In the fast-paced world we live in, support workers who can solve problems with computers and networks, along with giving constant assistance to users, are vital in all sections of the economy. With the increasingly multifaceted levels of technology, greater numbers of trained staff are being sought to look after the various different areas we rely on.

Training support for students is an absolute must - ensure you track down something that provides 24×7 direct access, as anything less will not satisfy and will also hold up your pace and restrict your intake.

Don’t buy training that only supports trainees through a call-centre messaging service after 6-9pm in the evening and during weekends. Trainers will always try to hide the importance of this issue. The bottom line is - support is required when it’s required - not as-and-when it’s suitable for their staff.

The best trainers utilise several support facilities across multiple time-zones. Online access provides the interactive interface to join them all seamlessly, no matter what time you login, help is just a click away, without any problems or delays.

Never compromise when you’re looking for the right support service. The majority of would-be IT professionals that throw in the towel, are in that situation because of support (or the lack of).

One fatal mistake that potential students often succumb to is to concentrate on the course itself, and not focus on where they want to get to. Training academies are brimming over with students that chose an ‘interesting’ course - instead of the program that would surely get them an enjoyable career or job.

It’s common, in some situations, to thoroughly enjoy one year of training but end up spending 10 or 20 years in a tiresome job role, simply because you did it without some quality research when you should’ve - at the outset.

It’s well worth a long chat to see what industry will expect from you. Which qualifications you’ll need and how to gain experience. It’s also worth spending time setting guidelines as to how far you reckon you’re going to want to progress your career as it will force you to choose a particular set of qualifications.

Seek guidance and advice from an experienced industry professional, even if you have to pay a small fee - it’s much safer and cheaper to find out at the start if your choices are appropriate, rather than find out following two years of study that the job you’ve chosen is not for you and have to return to the start of another program.

Sometimes trainees think that the state educational path is still the best way into IT. Why then is commercial certification slowly and steadily replacing it?

As demand increases for knowledge about more and more complex technology, the IT sector has been required to move to the specialised training only available through the vendors themselves - that is companies such as Microsoft, CompTIA, CISCO and Adobe. This frequently provides reductions in both cost and time.

This is done through honing in on the actual skills required (along with a proportionate degree of background knowledge,) instead of covering masses of the background detail and ‘fluff’ that computer Science Degrees can often find themselves doing - to pad out the syllabus.

As long as an employer is aware what areas they need covered, then they simply need to advertise for someone with a specific qualification. Commercial syllabuses all have to conform to the same requirements and do not vary between trainers (in the way that degree courses can).

Many trainers offer a Job Placement Assistance program, to help you into your first commercial role. Often, there is more emphasis than is necessary on this service, because it’s relatively easy for a well trained and motivated person to get work in the IT environment - because companies everywhere are seeking trained staff.

However, what is relevant is to have help with your CV and interview techniques though; and we’d recommend all students to bring their CV up to date the day they start training - don’t put it off till you’ve finished your exams.

Getting onto the ‘maybe’ pile of CV’s is more than not being known. Many junior jobs are got by students (sometimes when they’ve only just got going.)

Generally, you’ll receive better performance from an independent and specialised local recruitment consultancy than you’ll get from a course provider’s employment division, because they’ll know the local area and commercial needs better.

A constant frustration of a number of course providers is how hard men and women are focused on studying to get qualified, but how little effort that student will then put into getting the position they’re acquired skills for. Have confidence - the IT industry needs YOU.

Copyright 2009 S. Edwards. Check out Computer Course or www.NewCareerOptions.co.uk/dncarop.html.

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