The CCNA qualification is the way to go for training in Cisco. With it, you’ll learn how to operate on maintaining and installing routers and network switches. Fundamentally, the internet is based upon huge numbers of routers, and large companies who have several locations need them to allow their networks to keep in touch.
It’s vital that you already know a good deal about how computer networks operate and function, as networks are connected to routers. Otherwise, you’ll probably struggle. You might first take a course in basic networking skills (CompTIA Network+ as an example – maybe with the A+ as well) before you start a CCNA course. Look for a training provider that can offer this as a career package.
If routers are a new thing for you, then studying up to CCNA is all you’ll be able to cope with – avoid being talked into doing a CCNP. Once you’ve worked for a few years, you’ll know if it’s appropriate for you to go to the level of CCNP.
We can all agree: There’s absolutely no individual job security anymore; there can only be industry and business security – a company will remove anyone when it suits the company’s commercial requirements.
Security can now only exist via a swiftly growing market, driven forward by a lack of trained workers. These circumstances create just the right setting for market-security – definitely a more pleasing situation.
With the Information Technology (IT) industry as an example, a recent e-Skills analysis demonstrated major skills shortages throughout the UK of over 26 percent. This shows that for every 4 jobs in existence in Information Technology (IT), we have only 3 certified professionals to do them.
Properly taught and commercially accredited new staff are consequently at a complete premium, and it’s estimated to remain so for a long time.
In reality, retraining in Information Technology over the next year or two is very likely the safest choice of careers you could make.
Getting your first commercial position is often made easier with a Job Placement Assistance service. Often, this feature is bigged up too much, for it’s relatively easy for any focused and well taught person to land a job in this industry – as employers are keen to find appropriately trained staff.
Update your CV at the beginning of your training though (advice can be sought on this via your provider). Don’t put it off until you’ve qualified.
Getting your CV considered is far better than not even being known about. A surprising amount of junior positions are given to students (sometimes when they’ve only just got going.)
Actually, an independent and specialised local employment service (who will get paid by the employer when they’ve placed you) will perform better than any centralised training company’s service. It also stands to reason that they’ll be familiar with the local industry and employment needs.
Certainly make sure you don’t invest a great deal of time on your training course, then call a halt and imagine someone else is miraculously going to secure your first position. Get off your backside and get out there. Channel the same energy and enthusiasm into getting your first job as you did to get trained.
A lot of training providers will only provide office hours or extended office hours support; It’s rare to find someone who offers late evening or full weekend cover.
Avoid, like the plague, any organisations that use ‘out-of-hours’ messaging systems – with the call-back coming in during typical office hours. This is useless when you’re stuck and could do with an answer during your scheduled study period.
Be on the lookout for providers that use several support centres active in different time-zones. Each one should be integrated to give a single entry point as well as access round-the-clock, when it’s convenient for you, with no hassle.
Never ever take second best when it comes to your support. Many would-be IT professionals that drop-out or fail, are in that situation because they didn’t get the support necessary for them.
In most cases, your typical student doesn’t have a clue in what direction to head in the IT industry, or what area they should look at getting trained in.
Working through a list of odd-sounding and meaningless job titles is no use whatsoever. Most of us don’t really appreciate what our own family members do for a living – so we’re in the dark as to the subtleties of any specific IT role.
To get to the bottom of this, a discussion is necessary, covering a variety of core topics:
* Your personality can play a major role – what kind of areas spark your interest, and what are the things that get you down.
* Is it your desire to realise a closely held objective – for instance, working for yourself sometime soon?
* Where is the salary on a scale of importance – is an increase your main motivator, or do you place job satisfaction a lot higher on your list of priorities?
* Learning what the main Information technology areas and markets are – and what makes them different.
* How much effort you’ll spend on your training.
In these situations, it’s obvious that the only real way to seek advice on these issues will be via a meeting with an advisor that has years of experience in computing (and more importantly the commercial requirements.)
(C) Jason Kendall. Look at LearningLolly.com for smart career advice. Cisco CCNA Courses or CCNA Courses.
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This post was written by Jason Kendall on December 21, 2009
