'Structured Query Language' or 'SQL' is a specialist language for interrogating 'Databases'. Anyone seeking to work with 'Databases' in a professional manner must first learn to understand SQL, to be able to manage data effectively. There are 2 tracks for database experts - 'Database Administrators' who deal with & report on the data being kept, & Database Developers, who are the Designers and builders of 'databases'. A lot of developers are programmers as well, and are able to create software programs for 'databases' in either 'C#' or VB.

Proficient user skills can be developed via particular Microsoft accreditation tracks, and commercial support skillsets through others. To find out about Office 2003 ('XP') take a look at 'MOS' - Microsoft Office Specialist. For 'Office' 2007 (Vista) skill-sets opt for 'MCAS' - 'Microsoft Certified Application Specialist'. For an accreditation that allows you to support other users, research the Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician, or 'MCDST' for short.

There are various rather more specialist & advanced qualification paths if you're looking to become a senior IT professional. The examination structure at Microsoft has fairly recently gone through an important over-haul. Many career training routes still lead to 'MCP' accreditations, however the direction is progressively going towards 'MCITP' & 'MCTS' programs ('Microsoft Certified IT Professional' and 'Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist' respectively). 'MCTS' training programs are typically worked on as building blocks towards the MCITP.

One area often overlooked by trainees mulling over a new direction is that of 'training segmentation'. This basically means how the program is broken down into parts for drop-shipping to you, which makes a huge difference to what you end up with. Normally, you'll enrol on a course staged over 2 or 3 years and receive a module at a time. This may seem sensible until you think about these factors: Many students find that the company's usual training route isn't as suitable as another. You may find that it's more expedient to use an alternative order of study. And what if you don't get to the end within their exact timetable?

In all honesty, the perfect answer is to obtain their recommendation on the best possible order of study, but make sure you have all of your learning modules right from the beginning. Meaning you've got it all if you don't manage to finish as fast as they'd like.

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