On the Cheap - Low-Cost Training Strategies Columbia SC

Posted by : Elizabeth Millard

Q: I would like to take the CBCP exam, but lack the budget to travel and take the preparation course. Is there a single book or other low-budget source of information that would best prepare me for the exam? I have the necessary experience, but I am self-taught, so I'm sure I'll have trouble with terminology and the technically correct answers to multiple-choice questions.

A: It seems that wherever you turn, someone is touting the benefits of training, and for good reason. Any IT person who is content to use only what they know and not continue their education at least somewhat is an IT person who'll soon be behind the curve. Continual learning, through university courses, local training centers, and certification exams, are crucial in today's rocky employment climate.

But that doesn't mean it's cheap. Gone are the days when a techie could be assured that training will all be on the company's dime, with time being the only investment from the student side. Despite study after study that shows how important it is to continue tuition reimbursement, many companies are cutting back on their training dollars, and IT people are getting booted out into the cold.

That means it's time to get creative with a dollar. In the case of the CBCP, classes can run around $800, with an exam fee of $150. For those yearning for the MCSE or other high-level certifications, the cost can be in the thousands. Being adept at (or at least willing to i...

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