Studying
 

Not sure about anyone else, but how do you find time to study around working, living, family etc?

I'm struggling to juggle it all and get my I.T Network certifications passed - Mainly so I can be prepared for the potential redundancy situation + to back up what I actually do!

How does anyone find time? The setting up of the labs is a task in its own.

I feel guilty when I don't spend enough time with the family, even though my wife is supportive. On holidays I end up taking a text book - defeating the object really.

Are your workplaces accomodating to do studying in their time? or is it just tough and cram it in when you can? or am I the only one who is sad enough to still be doing exams?

Been a while since I sat any exams, hopefully your CV, experience and achievements will often say far more than a pass on a cert these days...

I try to juggle 2 IT contracts, renovating my house, 4 kids, this forum and sleep somewhere inbetween.. :D

There are a couple of storage exams I could do to pass though for when my main contract expires, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it, no time right now ... !!

My C.V and experience highlight a lot of successful projects, courses and real world experience, but when it comes to the qualifications section I always feel I'm lacking. Aside from GCSE's, RSA's and a BTEC National Diploma in computer studies, I can only boast an MCSA in Windows 2000 and a CCENT. Despite designing, supporting and securing health care data and voice networks for ten years.
I think I should have taken the exams that followed on from the many courses I've attended, but a 5 day course, does not an expert make.

Sounds like you are juggling more than me mate! I think I'll just shut up! What contracts are you working on (are you allowed to say?) and is it self employed? Do you enjoy it?

Remember when I did an MBA in Management - you have to tell the family that it will be worth it and leave you alone for at least 4 nights out of the 7.......

After 18 months, felt like a leper in my own house but so worth it so stick with it and explain to the other half that it will be worth it and its not for ever+++

I've not sat an interview since 2000, its all word of mouth, and these days linked in is enough to make good contacts in the right places.

My skillset revolves around storage, data protection, archiving, redundancy, offsite backup, replication, bla bla bla, Netapp being one of my main skill areas, but pretty strong in the Windows server / Network arena too.....

1 contract is providing pure storage services, and 1 is providing the IT support and infrastructure to A8parts, as I dont work there any more,but Im the obvious person to keep it all running.

I left permanent employment in 2007 to work for myself and havn't looked back.. +++

I tried to pass TOGAF certification exam today and failed.

TOGAF 9 combined exam has two parts. Part 1 I've scored 37 out of 40 (92%). Part 2 I've scored 0 (!) out of 40 (0%). I've filed support ticket to Prometric as I thought it's technical problem. You can't score 0 out of 40 :)

TOGAF is over-hyped, over-philosophical bull****.

My work ended much sooner than I anticipated, I had reckoned on completing my LLB Hons before that time, but hey, that's life.....
I'm a registered carer (with a few problems of my own) as well, so it can get pretty chaotic with late nights and early mornings (rarely!)
So its back to the drawing board..... there's some things in the pipeline workwise, so we'll see....