PC ProSchools - The Click

Does this economy have you feeling like Scrooge. Last month at the recent graduation ceremony of PC ProSchools spirits were high. With over 70% of graduates already working in the IT industry and rest actively interviewing there was little worry as to the outcome of this holiday season. I LOVED what I overheard….

“Last year I couldn’t afford Christmas presents for my kids. I was scrambling around to find whatever I could at the dollar store. I never felt worse. Now in my new IT job I am making $47,000 and when I got my first paycheck I couldn’t believe how much was left over. It is going to be a happy holiday in our house this year,”

‘Tis the season to be jolly!

Last week the world lost a professor that taught us more in one lecture now coined the “The Last Lecture” than all of his computer lectures combined. Randy Pausch died last week surrounded by his family at age 47. If you have not heard his lecture or experienced his words of wisdom, you must. I feel blessed to have heard him speak. It changed me forever. I know it will change you too!

http://download.srv.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/

Over 100 graduates and their guests filed into the Country Inn & Suites in Brookfield, WI on a rainy summer evening last week to celebrate a six month journey to becoming an IT professional.

Last December, students in track 100 began their journey at the Brookfield Campus of PC ProSchools.  The track contained manufacturers, construction workers, secretaries, retail representatives and office workers. All committed to changing their lives and becoming  Help Desk Analysts, Network Administrators or PC Technicians to name just a few.

The Commencement ceremony began with a Welcoming Address from Campus Director Laura Polancich. Polancich, whose primary responsibility at PC Pro Schools is to provide job placement services was proud to congratulate the more than half of the graduating class that had already secured a job in the high paying IT industry and made a commitment to continue assisting those still searching. Next  I presented an Executive Address and Lead Instructor Jim Cranston stood before the class for his final lecture, so to speak. He challenged them to continue learning always and explained how proud he is to now call them colleagues in the IT Industry.

The Keynote Address was delivered by John Danovich, a Tier 2 Help Desk Analyst at Primex Wireless and a former graduate of PC ProSchools from 1 year ago. He chronicled his journey, sharing how different his life is now. He shared how he did exactly what PC ProSchools’ faculty told him to do and offered the same advice to the graduates so they could experience the same success he now has.

The mood was high as the evening concluded with a punch and cake reception where families, graduates and faculty shared memories and hope for promising new futures. Graduate Daniel Kral shared “It is really exciting to know I am going somewhere with my life instead of staying in a dead end job.” Kral is now working as a Network Technician at Aurora.

Another successful track! Life is good!

Entering the IT Industry is more than just going to work and managing computer networks.  It’s about entering a new type of network. A professional network where you can connect with other IT professionals about solutions and new initiatives. According to LinkedIn.com there are 16.5 million users, with 241 professional IT groups. So why Get Linked In:  Here are 4 good reasons.

1.   You can get introduced to the people you need.
When you need to reach a professional, LinkedIn will tell you who can introduce you to the person you need.

2.    You can find professionals your friends can vouch for.
Don’t just search the web for people. Search the people your friends know and can recommend.

3.     You can keep up with friends, former classmates and colleagues.
LinkedIn makes it easy to hear news about their careers, projects and professional lives.
With LinkedIn, you hear about opportunities in your network, even if your friends don’t tell you about them.

4.      You can build your relationships.
When a connection asks you to make an introduction, you build that relationship.

So what are you waiting for…join today at http://www.linkedin.com !

http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/06/15/20-ways-to-use-linkedin-productively/

Would you call yourself a hands-on learner? Most students at PC ProSchools are. The majority of our program is hands-on; yet, lecture is still necessary for presenting important information. How can you make even the lecture hands-on? ……..with NOTE TAKING!

Because we forget almost half of what we hear within an hour, it is very important to write down information you need to remember.  Note taking in class is often a three-step process:

    1. Before you even attend class, read the textbook assignment and review any notes from previous classes.  This refreshes your memory and helps you recognize concepts your instructor expects you to learn.

    2. During class, listen to what the instructor says and spend time thinking about it.  Make sure you ask questions when you don’t understand so you don’t leave feeling confused.  Write notes about the important points — watch your instructor for clues, either verbal - “this is important” or nonverbal - body language indicating that he/she thinks it’s important.   

    3.    Review your notes as soon as you can after class. You can fill in points you weren’t able to write down and can also make sure your notes make sense to you while you can still remember what happened! If you have questions, write them down and take them to your study group or the instructor for clarification.

Student Dan Kral shared, “Lecture helps, yes, but for me personally a lot of the hands-on stuff is where I really learn and retain the knowledge.”

So, next time you are in lecture… make it hands-on and take notes!

On July 4, 1776, we claimed our independence from Great Britain and America as we know it was born. Every day thousands leave their homelands to come to the “land of the free and the home of the brave” so they can begin their American Dream. Every year thousands turn to PC ProSchools to fulfill that dream through our Help Desk/MCSA program and many of them are the very service men and women who are defending or have defended our freedom.   A sincere Thank You goes out to our PC ProSchools’ students and graduates who have fought for our freedom!The United States is truly a diverse nation made up of dynamic people. I feel blessed to live in a country where we can truly change our lives and I feel doubly blessed to work for a school that can help people do that!

Happy 4th of July!

Even before attending PC ProSchools, Andrew Wedge, a student at our Grand Rapids, MI campus,  had an interest in starting a business in the IT field. During class, Andy spoke with several students about his ideas of opening a business in the IT field.  As the program progressed, more and more discussions developed between Andy and his fellow students. By midpoint in the program, Andy was convinced that this is where his future was headed and the fundamentals of the business began to take shape; a company that would specialize in computer support.  A company name “Man in a Box” was created as well as a logo and web site, then he started looking for a storefront location. With his enthusiasm and positive attitude other students were convinced that under Andy’s direction coupled with their own hard work and dedication that this could truly work.  The company really began to take shape.

Shelley Limon, Uriah MacDonald, Chris Lentz, and Kevin Eichler all students in Track 403 joined with Andy to create “Man in a Box.”

 Andy acquired an office in his hometown of Allegan, MI and construction began outfitting the office with computers, desks, and furniture (including a 50” plasma flat-panel TV for the reception area). 

They are currently working hard to market their company distributing flyers and even advertizing on the radio!  They have already secured contracts with many clients and business has picked up to the point that they recently hired another fellow student from Track 403 Ben Bogucki to join them.

On a recent visit to the company, Campus Director Chris Greigel was thrilled to see the students all working in such a great environment!  Andy shared with him his plans for the future which includes rapid expansion to several area cities including Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Holland. 

The future certainly looks bright for this entrepreneur, his business and all our students!

Studying in groups can make all the difference in the world for some students.  But, how do you find or form a group?  First, look around you for dedicated students.  You have a limited amount of time to study and want to spend that time with people who have similar goals (for instance, passing your certification exams!).  Look for people with similar academic or personal challenges - having something in common can help get over rough study spots.  Limit your group to 5 or 6 people so it stays manageable.  Try out a study session — if it works, schedule another. Studying with fellow students rather than friends tends to work better — friends are great but you want to make sure that you stay focused on your goal of studying and not get distracted by ‘friend’ conversations.

Once you’re in the group, set an agenda for each meeting and rotate who is in charge of each session.  What will you focus on? How much time have you allotted? Have each group member bring four or five exam questions and test each other during your session.  Break up your topic and practice teaching each other (you know you know a subject really well when you feel comfortable enough to teach it to another person). And last but not least… Bring snacks!!!

Professionalism can be defined simply as the conduct or qualities that characterize or mark a professional person. But what does it look like in the IT industry. Is it dressing nice and being respectful to those you are helping or is it much more than that? In the course of 6 months I witness an unbelievable transformation from our students and it isn’t just in technical skills. “I fell in love with how professional they wanted us to be,” shared recent graduate Wendy Tokarz. I have made it my mission this year to ensure that each student fully understands the importance of professionalism.

According to the Performance Pro, D. Kinza Christenson, “The extent to which we embrace professionalism will impact the extent of our success.”

The reality is that IT doesn’t just support business it powers business and the IT profession is no longer just about coming up with technical solutions. IT is a strategic partner on a par with Finance, Marketing and HR and IT professionals have key roles to play in enabling the success of their organizations. And that takes professionalism!

Professionalism is an attitude and a choice! So challenge yourself…. Do you have the right attitude and are you equipped to make the right choices?

As a System Administrator, the single most important sound you hear is “click.” That “click” comes from a CAT5 cable entering a network Interface card and without it you aren’t needed because no one needs a Network or System Admin for one unlinked computer.  That “click” has taken on a life of its own at PC ProSchools. Everyday I get the opportunity to experience students and graduates enjoying the rewards of that sound. Whether it be the struggling student who passes his first certification exam or the proud graduate landing the highest paying job he’s ever had. Those sounds are what I live for and make me proud to be a part of PC ProSchools. So that’s what this blog is all about. The Click! The highs, the lows….. the journey to the good life!