I became redundant from my last job with Cap Gemini at a time when there was a big downturn in I.T. spending. So I was unable to find another computing job and decided to get some training. I took the Master CIW Web Site Manager course.
In the meantime, I needed to keep a roof over my head, to keep paying the bills, so I took a low-paid job in an ASDA warehouse whilst I was studying. I took my coursework into work and studied in my breaks, following up at home.
The rotating shifts (mornings/afternoons) didn't help but I never gave a thought to giving-up. It's been a long haul but I took my last exam (Server Admin) on Thursday 12th June and passed with a score of 83%. My Master CIW Web SIte Manager certificate is in the post and I am about to become redundant again later this year. I am, however in a much better, more marketable, position and am confident of finding a new job soon.
Thanks
-Ian
Since I started this course, I have been able to set up a web site for my friends and colleagues which has elevated me at my place of work. I have also received a lot of proposals and job opportunities, in fact with this experience I need not look job because I am self sustained now. people have been calling me for various job such as web-site designs, site creation and many more.At the moment am on the verge looking for an office space to start off an office. I must sincerely thank the skill train school for this exposure and have recommended them to some of my friends.
-Oluyemi
My partner's boss was having problems viewing the contents of a file that had been sent to him via e-mail.
He had heard that I was doing this course and phoned me to see if I could help. I talked him through changing his security settings and this enabled him to view his file. He was pleased with the help he'd received as he said he'd been struggling with it for some time.
The thing I was most pleased about was the fact that I automatically knew how to help, and was able to give that help over the phone. A few months ago I would have been just as stuck as he was!
I currently work as a nurse and have only owned a computer for 18 months, prior to this I had very little experience of using a computer and any attempts to get information from the internet had only led to frustration.
To start from such humble beginnings was a daunting task but one in which I was determined, and still am. I am often plagued with self doubt that I could ever know enough to do this for a living. So, for me, solving my partner's boss' problem was a huge achievement. It May not win any awards but it has made me believe in myself!
-Amanda
I have completed 4 TMA's so far this month plus one resubmitted, this is a massive achievement as I have been averaging only 1 or 2 a month. I also have an interview lined up to enter a BA Hons course.
-Carol
I have managed to do my coursework under real pressure off having a mental illness. Bipolar is manic Depression but I hear voices too. So getting my coursework done and my TMAs can be very difficult but I managed it. even though I was very depressed. Just goes to show nothing is impossible if you put your mind to it.
-Garry
I passed my foundation exam and despite having a fire in my flat, computer failure and being under serious financial pressure I came through it all to achieve my goal.
I've built my website and created my own SQL database and CMS. I have also constructed my computer and setup my own home LAN.
-Kim
Since doing my course non of my colleagues knew how much I knew about website design. When my Cheif Executive found this out I was given a 4 month secondment within the IT Department within the company. I am now help to create websites for our clients and also creating the new company website. I have also been ask to create some Flash images which is one of my favourite areas I have studied in my course. I am also project managing a system to reduce the work load of the accounts department. If I can prove how excited I am about creating the websites I hope I get offered to take on more.
-James
I'm extremely delighted that I have successfully completed the CCNP certification requirements and became CCNP certified.
It has been very long and exhausted journey which started back on October 2004. I began the course with N+ and I was doing pretty well according to my TMA results and in the same time I learned the basics & principles of Networking.
Unfortunately, I have had personal & family problems which drifted me away from pursuing my studying for more than 8 months, however, I always stayed positive & optimistic, knowing that I've got faith on my self & determination to achieve my goal regardless of all the circumstances.
So, back again to study with a lot of enthusiasm and by the end of autumn 2005 I completed N+ and then I started straight away with CCNA Introduction then CCNA ICND, I studied from books for the author Wendell Odom which Skills Train provided me along with their course materials, he is awesome really great author, I like his method of explain things in interesting style.
It took me more than a year and half to complete my CCNA certification, but by that time I was so confident to go and apply the online exam which I passed with score 949/1000 from the first go.
I didn't waste any time, immediately started the CCNP route beginning with Building Converged Cisco Multilayer Switched Networks (BCMSN 642-812) to be honest that was the most difficult exam ever I faced but I manage to pass with 879/1000 from the first go. So, I jumped to the next course The Building Scalable Cisco Internetworks (BSCI 642-901) I really enjoyed that course and I managed to pass the exam with score 977/1000 from the first go.
By that time I've gained a lot of confidence & the fear, anxious about the exam has disappeared, I also learned how to deal with questions and more important to understand them very well in order to get the full marks.
For the last two exams The Implementing Secure Converged Wide Area Networks (ISCW 642-825) & Optimizing Converged Cisco Networks (642-845 ONT) I studied very hard up to 10 hours a day, eventually I managed to pass with remarkable score, Yes my score was 1000/1000!!! for each exam from the first go!
As I mentioned earlier it has been really long journey & I have learnt a lot of skills in IT and in Networking particularly.
I would like to say that the help & support I received from Skills Train either through Emails, Live Internet Training, Labs or through Cisco Academy was inexpressible and I am extremely grateful for your assistance and advice which guided me all my way through to achieve the CCNP certification.
-Ahmed
I have personally found the courses very hard but I have achieved the last 4 tma at 100%, have also been offered a new job role at my company after they found out I was taking the courses
-Paul
I am very happy to have commenced this course. At 40 I have been in the Electrical/Electronics Industry for 20 years but work wasn't always available and decided to take a change of direction in my career.
I find the course fascinating when relating to my everyday use of my pc and how things work.I would recommend it to anyone who was looking for a change in a mundane dead-end job.Thank you skillstrain for opening my eyes
-Owen
I think my Tutor marked assignments have been very good, since I have started doing the A+ course. I have now completed part A and B of Essentials and Enterprise technician and waiting to do the two exams. I am currently doing N+ part B; I have already completed part A. Once I have worked through the tutor marked assignments for N+ I will then attempt the exam. Then I can start the CCNA part of the course, which for me this main and most important part. Before taking on this course, I had very good understanding about computer. However with good progression I have learnt a great deal about the core of computing and networking. My knowledge and understanding of computer is better now, I feel confident enough to teach other about computers.
Whilst doing the A+ course I have been building my own personal computer at home. I have also become a family technician. I helped my friend build his own computer from scratch and help family members' set-up home networking and wireless connection. Friends and family call me for advice about computers and any problems they come across. Using the A+ knowledge I have also managed to maintain computer to good working standard. I am only three exams away from completing two thirds of the course. I will hopefully start looking for new jobs related to A+ and N+.
-Zia
I have been working a 50 hour week in a busy IT department in Stockport, Manchester as well as working 20 hours a weekend in a bar doing pub work to fund my course. Despite all of the working hours I have still managed in the last month to have submitted 6 TMA's with none scoring less than 90%.
-Richard
After being diagnosed with cancer l thought that was the end of everything including my capability of studying. The only thing that keeps me going even if l suffer a lot from chemotherapy side effects is my College Course as it is the only thing that gives me a reason to want to live even more. This month l have passed with an average of 92%.
-Nkosilathi
|
