.::.Easy Clairvoyance.::.

People researching courses for the computer or IT industry will soon realise that there are a variety of courses available to them. In the first instance, look for a training provider with a team of advisors, so you can be fully informed on the job roles your training will prepare you for. Maybe you'll find job roles you hadn't previously thought of. Should you be thinking of improving your computer skills, maybe with some office user skills, or possibly becoming professionally qualified, you can choose from many training options.

Because there are such a lot of low cost, simple to follow training programs and help, you're sure to find something that will get you to your destination.

Working on revolutionary new technology gives you the best job satisfaction ever. Your actions are instrumental in shaping the next few decades. We are really only just starting to get a handle on what this change will mean to us. How we communicate and interact with everyone around us will be significantly affected by technology and the internet.

A regular IT worker over this country as a whole will also receive significantly more money than fellow workers in much of the rest of the economy. Average remuneration packages are around the top of national league tables. The search for properly certified IT professionals is guaranteed for the significant future, because of the constant expansion in the technology industry and the huge shortage still in existence.

Those that are drawn to this type of work are often very practical, and don't always take well to classrooms, and endless reading of dry academic textbooks. If this is putting you off studying, go for more modern interactive training, where learning is video-based. Studies have consistently confirmed that becoming involved with our studies, to utilise all our senses, is much more conducive to long-term memory.

Programs are now found on CD and DVD discs, where your computer becomes the centre of your learning. Utilising the latest video technology, you can watch instructors demonstrating how something is done, and then have a go at it yourself - with interactive lab sessions. It's very important to see some example materials from any company that you may want to train through. You'll want to see that they include video, demonstrations and various interactive elements.

Opt for physical media such as CD or DVD ROM's if possible. This then avoids all the potential pitfalls with internet connection failure and issues with signal quality.

Beware of putting too much emphasis, as many people do, on the training course itself. Training is not an end in itself; you're training to become commercially employable. Stay focused on what it is you want to achieve. It's common, for example, to obtain tremendous satisfaction from a year of studying and then spend 20 miserable years in a tiresome job role, simply because you did it without the correct research when it was needed - at the start.

It's a good idea to understand the expectations of your industry. Which precise certifications you'll need and how you'll build your experience level. Spend some time considering how far you wish to progress your career as it may present a very specific set of qualifications. Before setting out on a particular learning course, you'd be well advised to chat over specific career needs with an experienced advisor, so as to be sure the study programme covers all that is required.

A sneaky way that training companies make a lot more is through up-front charges for exams then giving it 'Exam Guarantee' status. This looks like a great idea for the student, until you think it through:

Everyone knows they're still footing the bill for it - it's obviously been added into the overall price charged by the course provider. It's definitely not free (although some people will believe anything the marketing companies think up these days!) Passing first time is everyone's goal. Going for exams when it's appropriate and paying for them just before taking them has a marked effect on pass-rates - you prepare appropriately and are mindful of the investment you've made.

Go for the best offer you can find at the time, and avoid college mark-up fees. In addition, it's then your choice where to do the examinations - which means you can stay local. Including money in your training package for examinations (plus interest - if you're financing your study) is madness. Why fill a company's coffers with extra money of yours simply to help their cash-flow! There are those who hope that you won't get round to taking them - then they'll keep the extra money. The majority of organisations will require you to sit pre-tests and prohibit you from re-taking an exam until you've completely proven that you're likely to pass - making an 'exam guarantee' just about worthless.

Prometric and VUE exams are in the region of 112 pounds in Great Britain. Why spend so much more on 'Exam Guarantee' costs (often hidden in the cost) - when good quality study materials, the proper support and exam preparation systems and a dose of commitment and effort are what's required.

A skilled and professional consultant (in contrast with a salesperson) will ask questions and seek to comprehend your current situation. This is vital for working out the starting point for your education. If you have a strong background, or maybe some real-world experience (maybe some existing accreditation?) then it's more than likely the point from which you begin your studies will be different from someone with no background whatsoever. If this is your initial crack at studying to take an IT exam then you may want to cut your teeth on user-skills and software training first.