Studying time is normally established as around 300 to 350 hrs for the MCSA and 500-550 hours for the 'MCSE', presuming high quality multimedia study materials, 24/7 admission to student-support, and some good exam prep software. So with some experience you can actually successfully complete them in approximately 8 - 12 months training part time. Without any past experience it would be unwise to leap straight in. The CompTIA 'A+' and Network+ need to be considered as the starting place. Details of these qualifications are available on their particular pages on this site, however this should add 200 hrs or 6 months of part time study into the mix, perhaps even longer.

The perhaps intimidating chore of getting your first IT job is often eased by some companies, via a Job Placement Assistance programme. Ultimately it's not as hard as some people make out to land the right work - once you're trained and certified; because there's still a great need for IT skills in the UK today.

One important thing though, don't leave it until you've qualified before getting your CV updated. As soon as you start a course, mark down what you're doing and get promoting! It can happen that you haven't even passed your first exam when you will get your initial junior support job; yet this won't be the case if interviewers don't get sight of your CV. Actually, a specialist independent regional employment agency (who will, of course, be keen to place you to receive their commission) is going to give you a better service than a recruitment division from a training organisation. In addition, they will no doubt know local industry and the area better.

Not inconsiderable numbers of students, it would appear, spend evenings and weekends on their training and studies (sometimes for years), only to give up at the first hurdle when looking for a job. Introduce yourself... Do everything you can to get yourself known. A job isn't just going to bump into you.

Always expect the very latest Microsoft (or relevant organisation's) authorised exam preparation packages. Due to the fact that the majority of examining boards for IT are American, you need to become familiar with their phraseology. You can't practice properly by simply understanding random questions - they need to be in the proper exam format. Be sure to request some practice exams so you can test your knowledge along the way. Practice exams add to your knowledge bank - so the real thing isn't quite as scary.

Despite the fact that the MCSA and the MCSE are often grouped in the same career-track, they're essentially very different. The MCSA (Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator) is a qualification designed and constructed for individuals who plan to get into server administration, networks and senior-support careers. Anyone looking for technical-systems roles, administering the activities of a medium-sized or smaller business-network would benefit if they select an 'MCSA'. You should get a lot out of this work if you are a highly organised problem solver that enjoys a proper technical challenge. Its a very people oriented role with a good deal of variety, since the job largely entails supportive interaction with fellow network users.

The MCSE, however, is based around design, planning & project management; i.e. a rather more high level of responsibility. This qualification needs to be considered if you have ambitions to become a network manager, a project-manager, a senior or technical administrator, or a Senior IT security expert. Creative, personal and leadership abilities are also included in this training, as good MCSE professionals typically handle an array of personnel & resource management responsibilities.

Any program that you're going to undertake really needs to work up to a nationally (or globally) recognised qualification at the end - not a useless 'in-house' printed certificate to hang in your hallway. From the perspective of an employer, only the top companies such as Microsoft, Adobe, CompTIA or Cisco (for instance) give enough bang for your buck. Nothing else makes the grade.

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