The CCNA is the way to go for training in Cisco. This teaches you how to work on maintaining and installing routers and network switches. Fundamentally, the internet is based upon huge numbers of routers, and commercial ventures who have several locations utilise them to allow their networks to keep in touch.
Routers are linked to networks, therefore it is necessary to have an understanding of the operation of networks, or you’ll struggle with the program and not be able to understand the work. Seek out a program that teaches the basics (for example CompTIA) before you start the CCNA.
Achieving CCNA is the right level to aim for; at this stage avoid being tempted to do the CCNP. With experience, you’ll know if it’s relevant for you to have this next level up. If you decide to become more qualified, your experience will serve as the background you need to tackle the CCNP – as it’s a very complex course – and shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Watch out that all qualifications you’re considering doing will be commercially viable and are bang up to date. The ‘in-house’ certifications provided by many companies are often meaningless.
Only properly recognised qualifications from the top companies like Microsoft, Adobe, Cisco and CompTIA will have any meaning to employers.
Considering the amount of options that are available, does it really shock us that a large majority of trainees get stuck choosing the job they will enjoy.
Working through long lists of different and confusing job titles is a complete waste of time. The majority of us don’t even know what our own family members do for a living – so we’re in the dark as to the ins and outs of a specific IT job.
Usually, the way to come at this dilemma properly flows from a full chat, covering a variety of topics:
* The sort of individual you are – which things you enjoy doing, and don’t forget – what you definitely don’t enjoy.
* Are you aiming to reach a specific dream – like being your own boss sometime soon?
* What scale of importance is the salary – is it of prime importance, or do you place job satisfaction higher up on the priority-scale?
* Many students don’t properly consider the level of commitment involved to attain their desired level.
* The level of commitment and effort you’re prepared to put into your training.
In actuality, you’ll find the only real way to research these matters tends to be through a good talk with an experienced advisor that has years of experience in the IT industry (and specifically it’s commercial needs.)
Kick out the typical salesperson that offers any particular course without a decent chat to assess your abilities and level of experience. Always check they have access to a generous product range so they can solve your training issues.
With some real-world experience or qualifications, you could discover that your appropriate starting-point is not the same as someone new to the industry.
Working through a basic PC skills module first will sometimes be the most effective way to start into your computer program, depending on your current skill level.
Exam ‘guarantees’ are sometimes offered as part of a training package – this always means exams have to be paid for upfront, at the very beginning of your studies. Before you jump at guaranteed exams, be aware of the facts:
You’re paying for it somehow. One thing’s for sure – it isn’t free – it’s simply been shoe-horned into the price as a whole.
If it’s important to you to get a first time pass, you must fund each exam as you take it, prioritise it appropriately and apply yourself as required.
Why should you pay the college early for examinations? Find the best deal you can at the appropriate time, rather than coughing up months or even a year or two in advance – and take it closer to home – rather than in some remote place.
A lot of so-called credible training companies make huge profits because they’re getting in the money for exams at the start of the course and cashing in if they’re not all taken.
It’s worth noting that exam re-takes via training course providers with an ‘Exam Guarantee’ are tightly controlled. You’ll be required to sit pre-tests to make sure they think you’re going to pass.
Due to typical VUE and Prometric tests costing in the region of 112 pounds in this country, the most cost-effective way to cover the cost is by paying when you need them. There’s no sense in throwing away maybe a thousand pounds extra at the start of your studies. Study, commitment and preparing with good quality mock and practice exams is what will really guarantee success.
(C) 2009 Scott Edwards. Navigate to New Career Options or Click HERE.