Computer Training
While the pursuit of a university degree is an ideal course of action for many who are interested in computing as a career, others who are already employed in a high tech field may wish to opt for technology-specific computer training courses. Certain employment opportunities are only available to individuals who have completed a specific course of study or who possess current certification in a given subject area, so computer training schools may be an excellent investment in ones' career.
Many computer training schools are available, offering professional instruction in areas such as system administration, network management, computer repair, system installation, security, and Web site development. Certain courses may be completed in a single day, while others involve a week or more of combined classroom and practical work. Tests are commonly given in order to gauge the student's progress, though many computer training schools do not tally the answers or use a pass/fail system.
Computer training schools may offer traditional classroom instruction, online options, or a combination of the two. In some cases, such as computer repair or network installation, the nature of the subject material may require physical presence in a classroom.
Some computer training schools offer courses that may be applied toward industry-standard certifications such as the MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) or CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional), to name only a few. Requirements for certification in Microsoft's program are established by the company, and schools offering MCSE training must adhere to these standards in order to issue certificates of completion. Other courses of study are regulated by standards bodies; for instance the requirements for CISSP certification are regulated by the ISC-2 (Information Security Certification Consortium) organization. Certification exams frequently require the student's physical presence in order to eliminate the possibility of cheating.
Certification generally involves the successful completion of a minimum number of courses. An individual who wishes to obtain a certification must pass all required courses with a certain grade, and may be required to complete and pass a final examination. Requirements vary from one program to another, so prospective students are encouraged to review them carefully before commencing a course of study.
Financial aid for computer training schools may be available, depending on the student's resources and affiliation. Many companies will pay for training courses that directly relate to an employee's particular job function. Additionally, some employees may be able to deduct expenses related to required training courses from their Federal income taxes.
