If you're going through this material then it's likely that either you're considering a career change into IT and you've heard good things about MCSE's, or you're already in a networking related industry and it's apparent that your career is blocked until your get an MCSE.

When researching training providers, make it a policy to steer clear of those that compromise their offerings by failing to provide the latest Microsoft version. Such institutions will hold back the student because they'll have been studying the wrong MCSE version which doesn't correspond to the current exam syllabus, so they'll probably fail. Providers must be committed to finding the right path for their clients. Educational direction is as much about guiding people on establishing where to go, as it is giving them help to reach their destination.

The sometimes daunting task of securing your first job is often made easier by some training providers because they offer a Job Placement Assistance facility. Often, this feature is bigged up too much, as it is actually not that hard for any focused and well taught person to secure a job in the IT environment - as employers are keen to find appropriately skilled employees.

Work on polishing up your CV right away however (advice can be sought on this via your provider). Don't put it off until you've qualified. It's possible that you won't have even taken your exams when you'll secure your initial junior support position; although this won't be the case unless your CV is with employers. Generally, a specialist independent regional employment agency - who make their money when they've found you a job - should get better results than any centralised training company's service. Also of course they should be familiar with local industry and the area better.

Not inconsiderable numbers of people, it seems, are prepared to study their hearts out (for years sometimes), and just give up when it comes to finding their first job. Introduce yourself... Do your best to get in front of employers. Don't think a job's just going to jump out in front of you.

Incorporating exams with the course fee then including an exam guarantee is common for a number of training colleges. Consider the facts:

Everyone knows they're still being charged for it - it's not so hard to see that it's already in the gross price invoiced by the training company. It's absolutely not free (although some people will believe anything the marketing companies think up these days!) Those who enter their exams one by one, funding them as they go are much more likely to pass. They're conscious of the cost and prepare more appropriately to be up to the task.

Go for the best offer you can find when you're ready, and keep hold of your own money. You'll then be able to select where you sit the exam - so you can choose somewhere closer to home. Why borrow the money or pay in advance (plus interest of course) on examination fees when there's absolutely nothing that says you have to? Huge profits are made by companies getting money in early for exam fees - and hoping either that you won't take them, or it will be a long time before you do. The majority of companies will insist that you take mock exams first and with-hold subsequent exam entries from you until you've proven conclusively that you can pass - making an 'exam guarantee' just about worthless.

The cost of exams was about 112 pounds last year when taken at UK VUE or Prometric centres. So what's the point of paying maybe a thousand pounds extra for 'an Exam Guarantee', when it's no secret that the best guarantee is a commitment to studying and the use of authorised exam preparation tools.

Some commercial training providers only give basic 9am till 6pm support (maybe a little earlier or later on certain days); not many go late into the evening (after 8-9pm) or cover weekends properly. Never purchase training that only supports students with a call-centre messaging system after 6-9pm in the evening and during weekends. Training organisations will try to talk you round from this line of reasoning. But, no matter how they put it - support is needed when it's needed - not as-and-when it's suitable for their staff.

Keep your eyes open for colleges that have multiple support offices from around the world. Each one should be integrated to offer a simple interface as well as access round-the-clock, when it's convenient for you, with the minimum of hassle. Look for a training company that offers this level of study support. Only proper round-the-clock 24x7 support truly delivers for technical programs.