How to Obtain Career Training in Computer Technology

If you could turn back the clock and get more education, a better job, a career you would love, would you do it? Of course–but there's no reason to turn back time. No matter your age or situation, you can get training that will help you live a better life. A few steps is all it takes to get a fresh start.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Narrow your options. The Computer Technology field is huge and you want something that will work for you the first time. Take the MAPP test at a site like Assessment.com to help you decide what kind of career training to focus on.

2. Choose your study location. Career schools can help you learn computer technology at a school or from your computer. Decide which works better for you to help you search for the right school.

3. Choose your school. Use a career school search tool like the one at AllCareerSchools. Make sure to narrow your search by your interests and where you want to learn from.

4. Check out the locals. Even the smallest towns have short courses that you can take to jump-start your learning or refresh what you already know.

5. Go the extra mile. To get your foot in the door, you need to be armed with a big weapon–a resume that employers can't resist. Learn outside of school by volunteering or interning with a company that performs computer technology tasks.

6. Consider specialty courses. Instead of hitting a career school or local classes, look into specializing in a certain software. Microsoft and Adobe, for example, each have a certification plan that lets you teach their products to others.

Tips & Warnings

• The fastest growing careers in Computer Technology include jobs in Network Administration, Computer Software Engineering, and Database Administration. Focus on one of these if you want job security.
• Once you land a job, keep learning. By getting your Associate or Bachelor's degree, your wages jump to $40-50,000 a year, on average.
• Some employers will try to get you to perform on-the-job training without pay. This is illegal–if you participate in on-the-job training, the employer (or potential employer) has to pay you for it.