Professional Development

We are approached every day by new graduates, people wanting to move into the IT field, or within the IT field but do not know how to go about coming up to speed, making themselves more marketable and finding a job. We take the time to offer a lot of coaching and encouragement even if it doesn't result in an immediate reward for Advantage. We are happy to work with people who may not be ready to make a move for many reasons, but may be interested in thinking about their next move. Many Advantage hires happen after months of getting to know each other and working together to find that right opportunity. Think of us as a guidance counselor of sorts! We have put together a list of technical group meetings and resources for your every day use. Take Advantage of these resources, the majority are free or cost effective at the very least. There are a lot of things that you can do to make yourself marketable!

IT Training - Instructor led classroom training is the most effective training available. There is a cost in $$ and time, but it is generally well worth it if you pay attention to the prerequisites and take the right classes. You will typically receive additional resources from your instructor during class which will assist you down the path. Do not hesitate to ask questions and even try to catch the instructor on breaks for answers to your specific needs (maybe you are stuck on a project at work, etc.).

Special Interest Groups (SIGs) - are a great way to learn from others and network at the same time! They are very friendly environments and welcome newcomers and senior folks, as well! There is something for every skill level at these group meetings. These groups typically meet on a scheduled day every month, though each group is set up differently.

Symposiums/Conferences - typically made up of a collection of break-out sessions that you can choose from. There are not many conferences locally sponsored in St. Louis, and they typically cost money. However, if you can afford to attend or if your organization will sponsor your attendance, they can be very helpful in learning about some of the newer/bleeding edge topics. The networking aspect is well worth the time and cost, as well. We will periodically link to symposiums and conferences which are scheduled in St. Louis.

Job/Career Fairs - There are many job/career fairs out there. Try to find a career fair which focuses on your specialty (i.e. if you are a Java developer, then going to a general career fair may not be the best use of your time). It is important to understand which companies are exhibiting and for what kinds of positions they are recruiting. The fair organizers typically have some stats on previous events and can provide this information to you, if you ask for it. We will periodically link to Job/Career Fairs which are applicable and scheduled in St. Louis.

Webinars - The amount of information out there on the web now can be overwhelming. If you can sift through the "noise", there are a plethora of opportunities for learning available. Many are free, too!

Text Books - Good old books (either in print or online) are a great technical resource. The greatest benefit is that you are not at the mercy of anyone else's schedule or a scheduled event. You have access to the information at your leisure, on your own time/pace, and in any location you choose. Take Advantage of your local library for the topics that you just need to do some research on and may not have a future need for. Or, go the extra step to order online or from a bookstore the books that you feel will serve as future resources. With online presentations, podcasts, webinars, etc., readily available, you have many options available to you!

Mentor - If you are able to connect with a friend, co-worker, etc., who is willing to be your mentor, take Advantage of this opportunity! After taking a training class, reading a book, or doing some research on some topic of interest, try experimenting at home with some guidance from someone who is more experienced than you. Challenge yourself to make the application better with each iteration (i.e. add a new feature, expand the scope, etc.). Both yourself and your mentor will benefit from this kind of learning.