CompTIA A+ consists of 2 training sections; you're considered A+ competent once you've passed your exams for both specialist areas. A+ certification without additional courses will give you the ability to repair and fix stand-alone PC's and MAC's; principally ones that aren't joined to a network - essentially the domestic or small business sector. Were you to add Network+ to your A+ course, you'll also have the ability to take care of networks, allowing you to move further up the career path.

So many training providers only look at the plaque to hang on your wall, and completely miss what it's all actually about - which will always be getting the job or career you want. You should always begin with the end goal - don't get hung-up on the training vehicle. It's a terrible situation, but the majority of trainees kick-off study that often sounds fabulous from the prospectus, but which provides the end-result of a job that doesn't satisfy. Speak to a selection of university graduates to see what we mean.

Prioritise understanding what expectations industry may have of you. Which particular qualifications you'll be required to have and how to gain experience. You should also spend a little time setting guidelines as to how far you'd like to get as it will affect your choice of accreditations. Have a chat with an experienced professional who has a commercial understanding of the realities faced in the industry, and could provide a detailed description of what to expect in that role. Getting to the bottom of all this well before starting out on a learning program makes a lot of sense, doesn't it?

Beginning with the understanding that it's necessary to find the area of most interest first and foremost, before we're able to mull over what training program would meet that requirement, how do we decide on the right direction? Consequently, if you don't have any know-how of IT in the workplace, how can you expect to know what some particular IT person fills their day with? Let alone decide on what educational path provides the best chances for ultimate success. Usually, the way to come at this problem appropriately comes from a thorough conversation around several different topics:

* Which type of individual you consider yourself to be - what tasks do you get enjoyment from, and don't forget - what you hate to do.

* Are you looking to accomplish an important aspiration - for example, working from home in the near future?

* How highly do you rate salary - is it of prime importance, or is day-to-day enjoyment further up on your priority-list?

* With everything that computing encapsulates, it's a requirement that you can absorb what's different.

* You'll also need to think hard about what kind of effort and commitment that you will set aside for gaining your certifications.

The bottom line is, the best way of investigating all this is via a good talk with someone that through years of experience will lead you to the correct decision.

Sometimes men and women think that the tech college or university track is the way they should go. Why then are commercial certificates slowly and steadily replacing it? Industry is of the opinion that for an understanding of the relevant skills, certified accreditation from companies such as Microsoft, CISCO, Adobe and CompTIA is closer to the mark commercially - for much less time and money. Clearly, a necessary portion of closely linked information must be covered, but essential specialised knowledge in the particular job function gives a commercially trained person a huge edge.

Imagine if you were an employer - and your company needed a person with some very particular skills. What's the simplest way to find the right person: Trawl through reams of different degrees and college qualifications from graduate applicants, struggling to grasp what they've learned and which vocational skills they've mastered, or choose particular accreditations that precisely match your needs, and make your short-list from that. Your interviews are then about personal suitability - instead of having to work out if they can do the job.

If an advisor doesn't question you thoroughly - it's likely they're just trying to sell you something. If they wade straight in with a specific product before understanding your background and experience, then it's definitely the case. With a little live experience or some accreditation, your starting-point of learning is different from a beginner. Always consider starting with some basic Microsoft package and Windows skills first. It will usually make the slope up to the higher-levels a a little easier.

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