All of us are short of time, and usually should we have cause to study for a new career, getting educated at the same time as holding down a job is what we're faced with. Microsoft certified training can be the way to do it. It's a good idea to talk through what you're looking to do with a person who's got industry experience - and if you haven't come to a decision, then get some ideas on what kind of IT job would suit you most, based on your likes and dislikes and your character. Make sure your course is personalised to your current level of knowledge and ability. A reputable training company will ensure that your training track is purpose built for the status you wish to achieve.

At the top of your shopping list for a training program should be 24x7 round-the-clock support via dedicated instructors and mentors. So many companies we come across only seem to want to help while they're in the office (9am till 6pm, Monday till Friday usually) and nothing at the weekends. Never purchase training courses that only support students through a message system after 6-9pm in the evening and during weekends. Training companies will defend this with all kinds of excuses. The simple fact of the matter is - support is needed when it's needed - not when it suits them.

Keep your eyes open for providers that use several support centres active in different time-zones. These should be integrated to enable simple one-stop access and also round-the-clock access, when you need it, with the minimum of hassle. If you opt for less than support round-the-clock, you'll regret it very quickly. You may not need it during the night, but you may need weekends, evenings and early mornings at some point.

So, why is it better to gain commercial certification rather than the usual academic qualifications gained through schools and Further Education colleges? With university education costs spiralling out of control, plus the industry's general opinion that accreditation-based training often has more relevance in the commercial field, there has been a big surge in CISCO, Adobe, Microsoft and CompTIA authorised training paths that create knowledgeable employees for much less time and money. University courses, as a example, often get bogged down in a great deal of background study - and a syllabus that's too generalised. Students are then held back from getting enough core and in-depth understanding on a specific area.

As long as an employer is aware what areas they need covered, then they just need to look for the particular skill-set required. Syllabuses all have to conform to the same requirements and aren't allowed to deviate (in the way that degree courses can).

With so much choice, there's no surprise that the majority of newcomers to the industry get stuck choosing the job they will follow. What chances do most of us have of understanding the many facets of a particular career when we've never done it? Maybe we don't even know anybody who performs the role either. Ultimately, an informed resolution can only grow through a detailed examination of several changing areas:

* Personality plays a significant part - what kind of areas spark your interest, and what are the areas that ruin your day.

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

* What are your thoughts on salary vs job satisfaction?

* With many, many ways to train in the IT industry - there's a need to gain some background information on what sets them apart.

* Taking a good look at what commitment and time that you can put aside.

In all honesty, the only way to research these areas is through a chat with an advisor that understands Information Technology (and specifically the commercial needs.)

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