Many people question why traditional degrees are now falling behind more commercial qualifications? As demand increases for knowledge about more and more complex technology, industry has of necessity moved to the specialised training only available through the vendors themselves - that is companies such as Microsoft, CompTIA, CISCO and Adobe. This often comes in at a fraction of the cost and time. The training is effectively done by honing in on the skill-sets required (alongside a relevant amount of associated knowledge,) instead of going into the heightened depths of background non-specific minutiae that degrees in computing often do (to fill up a syllabus or course).

Just like the advert used to say: 'It does what it says on the label'. Companies need only to know where they have gaps, and then advertise for someone with the specific certification. That way they can be sure they're interviewing applicants who can do the job.

In most cases, the normal student really has no clue what way to go about starting in Information Technology, or which area they should look at getting trained in. How can we possibly grasp the day-to-day realities of any IT job when we haven't done that before? Maybe we don't even know anybody who does that actual job anyway. Contemplation on these different areas is most definitely required when you need to expose the right answers:

- Personality factors as well as your interests - what working tasks you like and dislike.

- Are you looking to realise a specific aim - for example, working from home in the near future?

- What scale of importance is the salary - is it the most important thing, or does job satisfaction rate a little higher on the scale of your priorities?

- When taking into account all that Information Technology covers, it's obvious you'll need to be able to see what's different.

- You'll also need to think hard about any sacrifices you'll need to make, as well as what commitment and time you're going to give to your training.

When all is said and done, the only real way of covering these is by means of a good talk with an advisor that knows the industry well enough to give you the information required.

Most people don't even think to ask about a vitally important element - the way their training provider segments the courseware sections, and into how many parts. Training companies will normally offer a program spread over 1-3 years, and courier the materials in pieces as you complete each exam. This sounds reasonable until you consider the following: It's not unusual for trainees to realise that their training company's 'standard' path of training isn't the easiest way for them. Sometimes, it's more expedient to use an alternative order of study. And what happens if they don't finish inside of the expected timescales?

For the perfect solution, you'd ask for every single material to be delivered immediately - so you'll have them all for the future to come back to - whenever it suits you. This also allows you to vary the order in which you move through the program if you find another route more intuitive.

It's essential to have an accredited exam preparation programme as part of your training package. Due to the fact that a lot of examination boards in IT tend to be American, you need to become familiar with their phraseology. You can't practice properly by merely answering any old technical questions - they need to be in the proper exam format. Ensure that you ask for testing modules so you can check your knowledge at all times. Simulated or practice exams prepare you properly - then you're much more at ease with the real thing.

Globally, the most common Database Systems are 'Oracle' and MS SQL-Server. Many sizeable installations still make use of the more mature Oracle System, but nevertheless 'SQL' Server is currently the normal system for most commercial settings, & where web based Databases are concerned it rules supreme. Given that MS own their 'SQL' Server technology, it's been conveniently incorporated in to all their platforms & programming languages, rendering it a clear preference for anyone planning to obtain qualification & professional recognition. The earlier database program Microsoft Certified Database Administrator ('MCDBA') has now been replaced with the 'Microsoft Certified IT Professional' ('MCITP') & the 'Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist' ('MCTS'). Even though SQL Server 08 is starting to gain some foothold, the current widespread commercial edition of Microsoft SQL Server is 2005, & it's this version that features in the 'MCITP' DBA accreditation. To attain the full 'MCITP' certification, a number of 'MCTS' modules must be done first.

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