Wes Bucey
Prophet of Profit
Note: this post is extracted from a deleted thread and placed here because it might have benefit for folks worrying about getting more or better credentials in terms of education or training to help them in the job market.
We'd like to hear your positive or negative experiences in either on-site or "distance learning" courses you may have taken to help you get a leg up in the job market.
A newbie wrote: Where can I get accredited distance learning for [insert field of your choice here]?
Wow! An opportunity to help someone learn "problem solving!"
When we counsel folks about job hunting, job changing, job promotion, etc., we usually ask them to create and complete a grid or table listing their likes, dislikes, skills, experience, credentials, etc. and compare those in some meaningful way with what would be attractive or not attractive to potential employers. Depending on personal circumstances, the grid can be extended to include multiple industries or multiple employers in a single industry. The lists can be rearranged according to priorities of the individual or industry. Once a grid is as complete as possible, the individual conducts a gap analysis between his wants, don't wants, abilities, etc. and the requirements of the various industries or companies.
If there is sufficient desire, the individual can enroll in training or other education to fill the gaps.
Finding that training is not particularly hard. First look up institutions or other organizations which provide such training, narrow the list to those which are accredited to the Standards required by the company or industry the individual has selected. Sometimes the answer to this can be as simple as a google search or a fast phone call to the HR department of any company in the chosen industry; sometimes more elaborate research is required.
Once the list of training organizations is determined, examine each rigorously for items such as
Knowledge is power! However, it is power only if you truly get it and assimilate it. You don't get knowledge or power by osmosis! This means you must commit to and complete the course once started.
I recall forty years ago, the advice columnist, Ann Landers, had someone write to her,
"I'm forty years old. If I go back to school part-time to get a degree so I can get the job really want, it will take me ten years and I'll be fifty years old!"
Ann's response,
"How old will you be in ten years if you DON'T go and still can't get the job you want?
We'd like to hear your positive or negative experiences in either on-site or "distance learning" courses you may have taken to help you get a leg up in the job market.
A newbie wrote: Where can I get accredited distance learning for [insert field of your choice here]?
Wow! An opportunity to help someone learn "problem solving!"
When we counsel folks about job hunting, job changing, job promotion, etc., we usually ask them to create and complete a grid or table listing their likes, dislikes, skills, experience, credentials, etc. and compare those in some meaningful way with what would be attractive or not attractive to potential employers. Depending on personal circumstances, the grid can be extended to include multiple industries or multiple employers in a single industry. The lists can be rearranged according to priorities of the individual or industry. Once a grid is as complete as possible, the individual conducts a gap analysis between his wants, don't wants, abilities, etc. and the requirements of the various industries or companies.
If there is sufficient desire, the individual can enroll in training or other education to fill the gaps.
Finding that training is not particularly hard. First look up institutions or other organizations which provide such training, narrow the list to those which are accredited to the Standards required by the company or industry the individual has selected. Sometimes the answer to this can be as simple as a google search or a fast phone call to the HR department of any company in the chosen industry; sometimes more elaborate research is required.
Once the list of training organizations is determined, examine each rigorously for items such as
- satisfied graduates
- praise from organizations which hire graduates
- placement services for graduates
- credentials of teaching staff
- cost
- etc.
Knowledge is power! However, it is power only if you truly get it and assimilate it. You don't get knowledge or power by osmosis! This means you must commit to and complete the course once started.
I recall forty years ago, the advice columnist, Ann Landers, had someone write to her,
"I'm forty years old. If I go back to school part-time to get a degree so I can get the job really want, it will take me ten years and I'll be fifty years old!"
Ann's response,
"How old will you be in ten years if you DON'T go and still can't get the job you want?
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