For those hoping to start an MCSA course, be aware that companies offer quite diverse courses; some are much better than others. You will find a selection of programs, both if you're just getting started, or a professional ready to gain accredited qualifications. Search for a training provider that's happy to take the time to understand you, and can sort out the ideal path for you, before they even talk about your course. They will also be able to advise you where to begin dependent on your present knowledge or lack of it.

Commencing from the idea that we need to locate the area of most interest first, before we're able to weigh up which educational program ticks the right boxes, how do we know the right direction? Working through lists of IT career possibilities is next to useless. The vast majority of us have no idea what the neighbours do for a living - so we have no hope of understanding the intricacies of any specific IT role. Arriving at any kind of right resolution will only come through a detailed investigation of several shifting key points:

* Personality factors and what you're interested in - what working tasks you enjoy or dislike.

* Are you looking to reach an important aspiration - for example, working from home as quickly as possible?

* Where is the salary on a scale of importance - is it of prime importance, or is enjoying your job further up on the priority-scale?

* Always think in-depth about the level of commitment involved to attain their desired level.

* You have to appreciate the differences between each individual training area.

Ultimately, the best way of covering these is through an in-depth discussion with an experienced advisor that understands the market well enough to give you the information required.

Charging for examinations upfront and offering an 'Exam Guarantee' is popular with many companies. However, let's consider what's really going on:

In this day and age, we're a little more 'marketing-savvy' - and most of us grasp that it is something we're paying for (it's not a freebie because they like us so much!) The honest truth is that if students pay for their own exams, one by one, the chances are they're going to qualify each time - since they are conscious of their investment in themselves and so will prepare more thoroughly.

Do the examinations somewhere close to home and find the best exam deal or offer available then. Huge profits are made by many training colleges who get money for exam fees in advance. A number of students don't take them for various reasons but no refunds are given. Believe it or not, there are providers who depend on students not taking their exams - as that's how they make a lot of their profit. Re-takes of previously unsuccessful exams through organisations who offer an 'Exam Guarantee' are monitored with tight restrictions. You'll be required to sit pre-tests until you've demonstrated an excellent ability to pass.

Exams taken at VUE and Prometric centres are around 112 pounds in this country. Students should be very wary of forking out hundreds of pounds extra in charges for 'Exam Guarantees' (often hidden in the cost) - when a quality course, support and study, commitment and preparing with good quality mock and practice exams is what will really guarantee success.

Your training program should always include the current Microsoft (or relevant organisation's) accredited exam simulation and preparation packages. Due to the fact that many IT examining boards are American, you need to become familiar with their phraseology. It isn't good enough just answering any old technical questions - they must be in an exam format that exactly replicates the real thing. A way to build self-confidence is if you analyse how much you know through tests and mock ups of exams before you take the actual exam.

Many trainers have a handy Job Placement Assistance service, to help you into your first commercial role. Don't get caught up in this feature - it's easy for eager sales people to overplay it. The fact of the matter is, the need for well trained IT people in the United Kingdom is the reason you'll find a job.

Get your CV updated straight-away though (advice and support for this should come from your course provider). Don't procrastinate and leave it for when you're ready to start work. Quite often, you will be offered your initial position whilst you're still studying (sometimes when you've only just got going). If your CV doesn't show your latest training profile - or it's not getting in front of interviewers, then you aren't even in the running! If you don't want to travel too far to work, then you'll probably find that a local IT focused recruitment consultancy may be of more use than the trainer's recruitment division, due to the fact that they are much more inclined to know the local job scene.

Just be sure that you don't conscientiously work through your course materials, then call a halt and imagine someone else is miraculously going to secure your first position. Take responsibility for yourself and make your own enquiries. Put the same resource into securing your first job as it took to get qualified.

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