Where can i learn?

[Russ]

i need a new job.

i work me gonads off for very little appreciation, and even less money.

But every job in IT i look for requires 1 of two things,

a) qualifications
b) experience

i have a bit of both.

Ony have GCSE's and a BTEC in Aviation (nowt to do with pc's) as qualifications, and only "teaching" experience in IT.

I cant goto my local college, due to "circumstances", so where else can i learn subjects and take courses? i would even consider doing it online.

Please, help me out, before i get another written warning :/

[unrealrocks]

A non local college?

Why can't you go to your local college?

[Russ]

Why can't you go to your local college?

long story not tellin you

[Theo]

Open University? Learn Direct, perhaps? Maybe even do a modern apprenticeship - qualifications AND working experience?

[Kezzer]

I'm studying at the open university at the moment doing computers. Good stuff it is.

[Russ]

Open University? Learn Direct, perhaps? Maybe even do a modern apprenticeship - qualifications AND working experience?

im to old to do my modern apprntiveship of choice. il look into the others though, cheers.

[Jiff Lemon]

Self taught MCP?

[Russ]

well jif, i looked into the MCP's in 5 days course. strongly considering it.

[planetgong]

I'm studying at the open university at the moment doing computers. Good stuff it is.

Can I ask what course you are doing? Have thought about doing this myself.

[Allen]

I really thought hard about doing MCP's myself at one point, but I need persuasion. Are they really worth doing? Will they really help me in the IT industry?

The problem is, I've been working in accounts now for about 6-7 years and am currently studying AAT but it's boring as hell. I really want to work with computers as everybody I know comes to me for help (I'm the accounts departments IT helpdesk, they hardly ever call IT Support unless it's a network problem that I can't help with) and people say I should be working with computers.

I thought about starting off with the A+ as I've read through the book and it's pi$$ easy stuff. Perhaps quickly doing that exam for a measly £80 to start? Then perhaps do the Network+ exam and go on to MCP/MCSE/MCSD/MCSA or whichever I chose?

Sorry for hijacking the thread a bit Russ, but I'm sure you would also benefit from the answers to these questions, depending on what you want to do.

[Russ]

i have that problem, but the NHS have this new policy coming out, where you get payed for the jobs you do, rtaher than what you were employed for. so the basic job i was emplyed for i'd get my full salary, and evrything else, from scratching my arse to fixin printers, i'll get pyed extra for.

[Kezzer]

Can I ask what course you are doing? Have thought about doing this myself.

Yup, i'm studying the M150 Data, Computing and Information. You can add it to a variety of degrees which is really handy. I'm also studying in computers full time at a local college and i'm hoping to carry on my studies with the OU whilst i'm at university. Very high quality service and it's an official university and if you live in the UK you can go to tutorial sessions.

I got inspired to do it by my cousin who has actually got a degree in computer science from the OU and he went on to study part of his masters. The benefits of it is that it is very cheap and you can work from home. Also you don't really need any major qualifications to be allowed to study with them.

[planetgong]

If you don't mind me being cheeky, how much is it costing you? I don't mind if you don't want to say.

[Kezzer]

Hehe, look on the website http://www.open.ac.uk/ all the prices are there. I think mine costed me £260. The site has been completely redesigned though so i'm finding it hard to navigate through. The term is typically 9 months. Everything is done over the internet but it's also dependant on the course. You get on average 4 assignments in the year you study, you complete them and submit them to a website then your personal tutor will take them, mark them and submit it back to that website where you collect it. I've just completed a Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA) and it was ok.

If you have any questions just ask

[Jiff Lemon]

I really thought hard about doing MCP's myself at one point, but I need persuasion. Are they really worth doing? Will they really help me in the IT industry?

The problem is, I've been working in accounts now for about 6-7 years and am currently studying AAT but it's boring as hell. I really want to work with computers as everybody I know comes to me for help (I'm the accounts departments IT helpdesk, they hardly ever call IT Support unless it's a network problem that I can't help with) and people say I should be working with computers.

I thought about starting off with the A+ as I've read through the book and it's pi$$ easy stuff. Perhaps quickly doing that exam for a measly £80 to start? Then perhaps do the Network+ exam and go on to MCP/MCSE/MCSD/MCSA or whichever I chose?

Sorry for hijacking the thread a bit Russ, but I'm sure you would also benefit from the answers to these questions, depending on what you want to do.

A+ would be a good starting point - Its a more general computer exam, whereas the MCP is concentrating on a particular subject.

Russ, if you do think about a 5 day course, PLEASE don't go into it blindly. Get the book, teach yourself as much as you can - Bits where you're flaky on make lots of notes so that when you do go on the course, you've lots of questions. Some courses run on the "we'll teach you to pass the exam" scheme, rather than teach you to understand the subject.

[Russ]

Russ, if you do think about a 5 day course, PLEASE don't go into it blindly. Get the book, teach yourself as much as you can - Bits where you're flaky on make lots of notes so that when you do go on the course, you've lots of questions. Some courses run on the "we'll teach you to pass the exam" scheme, rather than teach you to understand the subject.

noticed that after i read into it mate

"we'll teach you all the really essential parts to gaining an MCP"

what about the not so really essential? gonna do a longer 1 i think.