For the most part, a average student really has no clue where to start with Information Technology, or what market they should look at getting trained in. Because having no commercial background in IT, in what way could we know what a particular job actually consists of? To work through this, a discussion is necessary, covering several unique issues:

- Your personal interests and hobbies - as they can highlight what areas you'll get the most enjoyment out of.

- For what reasons you're stepping into IT - it could be you're looking to triumph over a particular goal such as firing your boss and working for yourself for example.

- Any personal or home requirements that guide you?

- There are many ways to train in the IT industry - there's a need to pick up some key facts on what differentiates them.

- Taking a serious look at the level of commitment, time and effort you'll make available.

To completely side-step the barrage of jargon, and uncover the best route for you, have an informal meeting with an industry-experienced advisor; someone who will cover the commercial realities and truth whilst covering each certification.

Often, students don't think to check on something that can make a profound difference to their results - how their company divides up the training materials, and into how many parts. Normally, you'll enrol on a course taking 1-3 years and receive one element at a time until graduation. It seems to make sense on one level, but consider these issues: What would their reaction be if you find it difficult to do every section within the time limits imposed? And maybe you'll find their order of completion doesn't work as well as an alternative path could be.

To be honest, the very best answer is to get an idea of what they recommend as an ideal study order, but to receive all the materials up-front. You then have everything if you don't manage to finish quite as quick as they'd want.

Commercial qualifications are now, without a doubt, taking over from the traditional routes into the IT industry - so why should this be? With fees and living expenses for university students becoming a tall order for many, alongside the IT sector's general opinion that accreditation-based training most often has much more commercial relevance, there's been a big surge in Adobe, Microsoft, CISCO and CompTIA certified training programmes that provide key skills to an employee at a fraction of the cost and time involved. They do this by concentrating on the actual skills required (along with an appropriate level of associated knowledge,) rather than trawling through all the background 'padding' that degrees in computing can often find themselves doing - to pad out the syllabus.

Just like the advert used to say: 'It does what it says on the tin'. Companies need only to know what they're looking for, and then request applicants with the correct exam numbers. Then they're assured that a potential employee can do exactly what's required.

Many training companies will provide a useful Job Placement Assistance service, designed to steer you into your first job. Because of the massive need for more IT skills in this country even when times are hard, there isn't a great need to make too much of this option though. It's not as difficult as you may be led to believe to get a job once you're trained and certified.

Help with your CV and interview techniques is sometimes offered (if it isn't, consult one of our sites). Ensure you update that dusty old CV straight away - not after you've qualified! Quite frequently, you will get your initial role whilst you're still studying (even in the early stages). If your course details aren't on your CV (and it hasn't been posted on jobsites) then you don't stand a chance! The best services to help you find a job are normally specialised and independent recruitment consultants. As they will get paid by the employer when they've placed you, they'll work that much harder to get a result.

A slight frustration for various course providers is how hard students are prepared to work to get qualified, but how ill-prepared they are to market themselves for the position they're acquired skills for. Get out there and hustle - you might find it's fun.

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