5 Affordable Ways to Develop Your Career - PeopleCert Certifications

Increase Your Employability & Knowledge

Doing an online course is a fantastic way of developing your career, and not only does it allow you to increase your knowledge and employability, but it means that you can work around your current commitments. With over a whopping 6 million students now enrolled on an online course, according to Online Learning Consortium, distance learning is becoming more popular now than ever. There are a variety of online courses which you can enrol on, from Advanced Certificates to level 7 Diplomas and even Masters Degrees, giving you the knowledge and qualifications in the field you want to work. There are many advantages to online learning including:

• Affordability

One of the key benefits (and of course, the reason it sits at the top of this list!) is that online courses are often far cheaper than those in a classroom setting. From the cost of commuting, school supplies and accommodation, to the course itself, online course cost far less.

• Flexibility

You can work around your current job, social or life commitments, as well as working in a way which suits your learning style.

• Accessibility

Online learning opens a whole world of opportunity from courses on Investing Banking to diplomas in Health and Social Care. At most colleges or universities, the variety of courses will likely not be as broad due to availability of experts in the field, and the chances of finding one close to the area you live (or wish to live) makes the chances even smaller.

• Applicability

The content of many online courses not only helps you in the field you are looking to develop your career, but also other skills including IT skills, critical thinking and research skills.

Work on Your Interpersonal Skills

Having good people skills is a must in any job, whether it’s a customer facing role or working in a team on a project. You can build up your interpersonal skills in a variety of ways, from joining clubs or societies, to doing charity work or even getting a job in a local shop. Even if you think these jobs or hobbies will have you far from where you want to be, being able to meet new people and get on with a variety of people is always an excellent skill to have.

Create a Portfolio of Work

If you are looking to work in a creative industry, creating a portfolio of work is a must; whether you are a keen artist looking to get your work out there, an amateur writer looking to get some articles published or a designer trying to find your way into the fashion industry. In this day and age, creating a portfolio of your work online is especially essential, as you can simply link potential employers to your Google+ account or your own website so they can see what work you’ve done in the past. Not only does this show your dedication to the career you wish to progress in, but it is an easy way of gathering your achievements and showing them to potential employers, clients or customers.

Get Some More Experience

A great way to upgrade your career prospects is to get more experience in the working world. However, if you are looking to properly develop your career, or change the sector you wish to work in, getting work experience will give you a huge advantage when applying for jobs. Having just a few weeks experience working in your chosen environment means you get to know the day to day routines, the practical skills and the knowledge you need to succeed in that career. You can also ask for a reference from your work experience manager which will demonstrate how you did during your time there, and you could even secure a job there once they see how keen and capable you are!

Sign Up for Professional Development Courses

If you are already in employment and are looking for a way to further develop your career, there is usually the opportunity to embark on courses paid for by your employer. Some common courses include Food and Hygiene courses for those working in hospitality, or Marketing and Management courses for those working in that sector. Seeking some professional development courses online or asking your employer if there are any courses they recommend for you, can help you build your professional portfolio without you needing to fork out a fortune, as some of these courses can cost hundreds of pounds!

Progressing in your career can often depend on the sector you are hoping to work in, with different opportunities open to those in healthcare than in IT. However, you are sure to find an affordable online course, or a professional development course, to help you develop your skills you need to get where you want to be. There are thousands of online courses from practical to creative and going out of your way to create a portfolio of your work or gain work experience will demonstrate your passion to progress in your career.

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IT Security: A Secure Career or is IT a Waste of Time - PeopleCert Certifications

Positive, strong IT security can be, for a business, the difference between making a huge, safe profit, and making a disastrous loss.

While most of us use technology to find cat pictures, useful statistics, and to message our sweet grandmothers, there are some who seek to do harm, whether for profit or personal gain.

Protecting themselves is key, so most companies will employ a team of IT security specialists to protect a company’s interests online, monitor any potential threats, and put a logical contingency plan into effect. If a crisis does occur, their skills and specialist knowledge can be put towards damage limitation.

It takes an average of 120 days for a company to discover that its internet security has been compromised.

‘What type of person suits a career in the IT security sector?’

When people first think of computer experts, they might typically think of a very isolated person, however, this simply isn’t the case. It’s crucial that the cybersecurity team are in constant communication with all other departments. They need to send out regular updates, schedule important tests, and most of all, ensure that all other sectors of the business are aware of potential threats which could appear in different forms. It is an unexpectedly social sector.

Why is their salary so high?’

Here are two reasons that need to be considered:

Responsibility

Whether a large, multi-national company, one with only small office space, or simply just an online store page, the IT security department is responsible for any loss of business that comes from a cyber-attack. It’s a large weight to have on one team’s shoulders but if the workload is shared appropriately, it’s a more than manageable responsibility.

Skill Level

When we spoke about a career in administration, the desired qualifications weren’t completely necessary because specific skills could be gained while on the job – at very minimal risk. For a career in IT security, it’s essential that you have the computing knowledge to fend off any attacks and fully understand how to prevent them from day one. Qualifications are necessary.

‘So, what qualifications do I need to work in the IT security sector?’

Employers in this sector will be looking for interest and ability at an early age. GCSEs, A-levels, and/or B-Techs will be a great way of convincing the recruiter that your passion has been present for a long time.

Once these school qualifications are completed, to ensure your passion is clear, you might consider computer science at university. This, however, is not the only path open to you. Like any career, the steps on offer are not the same as anyone else’s and each qualification is different in several ways. Here are just a few courses to consider:

• Certified Penetration Testing Engineer
• Certified Professional Ethical Hacker
• CompTIA Certification Bundle with 4 Exams
• Certified Disaster Recovery Engineer
• Cyber Security for Beginners with 4 Official CompTIA Exams

‘Upon completion, what job title will I realistically be looking at?’

While each course serves a qualification in a certain area – whether preventative or damage limitation – below are several potential job roles which you may find yourself qualified upon completion:

• Cyber Security Investigator
• Cyber Threat Analyst
• IT Security Specialist
• IT Support Technician
• Network Engineer
• Data Centre Manager

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New DevOps Certification: DevOps Leader (DOL) - PeopleCert Certifications

DevOps Leader (DOL)℠

A DevOps Leader is a tactical or strategic individual who helps design, influence, implement or motivate the cultural transformation proven to be a critical success factor in DevOps adoption. This individual understands the human dynamics of cultural change and is equipped with practices, methods and tools to engage people across the DevOps spectrum.

Audience

• Anyone starting or leading a DevOps cultural transformation program
• Anyone interested in modern IT leadership and organisational change approaches
• IT team leaders, managers, directors and business stakeholders
• Practitioners and change agents
• DevOps tool providers, systems integrators, and consultants

Prerequisites

• Completion of an accredited course
• DevOps Foundation® Certificate

Exam Details

• Number of questions: 40 multiple choice questions
• Pass mark: 65% (26 out of 40)
• Open book/notes: no
• Exam duration: 90 minutes (additional time if English is not a candidate’s native language)

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