A basic idea of networks is a great first-base for anyone getting into the industry. You need to understand just how computers operate & communicate with each other before you can consider anything else. If you have got decent user skills, you will find training programs that include 'CompTIA's A+' & 'Network+' will give you a superb grounding to begin your career path. We discuss specifics of these training programs on our section focused on 'CompTIA'.

Moving on from this level you can look at the Microsoft 'MCSA'/'MCSE' or perhaps the 'Cisco' 'CCNA'/'CCNP', according to whether you are more interested in the 'hardware' or 'software' side of things. However, it must be mentioned that a good knowledge of Microsoft networks is basically essential for the majority of network environments, mainly because of MS's dominance in this field. As before, you will come across information regarding each certification on the 'Cisco' and MS areas of this site.

Equally of course you might want to fine tune your 'Wi-Fi' (wireless) skill-sets by taking accreditations like the 'CWNP' and 'CWNA', or continue along the 'CompTIA' track with Linux+, Security+ or Server+ .

Many training companies will provide a useful Job Placement Assistance program, to assist your search for your first position. Because of the growing skills shortage in Great Britain today, it's not necessary to get too caught up in this feature though. It isn't such a complex operation to secure a job once you're properly qualified.

Help and assistance with preparing a CV and getting interviews is sometimes offered (if it isn't, consult one of our sites). Be sure to you bring your CV right up to date immediately - don't leave it till you pass the exams! You may not have got to the stage where you've qualified when you'll secure your initial junior support position; but this is not possible if interviewers don't get sight of your CV. In many cases, a specialist locally based employment service (who will get paid by the employer when they've placed you) will be more pro-active than a division of a training company. Also of course they should know the area and local employers better.

Not inconsiderable numbers of trainees, apparently, spend evenings and weekends on their training and studies (sometimes for years), and then just stop instead of looking for a job. Market yourself... Make an effort to let employers know about you. Don't expect a job to just fall into your lap.

Computer (or Digital) 'Forensics' is relatively new on the scene - TV programmes such as 'Crime Scene Investigation' may have made us aware of it. There may well though be a tad less glamour regarding the actual workload than that performed by the characters on our screens! Even so, technological forensics is providing a fascinating job for a lot of individuals right now. The work entails seeking & interpreting 'digital-footprints' to assist with data recovery or legal cases.

Together with Security and Digital Forensics the to some extent new role of Ethical-Hacking is developing. The Certified Ethical Hacker ('CEH') & the Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator(CHFI) are mid - advanced level certifications supplied by the EC Council.

An important area that is sometimes not even considered by those mulling over a new direction is that of 'training segmentation'. Essentially, this is the way the course is divided up for delivery to you, which completely controls the point you end up at. Individual deliveries for each training module one piece at a time, according to your exam schedule is the usual method of releasing your program. Of course, this sounds sensible, but you might like to consider this: What would happen if you didn't finish each section at the proposed pace? And maybe you'll find their order of completion won't be as easy as some other structure would for you.

To be honest, the perfect answer is to get an idea of what they recommend as an ideal study order, but get all the study materials at the start. It's then all yours if you don't manage to finish quite as quick as they'd want.

Be careful that the certifications you're working towards are commercially relevant and are up-to-date. Training companies own certificates are usually worthless. Unless the accreditation comes from a major player like Microsoft, Cisco, Adobe or CompTIA, then chances are it will have been a waste of time - as no-one will have heard of it.

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