January 26, 2015 at 8:28 pm
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Time for Learning
January 27, 2015 at 4:30 am
Whilst there are people who can soak knowlegde, actually applying certainly helps.
Can't forget about maintaining it, so your brain doesn't purge it.
January 27, 2015 at 6:24 am
For me, over time, it has become increasingly more difficult to work full time and do any sort of serious studying. I don't have a solution. I just recognize the symptom.
January 27, 2015 at 7:20 am
Iwas Bornready (1/27/2015)
For me, over time, it has become increasingly more difficult to work full time and do any sort of serious studying. I don't have a solution. I just recognize the symptom.
IT folks, especially developers, don't like to knaw on the same old pile of bones forever. It's fresh projects and new technology that keeps us healthy and happy.
Even if we work for one of the best organzations in world, with thousands of employees and hundreds of IT positions, circumstances like departmental budget constraints, internal politics, changes (or lack of change) in management, or just an overall "hunker-down" IT strategy at the organizational level can leave the best employees feeling bored and restless.
"Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Instead, seek what they sought." - Matsuo Basho
January 27, 2015 at 8:47 am
A post near and dear to my heart! Through the http://denver.sqlpass.org/ user group, I lead a study group. We meet in person every Monday 5:30-7:30PM at the same location we have hosted a few of our SQL Saturday events. We just started and are covering 70-461 Querying 2012 and will take roughly six weeks. Then we'll switch gears to -462 followed by -463 and ideally will have achieved MCSA before summer. We use the self-paced Training Kits and a Google group to share links and resources; most are free but I also reference Pluralsight courses too (and have been a happy customer). I will add the Stairway series to the list 🙂 I go over some things at the beginning then we dive into any questions about the content while all of us share insights and experiences along the way. On average we have 15 people per session. The background of the attendees covers a huge range- some people are just getting started with writing queries all the way to old hats who want the cert. Good questions and conversations all around.
Like you I already have -461 and -462 but need -463. The 2012 certs expire and since there will not be a MCSA 2014, 2012 certs be valid for some time. Personally I'm not going to wait until they expire- I am just going to re-take them and re-start the three year clock cycle. Hopefully this summer I can focus on -464 and -465. MCSE 2014 is a goal for me this year.
Some people have taken the formal compressed one-week training classes and then didn't pass- it was just too much for some folks. The style of our study group and pace while combining in-person with self-study seems to work for a lot of people. I think the big thing is to find a rhythm that works for you and learn to keep your nose to the grindstone while having some public accountability.
January 27, 2015 at 10:50 am
I struggle with learning also but I use Pluralsight and enjoy the classes. The hard part is applying what I learn but so far I've had some success especially with C. I am currently learning R and hope to use a Kaggle Competition to hone my skills. Another poster mentioned the study groups - great idea.
My one gotcha is the amount of time - I probably spend 3 minutes per one minute video so it can be time consuming. 30 minutes a day is only 7 to 10 minutes of video.
January 27, 2015 at 7:11 pm
Another reason working with others can help, beyond just the "peer pressure", is because it makes it more fun! (For some of us, anyway.) It's nice to be able to bounce ideas and questions off of someone else, and to collaborate on finding solutions.
And the added benefit is you get to work on teamwork skills as well! 😛
The most important thing is to figure out what works best for your training style, and then commit to yourself to doing it. Have a goal date in mind and work towards that - and make it reasonable given your other life commitments (no need to add to your stress levels).
More fun, less stress - hey, I could go for that! :hehe:
Steph Brown
January 28, 2015 at 1:30 am
I must admit helping others is key for me.
There's is nothing that solidifies my knowledge more than having to explain it to others and then being asked questions you have no control over.
January 28, 2015 at 6:47 am
Yep, spend time learning. Then its trying to apply it to the real world.
If the management are too stuck in the ways then all the new improved stuff will never get off the ground. Its not as simple as saying "its the way it gets presented" it the hard cash that talks.
February 11, 2015 at 11:54 pm
When I was a much younger professional I was like a sponge and read a callosal amount and retained it even for technologies I wasn't using. I moved on to do my MSc as a distance learning course (via the UK's fabulous Open University, not some PDF generating scam thank you very much ;-)) with its deadlines for modules but freedom on when to do each module.
Nowadays I cannot keep as much information in without a reasonable amount of practice so I am more driven my work requirements. I still read around IT attempting to keep abreast of the industry in general and certain technologies (hence why I am here, for example). I tend to use books less and online facilities more.
Gaz
-- Stop your grinnin' and drop your linen...they're everywhere!!!
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