A service provided by many trainers is job placement assistance. It's intention is to steer you into your first IT role. The need for this feature can be bigged up out of proportion though - it's easy for eager sales people to make too much of it. Ultimately, the huge shortage of staff in the UK is why employers will be interested in you.

Update your CV at the beginning of your training though (advice can be sought on this via your provider). Don't procrastinate and leave it until you've graduated or passed any exams. It's not unusual to find that you'll secure your initial job whilst you're still studying (sometimes when you've only just got going). If you haven't updated your CV to say what you're studying - or it's not getting in front of interviewers, then you won't even be considered! The most efficient companies to help you land that job are normally specialised and independent recruitment consultants. Because they make their money when they've found you a job, they're perhaps more focused on results.

A good number of students, apparently, conscientiously work through their course materials (for years sometimes), and just give up when it comes to finding a good job. Introduce yourself... Work hard to get yourself known. A job isn't just going to bump into you.

There are two constituent elements to the 640/802 CCNA accreditation: The 'CCENT' ('Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician') exam - also known as the ICND1 ('Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1' - 640/822) examination, & the ICND2 (640/816) examination. It might appear very confusing, but basically the accreditation is better when tackled as a blended examination - the CCNA 640-802. A very good career training-track for Cisco students would be a blended program beginning with CompTIA A+ , followed by CompTIA 'Network+' & then the more advanced Cisco CCNA. Anticipate putting in around 400 to 500 hrs of study time (approx 12 months part time) to get through a program of this type. Much like all specialist study programs, 24/7 direct access student-support ought to be available so that you can learn and ask questions when-ever the need occurs. Check also for the latest multi-media study materials, & the right examination preparation software.

Your training program should always include the current Microsoft (or relevant organisation's) authorised exam preparation and simulation materials. Ensure that the exams you practice haven't just got questions on the right subjects, but ask them in the exact format that the real exams will structure them. It throws trainees if the phraseology and format is completely different. Simulated exams are invaluable as a tool for logging knowledge into your brain - then when the time comes for you to take the proper exam, you don't get uptight.

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