Things You'll Need:
- Computer
- Internet Connection
- Word or Notpad for notes.
- Phone
- Car to visit your schools
- Patience
-
Step 1
First you need to decide what type of training you want. New to the industry then basic A+ or Network+ certification course will be perfect. If your in the IT industry identify the courses that will help you move up in the company or industry. I stress certification courses because you should walk away from training with the ability to have something valuable like a certification. For more certifications check out the links below.
-
Step 2
Quick Google search in your area for IT Schools that offer training in the certifications your like. Make sure to indicate the certification name & "training" & your location unless you can travel. I also recommend looking at some of the sites listed below such as computertrainingschools.com. Yes they get paid for sending people to schools, but it does list all the schools in your area.
-
Step 3
You now have a list of schools in the area before you jump in do a little more research. See if you can study for this certification on your own if you can motivate yourself. Check some of the sites below like Brainbuzz.com which has some really neat study guides and information on IT Certifications.
-
Step 4
If you can't study on your own or you know you won't set the time aside to pass the exams you need live training. If you decide you need live training you have another decision to make do you want "live" training face to face or will online "live" training work for you. For online training ask yourself if you have a quiet place at home to "live" train, and if you do will you do set aside the time to do the IT training. On the flip side do you have time to drive to face to face training and can you afford it?
-
Step 5
You decided you wanted to take some "face to face" instructor led training. This should narrow your list down to 2-6 schools in your area. Next check out there sites or fill out an inquiry e-mail if you don't have time to surf for long. Your looking to get a feel for the school do they have testimonials? are the testimonials real? What types of training do they offer only IT training or do they offer other training as well? If so will they be as good at IT training?
-
Step 6
Once you have 3 schools in mind call them up or e-mail them and ask for pricing information. They will try their hardest to get you to come in and "see" the school hold out a bit. Compare what they sent you and what they offer. Will they help you get a job afterwards, guarantee you'll get certified, were they nice, what was the price like?
-
Step 7
Finally visit your top 2 choices at least, if you have time top 3 schools. What do the classrooms look like, are they clean and organized? Do you have your own computer to work with or do you have to share one? Did the instructor seem to know what he was talking about? What is the refund policy (each state has different rules for this)? Can you re-take the course or parts of it?
-
Step 8
The one last thing to check is what type of curriculum do they use? Some of the curriculums sponsored by the vendors like Cisco can be very good. However some vendors curriculum like some Microsoft courses aren't very good. So don't reject a school if they have their own curriculum just ask to see an example and then decide.
-
Step 9
Finally compare price and refund policy. The rest will be up to you. Remember no matter how good the training if you don't study and practice they can't make you get certified.
