Q. I am a 45-year old project manager. For many years I managed contracts for an asbestos removal company. This past year, due to a downturn in business, I was laid off. Everything I read says that computer skills are essential in today's market. I agree, but how do I know what I need to learn and where to go?
A. Three steps are necessary to determine your best choice. First, read the employment section of the local paper and see what computer programs are listed repeatedly in the ads. A recent glance at local listings indicated that the following programs are frequently cited as requirements: Windows '95 or '97; Microsoft Word, Access Data Base, and Excel. Next, call several companies that are involved in the line of work you hope to obtain and ask what industry specific programs they use. For instance, in Human Resources, a program called HRIS is used for personnel management; in accounting, Peachtree is a preferred program. If you are planning to continue in project management, you might look into training in Microsoft Project or Project Management Workbench. Both are widely used. Finally, compare schools and costs. Prices vary greatly and are not necessarily correlated to quality of training. Many community colleges offer excellent technical training at reasonable costs. Compare hours of instruction, qualifications of instructors, ongoing support and evaluations from former students. As in all things, be a wise consumer.
Dr. Rita Carey, has assisted dozens of organizations and thousands of individuals through a broad array of transitions - from individual career changes to change management strategies for entire corporations. For biographical information on Dr. Carey, please click here
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