If you think Cisco training might be for you, but you're new to working with routers or switches, it's likely you'll need the CCNA training. This teaches you skills for setting up and maintaining routers. The internet is made up of hundreds of thousands of routers, and big organisations with several different sites also need routers to keep their networks in touch.

Achieving this qualification means you'll most probably find yourself working for big organisations that have multiple departments and sites, but who still want secure internal data communication. On the other hand, you might end up joining an internet service provider. These jobs are well paid and in demand.

Getting your Cisco CCNA is what you should be aiming for - don't be pushed into attempting your CCNP straight away. After gaining experience in the working environment, you will know if CCNP is something you want to do. If so, you'll be much more capable to succeed at that stage - as your experience will help you greatly.

Review the following points carefully if you think the marketing blurb about examination guarantees seems like a good idea:

We all know that we're still footing the bill for it - obviously it has been added into the full cost of the package supplied by the training company. Certainly, it's not a freebie (it's just marketing companies think we'll fall for anything they say!) People who enter their exams one by one, paying as they go are in a much stronger position to qualify at the first attempt. They are thoughtful of the cost and so are more inclined to ensure they are ready.

Why should you pay the training course provider at the start of the course for exam fees? Hold on to your money and pay for the exam at the time, rather than pay marked up fees - and do it in a local testing centre - rather than in some remote place. Considerable numbers of current training colleges make a great deal of profit through charging for exam fees early and hoping you won't see them all through. Re-takes of previously unsuccessful exams via training course providers with an 'Exam Guarantee' are monitored with tight restrictions. You'll be required to sit pre-tests so you can prove to them you have a good chance of passing.

Prometric and VUE exams are around 112 pounds in Great Britain. Students should be very wary of forking out hundreds of pounds extra in fees for 'exam guarantees' (often covertly rolled into the cost of the course) - when good quality study materials, the proper support and commitment, effort and practice with quality exam preparation systems are the factors that really get you through.

Proper support is incredibly important - find a program that includes 24x7 access, as not obtaining this level of support will severely hold up your pace and restrict your intake. Find a good quality service where you can access help at any time you choose (irrespective of whether it's the wee hours on Sunday morning!) You'll need direct-access to qualified mentors and tutors, and not simply some messaging service that means you're waiting for tutors to call you back during office hours.

If you look properly, you'll find professional training packages that recommend and use online direct access support at all times - including evenings, nights and weekends. Never make do with less than this. Support round-the-clock is the only viable option when it comes to technical study. Perhaps you don't intend to study during the evenings; but for the majority of us however, we're working when traditional support if offered.

Now, why should we consider qualifications from the commercial sector instead of more traditional academic qualifications taught at schools, colleges or universities? Industry now recognises that for mastery of skill sets for commercial use, official accreditation from companies such as CISCO, Adobe, Microsoft and CompTIA is far more effective and specialised - and a fraction of the cost and time. They do this through focusing on the particular skills that are needed (together with a relevant amount of related knowledge,) rather than covering masses of the background detail and 'fluff' that degrees in computing are prone to get tied up in - to fill a three or four year course.

As long as an employer is aware what they're looking for, then all it takes is an advert for the exact skill-set required to meet that need. The syllabuses are all based on the same criteria and aren't allowed to deviate (in the way that degree courses can).

Being a part of the information technology industry is amongst the most thrilling and changing industries that you could be a part of. To be dealing with leading-edge technology is to be a part of the massive changes shaping life over the next few decades. Computer technology and communication on the web is going to spectacularly alter the direction of our lives over the coming years; overwhelmingly so.

A typical IT employee in the United Kingdom will also receive significantly more than equivalent professionals in other market sectors. Mean average remuneration packages are some of the best to be had nationwide. It seems there is a lot more room for IT industry expansion in the UK. The industry continues to develop hugely, and as we have a skills gap that means we only typically have three IT workers for every four jobs it's not likely that it will even slow down for the significant future.