Market Research
Are you interested in starting or changing your career into the Information Technology field? Do you want to find employment after you complete your training?
There are a lot of claims made by training providers about salaries, certifications and jobs. Our aim is to make resources and facts available for students to help them make informed decisions about starting the right training program. We want to give them a competitive advantage which will benefit them the most in securing employment.
When it comes to your education and career—which has a very huge impact on your life—it is your responsiblity to research the claims made by training providers before you sign up for their training program.
In order to make a successful career change, students must research the following areas:
1. The field of interest. Know the facts regarding the current and future demand of the field you are interested in.
2. The job market. Research the job market to understand the skills employers are looking for along with requirements to qualify for the job.
3. The Training provider. This is the most important step in your research. After you have researched the job market you want to find a training program which will help you qualify for those jobs.
Step 1 - Field Research
"Setting clear goals for us and our students is the first step in a successful career change. Being honest, upfront and setting realistic expectations is even more important"
CCTC is committed to helping you succeed. Please review the information below to educate yourself about various fields. Follow the easy steps below:
- Decide on which career path you would like to follow within the Information Technology field. (Software Development, Desktop Support Specialist, Network Administration, etc)
- Research the wages information on the Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics website by state. Follow this link for wages information for computer related jobs in Illinois.
CCTC's Career Change Program:
Our Career Change Training program prepares our students for the following types of jobs. (The links below will take you to Computer Support Specialist occupation information on Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics website)
Computer Support Specialist:
Students who work as Computer Support Specialists can usually transition into one of the following fields after a few years of experience:
Network and Computer Systems Administrators:
Source: Department of Labor
Computer Systems Analysts:
Source:Department of Labor
Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts:
Source: Department of Labor
Step 2 - Job Market Research
"Knowing what kind of skills employers are looking for is key in selecting a training program that will help you secure employment."
Once you have decided upon a career path you want to follow within the Information Technology field, it’s time to research the job market to get a better idea of what employers want. Follow the steps below:
- Visit major job websites and perform a nationwide search for the type of job you are seeking. The nationwide search will result in maximum job postings and will give you a better understanding of required skills and experience in order to qualify for a job. You will also be able to see the earning potential in your field as you gain more experience.
- Job Sites: www.monster.com www.careerbuilder.comwww.computerjobs.com www.dice.com www.craigslist.com
- Go through various job postings and write down the requirements, responsibilities & duties for each one. We suggest you write down the experience level for each job, the technical skills required, the certifications required, etc.
- After you have made your list you will notice that just certifications are not going to help you secure employment. You will also notice that employers want you to know a wide range of technologies which are not found in cookie cutter certification based training programs.
- This should give you a good understanding of what you need to learn in order to secure employment. Your next step is to find a training program which will get you there. This is where your research will pay off and your knowledge of the job market will help you make the most important decision, a decision that will change your life and career.
Are you ready to take control of your life and your career? Call 630-372-0100.
