College Alternatives Archives

Woman working on virtual training on a laptop with so many stickers on it, you gotta admire she went well above the minimum required pieces of flair

How to Become a Desktop Support Technician

Centriq Training November 13, 2024

Desktop support specialists hold an organization together with their technology expertise. Curious about how this role helps a company work to its optimal performance level? We share everything you’ll need know about becoming and being a desktop support technician.

Smiling young african man working on a laptop applying to escape working for tips into a salaried IT position

How to Get Out of Food and Service Industry

Centriq Training October 17, 2024

Are you thinking about transitioning out of the restaurant industry? You’re not alone— half of U.S. workers will not be returning to their old jobs. A third are considering leaving the industry entirely. If you’re like many others working in food and service, you’ve likely considered reasons to make a career switch. Common factors include: Job instability Low wages Long hours on your feet Limited growth But then comes the question — if not the food industry, then what? If you’ve worked in the industry for a long time, it can seem like you’re stuck because you don’t have the experience, education, or training to enter another field. But there are always options, especially now as technology continues to advance and the option for virtual training becomes more widespread. Today we’re talking about how you can train for a new career and leverage the skills you’ve gained from working in the food service industry to get an in-demand job in IT.

Smiling man wearing glasses and working on IT training on his laptop so he can escape cranky customers in retail and enjoy an IT career

How to Get Out of Retail

Centriq Training July 25, 2024

Get Started Alternatives to Retail Jobs There are a variety of options of jobs to get out of retail. While you may wonder if tech is a possible alternative, we’re here to reassure you that there are good job opportunities out there to transition into. Retail managers dip their toes in a little bit of everything which is why they have plenty of potential in the IT industry. Leaving retail management won’t require you to leave behind your skills. In fact, we encourage you to bring them with you to our IT training program and into your future role. A career in information technology can be in your future. Here are a few entry level roles we recommend looking into: Cybersecurity Specialist IT Support Specialist Computer Technician Technical Support Technician Help Desk Technician Desktop Support Technician Service Desk Analyst NOC Technician Cybersecurity Specialist Security support specialists are essential to any organization, as they are responsible for overseeing and managing the company’s security. They must be highly skilled in safeguarding information from cyber threats and in monitoring for any suspicious activity. Learn more about Cybersecurity Specialists. IT Support Specialist IT Support Specialists play a core role in organizations by providing information technology support. This can look like answering questions and resolving technical issues, troubleshooting problems and maintaining software, and improving IT systems. Learn more about IT Support Specialists. Computer Technician Computer Technicians help set companies up for success. A regular day may look like installing computers, printers, or software and working

Smiling man with airpods in his ears working on training on his laptop so he can go from hard manual labor jobs to sitting at a desk in an IT career

How to Get Out of Manual Labor Jobs

Centriq Training July 24, 2024

If you’ve been working as a manual laborer, you already know the useful traits you bring to the table. These skills you’ve built up over the years will become essential throughout your IT training program and your career change. Manual laborers are hardworking team players who understand the value of good communication, all of which play a daily role in the tech world. You may even have experience with some technology yourself that will give you a jumpstart on the field. Whether you are looking for alternative careers for carpenters, construction workers, mechanics, or landscape architects, a transition into the IT industry is for you.

A group of people of varying ethnicities and genders, standing in a row and smiling at the camera. They are wearing business casual attire.

IT Careers: Find an IT Career Path Right for You

Centriq Training July 22, 2024

Technology is an exciting field that is always offering great opportunities for career growth. These roles are ideal for anyone looking to upgrade from their current position or completely transition from their previous careers. Centriq is all about getting you on the path towards your new role in IT. With over 30 years of training experience under our belts, we know how to teach technology and are there for you from your first inquiry to the moment you start your job search. Get started today and learn more about our program by filling out a contact form on our website

How To Become A NOC Technician

Centriq Training July 18, 2024

Ever heard of a network operations center technician? These roles are critical to operations at a company. Curious about how a NOC technician keeps a company secure? Learn more about becoming and being a NOC technician.

Woman wearing headphones working on a computer and smiling because she finds her IT career very fulfilling

How to Become a Technical Support Specialist

Centriq Training July 18, 2024

Technical support specialists play an integral role within the IT department in any organization. Curious about the responsibilities they take on in the IT world? We share everything you’ll need know about becoming and being a technical support specialist.

Four Months, Is It Too Good To Be True?

LaDazhia Taylor March 31, 2024

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: can Centriq really teach IT skills like cybersecurity or coding in as little as four months? It’s a fair question! If we weren’t already in the biz, our ears would totally perk up at the mention of becoming a trained IT professional so quickly. To be honest, we’d be a little skeptical, too. In a world of information overload, it can be hard to distinguish between what’s a sales pitch and what’s valuable information. The good news? That’s what we’re here for: to break it down without all the glitz, glitter and fancy marketing terms. So, is a four-month training program too good to be true? It’s only four months, but Centriq’s IT Career Program is equal to one year of traditional college. Over the four-month period, Centriq students spend 455 hours in the classroom (roughly seven hours a day, five days a week for four months). Our IT programs are built in an immersive format that’s both fast-paced and accelerated. The time-intensive structure is designed to challenge students and simulate the fast-paced industry they’re preparing to enter. Additionally, every class at Centriq is hands-on. The best way to learn technology skills is to dive right in so you are physically practicing what you learn as you learn it. By the end of the four months, students will have the experience employers are looking for. Does four months at Centriq really compare to four years of college? Yes, and here’s why: four-year

Cheerful woman working on laptop excited for her new IT career

ALTERNATIVE CAREERS FOR SELF-EMPLOYED GIG WORKERS

Centriq Training August 30, 2022

The gig economy is attractive work for those who value freedom in their roles. But jumping from one project or role to the next takes its toll. What freelancers may not realize is that going from self-employed to employed offers many of the same benefits in the IT industry. Gig workers are self-motivated and reliable people, making them a great fit for IT careers that require people to be dedicated to self-learning and following through on commitments. If you are looking for how to get out of the self-employment life and into a full-time role, a transition into an IT career is the fit for you. Whether you are an Uber delivery driver, pet sitter, virtual assistant, or personal shopper, your skills will transfer seamlessly to the IT field.

A College Degree Or Technical Training?

Elizabeth Granada August 26, 2022

Technical School vs College  It’s a common misconception that the only way to enter the workforce is to have a college degree. Most high school students are told that without a degree, a high-paying job or successful career isn’t possible. However, not everyone thrives in a traditional college setting, and the cost of a college degree often outweighs the return-on-investment.   Luckily, the need for college experience is fading, especially in tech. While computer science or programming degrees were often the go-to path for those wanting to break into tech, the IT industry has continued to evolve—especially to combat the nation-wide shortage of tech talent. 

Start Date	End Date	Day/Eve	Break Weeks	Track
Jan 23, 2023	Jul 27, 2023	Eve	4/3/23-4/7/23 5/22/23-5/26/23 7/3/23-7/7/23	CSSP-V
Jan 30, 2023	May 5, 2023	Day	3/6/23-3/10/23 4/10/23-4/14/23	CSSP-V
Feb 6, 2023	May 19, 2023	Day	3/27/23-3/31/23	FSCP-V
Mar 20, 2023	Jun 23, 2023	Day	4/24/23-4/28/23 5/22/23-5/26/23	CSSP-V
Apr 10, 2023	Jul 28, 2023	Day	5/29/23-6/2/23 7/3/23-7/7/23	FSCP-V
Apr 24, 2023	Oct 19, 2023	Eve	7/3/23-7/7/23 8/21/23-8/25/23	CSSP-V
May 15, 2023	Dec 14, 2023	Eve	7/3/23-7/7/23 9/4/23-9/8/23 11/20/23-11/24/23	FSCP-V
Jun 5, 2023	Sep 8, 2023	Day	7/3/23-7/7/23 8/7/23-8/11/23	CSSP-V
Jun 19, 2023	Oct 6, 2023	Day	7/3/23-7/7/23 9/4/23-9/8/23	FSCP-V
Jul 24, 2023	Jan 25, 2024	Eve	10/2/23-10/6/23 11/20/23-11/24/23 12/25/23-12/29/23	CSSP-V
Aug 14, 2023	Nov 17, 2023	Day	9/5/23-9/8/23 10/16/23-10/2/23	CSSP-V
Aug 28, 2023	Dec 15, 2023	Day	9/4/23-9/8/23 11/20/23-11/24/23	FSCP-V
Oct 30, 2023	Feb 2, 2024	Day	11/20/23-11/24/23 12/25/23-12/29/23	CSSP-V
Oct 30, 2023	May 2, 2024	Eve	11/20/23-11/23/23 3/4/23-3/7/23	CSSP-V
Nov 6, 2023	Mar 1, 2024	Day	11/20/23-11/24/23 12/25/23-12/29/23 1/29/24-2/2/24	FSCP-V

Start Date	End Date	Day/Eve	Break Weeks	Track
Feb 29, 2024	Mar 24, 2024	Day	3/25/24-3/29/24 4/22/24-4/26/24	CSSP-I
May 13, 2024	Aug 16, 2024	Day	5/27/24-5/31/24 7/1/24-7/5/24	CSSP-I
Aug 19, 2024	Nov 22, 2024	Day	9/2/24-9/6/24 10/21/24-10/25/24	CSSP-I
Dec 2, 2024	Mar 14, 2025	Day	12/23/24-12/27/24 12/30/24-1/3/25 2/10/25-2/14/25	CSSP-I

Start Date	End Date	Day/Eve	Break Weeks	Track
Oct 21, 2024	Jan 31, 2025	Day	11/25/24-11/29/24 12/23/24-12/27/24 12/30/24-1/3/25	CSSP-I
Dec 2, 2024	Mar 14, 2025	Day	12/23/24-12/27/24 12/30/24-1/3/25 2/10/25-2/14/25	CSSP-I
Jan 13, 2025	Apr 18, 2025	Day	2/17/25-2/21/25 3/17/25-3/21/25	CSSP-I
Feb 10, 2025	Aug 14, 2025	Eve	3/24/25-3/27/25 5/26/25-5/29/25 6/30/25-7/4/25	CSSP-I
Feb 24, 2025	Jun 6, 2025	Day	3/31/25-4/4/25 4/28/25-5/2/25 5/26/25-5/30/25	CSSP-I
Mar 31, 2025	Jul 11, 2025	Day	5/5/25-5/9/25 5/26/25-5/30/25 6/30/25-7/4/25	CSSP-I
May 5, 2025	Aug 8. 2025	Day	5/26/25-5/30/25 6/30/25-7/4/25	CSSP-I
Jun 9, 2025	Sep 19, 2025	Day	6/30/25-7/4/25 8/4/25-8/8/25 9/1/25-9/5/25	CSSP-I
Jul 28, 2025	Oct 31, 2025	Day	9/1/25-9/5/25 9/29/25-10/3/25	CSSP-I
Aug 18, 2025	Feb 26, 2026	Eve	9/1/25-9/4/25 11/24/25-11/27/25 12/22/25-12/25/25 12/29/25-1/1/26	CSSP-I
Sep 8, 2025	Dec 12, 2025	Day	10/13/25-10/17/25 11/24/25-11/28/25	CSSP-I
Oct 13, 2025	Jan 23, 2026	Day	11/24/25-11/28/25 12/22/25-12/26/25 12/29/25-1/2/26	CSSP-I
Dec 1, 2025	Mar 13, 2025	Day	12/22/25-12/26/25 12/29/25-1/2/26 2/9/26-2/13/26	CSSP-I