Network and computer support staff are constantly in demand in the United Kingdom, as companies rely heavily upon their knowledge and fixing and repairing abilities. Because of the multifaceted levels of technological advances, many more trained staff are being sought to run the smooth operation of functions we've become dependent on.

A typical blunder that we encounter all too often is to concentrate on the course itself, instead of focusing on where they want to get to. Universities have thousands of direction-less students who took a course because it seemed fun - instead of what would yield the career they desired. It's a testament to the marketing skills of the big companies, but a large percentage of students begin programs that seem wonderful in the marketing materials, but which gets us a career that doesn't satisfy. Try talking to typical university students to see what we mean.

It's a good idea to understand the exact expectations industry will have. Which exams you'll need and how you'll go about getting some commercial experience. It's definitely worth spending time assessing how far you wish to progress your career as often it can force you to choose a particular set of qualifications. We'd recommend you seek guidance and advice from an experienced industry professional before settling on some particular study programme, so you're sure from the outset that the specific package will give the skills necessary.

Can job security really exist anymore? In the UK for example, with businesses changing their mind whenever it suits, there doesn't seem much chance. Whereas a sector experiencing fast growth, where there just aren't enough staff to go round (because of a massive shortage of fully trained professionals), provides a market for real job security.

The Information Technology (IT) skills deficit throughout the country currently stands at just over 26 percent, as shown by a recent e-Skills survey. Essentially, we're only able to fill just 3 out of each 4 job positions in the computing industry. Well skilled and commercially certified new staff are accordingly at a total premium, and it seems it will continue to be so for many years longer. Actually, acquiring professional IT skills throughout the years to come is likely the finest career direction you could choose.

Many trainers have a handy Job Placement Assistance facility, to help you into your first commercial role. In reality it's not as difficult as you may be led to believe to secure the right work - as long as you've got the necessary skills and qualifications; the shortage of IT personnel in Britain looks after that.

You would ideally have CV and Interview advice and support though; additionally, we would recommend everyone to bring their CV up to date as soon as training commences - don't procrastinate and leave it until you've graduated or passed any exams. It can happen that you haven't even got to the exam time when you will be offered your first junior support job; although this won't be the case unless your CV is with employers. Generally, you'll receive quicker results from a specialist locally based employment agency than you'll experience from any training company's centralised service, as they'll know local industry and the area better.

Certainly ensure you don't conscientiously work through your course materials, just to give up and imagine someone else is miraculously going to find you a job. Stop procrastinating and get out there. Channel as much focus into landing the right position as you did to gain the skills.

Speak with almost any knowledgeable advisor and we'd be amazed if they couldn't provide you with many terrible tales of students who've been sold completely the wrong course for them. Ensure you only ever work with someone who asks lots of questions to find out what's appropriate to you - not for their pay-packet! It's very important to locate the right starting point of study for you. If you've got a strong background, or sometimes a little live experience (some industry qualifications maybe?) then it's more than likely the level you'll need to start at will be very different from someone who is just starting out. If this is your opening crack at studying for an IT examination then you may want to start with a user-skills course first.