If you're investigating a career move in to IT, it's very likely that you'll want to start somewhere amidst these programs, depending on your present level of I.T. literacy. For much more advanced courses its a good idea to talk your intentions through with a specialist advisor who has IT knowledge. However almost any complete career change strategies should really be talked through ahead of getting started - its a practical step to confirm the training you choose is actually fit for purpose. A lack of preparation can result in a lot of disappointment down the road, and cost you a lot more money than it should have!

In essence, the starting point for a total beginner, who simply would like to gain a basic understanding of how to get the most from their laptop or computer, is the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL). It will cover how to work the basic elements of "Windows" (the system that runs the majority of personal PCs.) You can also learn about web-browsers (to help you to search on the net,) plus email software (so you can be in touch with your friends and colleagues.) A bit is also covered on how to use spreadsheets and carry out some word processing.

If you need to boost your skill set for work related purposes, you may choose to have some more official training. A wide understanding of Microsoft 'Office' is the skill-set most need at this point. The key qualifications are the Microsoft 'Office Specialist' ('MOS') or the Microsoft 'Certified Application Specialist' ('MCAS'.) The MOS features the 'Microsoft Office' 2003 environment in Windows XP (which is still essentially the most commonly used commercially), whereas the 'MCAS' emphasises Windows 'Vista' & Office 2007, so might be better suited for the future. Both accreditation tracks have individual examinations around the primary Microsoft Office applications: 'Word', Excel, PowerPoint and Access - for word-processing, 'spreadsheets', 'presentations' and databases. These certifications will reveal to a company that you are effectively qualified to make use of these applications to their maximum extent.

Frequently, the everyday IT hopeful has no idea how they should get into Information Technology, or what market they should look at getting trained in. What chances do most of us have of understanding the many facets of a particular career when it's an alien environment to us? Maybe we don't know someone who works in that sector anyway. Often, the key to unlocking this dilemma properly stems from a deep chat, covering several different topics:

- The sort of individual you think yourself to be - what kind of jobs you really enjoy, and don't forget - what don't you like doing.

- What length of time can you allocate for the training process?

- Where do you stand on job satisfaction vs salary?

- Many students don't properly consider the work involved to get fully certified.

- You have to understand what differentiates all the training areas.

For the majority of us, dissecting each of these concepts requires a good chat with someone that can explain things properly. Not only the qualifications - but also the commercial requirements of the market as well.

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