With news that there are lucrative jobs in the tech industry, Anne Fisher, contributing writer for Fortune, answers a question we often get at PCATT. People ask if training is sufficient or if a degree is necessary for a career in tech. This article has answers that we share with individuals and has good strategies for getting your foot in the door. 

Everyone knows of the increasing customer demand for bandwith so it's a no-brainer to appreciate knowing the essentials of fiber optic network design. For interested individuals, PCATT is hosting the BICSI Fiber Optic Network Design course starting February 28, ending on March 2.  This is the first time the course will be offered in Hawaii for IT professionals, engineers, and designers of fiber distribution systems. Registration deadline is Thursday, February 9.  Registration and more info available here. 

       For more good news, BICSI just signed an agreement to deliver the eight credentialing exams through Pearson VUE. This includes the cornerstone Registered Communications Distribution Designer (RCDD) exam. You no longer need to wait for an examiner to come to Hawaii. Simply register online at Pearson VUE and select Honolulu Community College as your testing location.

Before talking about Pinterest for business, let's back up a bit. For folks who don't know what Pinterest is, consider Pinterest grew by 4000% in 6 months and had 11 million hits in one week. If that caught your attention, then you can check out  their site.

       As you review the Pinterest site, you may wonder, "What's that got to do with business?" Here are two articles, one for TNW, 10 tips to get the most out of Pinterest for your business.  (Received the article via Wahine Media, a good source for expertise.) The other article , To Pin or Not to Pin: An in-depth look at Pinterest, offers practical "to-do" and "not-to-do" ideas. Is Pinterest the next social media darling or merely a passing trend? 

PCATT has a new course, 3D Printing from Revit Architecture, starting in April. Why the advance notice? Because you may want to take Revit Achitecture 2012 Essentials, required training or equivalent experience you need before taking the hands-on 3D printing course. 3D printing is an essential element of prototyping and has potential for a myriad of practical uses. If you're interested in 3D printing as a process, here's a good introductory article. Better yet, take the course from PCATT and create and print your own 3D model. 

Here's a quick look at PCATT training for February island-wide. This listing is in date order.  Check the PCATT website for the most accurate listing as courses are added and dates are adjusted. 

 

CCNA 3 Exploration: LAN Switching and Wireless

Starts Feb 1 @ Honolulu Community College

 

The ABC's of Internet Marketing - Part 1: Marketing Assessment

Starts Feb 1 @ Kauai Community College 

 

The ABC's of Internet Marketing - Part 2: Internet Marketing Plan

Starts Feb 8 @ Kauai Community College

 

The ABC's of Internet Marketing - Part 3: Ethical Email Marketing

Starts Feb 15 @ Kauai Community College

 

The ABC's of Internet Marketing - Part 4: Traditional Marketing Websites

Starts Feb 22 @ Kauai Community College

  

The ABC's of Internet Marketing - Part 5: Marketing Through Blogs

Starts Feb 29 @ Kauai Community College  

 

The ABC's of Internet Marketing - Part 6: Internet Marketing Videos

Starts Mar 7 @ Kauai Community College  

 

The ABC's of Internet Marketing - Part 7: Web Advertising

Starts Mar 14 @ Kauai Community College  

 

The ABC's of Internet Marketing - Part 8: E-Commerce: Closing the Sale
Starts Mar 21 @ Kauai Community College   

 

GIS Essentials (Using GeoMedia)

Starts Feb 2 @ Honolulu Community College

 

BICSI Installer Level 1 Training

Starts Feb 6 @ Honolulu Community College

 

Introduction to AutoCAD

Starts Feb 6 @ Hawaii Community College 

Starts Feb 6 @ Hawaii Community College 

 

AutoCAD 2012 Essentials

Starts Feb 7 @ Honolulu Community College

 

HTML - Introduction

Starts Feb 8 @ UH Maui College

 

Advanced Java Programming

Starts Feb 13 @ Honolulu Community College

 

iPhone 201

Starts Feb 13 @ Hawaii Community College

 

Business Etiquette in the Age of Technology

Starts Feb 15 @ Honolulu Community College

 

Introduction to Solar Photovoltaic Design and Installation

Starts Feb 18 @ Hawaii Community College

 

Essentials of Web Design

Starts Feb 21 @ UH Maui College

 

Adobe Photoshop Elements Level 2

Starts Feb 22 @ UH Maui College

 

iPad 201

Starts Feb 27 @ Hawaii Community College

 

Adobe Photoshop - Introduction

Starts Feb 28 @ UH Maui College

And finally, PCATT regulars know we end with something light and a little off-beat. This month we have something that has rhythm, even if we don't. We like the FREE iTunes app for iPhones, iPads, and iPods called VidRhythm by Harmonix. It was a runner up in the iPhone App of the Year competition in 2011. Here's info about the VidRhythm app and for your amusement, watch the staff in their PCATT VidRhythm production. Please hold your applause (or boos).