With Databases actively playing such a major role in modern society, just what form of work can be found that pertains to them? Fundamentally, from an I.T. point of view, you will find two principal areas of Database occupations: Developing & building the databases - & the actual software that controls & allows access to them; and administering them - together with building reporting systems that utilise the data. The Administrator position is much more sought after - in business a 'Database Administrator' is more frequently called a 'DBA'. Usually it's the mid to large establishments that need to employ DBA's, as they need them to oversee their operations on an everyday basis. They'll deal with the processes which have an affect on the data, including 'security' and backing-up, and interact with senior management to deliver reports - so the company can take advantage of that 'intelligence' to function better. The language of databases is called SQL, which is an acronym for 'Structured Query Language'. DBA's must have an understanding of this language to be able to interrogate the Database and extract relevant data.

Frequently, the typical person has no idea what way to go about starting in IT, or even which market is worth considering for retraining. How can most of us possibly understand the many facets of a particular career when it's an alien environment to us? Maybe we have never met anyone who is in that area at all. Often, the key to unlocking this issue in the best manner lies in a thorough chat, covering some important points:

- Personality plays an important part - what gives you a 'kick', and what are the things that you really dislike.

- Do you hope to realise a key aim - for instance, working for yourself as quickly as possible?

- Where is the salary on a scale of importance - is an increase your main motivator, or does job satisfaction rate higher up on your list of priorities?

- Getting to grips with what typical career areas and sectors are - plus how they're different to each other.

- How much time you're prepared to spend on your training.

Ultimately, the best way of investigating all this is from an in-depth discussion with a professional who knows the industry well enough to be able to guide you.

The somewhat scary thought of finding your first IT job can be made easier by some training providers because they offer a Job Placement Assistance programme. In reality it's not as hard as some people make out to find employment - once you're trained and certified; the shortage of IT personnel in Britain looks after that.

Ideally you should have CV and Interview advice and support though; and we'd encourage everyone to bring their CV up to date the day they start training - don't put it off until you've qualified. It can happen that you haven't even qualified when you will be offered your first junior support position; although this can't and won't happen if interviewers don't get sight of your CV. Most often, a local IT focused recruitment consultant or service (who will get paid commission to place you) will be more pro-active than a centralised training company's service. Also of course they should be familiar with the local area and commercial needs.

Please be sure that you don't invest a great deal of time on your training course, and then do nothing more and leave it in the hands of the gods to secure your first position. Get off your backside and start looking for yourself. Invest the same focus into getting a good job as it took to get qualified.

In first place for the top potential problem for IT trainees is usually having to turn up to 'In Centre' days or workshops. A lot of trainers harp on about the positive points of taking part in these events, it's almost certain though that you'll find them a growing difficulty due to:

- All that travelling - lots of journeys and sometimes over 100 miles a pop.

- Workshop access; typically Mon-Fri and two or three days in a row. It's never convenient to take the required leave of absence.

- Holiday days lost - the majority of workers get just four weeks holiday each year. If you give up at least half to your study days, that isn't going to leave much vacation time for the student.

- 'In-Centre' workshop days fill up quickly and will likely end up bigger than you'd hoped.

- Class pace - workshops invariably feature trainees of mixed abilities, so tension can run high between the quicker-learners and those who prefer a more relaxed pace.

- Let us not disregard the extra cost of arranging transport and accommodation either. This may well run to 00's or even 000's extra. Sit down and add it up - you may be surprised.

- Keeping your training private from your employer is often very important to a lot of attendees. You don't want to throw away any lift up the ladder, pay-rises or success with your current employer while you're training. If your boss finds out you've committed to training in a completely different market, what will they think?

- It's common to find it difficult to ask questions in a class full of other trainees - so we don't appear ignorant.

- When your work takes you away from home, it's apparent that events can often become very hard to attend - unfortunately however, the money has already been paid.

Why not watch a video and learn with industry specialists one-to-one in videoed classes, taking them when it suits you - not somebody else. If anything comes up, logon to the 24x7 support facility (that you should have insisted on for any technical study.) You should remember, if your PC is a laptop, study can take place anywhere. Just come back to any of the learning modules whenever you feel you need to. And of course, you don't have to jot down any notes as you have the lesson indefinitely. Could it be more straightforward: Time and money is saved and travelling is avoided altogether; and of course you end up with a more comfortable learning setting.

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