Whether you are new to network support, or have a certain amount of knowledge but are ready to gain accredited qualifications, you'll find hands-on MSCA training tracks to cater for both student levels. If you're considering joining the computing environment for the 1st time, you're very likely to have to improve your skill-set prior to doing the MCP exams required to achieve MCSA certification. Find a provider that's able to create a bespoke package to fulfil your needs - ask to discuss this with an industry expert to determine your best course of action.

Usually, trainers will provide a big box of books. Obviously, this isn't much fun and isn't the best way to go about remembering. Where we can study while utilising as many senses as possible, then we normally see dramatically better results.

Fully interactive motion videos utilising video demo's and practice lab's will beat books every time. And you'll find them fun and interesting. Every company that you look at should willingly take you through some samples of their courseware. You're looking for evidence of tutorial videos and demonstrations and many interactive sections.

Avoid training that is purely online. Ideally, you should opt for CD and DVD ROM courseware where offered, enabling them to be used at your convenience - and not be totally reliant on a good broadband connection all the time.

A lot of trainers only provide support available from 9-6 (office hours) and sometimes later on specific days; not many go late into the evening (after 8-9pm) or cover weekends properly. Avoid, like the plague, any organisations that use call-centres 'out-of-hours' - where an advisor will call back during normal office hours. This is useless when you're stuck and want support there and then.

Be on the lookout for training schools that have multiple support offices around the globe in several time-zones. Each one should be integrated to give a single entry point and also 24 hours-a-day access, when you want it, with the minimum of hassle. If you accept anything less than direct-access round-the-clock support, you'll end up kicking yourself. You might not want to use the service in the middle of the night, but you're bound to use weekends, late evenings or early mornings.

A so-called advisor who doesn't ask many questions - the likelihood is they're actually nothing more than a salesman. If someone pushes specific products before looking at your personality and current experience level, then it's very likely to be the case. An important point to note is that, if in the past you've acquired any accreditation or direct-experience, then you will often be able to begin at a different level to someone who is new to the field. For those students commencing IT study for the first time, it can be useful to ease in gradually, beginning with user-skills and software training first. This can be built into any educational course.

We can see a myriad of work available in computing. Arriving at the correct choice out of this complexity is a mammoth decision. Consequently, if you don't have any understanding of the IT sector, how can you expect to know what any qualified IT worker spends their day doing? Let alone arrive at which training route is the most likely for your success. To get through to the essence of this, we need to discuss a number of unique issues:

* The sort of person you are - the tasks that you get enjoyment from, and don't forget - what you hate to do.

* Are you driven to get certified for a precise raison d'etre - for instance, are you pushing to work at home (being your own boss?)?

* Is the money you make further up on your wish list than some other areas.

* With many, many markets to choose from in the IT industry - you'll need to achieve a solid grounding on what differentiates them.

* Taking a serious look into the effort, commitment and time you'll make available.

In these situations, it's obvious that the only real way to investigate these matters tends to be through a good talk with a professional who understands computing (and more importantly it's commercial needs and requirements.)

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