The CCNA is the way to go for Cisco training. This teaches you how to work on the maintenance and installation of network switches and routers. Fundamentally, the internet is based upon huge numbers of routers, and large companies that have different locations rely on them to allow their networks to keep in touch.

Gaining this type of qualification means you'll most probably find yourself working for national or international corporations that have multiple departments and sites, but need to keep in touch. Other usual roles could be with an internet service provider. This specialised skill set is highly paid.

Qualifying up to the CCNA level is the right level to aim for; don't let some salesperson talk you into starting with the CCNP. With experience, you can decide if this level is required. If you decide to become more qualified, you will have developed the skills you require to take on your CCNP - because it's a difficult qualification to master - and shouldn't be looked upon as otherwise.

The way a programme is physically sent to you isn't always given the appropriate level of importance. In what way are your training elements sectioned? And in what sequence and how fast does each element come? Trainees may consider it sensible (with a typical time scale of 1-3 years to achieve full certification,) that a training provider will issue a single section at a time, as you pass each element. However: It's not unusual for trainees to realise that their providers standard order of study isn't the easiest way for them. Sometimes, a slightly different order suits them better. Could it cause problems if you don't get everything done inside of the expected timescales?

In a perfect world, you want ALL the study materials up-front - giving you them all for the future to come back to - as and when you want. This also allows you to vary the order in which you complete your exams as and when something more intuitive seems right for you.

The market provides a myriad of jobs and positions available in the IT industry. Picking the right one for you often proves challenging. What chances do most of us have of understanding the tasks faced daily in an IT career if we've never been there? We normally don't know someone who performs the role either. Getting to the right conclusion will only come from a systematic investigation covering many altering key points:

* Your personality type plus what interests you - the sort of work-oriented areas you like and dislike.

* Are you driven to get qualified due to a precise reason - for instance, are you looking at working from home (self-employment possibly?)?

* Is your income higher on your priority-list than other factors.

* Often, trainees don't consider the amount of work needed to get fully certified.

* You will need to understand what differentiates each individual training area.

The best way to avoid the barrage of jargon, and find what'll really work for you, have an in-depth discussion with an industry-experienced advisor; an individual that appreciates and can explain the commercial realities while explaining each accreditation.

A ridiculously large number of organisations focus completely on the certification process, and completely miss what it's all actually about - which is a commercial career or job. You should always begin with the end goal - don't get hung-up on the training vehicle. You could be training for only a year and end up performing the job-role for decades. Don't make the mistake of choosing what sounds like a very 'interesting' program and then spend decades in an unrewarding career!

Spend some time thinking about how much you want to earn and the level of your ambition. Usually, this will point the way to what particular exams will be expected and what'll be expected of you in your new role. Your likely to need help from someone who knows the commercial realities of the industry you're considering, and who can give you 'A day in the life of' type of explanation for that career-path. This is essential as you'll need to know whether or not you've chosen correctly.

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