Now, why should we consider commercial qualifications rather than more traditional academic qualifications taught at schools, colleges or universities? Accreditation-based training (to use industry-speak) is most often much more specialised. Industry is aware that specialisation is vital to handle a technologically complex commercial environment. Microsoft, CISCO, Adobe and CompTIA are the big boys in this field. This is done by focusing on the skill-sets required (together with an appropriate level of related knowledge,) rather than spending months and years on the background detail and 'fluff' that computer Science Degrees are prone to get tied up in - to pad out the syllabus.

The bottom line is: Accredited IT qualifications tell an employer precisely what skills you have - the title is a complete giveaway: i.e. I am a 'Microsoft Certified Professional' in 'Windows XP Administration and Configuration'. Therefore companies can identify exactly what they need and which qualifications are needed for the job.

A subtle way that colleges make extra profits is by adding exam fees upfront to the cost of a course and offering an exam guarantee. This looks like a great idea for the student, but let's just examine it more closely:

In this day and age, we're a little bit more aware of sales ploys - and generally we grasp that we're actually paying for it - they're not just being charitable and doling out freebies! Passing first time is everyone's goal. Going for exams in order and paying as you go puts you in a much stronger position to qualify at the first attempt - you put the effort in and are conscious of what you've spent.

Hold on to your money and pay for the exam when you're ready, and hang on to your cash. You also get more choice of where you take your exam - so you can find somewhere local. A surprising number of current training course providers net huge amounts of money because they're asking for exam fees early and hoping either that you won't take them, or it will be a long time before you do. Many training companies will require you to do mock exams and prohibit you from re-taking an exam until you've completely proven that you're likely to pass - which makes an 'Exam Guarantee' frankly useless.

On average, exams cost approximately 112 pounds twelve months or so ago through Prometric or VUE centres around the United Kingdom. So don't be talked into shelling out hundreds or thousands of pounds more to have 'an Exam Guarantee', when any student knows that the best guarantee is study, commitment and preparing with good quality mock and practice exams.

So with Databases actively playing a really major role in society today, just what manner of employment can be obtained which relates to them? There are two main sectors if we explore databases from an I.T. mind-set. Creating and building the 'databases' - and the actual software that controls and allows access to them; & managing them - as well as producing reporting systems which use the data. The Administrator (management) role is much more sought after - in business a Database Administrator is more generally known as a 'DBA'. Medium to large corporations must employ DBA's in order to manage the day by day functions of the Databases they're running. 'DBA's' manage the security of a company's 'databases', make sure that everything is backed up effectively, and use the information to make pertinent reports for management. They will also have an understanding of the database language of 'SQL' (Structured Query Language) - pronounced as 'see-quel' - which provides a standardised method of interrogating a Database for the data needed.

Students hoping to kick off an Information Technology career usually aren't sure what direction is best, let alone what sector to get certified in. What is our likelihood of grasping the day-to-day realities of any IT job when it's an alien environment to us? Most likely we have never met anyone who is in that area at all. Generally, the way to deal with this quandary appropriately lies in a thorough discussion of several areas:

- What hobbies you're involved with in your spare-time - these often point towards what things will provide a happy working life.

- What time-frame are you looking at for retraining?

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

- Getting to grips with what the main work types and sectors are - including what sets them apart.

- How much time you're prepared to commit the training program.

For the majority of us, dissecting so much data tends to require the help of someone who can investigate each area with you. And not just the certifications - but the commercial requirements of industry too.

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