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Training in Cisco is intended for individuals who wish to work with routers and network switches. Routers are what connect networks of computers via the internet or dedicated lines. It’s advisable that you should first attempt your CCNA. Don’t be tempted to go straight for a CCNP as it’s a considerable step up – and you should gain some working knowledge before you take this on.

Jobs that use this type of qualification mean the chances are you’ll work for national or international companies that have several locations but need to keep in touch. Alternatively, you may find yourself working for an internet service provider. Either way, you’ll be in demand and can expect a high salary.

The correct skill set and comprehension ahead of starting the CCNA is crucial. Therefore, it’s probably necessary to speak to an advisor who will know what you need.

It’s important to understand: the actual training or a certification isn’t what this is about; the career that you want to end up in is. Far too many training organisations place too much importance on the qualification itself.

You could be training for only a year and end up doing a job for a lifetime. Don’t make the mistake of taking what may be an ‘interesting’ course and then put 10-20 years into a job you don’t like!

It’s well worth a long chat to see the expectations of your industry. What particular qualifications you’ll need and in what way you can gain some industry experience. It’s definitely worth spending time thinking about how far you’d like to progress your career as it will often control your selection of certifications.

Long before starting a study programme, it’s good advice to discuss individual career requirements with an experienced advisor, in order to be sure the study path covers all the necessary elements.

Searching for your first position in IT is often made easier with the help of a Job Placement Assistance program. Don’t get overly impressed with this service – it’s easy for their marketing department to make too much of it. At the end of the day, the still growing need for IT personnel in the UK is what will make you attractive to employers.

Update your CV at the beginning of your training though (advice can be sought on this via your provider). Don’t put it off till you’ve finished your exams.

You’ll often find that you will be offered your first role whilst still on the course (even when you’ve just left first base). If your course details aren’t on your CV – or it’s not getting in front of interviewers, then you aren’t even in the running!

Generally, an independent and specialised local employment service (who will, of course, be keen to place you to receive their commission) will be more pro-active than a division of a training company. Also of course they should be familiar with the area and local employers better.

Many students, it seems, are prepared to study their hearts out (sometimes for years), and then just stop instead of finding a job. Introduce yourself… Do everything you can to put yourself out there. Don’t expect a job to just fall into your lap.

The way a programme is physically sent to you can often be overlooked. How many parts is the training broken down into? And in what sequence and what control do you have at what pace it arrives?

Often, you’ll enrol on a course requiring 1-3 years study and receive a module at a time. It seems to make sense on one level, but consider these issues:

What if there are reasons why you can’t finish all the sections or exams? What if you don’t find their order of learning is ideal for you? Due to no fault of yours, you may go a little slower and not receive all the modules you’ve paid for.

The ideal solution is to have all your study materials sent to you right at the start; the entire thing! This way, nothing can happen down the line which could affect your capability of finishing.

Have a conversation with a professional consultant and they’ll entertain you with many worrying experiences of students who’ve been conned by dodgy salespeople. Make sure you deal with an experienced industry advisor that asks lots of questions to discover the most appropriate thing for you – not for their bank-account! You must establish a starting-point that will suit you.

With a little commercial experience or base qualifications, your starting-point of learning is now at a different level to a new student.

If this is going to be your opening crack at studying for an IT examination then you may want to cut your teeth on some basic user skills first.

Copyright Scott Edwards 2009. Visit Computer Training Courses or Cisco Training.