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Thread ID: 94270	2008-10-22 00:39:00	IT Training and/or career advice wanted	susann (12077)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
713840	2008-10-22 00:39:00	Hi all I've been working in the IT field for around 2 years now . I have a Bachelors degree, majoring in Information Systems . However over the last couple of years I feel my skills are now not so fresh and there's also some stuff I'd like to learn . Because I work in a small company, I haven't had a lot of training over the last couple of years . My job is also quite broad, which means I do a 'little bit of everything' (support, training, web sites, Intranet, managing domain names, working with suppliers, server admin, etc) . Ideally I'd like to do something a little more specialised, although I'm still a little unsure about what direction to head in . So I've been thinking that I would like to get a little more training . This is where I'm stuck . Does anyone recommend a good training provider or direction to head in? Ideally I want to come out with some recognised qualification/certification, rather than just attending some course which doesn't really mean much to employers . There's so many around . . . Just to focus things a little, I would like to stay in web design or perhaps learn more about SharePoint (I have basic knowledge) . I've done some programming and am ok but not sure it comes naturally to me ;-) . I don't want to be a trainer (I don't mind doing a little here and there but not all day every day) . I've had a search here but most posts about training/careers stuff is from people starting out in the IT industry . Thanks for any advice or comments!	susann (12077)
713841	2008-10-22 01:00:00	You should have a look at some of the Microsoft certifications - such as Microsoft Certified Web Developer and Microsoft Certified Enterprise Developer - if you want to head down the Sharepoint road.	somebody (208)
713842	2008-10-22 01:31:00	although I'm still a little unsure about what direction to head in. I would like to stay in web design Which is it? Web Design or don't know? If you don't know, then forget it until you do. If web design take a look at the various training places and see what they offer.	pctek (84)
713843	2008-10-22 01:39:00	I guess what I really meant to say is yes, I would like to stay in web design, however I'm still open to which direction to go in . And I really don't think you know for certain until you've worked in that field for a bit . For instance, 18 months ago I was certain I wanted to be a trainer . 18 months later, after spending up to 2 hours a day training, no way . . . I have looked a various training places but I wanted some 'industry advice' about what is recognised and what is really just going to be a waste of time/money .	susann (12077)
713844	2008-10-22 01:41:00	somebody, thanks for the Microsoft certification tip. Do you know if these are something that employers regard with some sort of respect (my instinct is yes)?	susann (12077)
713845	2008-10-22 02:07:00	Meh, I havent bothered with MS certs for since .....ummm 99!...LOL. You have to deciede what you like about IT, for me its connectivity, new hardware and engineering. IT is too broad an industry to be good at it all. If you like web design, are you creative?. As far as employers are concerned, I dont really know, after 12+ yrs in the industry, my current employers wasnt too concerned with how many or what certs I had, but my general experience from technical support thru to development. IMHO, the ICT cert most training centre have is just all theory, and useless in a work environment, sorry....i guess that is where MS course come through, but i just refuses to re-sit every what 3 yrs? Current buzz is virtualisation and many many companies are jumping on. You can tell it is going to be the next big thing, as MS as even had a go at developing it (though is is a poor substitute for the real thing)	SolMiester (139)
713846	2008-10-22 02:16:00	Susan, when you say "web design" do you mean things like: - mocking up a new design with Photoshop or equivalent - doing some basic static html/css/javascript or do you mean "web development": - generally a business application that has a web interface - database driven - involves software development - involves knowing "internet protocols" (http(s), ftp(s), tcp, dns etc) - involves in depth knowlege of html/javascript - involves in depth knowledge of a server side dynamic html generators (ASP.NET, PHP, JSP, etc) - involves knowledge of a web application framework (say PHP/zend, ASP.NET MVC, JSP/struts, Ruby on Rails) - involves knowledge of configuring/deploying to application/web servers (IIS, Apache, Tomcat, lighthttpd etc) The Microsoft web dev certification is for the latter (obviously focusing on IIS/ASP.NET/.Net)	dyewitness (9398)
713847	2008-10-22 02:19:00	Yup - Sol is right on the money IMO. These days, employers are realizing that IT needs to integrate more fully into the business, so being a stereotypical 'IT nerd' won't get you so far (unless you're in a really specialized field like networking) Communication skills, attention to detail, ability to work in/manage teams, and cope with pressure are just as important now as specific technical skills. If you're interested in a variety of programming/system development roles, I think a lot of free-lance, fixed-term contract work can look good on your CV. this exposes you to a lot of different technologies and emerging trends. I know a couple of web designers that like this approach.	nofam (9009)
713848	2008-10-22 02:53:00	Susan, when you say "web design" do you mean things like: - mocking up a new design with Photoshop or equivalent - doing some basic static html/css/javascript or do you mean "web development": - generally a business application that has a web interface - database driven - involves software development - involves knowing "internet protocols" (http(s), ftp(s), tcp, dns etc) - involves in depth knowlege of html/javascript - involves in depth knowledge of a server side dynamic html generators (ASP.NET, PHP, JSP, etc) - involves knowledge of a web application framework (say PHP/zend, ASP.NET MVC, JSP/struts, Ruby on Rails) - involves knowledge of configuring/deploying to application/web servers (IIS, Apache, Tomcat, lighthttpd etc) This is exactly on the nail. Do you like playing around with websites? Would you rather be doing break/fix? User support? Design and installation of networks? You really need to know before going off and spending money on courses. The best way to find out whats marketable is to ring a few agencies and ask them what employers care about. I wouldn't bother with MS Certs. In fact I haven't for years and years now.	pctek (84)
713849	2008-10-22 03:03:00	somebody, thanks for the Microsoft certification tip. Do you know if these are something that employers regard with some sort of respect (my instinct is yes)? It depends. For example one of my former colleagues is now working for a medium-sized organisation which specialises in ASP.NET web development/consulting work, and the employer is paying for them to become certified. He recently completed his Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (Web Developer) certification, and is now working towards becoming a certified Enterprise Developer. Another friend of mine is working for Datacom, and they are also paying for him to do Microsoft certifications. In these cases, the employers value what their employees learn from gaining these qualifications, rather than the piece of paper itself. Also bear in mind this is web development (i.e. programming/databases), not web design.	somebody (208)
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