft qualification.
During your research, you’ll come across colleges that compromise their offerings by failing to use the latest version from Microsoft. Don’t use such training providers as you will face problems at exam time. If you’ve been taught the wrong version, it is going to be hugely difficult to get qualified. Avoid the companies who are just trying to sell you something. You should be given detailed advice to make sure you are taking the right decisions. Don’t allow yourself to be sold some generic product by a second-rate college.
It only makes sense to consider study paths which will grow into industry approved qualifications. There are far too many minor schools offering ‘in-house’ certificates which are worthless in the real world. Unless your qualification is issued by a big-hitter like Microsoft, CompTIA, Cisco or Adobe, then chances are it could have been a waste of time and effort - as it’ll be an unknown commodity.
Always expect the current Microsoft (or Cisco, CompTIA etc.) authorised exam preparation packages. Confirm that the mock exams aren’t just asking you the right questions on the correct subjects, but ask them in the exact format that the real exams will formulate them. It completely unsettles students if the phraseology and format is completely different. Be sure to ask for exam preparation tools so you’ll be able to verify your understanding at all times. Simulations of exams help to build your confidence - then the real thing isn’t quite as scary.
Many trainers provide a shelf full of reference manuals. Learning like this is dull and repetitive and isn’t the best way to go about remembering. Studies have repeatedly demonstrated that connecting physically with our study, is much more conducive to long-term memory.
Interactive audio-visual materials utilising video demo’s and practice lab’s will turn you off book-based study for ever more. And you’ll actually enjoy doing them. Be sure to get a study material demo’ from the training company. You’ll want to see demo’s from instructors, slideshows and virtual practice lab’s for your new skills.
Purely on-line training should be avoided. Ideally, you should opt for CD and DVD ROM courseware where offered, enabling them to be used at your convenience - ISP quality varies, so you don’t want to be totally reliant on your broadband being ‘up’ 100 percent of the time.
Getting into your first IT role is often made easier if you’re offered a Job Placement Assistance facility. Because of the great need for more IT skills in the United Kingdom right now, there’s no need to become overly impressed with this service however. It isn’t so complicated as you might think to land a job as long as you’ve got the necessary skills and qualifications.
Update your CV at the beginning of your training though (advice can be sought on this via your provider). Don’t put it off till you’ve finished your exams. Quite frequently, you’ll secure your initial role whilst you’re still studying (occasionally right at the beginning). If you haven’t updated your CV to say what you’re studying (and it’s not being looked at by employers) then you don’t stand a chance! You’ll normally experience quicker service from a specialised and independent local recruitment service than any training course provider’s national service, because they will be more familiar with the area and local employers.
A regular frustration for a number of training course providers is how much students are focused on studying to get qualified, but how un-prepared they are to work on getting the job they have qualified for. Don’t falter at the last fence.
A subtle way that course providers make more money is through up-front charges for exams then giving it ‘Exam Guarantee’ status. This looks like a great idea for the student, until you think it through:
Thankfully, today we tend to be a bit more aware of hype - and usually we cotton on to the fact that it is something we’re paying for (it isn’t free or out of the goodness of their hearts!) The honest truth is that if students pay for each examination, one after the other, they’ll be in a better position to pass first time - as they’ll think of their investment in themselves and so will prepare more thoroughly.
Sit the exam somewhere close to home and go for the best offer you can find when you’re ready. Huge profits are made by some training companies that get money for exam fees in advance. For various reasons, many students don’t take their exams but no refunds are given. Amazingly, providers exist who rely on that fact - as that’s how they make a lot of their profit. Don’t forget, with most ‘Exam Guarantees’ - the company decides when you are allowed to have another go. You’ll have to prove conclusively that you can pass before they’ll pay for another exam.
Paying maybe a thousand pounds extra on ‘Exam Guarantees’ is foolish - when study, commitment and preparing with good quality mock and practice exams is what will really see you through.
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