If you're looking for training in Cisco, then a CCNA is most probably what you're looking for. The Cisco training is intended for individuals who wish to understand and work with routers and network switches. Routers connect computer networks to another collection of computer networks over dedicated lines or the internet.
It's vital that you already know a good deal about how computer networks operate and function, as networks are built with routers. Otherwise, you'll probably struggle. You might look for a course covering the basics in networking - perhaps Network+ and A+, and then do a CCNA course. Some providers offer this as a career track.
Getting your Cisco CCNA is perfectly sufficient to start with; don't be cajoled into attempting your CCNP. Once you've got a few years experience behind you, you will have a feel for whether you need to train up to this level. If so, your experience will serve as the background you require to take on your CCNP - which is quite a hard qualification to acquire - and mustn't be entered into casually.
One thing you must always insist on is 24x7 round-the-clock support with trained professional instructors and mentors. Too many companies only seem to want to help while they're in the office (9am till 6pm, Monday till Friday usually) and nothing at the weekends.
Beware of institutions who use call-centres 'out-of-hours' - with the call-back coming in during office hours. It's no use when you're stuck on a problem and could do with an answer during your scheduled study period.
The very best programs opt for a web-based round-the-clock system utilising a variety of support centres over many time-zones. You will have an environment which switches seamlessly to the best choice of centres any time of the day or night: Support when it's needed.
Never make do with a lower level of service. Direct-access 24x7 support is the only way to go when it comes to IT study. Maybe late-evening study is not your thing; often though, we're working when traditional support if offered.
Considering the amount of options that are available, there's no surprise that nearly all newcomers to the industry get stuck choosing the job they will follow.
Because without any solid background in computing, how should we possibly understand what someone in a particular job does?
To get through to the essence of this, we need to discuss a variety of definitive areas:
* 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.
For the average person, getting to the bottom of these areas requires a good chat with someone that knows what they're talking about. And we don't just mean the certifications - you also need to understand the commercial needs and expectations besides.
A lot of students presume that the traditional school, college or university path is the way they should go. Why then are commercially accredited qualifications beginning to overtake it?
As we require increasingly more effective technological know-how, the IT sector has moved to the specialised core-skills learning only available through the vendors themselves - in other words companies such as Microsoft, CISCO, Adobe and CompTIA. This frequently provides reductions in both cost and time.
Of course, an appropriate quantity of relevant additional information has to be covered, but focused specialised knowledge in the required areas gives a commercially trained person a distinct advantage.
Just like the advert used to say: 'It does what it says on the label'. The company just needs to know where they have gaps, and then advertise for someone with the specific certification. Then they're assured that a potential employee can do exactly what's required.
A study programme must provide a nationally accepted exam as an end-result - and not some unimportant 'in-house' diploma - fit only for filing away and forgetting.
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.
It's vital that you already know a good deal about how computer networks operate and function, as networks are built with routers. Otherwise, you'll probably struggle. You might look for a course covering the basics in networking - perhaps Network+ and A+, and then do a CCNA course. Some providers offer this as a career track.
Getting your Cisco CCNA is perfectly sufficient to start with; don't be cajoled into attempting your CCNP. Once you've got a few years experience behind you, you will have a feel for whether you need to train up to this level. If so, your experience will serve as the background you require to take on your CCNP - which is quite a hard qualification to acquire - and mustn't be entered into casually.
One thing you must always insist on is 24x7 round-the-clock support with trained professional instructors and mentors. Too many companies only seem to want to help while they're in the office (9am till 6pm, Monday till Friday usually) and nothing at the weekends.
Beware of institutions who use call-centres 'out-of-hours' - with the call-back coming in during office hours. It's no use when you're stuck on a problem and could do with an answer during your scheduled study period.
The very best programs opt for a web-based round-the-clock system utilising a variety of support centres over many time-zones. You will have an environment which switches seamlessly to the best choice of centres any time of the day or night: Support when it's needed.
Never make do with a lower level of service. Direct-access 24x7 support is the only way to go when it comes to IT study. Maybe late-evening study is not your thing; often though, we're working when traditional support if offered.
Considering the amount of options that are available, there's no surprise that nearly all newcomers to the industry get stuck choosing the job they will follow.
Because without any solid background in computing, how should we possibly understand what someone in a particular job does?
To get through to the essence of this, we need to discuss a variety of definitive areas:
* 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.
For the average person, getting to the bottom of these areas requires a good chat with someone that knows what they're talking about. And we don't just mean the certifications - you also need to understand the commercial needs and expectations besides.
A lot of students presume that the traditional school, college or university path is the way they should go. Why then are commercially accredited qualifications beginning to overtake it?
As we require increasingly more effective technological know-how, the IT sector has moved to the specialised core-skills learning only available through the vendors themselves - in other words companies such as Microsoft, CISCO, Adobe and CompTIA. This frequently provides reductions in both cost and time.
Of course, an appropriate quantity of relevant additional information has to be covered, but focused specialised knowledge in the required areas gives a commercially trained person a distinct advantage.
Just like the advert used to say: 'It does what it says on the label'. The company just needs to know where they have gaps, and then advertise for someone with the specific certification. Then they're assured that a potential employee can do exactly what's required.
A study programme must provide a nationally accepted exam as an end-result - and not some unimportant 'in-house' diploma - fit only for filing away and forgetting.
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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