If Cisco training is your aspiration, but you've not yet worked with routers, initially you should go for CCNA certification. This educates you in knowledge and skills to work with routers. The world wide web is built up of many routers, and national or international corporations with many locations also use them to connect their computer networks.

Routers connect to networks, so it's vital to have an understanding of how networks operate, or you'll struggle with the training and be unable to follow the work. Seek out a program that includes basic networking skills (CompTIA is ideal) prior to starting your CCNA.

The correct skill set and understanding prior to getting going on the Cisco CCNA is vital. Therefore, discuss the requirements expected of you with someone who will know what you need.

Commercially accredited qualifications are now, very visibly, starting to replace the traditional academic paths into the IT industry - why then is this the case? With university education costs becoming a tall order for many, plus the industry's general opinion that vendor-based training is closer to the mark commercially, there's been a large rise in Microsoft, CompTIA, CISCO and Adobe authorised training courses that supply key solutions to a student at a fraction of the cost and time involved. In a nutshell, only required knowledge is taught. It's slightly more broad than that, but the principle remains that students need to focus on the exact skills required (alongside some required background) - without overdoing the detail in everything else (as universities often do).

If an employer understands what work they need doing, then all it takes is an advert for someone with a specific qualification. The syllabuses all have to conform to the same requirements and can't change from one establishment to the next (as academic syllabuses often do).

The somewhat scary thought of getting your first job is often made easier by training colleges, through a Job Placement Assistance programme. However sometimes this feature is bigged up too much, as it is genuinely quite straightforward for well qualified and focused men and women to land a job in the IT environment - as there is such a shortage of qualified personnel.

Advice and support about getting interviews and your CV may be available (if it isn't, consult one of our sites). Be sure to you work on your old CV right away - don't leave it till you pass the exams! You'll often find that you'll land your first role while still studying (even in the early stages). If you haven't updated your CV to say what you're studying (and it's not being looked at by employers) then you won't even be considered! Generally, an independent and specialised local recruitment consultancy (who will get paid commission to place you) is going to give you a better service than a sector of a centralised training facility. It also stands to reason that they'll know the local area and commercial needs.

Many men and women, apparently, conscientiously work through their course materials (sometimes for years), and just give up when it comes to finding their first job. Promote yourself... Do your best to let employers know about you. A job isn't just going to bump into you.

There are colossal changes washing over technology in the near future - and it becomes more and more thrilling each day. Computer technology and dialogue through the web is going to spectacularly alter the way we live our lives in the future; incredibly so.

And don't forget salaries either - the usual income over this country as a whole for an average person working in IT is a lot more than average salaries nationally. It's a good bet that you'll earn a much better deal than you would in most other jobs. It seems there is a lot more room for IT expansion throughout this country. The market sector continues to grow enormously, and as we have a significant shortage of skilled professionals, it's most unlikely that things will be any different for years to come.

Your training program should always include the most up to date Microsoft (or relevant organisation's) accredited exam simulation and preparation packages. Due to the fact that most IT examining boards are American, you'll need to be used to the correct phraseology. It's no use merely going through the right questions - it's essential that you can cope with them in the proper exam format. Ensure that you ask for testing modules that will allow you to test your comprehension at any point. Simulated or practice exams add to your knowledge bank - then you're much more at ease with the real thing.