If you’re considering being a web designer, find a course in Adobe Dreamweaver.
It’s also recommended that you become fully conversant with the complete Adobe Web Creative Suite, which includes Flash and Action Script, to be able to utilise Dreamweaver as a commercial web-designer. This can result in you subsequently becoming an Adobe Certified Expert or Adobe Certified Professional (ACE or ACP).
The building of a website is merely a fraction of the skill set required though - to drive traffic, update content, and work on dynamic sites that are database driven, you will need more programming skills, like HTML and PHP, and database engines like MySQL. It would also be a good idea to gain a working knowledge of E-Commerce and SEO (Search Engine Optimisation).
A so-called advisor who doesn’t ask many questions - it’s likely they’re actually nothing more than a salesman. If they’re pushing towards a particular product before learning about your history and whether you have any commercial experience, then you know it’s true.
With a little real-world experience or base qualifications, your starting-point of learning is now at a different level to a new student.
For students beginning IT exams and training from scratch, it can be helpful to ease in gradually, beginning with some basic user skills first. Usually this is packaged with most training packages.
Validated exam preparation and simulation materials are crucial - and should definitely be obtained from your training provider.
Be sure that the exams you practice aren’t just asking you the right questions in the right areas, but ask them in the exact format that the real exams will ask them. It can really throw some students if the questions are phrased in unfamiliar formats.
Ensure that you verify whether you’re learning enough through tests and practice exams prior to taking the real thing.
Charging for examination fees with the course fee then giving it ‘Exam Guarantee’ status is a common method with many companies. But let’s examine why they really do it:
Everybody’s aware that they’re still footing the bill for it - obviously it has been inserted into the full cost of the package supplied by the training provider. It’s certainly not free - and it’s insulting that we’re supposed to think it is!
Passing first time is everyone’s goal. Progressively working through your exams one by one and funding them one at a time makes it far more likely you’ll pass first time - you take it seriously and are conscious of what you’ve spent.
Don’t pay up-front, but seek out the best deal for you at the time, and save having to find the money early. You’ll then be able to select where you do your exams - so you can choose somewhere closer to home.
What’s the point in paying early for exams when you didn’t need to? Huge profits are netted by organisations charging all their exam fees up-front - and banking on the fact that many won’t be taken.
Most companies will insist that you take mock exams first 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 examinations coming in at approximately 112 pounds in Great Britain, it makes sense to pay as you go. It’s not in the student’s interests to fork out hundreds or thousands of pounds for exams when enrolling on a course. Consistent and systematic learning, coupled with quality exam simulation software is what will really see you through.
One of the most important things to insist on has to be comprehensive 24×7 direct-access support from expert mentors and instructors. Far too often we see trainers who will only offer a basic 9am till 6pm support period (maybe later on certain days) with very little availability over the weekend.
some companies only provide email support (slow), and phone support is usually just a call-centre which 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 call back over the next day or so (assuming you’re there), when it suits them. This is no use if you’re stuck with a particular problem and can only study at specific times.
World-class organisations offer an online 24×7 package combining multiple support operations from around the world. You get a single, easy-to-use interface which accesses the most appropriate office any time of the day or night: Support on demand.
If you opt for less than online 24×7 support, you’ll regret it very quickly. You may not need it late at night, but you’re bound to use weekends, early mornings or even late evenings at some point.
(C) 2009 - S. Edwards. Pop to MCTS Training or CLICK HERE.
Tags: advice, career, computer, education, games, hobbies, home, money, self improvement, shop, software, technology, Uncategorized, web, work