If you’d like to get involved in a web design team, Adobe Dreamweaver is vital for attaining relevant qualifications that are globally recognised. We’d also suggest that you learn all about the complete Adobe Web Creative Suite, including Flash and Action Script, in order to use Dreamweaver commercially as a web-designer. This can result in you subsequently becoming an Adobe Certified Expert or Adobe Certified Professional (ACE or ACP).
The construction of a website only scratches the surface of the skills needed though – to drive traffic, update content, and work with dynamic database-driven sites, you’ll need to bolt on further programming skills, namely ones like HTML and PHP, and database engines like MySQL. In addition, you should gain a working knowledge of E-Commerce and SEO (Search Engine Optimisation).
Commercial qualifications are now, very visibly, beginning to replace the traditional routes into the IT industry – but why is this the case? With 3 and 4 year academic degree costs spiralling out of control, alongside the industry’s recognition that corporate based study is often far more commercially relevant, there’s been a big surge in Adobe, Microsoft, CISCO and CompTIA accredited training programmes that provide key skills to an employee at a much reduced cost in terms of money and time. They do this by focusing on the skills that are really needed (alongside an appropriate level of background knowledge,) instead of spending months and years on the background ‘padding’ that degrees in computing can often find themselves doing – to fill a three or four year course.
In simple terms: Commercial IT certifications provide exactly what an employer needs – it says what you do in the title: i.e. I am a ‘Microsoft Certified Professional’ in ‘Managing and Maintaining Windows Server 2003′. Therefore companies can identify just what their needs are and what certifications are required to fulfil that.
It can be a nerve-racking task, but finding your first computer related job can be relieved by some companies, via a Job Placement Assistance programme. However sometimes too much is made of this feature, because it’s really not that difficult for any motivated and trained individual to get work in the IT environment – as there is such a shortage of trained staff.
Update your CV at the beginning of your training though – you should get plenty of help from your training provider on this. Don’t put it off until you’ve qualified. Having the possibility of an interview is far better than not even being known about. Often junior positions are bagged by trainees (sometimes when they’ve only just got going.) Generally, you’ll receive better results from a local IT focused recruitment consultant or service than any training provider’s national service, as they will understand the local industry and employment needs.
A slight grievance of a number of training companies is how hard students are prepared to work to become certified, but how un-prepared that student is to get the position they have studied for. Get out there and hustle – you might find it’s fun.
Trainees looking at this market often have a very practical outlook on work, and won’t enjoy sitting at a desk in class, and struggling through thick study-volumes. If this is putting you off studying, opt for more involving, interactive learning materials, with on-screen demonstrations and labs. If we can get all of our senses involved in our learning, our results will often be quite spectacular.
Interactive audio-visual materials featuring instructor demo’s and practice lab’s will beat books every time. And you’ll actually enjoy doing them. Don’t take any chances and look at some of the typical study materials provided before you sign on the dotted line. What you want are instructor demonstrations, video tutorials and interactive modules with audio-visual elements.
Plump for disc based courseware (On CD or DVD) whenever you can. You’re then protected from the variability of broadband quality and service.
For the most part, your normal trainee really has no clue how they should get into a computing career, or what market is worth considering for retraining. As without any solid background in the IT industry, in what way could we understand what any job actually involves? Achieving a well-informed conclusion will only come through a detailed examination of several altering factors:
* The kind of individual you are – what kind of jobs you enjoy doing, and conversely – what makes you unhappy.
* What length of time can you allocate for the retraining?
* Where do you stand on job satisfaction vs salary?
* With everything that computing covers, you’ll need to be able to absorb the differences.
* It’s wise to spend some time thinking about the level of commitment you’re going to give to the accreditation program.
To bypass the industry jargon, and find the best path to success, have an in-depth discussion with an experienced professional; a person who will cover the commercial realities and truth while explaining each certification.
Remember: the training course or a certification isn’t what this is about; a job you’re training for is. Far too many training organisations put too much weight in the certificate itself. Don’t let yourself become part of that group that choose a course that on the surface appears interesting – only to end up with a qualification for something they’ll never enjoy.
Get to grips with earning potential and how ambitious you are. This will influence what particular certifications will be expected and how much effort you’ll have to give in return. Before you embark on a study course, you’d be well advised to discuss specific job needs with an experienced industry professional, so as to be sure the training path covers all the necessary elements.