The Cisco training is intended for individuals who wish to work with routers and switches. Routers hook up computer networks over the internet or dedicated lines. We’d recommend that you should start with the CCNA. It’s not advisable to launch directly into your CCNP for it’s full of complexities – and you need to work up to it to have a go at this.

Routers are linked to networks, therefore it is necessary to have an understanding of the operation of networks, or you’ll struggle with the program and not be able to understand the work. Seek out a program that teaches the basics (for example CompTIA) before you start the CCNA.

If you’re just entering the world of routers, then working up to and including the CCNA is the right level to aim for – at this stage avoid being tempted to do the CCNP. Once you’ve worked for a few years, you’ll know if it’s relevant for you to have this next level up.

Make sure that all your certifications are current and also valid commercially – don’t bother with programs that only give in-house certificates.

Unless the accreditation comes from a company like Microsoft, CompTIA, Adobe or Cisco, then chances are it will be commercially useless – because no-one will recognise it.

Students hoping to begin a career in computers and technology normally aren’t sure what direction they should take, let alone which sector to obtain accreditation for.

As without any commercial skills in computing, how could any of us be expected to understand what a particular job actually consists of?

To attack this, we need to discuss a number of core topics:

* Personality plays an important role – what gets you ‘up and running’, and what are the activities that really turn you off.

* Why you’re looking at getting involved with computing – maybe you’d like to achieve a life-long goal like being your own boss for example.

* Is salary further up on your priority-scale than other factors.

* Many students don’t properly consider the level of commitment involved to attain their desired level.

* Taking a serious look at the level of commitment, time and effort that you’re going to put into it.

In actuality, you’ll find the only real way to research these matters tends to be through a good talk with an experienced advisor that has years of experience in the IT industry (and specifically it’s commercial needs.)

Have a conversation with a proficient advisor and they’ll regale you with many terrible tales of how students have been duped by salespeople. Only deal with an experienced industry advisor who asks some in-depth questions to find out what’s appropriate to you – not for their pay-packet! You must establish the right starting point of study for you.

Occasionally, the training start-point for a trainee with a little experience is often massively different to the student with none.

Working through a basic PC skills module first will sometimes be the most effective way to start into your computer program, depending on your current skill level.

Exam ‘guarantees’ are sometimes offered as part of a training package – this always means exams have to be paid for upfront, at the very beginning of your studies. Before you jump at guaranteed exams, be aware of the facts:

Certainly it’s not free – you’re still being charged for it – the price has simply been included in the whole thing.

The honest truth is that if students pay for each progressive exam, one at a time, the chances are they’re going to pass every time – as they are conscious of what they’ve paid and their application will be greater.

Sit the exam as locally as possible and don’t pay up-front, but seek out the best deal for you when you’re ready.

Paying in advance for examination fees (which also includes interest if you’ve taken out a loan) is bad financial management. Why fill a company’s coffers with extra money of yours simply to help their cash-flow! There are those who hope that you won’t get round to taking them – so they get to keep the extra funds.

It’s worth noting that exam re-takes via training course providers with an ‘Exam Guarantee’ are tightly controlled. You’ll be required to sit pre-tests to make sure they think you’re going to pass.

Exams taken at local centres are in the region of 112 pounds in Britain at the time of writing. Why pay exorbitant ‘Exam Guarantee’ fees (most often hidden in the package) – when the best course materials, the right level of support and study, commitment and preparing with good quality mock and practice exams is what will really guarantee success.

Copyright Scott Edwards 2009. Go to Adult Retraining Courses or www.NewCareerOptions.co.uk.

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