The MCSA course is perfect for those thinking of getting into network support. Whether you want to get going or have previous knowledge but need to improve your CV with certification, it’s possible to achieve your goals with the right training.

Each level should have a specialised course, so verify that the course is right for you in advance of spending your money. Search for a company that takes the time to learn what you’re looking to do, and can help you work out how it will all work, before they select your course.

Watch out that all qualifications you’re studying for are commercially relevant and are current. Training companies own certificates are generally useless.

Only nationally recognised examinations from companies such as Microsoft, CompTIA, Cisco and Adobe will mean anything to employers.

One area often overlooked by people considering a training program is that of ‘training segmentation’. Basically, this means how the program is broken down into parts for delivery to you, which can make a dramatic difference to where you end up.

Training companies will normally offer some sort of program spread over 1-3 years, and courier the materials in pieces as you pass each exam. This sounds reasonable until you consider the following:

What happens when you don’t complete every section? And what if you find the order of the modules counter-intuitive? Without any fault on your part, you might take a little longer and not get all the study materials as a result.

Ideally, you want everything at the start – meaning you’ll have all of them for the future to come back to – as and when you want. You can also vary the order in which you complete each objective as and when something more intuitive seems right for you.

It’s so important to understand this key point: You absolutely must have proper 24×7 instructor and mentor support. You’ll definitely experience problems if you don’t heed this.

You’ll be waiting ages for an answer with email based support, and phone support is usually just a call-centre that will make some notes and then email an advisor – who will attempt to call you within 24-48 hrs, when it’s convenient to them. This is no good if you’re lost and confused and have a one hour time-slot in which to study.

The most successful trainers have many support offices across multiple time-zones. An online system provides an interactive interface to link them all seamlessly, at any time you choose, there is always help at hand, avoiding all the delays and problems.

Never compromise with the quality of your support. The majority of trainees that fall by the wayside, are in that situation because of support (or the lack of).

Those that are drawn to this type of work often have a very practical outlook on work, and aren’t really suited to the classroom environment, and endless reading of dry academic textbooks. If you’re thinking this sounds like you, use multimedia, interactive learning, where learning is video-based.

Many studies have proved that long term memory is improved when we use all our senses, and we get practically involved in what we’re studying.

You can now study via easy-to-use DVD or CD ROM’s. By watching and listening to instructors on video tutorials you’ll absorb the modules, one by one, by way of their teaching and demonstrations. Then you test your knowledge by utilising the practice lab’s and modules.

Be sure to get a demonstration of the study materials from the school that you’re considering. The materials should incorporate instructor videos, demonstrations, slide-shows and interactive labs where you get to practice.

Some companies only have access to just online versions of their training packages; while you can get away with this much of the time, consider how you’ll deal with it if internet access is lost or you get intermittent problems and speed issues. It is usually safer to have physical CD or DVD discs that will solve that problem.

(C) 2010 – S. Edwards. Hop over to IT Training or www.CCNACertification4IT.co.uk.