Training Seminars/Lectures/Courses advice needed

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Are they after Certs, or general areas of knowledge?

This is where the 'where do you see yourself in 5 years time' question from your interview comes in!

Cert/area wise, I'd react to that question with the following:

assistance in finishing CCNA/NP, then investment in CCDA/P, as my manager-to-be knows I want to move into design.

I would also ask for Project+/PMP or Prince2, as I believe the ability to Project Manage is quite important when moving into the design field.

For the 'here-and-now' section of the job, or if you want to progress into helpdesk management, then I would start thinking of MCSA or MOS.

Of course, it depends where you want to be later on in life. Try asking them to put you through and intesive drinking course, then a quick 'how to skateboard' course. That could be fun

 

Check out what your company's development plan is; any training is good, but relevant training is better

Prince2, I believe, is for project managers with experience in the IT sector. I personally will do something like PMP first to ease myself in, as I'll only be doing minor projects for the first few years of my career.

If your company is upgrading to Vista, then go for Vista training. If you're moving platforms completely, then you might want to consider a Linux cert (but I haven't got much of a clue when it comes to *nix, so you'll have to ask someone else...it's on my learning wish list, but a bit of the way down!)

People skills wise, check out what your local college or Uni does. I live near Coventry, and they have a 'centre of lifelong learning'. They run short courses (normally 8-16 weeks) for management basics, communication, assertiveness, etc. I have been on the assertiveness course, and it does help. Alternatively you can see what the OU offer, as they have some find standalone diplomas, and if your workplace doesn't completely help you out on the finance, there are schemes for funding too.

For a consultancy, work experience is the key really. But I would personally say project management, management studies, and then the areas of IT that you want to embellish. What do you want to consult on? How far do you want to go? My perception of a consultant is they are quite specialised. If I were to go into design consultancy (which is the dream if I don't get my novel published!) I would head for the CCIE Service Provider Cert. I would by this point have my (part time study) degree in Computing and Mathematical Science. I would then do a Masters (as I had planned from A Levels) in business. To get to my perception of how specialised Consultants are One day I'll get there. But I'll be in my mid thirties, as I also want to have some lift in between!

It depends how deep and how far you want to go. Learning-wise, the world is a tap, you are a sponge. How much do you think you can absorb?