The Cisco training is fundamentally for those who wish to work with routers and switches. Routers hook up computer networks via dedicated lines or the internet. It's a good idea that your first course should be CCNA. Steer clear of going immediately onto a CCNP because it is very complex - and you need to work up to it to take on this level.

It's very probable you'll get a job with an internet service provider or a large commercial venture that's spread out geographically but still wants internal communication. This specialised skill set is highly paid.

Having the right skills and comprehension in advance of starting your Cisco CCNA course skills is essential. Therefore, discuss the requirements expected of you with someone who can tell you what else you need to know.

Proper support should never be taken lightly - look for a package that provides 24x7 direct access, as anything less will not satisfy and will also put a damper on the speed you move through things. You'll be waiting ages for an answer with email based support, and telephone support is usually to a call-centre that will make some notes and then email an advisor - who will call back over the next day or so (assuming you're there), when it suits them. This is no use if you're stuck with a particular problem and only have a specific time you can study.

World-class organisations opt for an online access 24 hours-a-day system combining multiple support operations across the globe. You're offered a simple interface that accesses the most appropriate office any time of the day or night: Support on demand. Always pick a trainer that offers this level of study support. As only 24x7 round-the-clock live support gives you the confidence to make it.

Students who consider this area of study often have a very practical outlook on work, and don't really enjoy classrooms, and struggling through thick study-volumes. If you're thinking this sounds like you, use multimedia, interactive learning, where everything is presented via full motion video. Research into the way we learn shows that long term memory is improved when we use all our senses, and we get practically involved in what we're studying.

Modern training can now be done at home via self-contained CD or DVD materials. Instructor-led tutorials will mean you'll absorb the modules, one by one, through the demonstrations and explanations. Then it's time to test your knowledge by interacting with the software and practicing yourself. Make sure to obtain a training material demonstration from any training college. You should ask for demo's from instructors, slideshows and virtual practice lab's for your new skills.

Opt for actual CD or DVD ROM's where possible. This then avoids all the potential pitfalls with broadband 'downtime' or slow-speeds.

The sometimes daunting task of landing your first job is often eased by some training providers because they offer a Job Placement Assistance programme. Because of the huge need for more IT skills in the United Kingdom at the moment, it's not necessary to place too much emphasis on this feature however. It really won't be that difficult to secure the right work once you're trained and certified.

Nevertheless, don't procrastinate and wait until you've completed your exams before polishing up your CV. As soon as your training commences, mark down what you're doing and get promoting! You might not even have passed your first exam when you land your first junior support job; but this is not possible unless your CV is with employers. In many cases, a specialist locally based recruitment consultancy (who will get paid commission to place you) is going to give you a better service than a centralised training company's service. They should, of course, also know local industry and the area better.

A big grievance of various course providers is how much men and women are focused on studying to get qualified, but how un-prepared they are to work on getting the position they have qualified for. Don't give up when the best is yet to come.

Including exam fees with the course fee and offering an 'Exam Guarantee' is popular with a number of training colleges. However, let's consider what's really going on:

Everybody's aware that they're still footing the bill for it - obviously it has already in the overall price charged by the training company. It's absolutely not free (although some people will believe anything the marketing companies think up these days!) If it's important to you to pass in one, you must fund each exam as you take it, give it the priority it deserves and give the task sufficient application.

Doesn't it make more sense to hold on to your money and pay for the exam at the time, not to pay any mark-up to a training course provider, and to do it locally - rather than in some remote centre? Buying a course that includes payments for exam fees (and interest charges if you're borrowing money) is a false economy. Why fill a company's coffers with extra money of yours just to give them more interest! Many will hope you don't even take them all - then they'll keep the extra money. Many training companies will require you to do mock exams and hold you back from re-takes until you've completely proven that you're likely to pass - making an 'exam guarantee' just about worthless.

Exam fees averaged approximately 112 pounds in the last 12 months when taken at UK VUE or Prometric centres. Therefore, why splash out often many hundreds of pounds extra to get 'an Exam Guarantee', when common sense dictates that the responsible approach is consistent and systematic learning, coupled with quality exam simulation software.

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