Will taking a course help land a job?

We regularly receive questions from readers asking for advice about how to develop expertise in a particular technical area. The line of questioning frequently goes like this: "I want to start my career, and I need more training. I've considered a course in X. Where can I get that kind of training - or do you think a course in Y would be better?"

This type of question often seems to imply that taking a course in a given subject will qualify someone for a particular job or job title. As we've said many times in this newsletter, education is extremely important to everyone who wants long-term success in any field; it's mandatory in all technical fields. An open, questioning mind and a love of learning are highly desirable traits in the world that our readers inhabit.

Rarely, though, will a specific course or training in one area enable someone without experience to get a "career-starting job." Even for entry-level positions, employers are looking for someone with a baseline level of technical skills in a variety of subjects.

"Stand-alone" courses, classes, seminars and so forth are an essential part of our continuing career development. They provide the specific skills and understanding needed to use new products and technologies. They are extremely useful for people who already have a job. If you have a fairly well-rounded education but little experience, one additional course may improve your chances of getting a job - but don't count on it.

If you're a beginner, let your strategy be to get as well-rounded an education as you possibly can. Be aware that while there are thousands of unfilled positions, the process of looking for your first job when you have no experience can be totally frustrating. You may have to start with a clerical job. If so, take it - and then let your mission in life be to learn all you can about what makes the world around you tick. You probably won't hit a home run your first time at the plate. Just get in the game, and then start working on the specific technologies you need to move up.

On another note, the volume of requests we get from our readers asking for advice on these kinds of topics has become somewhat overwhelming. We wish we could respond to each of you individually, but there simply is no way we could possibly give each of you meaningful help on a personal basis. We read, catalog and cross-reference all of your e-mail and respond to the prevailing questions in newsletter issues such as this one.

Amy Schurr is an editor for Network World's Management Strategies and Features sections. If you have any career topics you'd like her to cover or want to comment on this newsletter, you can reach her at aschurr@nww.com.

Careers index
Past newsletters.

Newsletter: Education and certification inquiries
Network World Fusion Focus, 9/22/98.

Newsletter: Advanced degrees
Network World Fusion Focus, 04/21/99.

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