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It’s really great that you’re reading this article! A fraction of the population say they enjoy their work, but most of us just bitch about it and do nothing. The fact that you’re here means we have a hunch that you’re at least considering retraining, which means you’re already ahead of the pack. Now you just need to research and follow-through.

Prior to considering any career courses, look for an advisor who can talk you through which area will be right for you. Someone who can get to know your personality, and find out the best career for you to work towards:

* Would you like to work with others? If the answer’s yes, would you enjoy being part of a team or are you hoping to meet new people? Alternatively, do you like to deal with your responsibilities alone?

* What do you need from the market sector you work in? (Things do change - look at the building trade, or banks for example.)

* Is it important that this should be the last time you’ll need to re-qualify?

* Are you happy that retraining in your chosen sector will offer you employment opportunities, and offer the chance to allow you to work until retirement?

Look at the IT sector, that’s our recommendation - it’s one of the few sectors of industry still growing in this country and overseas. In addition, salaries and benefits exceed most other industries.

Searching for your first position in IT can feel more straightforward if you’re offered a Job Placement Assistance service. It can happen though that there is more emphasis than is necessary on this service, because it’s really not that difficult for a well trained and motivated person to find a job in this industry - as employers are keen to find appropriately qualified personnel.

Get your CV updated straight-away though - look to your training company for advice on how to do this. Don’t wait until you’ve qualified.

Getting onto the ‘maybe’ pile of CV’s is better than being rejected. A surprising amount of junior support jobs are got by people who are still at an early stage in their studies.

Actually, a specialist locally based employment service (who will get paid commission to place you) will perform better than any division of a training company. In addition, they will no doubt know the local area and commercial needs.

A constant frustration of various course providers is how hard people are prepared to study to get qualified, but how ill-prepared they are to market themselves for the job they have studied for. Have confidence - the IT industry needs YOU.

Being at the forefront of the cutting-edge of new technology is as thrilling as it comes. Your actions are instrumental in creating a future for us all.

We’re only just starting to get an inclination of how technology will influence everything we do. Computers and the Internet will massively revolutionise how we see and interact with the world as a whole over the years to come.

And don’t forget salaries moreover - the income on average in the UK for an average IT worker is a lot higher than in the rest of the economy. Odds are you’ll make a much better deal than you would in most other jobs.

Excitingly, there is no end in sight for IT sector growth throughout this country. The sector is continuing to expand quickly, and as we have a significant shortage of skilled professionals, it’s not showing any signs that there’ll be any kind of easing off for the significant future.

Students looking to build an IT career often don’t know what path is best, or even which market to get certified in.

Therefore, if you’ve got no experience in the IT sector, what chance is there for you to know what a particular IT employee does each day? Let alone arrive at which certification program provides the best chances for a successful result.

Usually, the way to come at this quandary correctly comes from an in-depth chat, covering several different topics:

* The kind of individual you think yourself to be - the tasks that you get enjoyment from, and don’t forget - what makes you unhappy.

* Why you’re looking at stepping into the IT industry - is it to conquer a life-long goal like being self-employed maybe.

* Your earning requirements that are important to you?

* Learning what typical career roles and sectors are - and what makes them different.

* You have to understand what differentiates each individual training area.

To be honest, your only option to seek advice on these areas will be via a meeting with an advisor who has years of experience in Information Technology (and more importantly it’s commercial needs.)

Be careful that the exams that you’re considering will be recognised by employers and are the most recent versions. Training companies own certificates are generally useless.

Only properly recognised examinations from the major players like Microsoft, Cisco, CompTIA and Adobe will have any meaning to employers.

Copyright Scott Edwards 2009. Browse around Comptia Certification or www.learninglolly.com/MCSE_Training_Courses.html.