General Life Lessons: Difference between revisions
CT>Admin (Created page with " = <u>INTRODUCTION</u> = So. I know too much. For my age. I've been called a lot of names by friends and family - and I end up being the person lots of people go to for info...") |
CT>Carlos No edit summary |
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This is a topic that's a sore point for me. One of my friends referred to me as "the most knowledgeable uncertified person" he knows. So let's get into a bit about me first. | This is a topic that's a sore point for me. One of my friends referred to me as "the most knowledgeable uncertified person" he knows. So let's get into a bit about me first. | ||
== A Bit About Me == | == <u>A Bit About Me</u> == | ||
'''<u>PRIMARY CERTIFICATIONS</u>'''<br/> Diebold Certified<br/> WinCor Certified<br/> CompTIA A+ Certified<br/> CompTIA Network+ Certified<br/> Vector Technology Institute Diploma<br/> Comprehensive Computer Systems Certificate<br/> <br/> '''<u>SECONDARY CERTIFICATIONS</u>'''<br/> MS 70-659<br/> HP2-T21<br/> MS 70-410<br/> HP2-T21<br/> MS 70-410<br/> HP2-T25<br/> HP2-T26<br/> HP0-S34<br/> HP0-S35<br/> HP2-H27 (PSG)<br/> <br/> '''<u>SKILLSET (IT)</u>''' | '''<u>PRIMARY CERTIFICATIONS</u>'''<br/> Diebold Certified<br/> WinCor Certified<br/> CompTIA A+ Certified<br/> CompTIA Network+ Certified<br/> Vector Technology Institute Diploma<br/> Comprehensive Computer Systems Certificate<br/> <br/> '''<u>SECONDARY CERTIFICATIONS</u>'''<br/> MS 70-659<br/> HP2-T21<br/> MS 70-410<br/> HP2-T21<br/> MS 70-410<br/> HP2-T25<br/> HP2-T26<br/> HP0-S34<br/> HP0-S35<br/> HP2-H27 (PSG)<br/> <br/> '''<u>SKILLSET (IT)</u>''' | ||
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I started at a university and quit after the first year. This was due to my lack of knowledge, lack of information provided and general frustration. I wanted to finish up school but decided against it after literally wasting a year. I thought I'd have started some courses after my certification at the time would have let me spend 2 years - or so I was told by the department. Turns out I was doing prerequisites that I could probably have skipped with my certifications at the time - and then after checking back with the department I was told I had 4 years left. Wasn't having it. Walked away. | I started at a university and quit after the first year. This was due to my lack of knowledge, lack of information provided and general frustration. I wanted to finish up school but decided against it after literally wasting a year. I thought I'd have started some courses after my certification at the time would have let me spend 2 years - or so I was told by the department. Turns out I was doing prerequisites that I could probably have skipped with my certifications at the time - and then after checking back with the department I was told I had 4 years left. Wasn't having it. Walked away. | ||
=== <u> | === <u>Why Schools Change Requirements</u> === | ||
This is something I found out much later and wish it was explained up front. While I'm not sure about anywere else in the world, we have an accreditation system in Jamaica that requires universities to recertify themselves every 7 years I believe. If you happen to be enrolled or graduating at the point when the school is redoing their accreditation - and your course requirements change based on the certifying bodies - then your credits required to graduate may increase, or additional courses may become mandatory. This information isn't public knowledge and it should be. Persons could then make educated decisions on how to proceed with their courses. | This is something I found out much later and wish it was explained up front. While I'm not sure about anywere else in the world, we have an accreditation system in Jamaica that requires universities to recertify themselves every 7 years I believe. If you happen to be enrolled or graduating at the point when the school is redoing their accreditation - and your course requirements change based on the certifying bodies - then your credits required to graduate may increase, or additional courses may become mandatory. This information isn't public knowledge and it should be. Persons could then make educated decisions on how to proceed with their courses. | ||
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Now on to this topic which is a bit.....touchy. It also comes back to the time I spent (wasted) at university. I was doing a biology class and got somewhere about 95% on the paper I did. The instructor then asked me if I could "repeat what I did on that paper". I wasn't sure what he meant, because it was a topic that I knew, understood and could teach others if it came to it. I was then told that I would be guaranteed a pass if I could do the same thing once more. While I had some idea of what he was saying, it wasn't until those of us who wrote papers on similar topics were grouped together. There was someone in my group that got 98% on their paper. They had absolutely no idea about the topic, and when we exchanged papers for getting ideas from others and discussion, I realized that this person wrote stuff out almost verbatim from the book. They had learned how to memorize and regurgitate the information fed, but had no idea what it meant. | Now on to this topic which is a bit.....touchy. It also comes back to the time I spent (wasted) at university. I was doing a biology class and got somewhere about 95% on the paper I did. The instructor then asked me if I could "repeat what I did on that paper". I wasn't sure what he meant, because it was a topic that I knew, understood and could teach others if it came to it. I was then told that I would be guaranteed a pass if I could do the same thing once more. While I had some idea of what he was saying, it wasn't until those of us who wrote papers on similar topics were grouped together. There was someone in my group that got 98% on their paper. They had absolutely no idea about the topic, and when we exchanged papers for getting ideas from others and discussion, I realized that this person wrote stuff out almost verbatim from the book. They had learned how to memorize and regurgitate the information fed, but had no idea what it meant. | ||
=== | === <u>EDUCATED FOOLS</u> === | ||
Moving into the working world full-time lead me to understand what was going on even further. Many persons in ever single industry may be there because they got good scores, but have no idea what they're actually doing. Most people learn on the job - with the exception of industry specific training, many persons will say that things they learned in school did not help much in the working world. You end up becoming an apprentice or understudy of someone else and learn the ropes. You may then apply some things from what you learned in school to make the job easier, but many times it doesn't help. | Moving into the working world full-time lead me to understand what was going on even further. Many persons in ever single industry may be there because they got good scores, but have no idea what they're actually doing. Most people learn on the job - with the exception of industry specific training, many persons will say that things they learned in school did not help much in the working world. You end up becoming an apprentice or understudy of someone else and learn the ropes. You may then apply some things from what you learned in school to make the job easier, but many times it doesn't help. | ||
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The problem is, we have persons in leadership roles - in companies and governments - that may have the certification in the field, but have no knowledge of how things work or how to actually do the job. The term "educated fools" comes to mind, but the meaning behind it is so much deeper. | The problem is, we have persons in leadership roles - in companies and governments - that may have the certification in the field, but have no knowledge of how things work or how to actually do the job. The term "educated fools" comes to mind, but the meaning behind it is so much deeper. | ||
=== | === <u>TRAINING FOR A JOB / INDUSTRY CERTIFICATION</u> === | ||
If you want a job in a specific industry, it's always best to go through the motions and figure it out. The problem as students is - many times you may not know what you want to do. If you can't figure it out then go with what may be easier for you to do. It took me some time to come to terms with the fact that.........some people are just like that. | If you want a job in a specific industry, it's always best to go through the motions and figure it out. The problem as students is - many times you may not know what you want to do. If you can't figure it out then go with what may be easier for you to do. It took me some time to come to terms with the fact that.........some people are just like that. | ||
Revision as of 17:16, 8 March 2020
INTRODUCTION
So. I know too much. For my age. I've been called a lot of names by friends and family - and I end up being the person lots of people go to for info and advice, so I thought - why not just put it out there for everyone to benefit? So let's get into this.
DISCLAIMER
I'm a religious type. I don't have anything against anyone regardless of race, colour, gender or sexual preferences. If I say stuff that offends you then I apologize. The internet is a big place - you can find somewhere else to search for general stuff.
The information expressed here is entirely my opinion and should not be taken as professional advice.
I have always had a tendency to be long-winded. I beat around the bush a lot too, but if you can wade through the bushes you'll eventually get to the point.
UPDATES
This section will be updated and more details added as I am able to.
School & Education
This is a topic that's a sore point for me. One of my friends referred to me as "the most knowledgeable uncertified person" he knows. So let's get into a bit about me first.
A Bit About Me
PRIMARY CERTIFICATIONS
Diebold Certified
WinCor Certified
CompTIA A+ Certified
CompTIA Network+ Certified
Vector Technology Institute Diploma
Comprehensive Computer Systems Certificate
SECONDARY CERTIFICATIONS
MS 70-659
HP2-T21
MS 70-410
HP2-T21
MS 70-410
HP2-T25
HP2-T26
HP0-S34
HP0-S35
HP2-H27 (PSG)
SKILLSET (IT)
- Hardware installation and troubleshooting.
- Hardware repairs.
- Software installation and troubleshooting.
- Data recovery.
- PC electronics diagnostics.
- General IT networking. Copper and wireless.
- Camera system configurations.
- IP PBX system setup and configurations.
I started at a university and quit after the first year. This was due to my lack of knowledge, lack of information provided and general frustration. I wanted to finish up school but decided against it after literally wasting a year. I thought I'd have started some courses after my certification at the time would have let me spend 2 years - or so I was told by the department. Turns out I was doing prerequisites that I could probably have skipped with my certifications at the time - and then after checking back with the department I was told I had 4 years left. Wasn't having it. Walked away.
Why Schools Change Requirements
This is something I found out much later and wish it was explained up front. While I'm not sure about anywere else in the world, we have an accreditation system in Jamaica that requires universities to recertify themselves every 7 years I believe. If you happen to be enrolled or graduating at the point when the school is redoing their accreditation - and your course requirements change based on the certifying bodies - then your credits required to graduate may increase, or additional courses may become mandatory. This information isn't public knowledge and it should be. Persons could then make educated decisions on how to proceed with their courses.
EDUCATION / LEARNING / CERTIFICATION
Now on to this topic which is a bit.....touchy. It also comes back to the time I spent (wasted) at university. I was doing a biology class and got somewhere about 95% on the paper I did. The instructor then asked me if I could "repeat what I did on that paper". I wasn't sure what he meant, because it was a topic that I knew, understood and could teach others if it came to it. I was then told that I would be guaranteed a pass if I could do the same thing once more. While I had some idea of what he was saying, it wasn't until those of us who wrote papers on similar topics were grouped together. There was someone in my group that got 98% on their paper. They had absolutely no idea about the topic, and when we exchanged papers for getting ideas from others and discussion, I realized that this person wrote stuff out almost verbatim from the book. They had learned how to memorize and regurgitate the information fed, but had no idea what it meant.
EDUCATED FOOLS
Moving into the working world full-time lead me to understand what was going on even further. Many persons in ever single industry may be there because they got good scores, but have no idea what they're actually doing. Most people learn on the job - with the exception of industry specific training, many persons will say that things they learned in school did not help much in the working world. You end up becoming an apprentice or understudy of someone else and learn the ropes. You may then apply some things from what you learned in school to make the job easier, but many times it doesn't help.
The problem is, we have persons in leadership roles - in companies and governments - that may have the certification in the field, but have no knowledge of how things work or how to actually do the job. The term "educated fools" comes to mind, but the meaning behind it is so much deeper.
TRAINING FOR A JOB / INDUSTRY CERTIFICATION
If you want a job in a specific industry, it's always best to go through the motions and figure it out. The problem as students is - many times you may not know what you want to do. If you can't figure it out then go with what may be easier for you to do. It took me some time to come to terms with the fact that.........some people are just like that.
I had a friend that was extremely frustrating. Between myself and other friends, we paid for courses and had direct hands-on training done to get this friend as much experience as possible. This would ensure that walking into an interview, there would be no doubt that they'd be an ideal candidate for the specific job. All efforts were wasted, exams paid for were not done and course material provided was not used. In the end, they will have to make their own way.
Back on topic - if you decide on a job (something you'll do) or a career (something you love/enjoy) then focus on doing that. Find out which courses/classes will take you to the goal and head in that direction.