We've established that databases certainly are a crucial part of our time, so what sort of career paths exist in this particular industry? When we look at the work of I.T. specialists, there are two major database areas - Designing and building the Databases - and the software that manages & allows access to them; and managing them - as well as building reporting-systems which utilise that data. Database-Administrators are more commonly known as DBAs, and this work is in most demand. A DBA will typically work for a mid-size or larger company, and maintain the day to day procedures of a particular Database. Operations like 'security' and the backing-up of the data require management. 'DBA's' also need to build reports for senior management to enable them to make educated business decisions. The 'language' of 'databases' is called SQL, which stands for 'Structured Query Language'. DBA's need to understand this 'language' so that they can interrogate the Database & extract pertinent data.

Make sure you don't get caught-up, as many people do, on the training process. Your training isn't about getting a plaque on your wall; you should be geared towards the actual job at the end of it. Begin and continue with the end in mind. It's an awful thing, but a large percentage of students begin programs that seem wonderful from the syllabus guide, but which gets us a career that doesn't fulfil at all. Try talking to typical college leavers for a real eye-opener.

Prioritise understanding what industry will expect from you. Which particular exams you'll need and how to gain experience. It's definitely worth spending time thinking about how far you'd like to go as it will affect your choice of exams. Before setting out on a learning programme, it's good advice to discuss individual job requirements with an experienced industry advisor, to be absolutely sure the learning course covers everything needed.

One interesting way that training companies make a big mark-up is by charging for exams up-front and presenting it as a guarantee for your exams. It looks like a good deal, till you look at the facts:

Clearly it's not free - you're still coughing up for it - it's just been included in your package price. Evidence shows that when trainees fund each progressive exam, when they're ready to take them and not before, the chances are they're going to pass first time - because they'll be conscious of their payment and so will prepare more thoroughly.

Does it really add up to pay a training course provider at the start of the course for exams? Find the best deal you can at the appropriate time, instead of paying any mark-up - and do it locally - rather than possibly hours away from your area. Why borrow the money or pay in advance (plus interest of course) on exams when you don't need to? A lot of profit is secured by training companies getting money in early for exam fees - and banking on the fact that many won't be taken. Also, you should consider what an 'exam guarantee' really means. Most companies will not pay for you to re-take until you can prove to them you're ready to pass.

Exams taken at VUE and Prometric centres are around 112 pounds in the United Kingdom today. Students should be very wary of forking out hundreds of pounds extra in charges for 'Exam Guarantees' (usually wrapped up in the course package price) - when a quality course, support and a commitment to studying and the use of authorised exam preparation tools are actually the key to your success.

Students often end up having issues because of one area of their training which is often not even considered: How the training is broken down and packaged off through the post. Trainees may consider it sensible (with training often lasting 2 or 3 years to achieve full certification,) for a training company to release one section at a time, as you complete each part. But: How would they react if you didn't complete each element at the speed they required? And maybe you'll find their order of completion won't fit you as well as another different route may.

To avoid any potential future issues, it's not unusual for students to have all their training materials (which they've now paid for) sent immediately, and not in a piecemeal fashion. It's then up to you how fast or slow and in what order you'd like to take your exams.

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