Centriq Blog Category: Centriq News
What is Professional Development and Why is it Important for IT?
Have you heard? The IT industry is in need of some serious tech talent. While there are plenty of IT jobs to choose from, it’s important to outperform the competition by keeping your personal and professional skills sharp heading into interviews. We’re talking about Pro Dev, or Professional Development, which encompasses not only your technical skills but also your “soft skills” (AKA the interpersonal attributes you need to succeed in the workplace).
What is Sallie Mae? Six FAQS About Sallie Mae and How to Use it for Technical Training
If you’ve ever thought “Who is Sallie Mae and what does she have to do with my student loans?”, keep reading. Sallie Mae isn’t a schoolgirl — it’s a private loan provider that can help fund your education.
5 Tech Roles Sorely Lacking Talent in 2021
COVID has changed the professional working world forever. In the case of IT, however, that might just be a positive thing. According to IT staffing agency Motion Recruitment, the market lost 180,000 total jobs in December 2020 – but gained 20,000 IT jobs. Why has the IT job market exploded, and what are the most in-demand tech roles in 2021?
Why hiring women in technology is even more important in a post-COVID world
The 2021 celebration of International Women’s day is one that will likely be the most somber in recent history. We are going into March 8th with the harsh reality of the effects COVID-19 has had on the work force and how those effects disproportionately impact women. Smithsonian Magazine reports that between August and September of 2020, 865,000 women left the workforce completely. This exodus can largely be attributed to the increased domestic burden placed on women when schools around the country moved to a virtual learning model. When compared to the 216,000 men who left the workforce in the same period, the differences are disheartening to say the least.
Centriq Trainers of the Year—2020
Centriq Training instructors aren’t just pros, they’re Champions of the classroom. Our instructors take the time to make sure each student not only understands the content being delivered but also helps create a fun and welcoming environment no matter the skill level of those in class. Though all our instructors are great at what they do, every year we recognize those who go above and beyond in and out of the classroom. Congratulations to our Trainer Champions for 2020!
Meet the Instructor: Mickie Brewer
Meet Mickie Brewer, one of Centriq’s Microsoft 365 Training Specialists. Mickie came to Centriq in 2018 with experience as a consultant, specializing in Microsoft 365. Mickie uses her expertise as a trainer and end-user to prepare organizations of all sizes for successful Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Teams adoption. When Mickie isn’t in the classroom, you can find her hittin’ the road trips in her Jeep!
Year-end reflection: Use MyAnalytics to discover your digital work habits and set goals for the new year
Many of us found ourselves working virtually this year more than ever before, and our reliance on digital tools and workspaces increased along with that change. You may have found yourself using Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, Planner, and other M365 apps and services for the first time or perhaps just more than usual.
One unique Microsoft 365 (M365) tool you may not have heard of is MyAnalytics. MyAnalytics is constantly working in the background analyzing your digital work habits and providing you a personalized view into how you spend your time.
MyAnalytics can help you reflect on your virtual collaboration and work habits, such as how much of your week you spend in meetings, as well as provide ideas for improving your digital work life, such as blocking focus time each day when you’re most productive. MyAnalytics is private and specific to you as an individual user and serves exclusively as an information resource for your own consumption.
Strengthen your skills from home
As COVID continues to alter the workplace, organizations are understanding that the “work from home” evolution requires not just improved technical skills but also improved “soft skills” such as more efficient communication, effective project management as new processes are implemented and even greater time management. Here are some of the most popular classes Centriq customers are taking this fall to close “soft skills gaps” as we adjust to the new workplace environment.
Save 40% on Microsoft training this summer
This month you can purchase any two 5-day Microsoft classes for only $3,500! That’s a 40% savings on training for technologies like: PowerShell, Azure, SQL, System Center, M365, Windows 10, and more. You have until October 31, 2020 to attend the classes. So, you have the entire summer to enroll and save! Buy your two classes today and start saving!
Office 365 is now Microsoft 365
Until April 21, 2020, Office 365 and Microsoft 365 were separate but overlapping Microsoft productivity tools or products. (See our blog recently revised blog Office 365 vs Microsoft 365: What’s the Difference? Are They the Same?). But on that date, Microsoft announced that the group of productivity apps formerly known as Office 365 would now be branded “Microsoft 365”.