If you're interested in Cisco training and you haven't worked with routers before, the right certification is a CCNA. This training program has been put together to instruct individuals looking to have a commercial knowledge of routers. Many large organisations that have different locations use them to join up their networks in different buildings to allow their networks to keep in touch. The Internet also is made up of hundreds of thousands of routers.

It's vital that you already know a good deal about how computer networks operate and function, as networks are connected to routers. If not, it's likely you'll run into difficulties. You might find training that also includes the basics (maybe the CompTIA Network+, possibly with A+ as well) before getting going with CCNA. Some companies will design a bespoke package for you.

Achieving CCNA is more than adequate; at this stage avoid being tempted to do the CCNP. After gaining experience in the working environment, you'll find out whether CCNP is something you want to do. Should that be the case, you'll have the knowledge you need to master your CCNP - because it's far from a walk in the park - and mustn't be entered into casually.

The market provides a glut of jobs and positions available in the IT industry. Arriving at the correct choice for you can be very difficult. After all, without any background in the IT market, how could you possibly know what any qualified IT worker actually does day-to-day? How can you possibly choose what accreditation path provides the best chances for success. Achieving a well-informed conclusion really only appears through a meticulous investigation covering many unique areas:

• Our personalities play a significant part - what things get your juices flowing, and what tasks really turn you off.

• What sort of time-frame do you want for the training process?

• Where do you stand on salary vs the travel required?

• Understanding what typical career roles and markets are - plus how they're different to each other.

• The time and energy you will commit getting qualified.

To bypass the barrage of jargon, and discover the best route for you, have a good talk with an experienced professional; someone who understands the commercial reality as well as the certifications.

Consider only study paths that grow into industry acknowledged certifications. There's a plethora of trainers proposing minor 'in-house' certificates which are worthless when it comes to finding a job. Only nationally recognised qualifications from the top companies like Microsoft, CompTIA, Adobe and Cisco will open the doors to employers.

Many people don't catch on to what information technology is doing for all of us. It is stimulating, innovative, and puts you at the fore-front of developments in technology affecting everyones lives in the 21st century. We are really only just starting to get a handle on how all this will mould and change our lives. How we interact with the world will be inordinately affected by technology and the web.

A usual IT professional in the United Kingdom will also receive considerably more money than employees on a par in other market sectors. Average salaries are amongst the highest in the country. The need for well trained and qualified IT technicians is assured for a good while yet, thanks to the substantial development in IT dependency in commerce and the very large skills gap still in existence.

Finding your first job in the industry sometimes feels easier to handle with the help of a Job Placement Assistance program. The fact of the matter is it's not as difficult as you may be led to believe to secure employment - once you're trained and certified; the shortage of IT personnel in Britain looks after that.

Work on polishing up your CV right away however - you should get plenty of help from your training provider on this. Don't delay until you've graduated or passed any exams. It can happen that you haven't even taken your exams when you will get your initial junior support role; but this won't be the case if your CV isn't in front of employers. In many cases, a local IT focused recruitment consultancy - who make their money when they've found you a job - will be more pro-active than a division of a training company. It also stands to reason that they'll know the local area and commercial needs.

Essentially, as long as you put the same commitment into getting your first IT position as into training, you won't find it too challenging. Some trainees strangely conscientiously work through their training course and do nothing more once they've got certified and seem to expect employers to find them.