Get network certified with the Cisco CCNA
If Cisco training is your aspiration, but you’ve no practical experience with network switches or routers, we’d recommend taking the CCNA training. This educates you in the necessary skills to set up and maintain routers. The internet is constructed from huge numbers of routers, and big organisations with many locations also utilise routers to keep their networks in touch.
As routers are connected to networks, look for a program that includes basic networking skills (for example Network+, perhaps with A+) before you start a CCNA. You must have a basic grasp of networks prior to starting your Cisco training or the chances are you’ll fall behind. When you’ve qualified and are on the job market, companies will expect good networking skills in addition to the CCNA.
Start with a bespoke training program that covers everything you need to know prior to commencing your Cisco training.
One useful service provided by many trainers is a programme of Job Placement assistance. The service is put in place to assist your search for your first position. However sometimes people are too impressed with this facility, for it is genuinely quite straightforward for well qualified and focused men and women to find a job in this industry – because there’s a great need for skilled employees.
Ideally you should have CV and Interview advice and support though; also we would encourage any student to work on polishing up their CV the day they start training – don’t procrastinate and leave it until you’ve graduated or passed any exams.
You might not even have got to the exam time when you will be offered your first junior support job; but this can’t and won’t happen if your CV isn’t in front of employers.
Generally, you’ll receive quicker service from a local IT focused recruitment consultant or service than you’ll experience from any training provider’s employment division, because they’ll know the local area and commercial needs better.
Just ensure you don’t invest a great deal of time on your training course, and then do nothing more and imagine someone else is miraculously going to find you a job. Stand up for yourself and get on with the job. Put as much resource into getting a good job as it took to get qualified.
We can’t make a big enough deal out of this point: You have to get round-the-clock 24×7 instructor support. You will have so many problems later if you don’t heed this.
You’ll be waiting ages for an answer with email based support, and telephone support is usually to a call-centre that will make some notes and then email an advisor – who’ll call back sometime over the next 1-3 days, when it’s convenient to them. This is no good if you’re lost and confused and can only study at specific times.
Top training providers tend to use a web-based 24 hours-a-day package pulling in several support offices across the globe. You’re offered an environment which seamlessly accesses whichever office is appropriate any time of the day or night: Support when you need it.
If you accept anything less than direct-access 24×7 support, you’ll very quickly realise that you’ve made a mistake. You might not want to use the service late at night, but you’re bound to use weekends, early mornings or late evenings.
A study programme should always lead to a fully recognised major qualification at the finale – not a useless ’in-house’ plaque for your wall.
From the perspective of an employer, only the big-boys like Microsoft, Cisco, CompTIA or Adobe (for example) will open the right doors. Anything less just doesn’t cut the mustard.
Beginning from the idea that it makes sense to choose the job we want to do first and foremost, before we can even chew over which method of training meets that requirement, how are we supposed to find the right direction?
Flicking through a list of IT job-titles is no use whatsoever. The majority of us don’t really appreciate what our own family members do for a living – so we have no hope of understanding the ins and outs of a specific IT job.
Reflection on many issues is important if you need to expose the right answer for you:
* Your personality can play an important role – what things get your juices flowing, and what tasks you really dislike.
* Are you aiming to accomplish a key aspiration – like being your own boss someday?
* What priority do you place on travelling time and locality vs salary?
* Because there are so many different sectors to gain certifications for in Information Technology – you will have to pick up some background information on what sets them apart.
* The time and energy you’ll have available to commit getting qualified.
For most people, dissecting each of these concepts requires a good chat with someone who can investigate each area with you. And not just the certifications – but the commercial requirements and expectations of the market as well.
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(C) Scott Edwards 2009. Go to Click HERE or Microsoft Excel Training.
