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In the fast-paced world we live in, support workers who can fix computers and networks, along with giving regular help to users, are essential in all areas of industry. Whilst we are getting progressively beholden to computers and networks, we simultaneously become more dependent on the technically knowledgeable networking professionals, who ensure the systems function properly.

There are a plethora of jobs and positions available in Information Technology. Picking the right one in this uncertainty can be very difficult. Flicking through a list of odd-sounding and meaningless job titles is just a waste of time. The majority of us don’t really appreciate what our next-door neighbours do at work each day – so we have no hope of understanding the intricacies of any specific IT role. Arriving at a well-informed resolution really only appears via a meticulous investigation of several different areas:

* Your personal interests and hobbies – these can show the possibilities will provide a happy working life.

* Is your focus to obtain training for a specific motive – for example, are you looking at working at home (self-employment possibly?)?

* Does salary have a higher place on your list of priorities than anything else.

* Getting to grips with what the main IT areas and markets are – including what sets them apart.

* The level of commitment and effort you’ll have available to put into your training.

Ultimately, your only chance of understanding everything necessary is from an in-depth discussion with an advisor who through years of experience will lead you to the correct decision.

What is the reason why traditional academic studies are being overtaken by more commercial certificates? With a growing demand for specific technological expertise, industry has of necessity moved to the specialised training that can only be obtained from the actual vendors – that is companies such as CISCO, Adobe, Microsoft and CompTIA. Often this saves time and money for the student. In essence, only that which is required is learned. It isn’t quite as lean as that might sound, but the principle objective is to master the precisely demanded skill-sets (with some necessary background) – without going into too much detail in everything else (as academia often does).

Think about if you were the employer – and you needed to take on someone with a very particular skill-set. Which is the most straightforward: Wade your way through a mass of different academic qualifications from several applicants, having to ask what each has covered and which vocational skills they’ve acquired, or select a specialised number of commercial certifications that specifically match what you’re looking for, and then choose your interviewees based around that. Your interviews are then about personal suitability – rather than establishing whether they can do a specific task.

Be alert that all qualifications you’re studying for are recognised by industry and are bang up to date. The ‘in-house’ certifications provided by many companies are generally useless. All the major commercial players like Microsoft, Cisco, CompTIA or Adobe have globally renowned proficiency courses. Huge conglomerates such as these will ensure your employability.

Charging for exam fees with the course fee and presenting it as a guarantee for your exams is common for many training course providers. But let’s examine why they really do it:

You’re paying for it by some means. One thing’s for sure – it isn’t free – it’s simply been shoe-horned into the price as a whole. Trainees who take each progressive exam, paying for them just before taking them are much more likely to pass. They’re aware of their spending and revise more thoroughly to be ready for the task.

Shouldn’t you be looking to not pay up-front, but at the appropriate time, instead of paying a premium to the college, and to do it in a local testing office – rather than possibly hours away from your area? Including money in your training package for exam fees (which also includes interest if you’ve taken out a loan) is a false economy. Don’t line companies bank accounts with extra money of yours simply to help their cash-flow! Many will hope you don’t even take them all – but they won’t refund the cash. It’s worth noting, in the majority of cases of ‘exam guarantees’ – you are not in control of when you can do your re-takes. You’ll have to prove conclusively that you can pass before they’ll pay for another exam.

On average, exams cost around the 112 pounds mark last year when taken at Prometric or VUE centres around the United Kingdom. Therefore, why splash out often many hundreds of pounds extra to have ‘an Exam Guarantee’, when it’s no secret that the most successful method is consistent and systematic learning, coupled with quality exam simulation software.

Don’t get hung-up, as a lot of students can, on the certification itself. Training is not an end in itself; you’re training to become commercially employable. You need to remain focused on where you want to go. It’s common, in some situations, to get a great deal of enjoyment from a year of study and then find yourself trapped for decades in something completely unrewarding, as an upshot of not doing the correct level of soul-searching at the outset.

You must also consider what your attitude is towards career progression and earning potential, plus your level of ambition. It’s vital to know what industry expects from you, which particular exams are needed and how you’ll gain real-world experience. We’d recommend you seek advice from an experienced industry professional before making your final decision on a learning path, so you’re sure from the outset that a program provides the appropriate skill-set.

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