Your IT Career Path Is Wide Open

Thursday, 4 May, 2017

IT Career Path







It’s difficult but interesting







Career paths in the IT industry


Database Administrator


Graphic Design


Video Game Developer and Tester




IT Security


Programming and Coding


Project Manager




5 Things To Know About Oracle DBA

Friday, 21 April, 2017

Database Administrator

Why Oracle Database Management is Really Important

We frequently use spreadsheets to store and share data. As long as the data is small and straightforward, spreadsheets do a good job of saving it. However, as the volume and complexity of the data grows, you will have to use a Database Management System to store and retrieve the data. Databases are highly scalable, and they are designed to communicate with other applications which make them suitable for the web.

Organizations like Banks, Government departments and multinational corporations all have vast amounts of data that need to be store and retrieved securely. Therefore, they use relational database management system to manage their data. A relational database recognizes the relationship between stored information.

Oracle is an object-relational database which is among one of the most complex databases in the world. It means that it supports many object-oriented features such as enhancing the capability of the database server by defining new and complex data types and using the attributes of “Inheritance” to define objects, which can procure properties of other objects.

Since most Database Management Systems (DBMS) understand a particular query or a specific language, not everyone can operate them. Database Administrators (or DBAs) use specialized software to store, update, delete or manage data in the DBMS.

If you want to become an Oracle Database Administrator, here are five things you should know:

What does an Oracle DBA do?

An Oracle DBA’s core job is to maintain data integrity, which means protecting the organization’s data. Database Administrators are involved in almost all functions related to data management such as development, storage, and retrieval of the database. They also “create, install, examine and troubleshoot” the database management systems that deal with the data in any organization. As an Oracle DBA, you will also be involved in the processes of backup and recovery of data, storage and capacity planning, performance monitoring and tuning, data extraction, transformation, & loading, etc. You may also be communicating with developers, data analysts and network operators to ensure smooth and efficient management & flow of information in the organization.

What are the necessary requirements for becoming an Oracle DBA?

Since database administration requires advanced knowledge of computing as well as business environments, most of the Oracle DBAs hold a Bachelor’s degree (BS) in computer programming. Due to intense competition, a college degree may not be adequate to become a DBA. Therefore, you need to upgrade your skills and become a certified expert in Oracle to advance your career. Excellent communications skills always help as in any other technical role.

You Can’t Avoid SQL

SQL or Structured Query Language, is at the core of all relational databases. SQL is used to store or fetch data in the relational databases. In fact, Oracle itself is a form of SQL Database. Also, the Oracle database is ANSI compliant. Thus, you can’t avoid SQL if you want to become an Oracle DBA. Join an introductory course in SQL before you aspire to learn advanced modules of Oracle database.

How much Oracle DBAs Earn?

The compensation of an Oracle Database Administrator may depend on several factors such as expertise in Database Administration, relevant experience, communications skills, educational qualification, etc.

According to a report, as of Feb 2017, the median salary of Oracle DBAs is $111,450.00 per year. The average annual salary of top 10% Oracle DBAs is $132,613.00 whereas the bottom 10% earn an average annual salary of $85,637. This data clearly shows that Oracle DBA experts are among the highest paid professionals in the Information Technology sector.

How to Get Started

If you are a beginner, join an online training program to learn the basic SQL programming language. You should also acquire as many certifications in Oracle as possible to establish your credentials. Large organizations usually ask for a certain number (2-5 Years) of years of work experience. Therefore, you should also begin working as an intern along with your course to gain real world experience. You will need to be persistent and should have patience to learn Oracle DBA as it is an advanced programming language. Remember that your effort to learn Oracle will pay off quickly when you get your first job.

An Expert Talks About ITIL Practitioner

Friday, 7 April, 2017

Ask an Expert ITIL Practitioner

GogoTraining conducted a webinar on Mar 15, where Dr. Suzanne Van Hove discussed several nuances of ITIL Practitioner. She explained in detail about the ITIL Practitioner course, the concepts of IT Service Management, and why you need the Practitioner. She also answered some frequently asked questions related to ITIL Practitioner.

Key takeaways from the seminar:

  1. Students will need to understand the following terms & concepts:
    1. What is Adopt & Adapt
    2. Service Value,
    3. Who is or can be the Customer
    4. What is Effective vs. Efficient,
    5. VOCR (Value, Outcome, Costs, Risks)
  2. The importance of Communication, Metrics and Organizational Change Management to the Service Management consultant
  3. The need for and use of an improvement framework

A Peek Inside the ITIL Practitioner Exam

Passing the ITIL Practitioner exam is all about applying the concepts. 70-80% of the questions in the ITIL exam are application-based while remaining are based on theories. Thus, you should spend a majority of your preparation time (70-80%) on doing exercises to strengthen your ability to apply theoretical knowledge.

Most of the exercises in ITIL Practitioner training are based on case studies. There will be a fictitious company and a hypothetical situation. You need to apply the ITIL concepts and identify key elements in order to implement the proper solution within the given situational context.   Only through the proper implementation of the concepts can you solve the problems correctly.

The ITIL Practitioner course has several advantages such as helping you gain practical skills, boosting your self-confidence and teaching you about the environment in which Service Management decisions are made within an organization. The course also helps you become an internal or external specialist and utilize the skills learned to provide expert professional advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Are exam questions similar to the exercises in the course?

Answer: No. The exercises are designed to reinforce the principles. Since the exam questions are based on a particular case, you need to have a tremendous understanding of the concepts and their applications to answer them. However, practicing the exercises will help you do better in the final exam.

Question:  When can I take the ITIL Practitioner

Answer:  ITIL Foundation is mandatory for taking ITIL Practitioner exam. Also, it is recommended that you should take at least take one or two intermediate classes before attempting ITIL Practitioner so that you develop the understanding of the context and critical ITSM concepts.

Question:  How difficult would it be for experienced ITSM professionals if they take the Practitioner exam without undergoing a training program?

Answer: It will be difficult as it uses a specific language and you need to write ITIL Practitioner exam in a particular atmosphere. So, you will need to study the course extensively and familiarize yourself with all the core concepts before taking the exam.

Question: How much studying do I need to pass the exam?

Answer: It depends on the individual. There are many concepts which are subtle while others are quite dynamic. You need to read the course text thoroughly and practice the activities given in the book.  If you have done the ITIL CSI intermediate course, it will help you in the Practitioner exam preparation. You may also highlight the key concepts in the book so that you can refer to them quickly during the exam.

Question: Should I take any particular Intermediate Class before attempting the ITIL Practitioner exam?

Answer: It would be good to take one or two intermediate courses before you take ITIL Practitioner.  If you have not taken any we recommend CSI or Service Strategy.

Question: How is ITIL Practitioner different from ITIL Expert?

Answer: ITIL Expert is very different from ITIL Practitioner regarding content as well the context. The Expert doesn’t deal with the soft skills and still requires you to memorize the concepts even though it is more practical than the Intermediates. ITIL Practitioner is more hands-on and based on your application of concepts in different contexts.


You need ITIL Practitioner so that you learn the skills necessary to lead an Adopt & Adapt initiative within your organization. ITIL Practitioner is significantly different from the other ITIL courses as in the Practitioner your focus is not on memorizing new knowledge but, synthesizing what you already have and applying it to real-life situations.  Active participation in course exercises, as well as focused study, will be critical to pass this difficult exam.


If you have any questions to Dr. Van Hove, please send them to

5 Steps to Landing a Job in IT

Monday, 27 March, 2017





1.) Learn a Programming Language


2.) Get Certified


3.) Write a Focused Resume


4.) Expand your Network


5.) Prepare for the Interview



The Bottom Line…


Do YOU Need ITIL Practitioner?

Monday, 20 March, 2017

Yes, you do!  Why? Because ITIL® Practitioner is the Certification that brings ITIL to life.   It will give you the practical skill-set to successfully adopt and adapt ITIL.  In short, you will take your “Book Knowledge” and turn into “Street Smarts”.

Without the skills to support your Adopt and Adapt initiative, you cannot put ITIL to work.  Bottom Line – if you want to bring ITIL to life, and take advantage of all of the benefits it has to offer, then you need to know how to adopt and adapt the ITIL Framework and ITIL Practitioner will give you the tools.


ITIL Practitioner’s Place in the ITIL Framework


In the diagram above you can see that ITIL Practitioner sits right in the middle of the Lifecycle and the Capability track of courses.  The Practitioner Certification is worth 3 credits towards ITIL Expert and may be taken any time after you achieve the Foundation Certificate.  However, it is a certification exam unlike any of the other ITIL Certification exams and we HIGHLY RECOMMEND that in addition to the ITIL Foundation Certificate that you have 2 years of experience working in IT Service Management and that you have taken at least 1 ITIL Intermediate course.


The ITIL Practitioner Certification Exam


The ITIL Practitioner Certification exam expects that you will have taken the time to read “AXELOS ITIL Practitioner Guidance” and really understand the material.  Success depends on knowing how to apply what you have learned.  It is NOT, I repeat, NOT like any other ITIL Exam.  It requires you to take your time and to study.

GogoTraining ITIL and Industry Expert Dr. Suzanne Van Hove designed a class with 8 practical exercises.  These exercises utilize the exam case studies and give you the opportunity to apply key course concepts, which will assist you when you take the ITIL Practitioner exam.

While taking a course is not required to sit for the ITIL Practitioner Exam, the exam is $356 and that is a lot of money to pay and not pass the exam.  After Dr. Van Hove (with 18 years of experience) took the ITIL Practitioner exam she decided to put a class together which focuses on the skill sets that a student needs to have in order to successfully take and pass.  Each of the eight exercises Dr. Van Hove has prepared will take students 2.5 to 3 hours each to complete. That is 24 hours of study on the practical skills of the ITIL Practitioner.


ITIL Practitioner is a ‘Must-Have’ Certification


When it comes to Practitioner, we believe it is a must-have Certification because it stresses the skill-set you need to successfully adopt and adapt ITIL.  That said, remember, you need to prepare thoroughly before you take the exam.  ITIL Practitioner is heavily focused on application of concepts and as such, completing all exercises and spending time with the course materials will only increase your success rate. Additionally, having a background within Service Management, beyond the Foundation exam, is another important criterion. Focusing on both of the above aspects provides a level of confidence not only for the exam but, to participate and lead ITIL Adopt and Adapt initiatives.

If you have any questions, or would like to learn more about the ITIL Practitioner Certification, please contact us at, or visit the course page here.



A Beginner’s Guide to Python Programming

Monday, 6 March, 2017

Python Developer Needed




Java Programming

  1. class hello {
  3. System.out.println(“Hello World”);
  4. }
  5. }

C Programming

  1. #include <stdio.h>
  2. main() {
  3. printf(“Hello World”);
  4. }

Python Programming

  1. print “Hello World”


Here are some useful tips to get started with Python:

Pick up the right version


Use Python interpreter


Check this example of an online Python interpreter:


Don’t mess with indentations


Join communities


Invest in Your Education




7 Tips to Help You Prepare for the ITIL® Practitioner Exam

Wednesday, 1 March, 2017






Why is the Exam is Open Book?



1.) Remember to Prioritize the Concepts


2.) Form a study group


3.) Use the book in the mock tests


4.) Mark key information in the official book


5.) Learn Time Management


6.) Maintain Examination Temperament


7.) Write The Exam when you are Confident




The Top 5 Benefits of Learning IT Asset Management

Thursday, 9 February, 2017

IT Asset Management




1 – High Demand


2 – Global Recognition




3- Prerequisite for Many Top IT Roles



4 – Host of Unexplored Career Opportunities







5 – Excellent Compensation


Bottom line



How to Become an Android Developer Without a Degree

Monday, 23 January, 2017

How to become an Android Developer without a Degree


Passion for problem-solving and programming


Focus on identifying and learning relevant practices


Learn from peers


Search jobs or freelancing opportunities that help you learn




ITIL and ISO/IEC 20000 Courses Offered at Gogo Training

Wednesday, 19 October, 2016

IT Courses Online


ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library)


ISO/IEC 20000


How ITIL and ISO/IEC 20000 Work Together




Online IT Course
