Free Career Resources for Computer Professionals

By Suzanne Ricci

With more than 800 IT Certifications available, earning computer certifications that validate your job skills is a very worthwhile task to undertake. As an IT Career Training specialist, I get asked a lot of questions about how to prepare for certification exams.

The first thing you need to know is there is no full proof method to earning an IT certification and there is not one method that is better than the rest. Utilizing a blended learning method (variety of different training methods) and following the below suggestions will help you prepare for your certification fast and effectively.

Pick the right certification for you. There are numerous websites that tell you all about the different certifications. You can read forums, post questions, read articles… you should be sure the certification you are going after will help you in your career goals because whatever the certification, it is time consuming. The easiest and best way to find out about certifications is to speak with a certified IT Professional… one who has several certifications and valid experience.
Take a class. If you have the financial opportunity, taking an instructor led class is the fastest way to earning certification. The ILT learning environment will ensure you have a place and a time to meet with classmates and the trainer. This will force you to learn the information, unlike self paced methods or mentor-programs. The lack of accountability found in the latter programs often results in putting the information aside and never earning your certification.

When I look for instructor led classes, I look for classes that have days off in between them, so I can study the material. Reading the book, doing some research on topics on my own, etc. are important steps in the certification process. I would recommend you do the same, especially if you are new to IT. Individuals without valid IT “work experience” should avoid the everyday for one week, corporate training style classes or even worse, the “Boot Camp” training scenario. Although they may be tempting because you want to move fast, not having time to study in between class days is a sure fire way of setting yourself up for failure.
I always look for classes that have some type of online or computer based support class. In other words, I look for a class that has both instructor-led training coupled with a self paced option. I use the self paced option on my days off. I try to study no less than 16 hours per week when I am preparing for a certification, so having the same material covered in the ILT class in a self paced format, reinforces my learning.

Before class. I try to read as much in the book as I possibly can. I take the book and I divide the number of pages by the number of days I have until class starts. For example, if the book is 250 pages and class starts in 7 days my formula is 250/7 = 36 pages per day. I will then strive to read 36 pages per day. To accomplish this task, I carry the book with me everywhere, to work, to the gym, to shopping. I carry a backpack and the book is with me everywhere I go while the class is going on. Just in my normal day, without any extra reading opportunities. I get to work 30 -45 minutes early. I read the book first thing in the morning, during lunch; I eat alone and read my book. I usually can read half the pages allocated during lunch and my two 15 minute breaks at the office and when you add in getting to work early, I am usually done reading by the time I get off work. Other opportunities I take to read, waiting for a doctor’s appointment, a child’s school appointment, waiting for a friend to meet me for coffee, waiting in line at the grocery check out, first thing on Saturday and Sunday morning before my day starts. Try and find times in your day when you can read your textbook. If you have the book with you, all the time, you will find lots of opportunity to read.

Since I do most of my reading during the day, in between my work schedule, when I get off of work, I have little reading that needs to be done. I will skim over the 36 assigned pages and see if there is anything I didn’t understand. If there is I make a note, so when the instructor covers this portion I can ask questions and get clarification.

During the class. Since I have read the book (as much as possible) before the class, I focus on clarification of unclear topics and hands-on practice during the designated class time. I always skim through my book for a second time before I get to class, I usually try to get to class 1 hour early to do this, even if it means making arrangements with my boss to stay late two other days, so I can remember to ask questions, pay attention to certain parts, and get a clear understanding. Make sure the class you are taking is hands-on. Many IT Certification tests have simulator exercises and you want to be sure you can do the task.

On my days off from class, I work through the self paced learning. If I come across something in the self paced that is unclear or wasn’t covered in the ILT portion, I Google it. One of the most important skills an IT person needs is troubleshooting and reference skills. You have to be able to find the answers on your own. Once I get the Google responses, I read the explanations, if I am satisfied I move on in the self paced technology I have chosen.
Since most self paced lessons are ¼ - ½ the amount of time as an Instructor-led class, I usually only spend about 2 hours on my class off days utilizing this type of learning. I will wake up early and spend 45 minutes in the morning and then about 1 hour and 15 minutes in the evening per day.
On Saturday and Sunday I reserve three hours each morning from 8 am – 11 am to studying the topic of the class I am in. Saturday and Sunday are great days to practice longer hands-on activities. I reserve the morning because I realized I am clearer and can retain information better. This also gets it done and I can enjoy my day knowing I have studied. Many of the vendors have virtual hard drives you can download to your home computer and practice as if you were at school, on a real server. If I am taking an advanced technical class, which I do a lot, I try to setup a small technology scenario, which replicates the real world, at my house. I use older computers to accomplish this. If you don’t have access to extra equipment, you will need some eventually, if you plan to make IT a career you will have to create sample scenarios a lot to practice new technology, but make sure the school you are enrolling in has this type of scenario available to you at least one day on the weekend and during the week in the evening.

** If I come across anything in the review course or the hands-on that I don’t understand I research the topics on the Internet or by visiting a book store. I grab a coffee and a different book on the same topic and I take notes, so I understand the whole technology.