Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Important Pointers That You Must Follow to Choose an Online MBA Program

Most people have their own reservation or comforts when it comes to Online MBA. However, if you seek to get a balanced view then the best option would be to go through the various steps that you should consider while you are planning on taking up an Online MBA. Let's take a look at the various things that would help you zero in on the right program for you.
Research is Key
The first thing that you should keep in mind is that don't go by hear say and join a program. You must go through the details of the program as well as the institute offering it. Then you would ascertain whether you are cut out to take up an Online MBA or not. To answer this question you would have to figure out whether you would be comfortable taking your learning into you own hands and manage you time well. Through research coupled with prioritizing is the key.
Program Accreditation
Wouldn't be awful if you'd spent a whole lot of time on an Online MBA program only to realize that it is not recognized? To avoid such a situation you should look at whether the program is accredited or not. You can do this by going to the institute's website and look for their credentials. Then you could look up the websites of various accreditation body's websites to cross check whether the institute you are looking at is accredited or not. This would save you from a lot of hassle in the future.
Staff and Faculty
Since you will be in a virtual classroom it becomes vital that you have good staff and faculty through the program. This is because an Online MBA program is largely based on self learning, however the contact classes are pivotal as the most important points or areas of studies are discussed in detailed by an expert in that particular field. Another concern that many students have is the quality of the staff and faculty. You wouldn't have to worry about that since most of them tell the fulltime course as well, therefore there is no compromise on the quality of education that is being imparted to you.
Curriculum
It is safe to say that there are no big difference in the curriculum of Online MBA and traditional MBA programs. However, the main difference lies in the flexibility that Online MBA students have over the others. This means that the deadlines for online students would differ from that of others, since they may have other constraints. This makes it convenient for working professionals to keep with their career as well as the course.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Project Management: Is It The Field For You?

Project management plays a very important role in maintaining the efficiency of an organization's operations. Unlike business managers who are in charge of overseeing specific functional areas, project managers are responsible for every aspect of the company's time-limited projects. Project management involves coordination between all departments for the pooling of resources along with supervision of the entire process. This includes maintaining quality control and evaluating the performance of a process against a certain benchmark or standard.
In response to the changing trends related to project mgmt, several online universities have now begun to offer online degree programs that cater to the requirements of the field. These programs prepare students by equipping them with the right skills to do well as project mrgs.
Before stepping into the field of management, however, it is important to be aware of its requirements and what will be expected of you as project mrg. Below are some of the factors that need to be taken into consideration:
What You'll Be Doing
As project manager, you will be responsible for planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating of a particular project. You will also be responsible for managing a team and making sure that they are supplied with all relevant materials and information needed to execute the project. Defining the scope of the project, determining the project's budget and creating and updating the project schedule, as it evolves, are just some of the other tasks that define a project mgr's job description.
To perform these tasks effectively, many people are turning towards online degree programs that include relevant theoretical and practical training. Through an online university program, professionals wishing to penetrate the management field are able to benefit from quality learning practices while balancing a hectic work schedule.
Requirements
To become a Project Mgr., certain educational requirements need to be met. For example, people who wish to work on high-tech projects will need to complete a Degree Program in either electrical engineering or computer science. Apart from these qualifications, they will also need to be equipped with strong leadership skills, strong analytical thinking and strong communication skills.
An online university program, such as at the ones offered by MUST University, provides students with all of the above-mentioned skills and learning in order to help them carve a niche for themselves in the field.
Prospects
The field of managing the project is currently booming; the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts excellent job opportunities for project managers in the construction sector all through 2014. The complex nature of construction projects on offer could, however, drive demand slightly average. The outlook is equally strong for people wishing to move into the bio-tech and high-tech areas of business.

Friday, May 11, 2012

Suggestions to Be a Successful Online Learner

Online learners need to be proficient in using computers but this is not the main criterion to become a successful online learner. We need to organize our time effectively in order to keep in sync with the online learning process. Why I am telling you this? Well, I have been an online learner for almost 3 years now and although I was quite good at using the computer. Yet, I had difficulty in smoothly continuing with my education processes simply because it took me some time to fully grasp the nitty-gritty of properly exploiting a Cloud-based learning system.
In this article, I have shared with you, some significant tips or strategies that will help you become an expert online learner. I don't want people to suffer just like I did at the beginning, and not being able to understand how to proceed further with the medium.
Become Self-disciplined
It is very important for students to be self-disciplined and motivated in order to succeed in a virtual environment. You need to fix a set time to do homework or the assignments as it keeps on flowing in at regular intervals. In case, you are facing difficulty in understanding a specific topic, you should be proactive and communicate the same to the instructor and get it resolved as quickly as possible. Thus, online learning demands the correct usage of time and responsibility to absorb knowledge from the instructors.
Maintain a Time-table
You must create a time-table and adhere to it on an everyday basis. Since a virtual educational system does not require you to physically attend classes does not mean you do not study on a daily basis. The platform provides you with the convenience and flexibility to study at your will. Therefore, many a times, students tend to get distracted from the overall learning process hampering their career and future goals. A time-table will help you devise a schedule in terms of studying, finishing online assignments, submitting homework and projects, and preparing for tests within the prescribed time period.
Be Free to Communicate
Whenever you face a problem or need some additional help from your teacher, speak up and resolve the matter. Students should communicate extensively via online chats or through emails and be comfortable enough to express themselves through writing.
Allot Time for Studies and Completing Assignments
It is of no use having a time-table in front of you if you don't follow it. For example, you have opened your computer only to download songs or logged on to Facebook to share your personal photos with your friends. Thus, you should stick to completing each coursework on time and be committed to quality studying.

Friday, May 4, 2012

How to Prepare for a Computer Technician Career?

According to the Department of Labor, the employment of computer support specialists or computer technicians is projected to grow by 18 percent in the 2010-20 decade.* In this period, the occupation will add about 110,000 jobs.**
If numbers could speak, I am sure they're screaming their way into your head right now that this is one occupation that's full of opportunities in an otherwise depressed job market. Sounds like an option you'd want to explore further? Then read on for we have a step-by-step guide on how to prepare for a computer technician career.
But before we learn how to become a computer technician, here's a peek into some of their day-to-day duties and responsibilities:
1. Install hardware and software on users' computer systems.
2. Troubleshoot problems related to hardware & software.
3. Train customers in proper use of software & hardware.
4. Install security programs on users' computer systems.
5. Configure, test and evaluate computer networks.
6. Diagnose and fix problems related to computer networks.
7. Perform scheduled maintenance of computer systems.
8. Offer technical support to users on email, phone or in person.
Start early
The ideal time to start preparing for a computer tech's role is in high school. Taking classes in math and science may build a strong foundation for this career as they develop problem-solving and analytical skills.
Spend as much time as you can in the computer lab and become innately curious about everything related to computers. Remember a good computer tech is not someone who has a ready fix for all problems, but one who has the ability to find a solution to all problems even if he doesn't have one. So, learn to find answers and solve problems on your own and it will be your greatest asset as a computer tech!
Get Trained
According to the labor department, training requirements for computer techs vary depending on the specific role they're in. Some of the more common computer tech roles include:
· Technical support specialist
· Help-desk technician
· Customer support analyst
· Field service technician
· IT support technician
· IT support specialist
· IT support administrator
Find a computer technician school that provides comprehensive training for the job. You may find computer tech training programs at a local community college or an online vocational/technical school. Choose a program that suits your financial and personal situation as well as disposition. Some individuals prefer the independent learning and flexible schedules of online classes, while others need the discipline and personalized attention of classroom-based instruction.
Obtain Certification
For the role of a computer tech, getting an education is probably as important as professional certification. Professional certification validates your knowledge and skills for this job. CompTIA A+ certification is the most commonly sought credential for entry-level IT support roles and requires passing two exams.
It's best to receive CompTIA training from authorized training centers before you take the exams. However, some schools design their computer tech programs to include training for CompTIA A+ certification and will provide you the theoretical as well as practical knowledge to nail the two exams.
You can also supplement your CompTIA training with self-study books and guides as well as e-learning courses that can be bought from the CompTIA website.
That's it! You're ready to hit the job market as a freshly trained and certified computer technician. And what can you look forward to once you are employed? A career that's challenging as well as rewarding, one that flexible work schedules and promises strong advancement opportunities!