Almost exclusively, Adobe Dreamweaver is the first base for all web designers. It’s reputed to be the most utilised web-development platform globally.
We’d also suggest that you learn all about the complete Adobe Web Creative Suite, including Flash and Action Script, in order to use Dreamweaver as a commercial web-designer. This knowledge can mean later becoming an Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) or Adobe Certified Professional (ACP).
To establish yourself as a full web professional however, there are other things to consider. You’ll be required to have knowledge of some programming essentials like PHP, HTML, and MySQL. A working knowledge of E-Commerce and SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) will give your CV some extra credibility and make you more employable.
Far too many companies focus completely on the certification process, and forget what you actually need - which will always be getting the job or career you want. Always start with the final destination in mind - don’t make the journey more important than where you want to get to.
You could be training for only a year and end up doing the actual job for 10-20 years. Don’t make the error of taking what may be a very ‘interesting’ program only to waste your life away with something you don’t even enjoy!
You also need to know what your attitude is towards earning potential, career development, and if you’re ambitious or not. You need to know what industry expects from you, what particular exams they want you to have and how you’ll gain real-world experience.
Sense dictates that you seek advice from an industry professional before embarking on a particular learning program, so you can be sure that the chosen route will give you the skills for the job being sought.
We’d hazard a guess that you’re a practical sort of person - the ‘hands-on’ individual. If you’re like us, the trial of reading reference books and manuals is something you’ll force on yourself if you absolutely have to, but it’s not really your thing. Check out video-based multimedia instruction if book-based learning really isn’t your style.
Studies have consistently confirmed that becoming involved with our studies, to utilise all our senses, will more likely produce memories that are deeper and longer-lasting.
Locate a program where you’ll receive a library of CD or DVD ROM’s - you’ll be learning from instructor videos and demo’s, and then have the opportunity to practice your skills in interactive lab’s.
It’s imperative to see examples of the study materials provided by the company you’re considering. They have to utilise video, demonstrations and various interactive elements.
Purely on-line training should be avoided. You want physical CD/DVD ROM course materials where obtainable, as you need to be able to use them whenever it’s convenient for you - you don’t want to be reliant on your internet connection always being ‘up’ and available.
It’s essential to have the very latest Microsoft (or any other key organisation’s) authorised exam preparation packages.
Avoid relying on unauthorised exam preparation systems. Their phraseology is often somewhat different - and this leads to huge confusion when the proper exam time arrives.
You should make sure you test how much you know by doing tests and practice exams prior to taking the real thing.
Most of us would love to think that our careers will remain secure and our work prospects are protected, but the growing likelihood for most sectors in the UK right now is that the marketplace is far from secure.
It’s possible though to discover market-level security, by probing for areas that have high demand, mixed with a lack of qualified workers.
The 2006 British e-Skills survey demonstrated that twenty six percent of all IT positions available are unfilled mainly due to an appallingly low number of trained staff. This shows that for each 4 job positions in existence around Information Technology (IT), we’ve only got three properly trained pro’s to perform that task.
Acquiring the appropriate commercial computer qualification is correspondingly a quick route to a continuing as well as satisfying occupation.
In actuality, gaining new qualifications in IT as you progress through the coming years is likely the best career choice you could ever make.