Usually, the typical student really has no clue in what direction to head in a computing career, or what sector they should be considering getting trained in. How likely is it for us to understand what is involved in a particular job when we haven't done that before? We normally don't even know anybody who works in that sector anyway. Often, the key to unlocking this problem appropriately stems from an in-depth chat, covering some important points:

- The sort of person you think yourself to be - what kind of jobs you really enjoy, plus of course - what you definitely don't enjoy.

- Why you want to consider starting in IT - it could be you're looking to triumph over some personal goal like being your own boss for example.

- Any personal or home needs you have?

- When taking into account all that computing encompasses, it's a requirement that you can see what is different.

- You should also think long and hard about any sacrifices you'll need to make, as well as what commitment and time you're going to invest in the accreditation program.

In these situations, you'll find the only real way to gain help on these issues is via a conversation with an experienced advisor that has experience of IT (and more importantly it's commercial needs and requirements.)

Not too long ago Microsoft brought up-to-date their principal qualification tracks. They up-graded from their previous 'MCAD/MCSD' (Microsoft Certified Application/Solutions Developer) examinations to the MCTS (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist) and the 'MCPD' ('Microsoft Certified Professional Developer') exams. Before you take on the full 'MCPD' examination, make sure you complete 2 MCTS programs first. If you are new at all to the sector and have never programmed before, (despite the fact that the very first module from Microsoft is branded a foundation unit,) it could be sensible to study a programming introduction course first. We'd also recommend taking a 'support' accreditation leading up to this, so that you can obtain a good knowledge of software-environments and support. This will allow you to enter the market doing support-work while you carry on with your training. Average training times would probably be close to 600 to 700 hrs for the complete career track, and therefore you'd normally prepare for 12 - 18 months of part time study.

Can job security truly exist anywhere now? In a marketplace like the UK, where business constantly changes its mind whenever it suits, it certainly appears not. When we come across rising skills deficits together with areas of high demand though, we can hit upon a new kind of market-security; as fuelled by conditions of continuous growth, employers struggle to find the influx of staff needed.

Offering the IT industry as an example, the 2006 e-Skills survey highlighted a skills deficit in the United Kingdom around the 26 percent mark. Showing that for every 4 jobs that are available throughout Information Technology (IT), we've only got three properly trained pro's to do them. This glaring idea shows an urgent requirement for more appropriately qualified computer professionals in the United Kingdom. Quite simply, seeking in-depth commercial IT training over the next few years is probably the safest career move you'll ever make.

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