If you’re considering taking a Microsoft training course, we’re here to give you an idea of what to expect!
In the game of employment and navigating the career ladder, certification is your trump card. Relevant, up-to-date certifications are proof of your skill level and competence within your field, and also give a standard which prospective employers can use to compare applicants.
In today’s competitive job market, it doesn’t matter as much whether you have years of experience unless you have the qualifications and certifications to prove it.
Because of this, many IT professionals, both entry level and well-seasoned, are turning to Microsoft training courses to help them gain the certifications they need to progress forward in their field or help them on their employment journey.
With this in mind, in this article we’ll be taking a closer look at what you can expect from your Microsoft training course.
Expect to be Overwhelmed with Choices!
As they represent the gold-standard in computing, Microsoft offers a large number of different courses, from the general and entry level, to the more expert and niche options. When you first start your search for your perfect certification, it’s important to have a clear image in mind of the skills you want to learn or refine.
You’ll also notice the huge range of course providers with flashy websites and bold claims. Don’t get sucked in to this! Instead do some digging, find reliable testimonials, and look for course providers which are ‘Microsoft Gold Learning Partners’, as this means that they are recognized by Microsoft as supplying high-quality training actually designed to help participants pass their exams.
Expect to Invest Money in Yourself
Of course, few certifications and exams are ever free, so you should expect to invest in yourself and your future through the financial outlay of your chosen course.
Quality Microsoft courses usually cost between $3,000-$9,000, depending on the length and complexity of the course, exams taken, and how the course is presented.
Many companies will offer comprehensive packages, which will include flights to the campus, training, exams (including one retake), food, and accommodation. Some certification services will also offer you the choice of studying on or off campus, which can help reduce costs and keep you close to your workplace if needed.
While the initial financial outlay may seem expensive and hard to stomach, it is important to remember that you are investing in your future and career progression.
It is also worth noting that with certification typically comes increased pay and higher-level job opportunities, which will very quickly cover your initial outlay and beyond.
Expect Expert Tutors and Professional Staff
Any certification program which has received ‘Microsoft Gold Learning Partner’ status have only the most experienced and expert tutors with real world knowledge and experience in the IT field.
Your tutor(s) will be friendly, professional and able to answer all the questions you have pertinent to the course. They will deliver the course in a targeted way, allowing you to retain all the important information you need to succeed in a short time span.
They will also be able to offer you seasoned advice, which will help you both at your workplace and also to pass the exams at the end of your training.
Expect Group Training
Unless your employer has paid for a private group training session, you can expect to learn in a group setting with participants potentially from all around the US.
This is great because it allows you to network and make friends with fellow IT professionals, allowing you to exchange knowledge and tips and tricks of the trade while you learn!
Don’t worry about overcrowding, though! When group training is mentioned, it isn’t a classroom setting and will usually only be between 4-10 people. Group learning is ideal when it comes to IT certification, because it closely mimics a workplace setting with individuals working in teams to achieve a common goal.
This can be a valuable opportunity to learn teamwork skills if you’re a newly graduated professional, and also helps to put many participants who’ve been out of education for some time at ease, as it closely mimics what they’re already used to at work.
Expect Professional and Friendly Conduct
A Microsoft Gold Standard course will always have tutors which are consummate professionals. They will always carry themselves in a professional manner, and will interact with you in a friendly manner, treating you as the professional that you are. While this is a training session, you won’t be treated as if you’re at school.
You will instead will be valued as though you are a colleague or a member of the team, allowing you to learn at ease in a relaxed and conducive environment.
This type of learning environment will help ensure you are able to learn and retain information in a way that is useful not just for passing your exams, but also for years to come in your place of work.