Training in Cisco is designed for people who want to learn about routers and switches. Routers connect networks of computers over the internet or dedicated lines. It's a good idea that you should start with your CCNA. Don't be tempted to go straight for a CCNP as it's a considerable step up - and you really need experience to have a go at this.
The kind of jobs requiring this knowledge mean the chances are you'll work for national or international companies that are spread out geographically but need their computer networks to talk to each other. Or, you may move on to joining an internet service provider. Both types of jobs command good salaries.
It's advisable to do a bespoke training program that will take you through a specific training path ahead of starting your training in Cisco skills.
Proper support is incredibly important - ensure you track down something that provides 24x7 direct access, as anything less will not satisfy and will also impede your ability to learn.
Never buy certification programs which can only support trainees through a message system after 6-9pm in the evening and during weekends. Trainers will give you every excuse in the book why you don't need this. The bottom line is - support is required when it's required - not when it's convenient for them.
We recommend that you search for training programs that have multiple support offices across multiple time-zones. Each one should be integrated to give a single entry point together with access round-the-clock, when you want it, with no fuss.
Never make the mistake of compromise when it comes to your support. The majority of would-be IT professionals that can't get going properly, would have had a different experience if they'd got the right support package in the first place.
The market provides an excess of work available in IT. Picking the right one in this uncertainty is a mammoth decision.
After all, without any know-how of IT in the workplace, how could you possibly know what a particular IT employee spends their day doing? How can you possibly choose what certification program is the most likely for your success.
Arriving at a well-informed resolution really only appears from a methodical analysis of several shifting key points:
* The type of personality you have and interests - which work-centred jobs you love or hate.
* Do you want to get certified due to a specific motive - for instance, is it your goal to work at home (maybe self-employment?)?
* How highly do you rate salary - is it the most important thing, or is job satisfaction higher up on your priority-list?
* Because there are so many different sectors to gain certifications for in the IT industry - you will have to gain a basic understanding of what separates them.
* The level of commitment and effort you'll commit getting qualified.
To be honest, it's obvious that the only real way to investigate these matters tends to be through a good talk with an advisor or professional who has years of experience in IT (as well as it's commercial requirements.)
Commercial certification is now, undoubtedly, beginning to replace the traditional academic paths into IT - but why is this?
Corporate based study (to use industry-speak) is far more specialised and product-specific. Industry has realised that this level of specialised understanding is essential to meet the requirements of an increasingly more technical marketplace. Adobe, Microsoft, CISCO and CompTIA are the dominant players.
Many degrees, for example, become confusing because of a lot of background study - with much too broad a syllabus. Students are then prevented from getting enough core and in-depth understanding on a specific area.
In simple terms: Authorised IT qualifications give employers exactly what they're looking for - the title is a complete giveaway: i.e. I am a 'Microsoft Certified Professional' in 'Designing Security for a Windows 2003 Network'. Therefore employers can identify just what their needs are and what certifications are required to perform the job.
Consider only training paths which will grow into commercially acknowledged exams. There are way too many trainers proposing minor 'in-house' certificates which aren't worth the paper they're printed on in the real world.
If your certification doesn't come from a big-hitter like Microsoft, CompTIA, Adobe or Cisco, then it's likely it won't be commercially viable - as no-one will have heard of it.
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