If you want training in Cisco, it’s most likely that the CCNA is what you’ll need. The Cisco training is intended for individuals who wish to get to grips with routers and network switches. Routers are what connect computer networks to different computer networks over the internet or dedicated lines.
It’s important to have an understanding of the operation and function of computer networks, as networks are connected to routers. Otherwise, you’ll probably struggle. We’d recommend you find training that also includes the basics in networking (CompTIA Network+ as an example – maybe with the A+ as well) prior to starting your CCNA. Look for a training provider that can offer this as a career package.
The CCNA qualification is perfectly sufficient to start with; at this stage avoid being tempted to do the CCNP. Once you’ve got a few years experience behind you, you’ll know if it’s relevant for you to have this next level up. If you decide to become more qualified, you will have developed the skills you need to tackle the CCNP – as it’s a very complex course – and mustn’t be entered into casually.
Commercial qualifications are now, very visibly, beginning to replace the traditional academic paths into the IT sector – so why is this the case?
With the costs of academic degree’s becoming a tall order for many, plus the industry’s general opinion that vendor-based training is closer to the mark commercially, there’s been a big surge in Microsoft, CISCO, Adobe and CompTIA accredited training courses that educate students at a much reduced cost in terms of money and time.
Many degrees, for instance, can often get caught up in a great deal of background study – with much too broad a syllabus. Students are then prevented from learning the core essentials in sufficient depth.
The crux of the matter is this: Authorised IT qualifications let employers know exactly what you’re capable of – it says what you do in the title: as an example – I am a ‘Microsoft Certified Professional’ in ‘Designing Security for a Windows 2003 Network’. Therefore companies can look at their needs and what certifications are required to fulfil that.
A typical blunder that we encounter all too often is to choose a career based on a course, instead of focusing on the desired end-result. Universities are stacked to the hilt with unaware students that chose a program because it looked interesting – in place of something that could gain them the career they desired.
Students often train for a single year but end up performing the job-role for decades. Don’t make the error of taking what may be an ‘interesting’ training program only to waste your life away with a job you don’t like!
Stay tuned-in to where you want to get to, and build your study action-plan from that – not the other way round. Stay on target and ensure that you’re training for a job that’ll reward you for many long and fruitful years.
You’d also need help from a professional who understands the industry you think may suit you, and will be able to provide ‘A day in the life of’ synopsis for each job considered. This really is essential because you need to know if this change is right for you.
There is no way of over emphasising this: Always get full 24×7 professional support from mentors and instructors. You’ll definitely experience problems if you don’t follow this rule rigidly.
Beware of institutions that use messaging services ‘out-of-hours’ – where an advisor will call back during the next ‘working’ day. It’s not a lot of help when you’ve got study issues and could do with an answer during your scheduled study period.
Keep looking and you’ll come across the very best companies which provide their students online support all the time – even in the middle of the night.
Don’t accept second best with the quality of your support. The vast majority of trainees who give up, just need the right support system.
Your training program should always include the most up to date Microsoft (or relevant organisation’s) authorised exam preparation packages.
Often students can get thrown by practising exam questions that don’t come from official sources. Quite often, the question formats and phraseology can be completely unlike un-authorised versions and it’s vital that you know this.
Clearly, it is really important to ensure that you are completely prepared for the real exam before embarking on it. Revising simulated exams helps build your confidence and saves you time and money on unsuccessful attempts at exams.
(C) 2009 – S. Edwards. Hop over to CiscoCCNAInfo.co.uk or Click Here.
