If you think Cisco training might be for you, but you haven’t worked with routers or network switches, initially you should go for a CCNA course. This teaches you skills for setting up and maintaining routers. The internet is constructed from huge numbers of routers, and national or international corporations with many locations also rely on them to allow their networks to keep in touch.
Routers are linked to networks, so seek out training that features the basics on networks - perhaps Network+ and A+, and then do a CCNA course. You’ll need some knowledge of how networks operate before you start a Cisco course or the chances are you’ll fall behind. When you’ve qualified and are on the job market, networking skills will be valuable in addition to the CCNA.
The CCNA qualification is what you should be aiming for - at this stage avoid being tempted to do the CCNP straight away. Get a couple of years experience behind you first, then you will have a feel for if you need to train up to this level. If it is, you’ll be in a better position to pass then - as your working knowledge will put everything into perspective.
It’s essential to have the current Microsoft (or relevant organisation’s) accredited exam simulation and preparation packages.
Due to the fact that most examination boards in IT are American, it’s essential to understand how exam questions will be phrased and formatted. It’s no use just understanding random questions - they need to be in the proper exam format.
Clearly, it is really important to ensure that you’re absolutely ready for your commercial exam prior to going for it. Going over ‘mock’ tests will help to boost your attitude and helps to avoid thwarted exam entries.
A 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. The need for this feature can be bigged up out of proportion though - it’s quite easy for their marketing department to overplay it. Ultimately, the need for well trained IT people in this country is the reason you’ll find a job.
Help and assistance with preparing a CV and getting interviews might be provided (alternatively, check out one of our sites for help). Make sure you polish up your CV today - don’t leave it till you pass the exams!
You’ll often find that you will be offered your initial role whilst still on the course (sometimes when you’ve only just got going). If you haven’t updated your CV to say what you’re studying (and it hasn’t been posted on jobsites) then you won’t even be considered!
The most reliable organisations to help you land that job are generally independent and specialised local recruitment services. As they will get paid by the employer when they’ve placed you, they have more incentive to get on with it.
Do be sure that you don’t put hundreds of hours of effort into your studies, just to give up and expect somebody else to find you a job. Stand up for yourself and get on with the job. Put as much time and energy into securing the right position as you did to get trained.
Any program that you’re going to undertake really needs to work up to a commercially valid certification as an end-goal - and not some unimportant ‘in-house’ diploma - fit only for filing away and forgetting.
From an employer’s viewpoint, only the big-boys like Microsoft, Adobe, Cisco or CompTIA (as an example) will open the right doors. Anything less just doesn’t cut the mustard.
An area that’s often missed by new students weighing up a particular programme is that of ‘training segmentation’. This basically means the breakdown of the materials for delivery to you, which makes a huge difference to where you end up.
Trainees may consider it sensible (with training often lasting 2 or 3 years for a full commercial certification,) for a training company to release one module at a time, until you’ve passed all the exams. But:
What if there are reasons why you can’t finish each and every exam? And what if you find the order of the modules counter-intuitive? Because of nothing that’s your fault, you mightn’t complete everything fast enough and therefore not end up with all the modules.
To be honest, the very best answer is to get an idea of what they recommend as an ideal study order, but to receive all the materials up-front. It’s then all yours in the event you don’t complete everything within their ideal time-table.
A so-called advisor who doesn’t ask you a lot of questions - it’s more than likely they’re just a salesperson. If they push a particular product before understanding your background and whether you have any commercial experience, then you know it’s true.
If you’ve got any work-based experience or qualifications, you could discover that your appropriate starting-point is now at a different level to a new student.
It’s usual to start with some basic user skills first. This can often make the learning curve a much more gentle.
(C) Jason Kendall. Navigate to LearningLolly.com for quality career tips on Cisco Certification Courses and Cisco CCNA Training Courses.
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