The Microsoft MCSA (Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator) course is a great basis for anybody thinking of getting into supporting networks. So if you’re just about to join the IT industry or already have experience but need to formalise your skills with a recognised qualification, it’s possible to achieve your goals with the right training.

Each of these options will need a different type of course, so pay attention to check you’re being offered the best one prior to making a start. Identify a training company that takes the time to understand what you’re trying to achieve, and will work with you to sort out how it will all work, long before they start talking about courses.

OK, why ought we to be looking at qualifications from the commercial sector instead of more traditional academic qualifications gained through schools and Further Education colleges?

Key company training (to use industry-speak) is far more specialised and product-specific. The IT sector has acknowledged that specialisation is essential to cope with a technologically complex world. CISCO, Adobe, Microsoft and CompTIA are the dominant players.

Of course, a necessary amount of background detail needs to be learned, but essential specialisation in the particular job function gives a commercially educated person a huge edge.

When an employer knows what areas they need covered, then they just need to look for the particular skill-set required. The syllabuses are set to meet an exact requirement and aren’t allowed to deviate (as academic syllabuses often do).

The market provides a myriad of employment in IT. Finding the particular one out of this complexity often proves challenging.

As in the absence of any previous experience in IT, in what way could we be expected to understand what a particular job actually consists of?

Usually, the way to come at this problem in the best manner comes from a thorough discussion of a number of areas:

* Your personality can play a major role - what kind of areas spark your interest, and what are the things that get you down.

* Are you hoping to get certified for a specific motive - e.g. are you pushing to work based at home (self-employment possibly?)?

* Is the money you make further up on your priority-scale than some other areas.

* Considering all that computing encompasses, it’s a requirement that you can understand the differences.

* Having a good look at what commitment and time you’ll make available.

When all is said and done, your only chance of covering these is through an in-depth discussion with an advisor who knows the industry well enough to lead you to the correct decision.

If you forget everything else - then just remember this: You absolutely must have proper 24×7 professional support from mentors and instructors. You’ll definitely experience problems if you don’t.

Never accept study programmes that only provide support to students via a call-centre messaging system outside of normal office hours. Companies will give you every excuse in the book why you don’t need this. But, no matter how they put it - you want support at the appropriate time - not as-and-when it’s suitable for their staff.

The very best training providers use multiple support centres active in different time-zones. They use an online interactive interface to join them all seamlessly, at any time you choose, help is just seconds away, without any problems or delays.

If you fail to get yourself 24×7 support, you’ll quickly find yourself regretting it. You may avoid using the support during late nights, but you may need weekends, late evenings or early mornings.

Always expect the most up to date Microsoft (or relevant organisation’s) authorised exam preparation packages.

Because a lot of IT examining boards are American, you’ll need to be used to the correct phraseology. It’s no use just answering any old technical questions - they must be in an exam format that exactly replicates the real thing.

As you can imagine, it’s very crucial to ensure that you’re absolutely ready for your actual certification exam before embarking on it. Rehearsing ‘mock’ tests logs the information in your brain and will save a lot of money on failed exams.

Copyright Scott Edwards 2009. Check out NewCareersInformation.co.uk/rnci.html or InDesign Courses.