Grooming Your IT Career
The world of IT is vast, and some would say lawless and full of pitfalls as well. That’s because so much new technology, ideas and innovations are being produced and marketed every single day.
If you want to start upskilling in this arena, what should you do? As you scroll through what’s available on JobsCentral Learning, the list of courses and certifications seems endless.
Thankfully, you need not navigate this digital jungle alone. We have some tips to narrow down what course you want to take.
1. Where are you in your IT career?
If you are just starting out in the field, we would recommend something thoroughly immersive such as a Degree in Computer Science or apprenticeship programme. While it is a significant time and resource commitment, you will also emerge with a good understanding of the field and a standard qualification suitable for an entry-level job.
If you have more experience or are already employed, chances are, you know more about where you want to go. In which case, you need not commit to a degree but can pick up a course or certification that you’ve been looking at.
2. Where do you want to be in your IT career?
Do you want to switch specialisations, or go further in your chosen area? If you want to make a move from engineering to automation, for example, a few workshops here or there won’t cut it. You’d be better off looking at a long course or even a part-time degree programme.
However, if all that you need is a certificate to show your newfound competency in a certain tool, you might be able to get that from a shorter learning journey. Look into the options available and see what suits you best.
3. How much can you commit?
How much time and money can you put into your upskilling? Degree programmes are especially expensive and time-consuming – and they might not be necessary in this industry that values experience over qualifications. It might be better to take up a traineeship under SGUnited or look for an internship that will let you learn the ropes.
If you’re working, check out how much time you can put aside for learning. Most courses require you to commit at least two or three nights a week, and Saturday as well. Will your other commitments allow that kind of time?
4. What changes are on the horizon in your industry?
Don’t just look at your job, look at how the IT industry is evolving. This is a fast-paced, hyper-dynamic sector where something new is being launched every other day. Look at industry trends, new software updates, and even what your competitors are up to.
Any skills that might be useful for the future? The best time to pick them up is now!
We hope these questions have given you some direction in where you want your IT learning to go. Now go sign up!
