Trainees looking at this market can be very practical by nature, and don't always take well to classrooms, and slogging through piles of books. If you're thinking this sounds like you, try the newer style of interactive study, where learning is video-based. Research into the way we learn shows that much more of what we learn in remembered when all our senses are involved, and we take action to use what we've learned.

You can now study via easy-to-use DVD or CD ROM's. Real-world classes from the instructors will mean you'll absorb the modules, one by one, through the expert demonstrations. Then you test your knowledge by using practice-lab's. Don't take any chances and look at some of the typical study materials provided before you make your decision. Always insist on instructor-led video demonstrations and audio-visual elements backed up by interactive lab's.

Avoid training that is purely online. Always choose CD or DVD based study materials where offered, as you need to be able to use them whenever it's convenient for you - and not be totally reliant on your internet connection always being 'up' and available.

A skilled and specialised advisor (vs a salesperson) will talk through your current experience level and abilities. This is vital for calculating your starting point for training. In some circumstances, the training start-point for someone with experience will be largely dissimilar to someone just starting out. For those students beginning IT exams and training from scratch, it can be helpful to break yourself in gently, kicking off with user-skills and software training first. This is often offered with any study program.

Both 'DBAs' and DB-Developers are often decidedly systematic and organised people, who have a great interest in detail, and appreciate operating in smaller teams, or alone. They regularly deal with senior or higher management, and as a result need to have impressive communication skills. Database management is a very responsible occupation, as security needs ever more vigilance in this field of work. Commercial discretion is a must, and a substantial amount of trust & personal integrity will be envisioned by the establishment. Professionals from accountancy & business environments can make good DBA's, & frequently the role is a stepping stone to a much more advanced status in the organisation's hierarchy.

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