Even though the MCSA & the 'MCSE' are regularly mentioned within the same career-track, they're really very different. Training to become a 'Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator' ('MCSA') ideal for networking & senior-support careers & server-administration. Essentially, it's for individuals who are aiming to be technical systems-administrators, managing the day-to-day issues and activities associated with the running of a modest to medium sized business network. You'll derive a lot from this kind of job if you're a highly organised problem-solver that loves a good technical challenge. Expect a good amount of connection with fellow workers, (as a lot of what you do will involve supporting the users of the network,) and a variable working-day.

In contrast, the MCSE ('Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer') job provides a position with more accountability, where the work revolves a lot more around design, planning and project management. If senior-administration, network management, senior security work or project/technical management is your objective, then this is the course you should think about taking. The 'MCSE' is possibly less well known for its training on leadership & creative problem-solving skills, all of which are also essential for people in Senior technical positions.

In first place for the biggest issue to be got round in IT training is a requirement to attend multiple workshop days. Many training schools harp on about the positive points of taking part in these events, however, they quickly become a major problem because of:

- Constant journeys to the workshop centre - usually quite a distance away.

- Availability of classes; normally Monday to Friday and two or three days in a row. This can be difficult to get the leave of absence.

- Lost holiday days - a lot of employed people only have 20 days holiday. If over half of it is swallowed up by training classes, vacation time is going to be quite short for the family as a whole.

- Taking into account the costs associated with delivering a workshop, most companies really push the size of the class - certainly not ideal (and with less one-on-one time).

- You may prefer to move at a slower or quicker pace than the rest of the class. This can create a classic case of 'classroom tension'.

- A lot of trainees tell us of the considerable cost of travelling back and forth to the facility and paying for food and accommodation can get very expensive.

- Most students want study privacy thus avoiding all management questions in their job.

- Posing questions around our class-mates often makes any one of us a little nervous. Have you ever left a question un-asked just because you didn't want to look foolish?

- Being away from home with your work during the week - a lot of attendees find they have to work or live somewhere else for certain parts of the program. Days in-centre become problematic to attend, yet you've already paid for them in your initial payment.

Infinitely more flexible is to use filmed classes at the location of your choice - and do it when it's convenient to you - not someone else. You can train wherever you want. Got a laptop?... Then you could catch some fresh air in your garden as you learn. Any difficulties and utilise the 24x7 Support. All the lessons can be repeated whenever it's convenient - repetition is good for memory. And you don't have to worry about any note-taking - it's already ready to go. Whilst this doesn't suddenly stop every little difficulty, it undoubtedly vastly reduces stress and simplifies things. Plus you've got less travel, hassle and costs.

Looking at the myriad of choice out there, is it any wonder that a large majority of students balk at what job they could be successful with. After all, if you have no experience in the IT market, how are you equipped to know what any qualified IT worker spends their day doing? Let alone decide on what educational path is the most likely for you to get there. To get to the bottom of this, we need to discuss a variety of definitive areas:

- Personality plays a significant role - what things get your juices flowing, and what are the areas that put a frown on your face.

- Are you driven to get certified because of a particular raison d'etre - i.e. are you pushing to work based at home (being your own boss?)?

- Is salary further up on your priority-list than anything else.

- Looking at the many markets that computing covers, it's a requirement that you can absorb the differences.

- Our advice is to think deeply about any sacrifices you'll need to make, as well as what commitment and time you're going to give to your education.

For the average person, considering all these ideas needs a long talk with a professional that can explain things properly. And we don't just mean the accreditations - but also the commercial expectations and needs of the market as well.

Any program that you're going to undertake must provide a commercially valid accreditation at the finale - not a useless 'in-house' diploma - fit only for filing away and forgetting. If the accreditation doesn't feature a major player like Microsoft, Cisco, CompTIA or Adobe, then it's likely it could have been a waste of time and effort - as it'll be an unknown commodity.

Getting into your first IT role sometimes feels easier to handle if you're offered a Job Placement Assistance program. Because of the great shortage of skills in this country right now, it's not necessary to become overly impressed with this service however. It's actually not as hard as some people make out to land the right work once you're properly qualified.

Work on polishing up your CV right away however - look to your training company for advice on how to do this. Don't procrastinate and leave it till the exams have actually been passed. You might not even have taken your exams when you will get your initial junior support role; although this can't and won't happen unless you've posted your CV on job sites. Most often, an independent and specialised local recruitment consultancy - who make their money when they've found you a job - will perform better than any centralised training company's service. It also stands to reason that they'll be familiar with the local area and commercial needs.

Essentially, as long as you put the same commitment into landing a job as into studying, you're not likely to experience problems. A number of men and women inexplicably conscientiously work through their training course and do nothing more once qualified and seem to suppose that interviewers know they're there.

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