another self teach question...

[snobetter]

I have a basic user knowledge of Word and Excel, can do what I need to for my job, which is about the extent of my computing skills.
With the view to expanding my career opportunities, and general interest, I'd like advice on online computer courses please.
At the risk of sounding very naive, is there a very specifc area I could learn, and be in demand for, without having to learn general basics first?

Thanks.

[CaptainPeanut]

You could try an online resource like lynda.com as a general resource, plenty on there to get your teeth into and most courses start with the assumption of little or no knowledge.

However, your post is very vague. Why do you want to learn more, is it for progression within your current industry or do you want to get into a more specific IT role? If the latter it would help to know what your aims are so more targeted advice can be given.

[snobetter]

Wouldn't really be to advance at work, ideally would be to open up a new career.

[snobetter]

As to which area specifically, I don't know,that's where I was hoping for inspiration.

[mike9009]

Depending on your level of expertise at the moment, the ECDL (European Computer Driver Licence) is supposed to be quite good. It is a highly recognised qualification too.

I believe there are differing levels to suit your needs....

A search should bring up something in your local area...

Mike

[strattonkillick]

For Excel, go and look at sites such as chandoo.org or Bacon bits and you will find lots of stuff and practical tips on there. Chandoo runs regular online courses that are pretty good. I learn new stuff with pretty much every post I read.

[snobetter]

Thanks for your replies.
The ECDLis what I thought might be the result, and although that would be useful in going for a general job, it's not what I was really hoping for.
What I was hoping for was someone to come and say "oh, you can learn xxxx, don't need extensive computing back ground in other systems to become proficient, and we're always looking for people who have knowledge of xxxx".
I take it I'd need to do ECDL or similar then specialise?

[951TSE]

Well you could maybe look at learning Excel Macros if you haven't already. This could lead into programming, webdesign or maybe project management.

Look here for free programming courses although it's a bit American centric

http://www.codecademy.com/

[mike9009]

951TSE said:

Well you could maybe look at learning Excel Macros if you haven't already. This could lead into programming, webdesign or maybe project management.

Look here for free programming courses although it's a bit American centric

http://www.codecademy.com/

Recording macros in Excel is how I started to learn visual basic about 15 years ago. It gets you familiar with the language and then you can expand from there.

If you do a repetitive task in Excel (moving data from one sheet to another, even formatting cells etc.) then record a macro and see where you go from there.

[snobetter]

mike9009 said:

951TSE said:

Well you could maybe look at learning Excel Macros if you haven't already. This could lead into programming, webdesign or maybe project management.

Look here for free programming courses although it's a bit American centric

http://www.codecademy.com/

Recording macros in Excel is how I started to learn visual basic about 15 years ago. It gets you familiar with the language and then you can expand from there.

If you do a repetitive task in Excel (moving data from one sheet to another, even formatting cells etc.) then record a macro and see where you go from there.

Cheers both, I'll look into it.

[BluePurpleRed]

I do Excel VBA development as my job and what I would recommend is :

* Chip Pearson's site
* Read professional Excel Development (Bullen, Bovey, Green)
* Mr Excel ( as a starter )
* Look at Excel tagged Q&A on Stack Exchange


Also get a project going. I think the only way is to learn by doing and bumping about and find out what you do want to learn how to do and what you already know.

A simple example, and I guess topical, would be to develop a World Cup proedictor when you and other users can put their predicted scores before each game into Excel and save them. 1 point for the correct result and 3 points for the correct score and then build a leader board after each game score comes in.

To save time you can write a randomiser to guess scores for a load of users etc.

This way you will be forced to learn how to do various things and come across genuine bugs you have to fix. A good developer will mostly be looking at bugs in existing things and impoving an existing code base instead of writing 100% new stuff so its also a good skill to learn.

I hope this helps. I got into Excel VBA RAD development from C++ by being forced to take on a few projects at work and enjoying it much more but having the chance to build experience. I was already a programmer which helped but it was th best way, by just having to work on something and get stuck in.

[CaptainPeanut]

As for a career change don't rule out IT Support. If you can get yourself into a first line support role and gain exposure to the various functions of an IT department you may discover a more specific route to pursue or even just take on new skills and look to progress into 2nd/3rd line support, depending on your preference.

If you can take the ECDL and prove a genuine interest/aptitude you should be able to get a junior support role and then it's a case of learning as much as you can from those around you. From experience I would much rather employ someone with people skills and grow their IT skills over a techie who is unable to effectively communicate with customers.

[snobetter]

Thanks all. I've started an e-learning excel course (more basic than most suggested, but a more realistic starting point for me), will look into ECDL next, or a more in depth excel course.
The way I use excel at work is a lot less in depth than I think most assumed, should of been clearer...

[Du1point8]

have a look at pluralsight as they might have excel too.