Whether you are new to network support, or an experienced technician hoping to gain accredited qualifications, there are interactive MCSA (Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator) training tracks that are suitable for both standards of student. Each of these categories requires different material, so ensure you're being offered the best one in advance of spending your money. Search for a training provider that's happy to take the time to understand you, and what you hope to do, and can supply you with the clear facts to make your choice.

Make sure you don't get caught-up, as can often be the case, on the accreditation program. You're not training for the sake of training; this is about employment. Begin and continue with the end in mind. It's possible, for instance, to find immense satisfaction in a year of study and then spend 20 miserable years in a tiresome job role, simply because you did it without the correct level of soul-searching when it was needed - at the start.

Take time to understand your leanings around earning potential and career progression, and how ambitious you are. You should understand what industry expects from you, what certifications will be required and in what way you can develop commercial experience. Talk to a skilled advisor that has a commercial understanding of the realities faced in the industry, and who can give you a detailed run-down of what to expect in that role. Researching these areas before beginning a learning programme makes a lot of sense, doesn't it?

One interesting way that training providers make more money is by adding exam fees upfront to the cost of a course and then including an 'Exam Guarantee'. This sounds impressive, until you think it through:

Thankfully, today we have to be a bit more aware of hype - and generally we realise that of course we are actually being charged for it - they're not just being charitable and doling out freebies! Those who go in for their examinations when it's appropriate, paying for them just before taking them are much better placed to get through first time. They are aware of their investment and take the necessary steps to be up to the task.

Does it really add up to pay your training company early for exam fees? Find the best exam deal or offer when you're ready, don't pay mark-ups - and take it closer to home - instead of miles away at the college's beck and call. Huge profits are made by a number of companies who incorporate exam fees into the cost of the course. Many students don't take them for one reason or another and so the company is quids-in. Believe it or not, there are companies around who actually rely on students not sitting all the exams - as that's how they make a lot of their profit. The majority of organisations will insist that you take mock exams first and not allow you to re-take an exam until you've demonstrated an excellent ability to pass - which makes an 'Exam Guarantee' frankly useless.

Paying maybe a thousand pounds extra on 'Exam Guarantees' is remiss - when study, commitment and preparing with good quality mock and practice exams is actually the key to your success.

Looking around, we find a plethora of professional positions up for grabs in the IT industry. Deciding which one could be right for yourself is generally problematic. What are the chances of us grasping the tasks faced daily in an IT career when we haven't done that before? We normally don't even know anybody who performs the role either. Deliberation over these issues is important if you want to discover the right answer for you:

* Your individual personality as well as your interests - what work-oriented areas you love or hate.

* For what reasons you're starting in Information Technology - it could be you're looking to conquer a particular goal like being your own boss maybe.

* The income requirements you may have?

* Some students don't fully understand the level of commitment required to attain their desired level.

* You will need to take in what is different for all the training areas.

To be honest, you'll find the only real way to gain help on these issues is through a chat with a professional that understands the IT industry (and chiefly it's commercial needs.)

Trainees looking at this market can be very practical by nature, and don't really enjoy classrooms, and poring through books and manuals. If you identify with this, opt for more involving, interactive learning materials, where everything is presented via full motion video. If we can get all of our senses involved in our learning, then we normally see dramatically better results.

Study programs now come on CD and DVD discs, where everything is taught on your PC. Through video streaming, you can sit back and watch the teachers showing you precisely how to do something, followed by your chance to practice - in an interactive lab. It's imperative to see the type of training provided by your chosen company. Be sure that they contain video, demonstrations and various interactive elements.

Avoid training that is purely online. You want physical CD/DVD ROM course materials where possible, enabling them to be used at your convenience - it's not wise to be held hostage to a good broadband connection all the time.

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