Networking courses can refer to courses on two significantly different subjects. One type of networking course teaches IT professionals how to network computers, while other courses teach attendees how to network with other people online or in person for financial, career, or social benefit. When choosing the first type of course, it is very important to select a training provider who has a good reputation and teaches networking skills that are consistent with the type of software or hardware that you will be using. If you are in the process of earning an academic degree, you will also want to make sure that the course is recognized by your academic institution if you want to apply any credits earned toward your diploma. If you are choosing the latter type of course, you may be more concerned with the reputation of the course instructor and whether the course addresses the specific type of networking that you are interested in.
Computer networking courses are taught at vocational schools, colleges, and universities. In addition, many computer and software vendors may also sponsor training programs. It is important that you carefully read course descriptions so as to make sure that the course teaches what you need to learn. If you are concerned about whether a course is suitable for your needs, you may wish to contact the school or even the instructor directly to get your questions answered. In some cases, networking courses are taught as continuing education programs, and you may be able to get your employer to pay your tuition for these courses.
Social networking and business networking courses, on the other hand, are far less technical than computer networking classes. Some academic institutions may offer coursework in social media and business networking as part of business or online marketing programs. You may, however, find that there are many different nonacademic networking courses that will meet your needs. In some cases, you can find these courses at trade shows and conventions, or you may even be able to take these courses online.
You may find that the popularity of specific social media and business networking courses can largely be attributed to the instructor, who may be a well-known writer or speaker in his field. If you like this particular instructor, by all means take his course. You may also want to look at other aspects of social networking courses, including the length of the course, the cost, and the topics covered. You should also ask friends and others to recommend courses to you. Particularly if you wish to take a social media course, you should check out the reputation of the course and its instructor within various social networks so as to gather a number of opinions that you can use in making your decision.
