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.
Getting your Cisco CCNA is all you need at this stage – don’t be cajoled into attempting your CCNP for now. Once you’ve worked for a few years you can decide if this next level is for you. If so, you’ll be much more capable to succeed at that stage – because you’ll have so much more experience.
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.
Where there are escalating skills deficits and increasing demand though, we generally discover a fresh type of security in the marketplace; where, fuelled by the constant growth conditions, businesses find it hard to locate the staff required.
Reviewing the Information Technology (IT) business, the 2006 e-Skills analysis brought to light a twenty six percent shortage in trained professionals. Alternatively, you could say, this reveals that the United Kingdom is only able to source three qualified staff for every four jobs that are available now.
Achieving proper commercial IT accreditation is consequently a ‘Fast Track’ to realise a continuing as well as gratifying livelihood.
In reality, retraining in Information Technology over the next year or two is very likely the safest choice of careers you could make.
One feature that many training companies provide is a Job Placement Assistance program. The service is put in place to help you get your first commercial position. With the huge demand for appropriately skilled people in this country even when times are hard, there’s no need to place too much emphasis on this feature however. It really won’t be that difficult to land your first job once you’re properly qualified.
Help and assistance with preparing a CV and getting interviews may be available (if not, see one of our sites for help). Be sure to you bring your CV right up to date immediately – not when you’re ready to start work!
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.
To bottom line it, as long as you focus the same level of energy into finding your first IT position as into training, you won’t have any problems. Some students curiously spend hundreds of hours on their training and studies and do nothing more once they’ve got certified and would appear to think that businesses will just discover them.
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.
World-class organisations utilise an online 24×7 package involving many support centres over many time-zones. You’re offered a single, easy-to-use interface which switches seamlessly to the best choice of centres irrespective of the time of day: Support when you need it.
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.
Consequently, if you don’t have any know-how of the IT market, how can you expect to know what any qualified IT worker spends their day doing? How can you possibly choose which educational path would be most appropriate for ultimate success.
The key to answering this predicament correctly stems from a full talk over some important points:
* Which type of individual you are – which things you find interesting, plus of course – what don’t you like doing.
* What length of time can you allocate for the training process?
* 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?
* Many students don’t properly consider the amount of work involved to gain all the necessary accreditation.
* You should also think long and hard about what kind of effort and commitment that you will set aside for the accreditation program.
For most people, getting to the bottom of these areas needs a long talk with an advisor who can explain things properly. And not just the certifications – but the commercial requirements and expectations of industry too.
(C) Jason Kendall. Go to LearningLolly.com for clear career advice. www.ciscoccna4.co.uk or www.learninglolly.com.
Tags: advice, career, computer, education, games, hobbies, home, money, self improvement, shop, software, technology, Uncategorized, web, work
