If Cisco training is your aspiration, and you've not yet worked with routers or network switches, you should first attempt CCNA certification. This will provide you with knowledge and skills to work with routers. The internet is made up of hundreds of thousands of routers, and large commercial ventures with many locations also need routers 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 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.
Proper support is incredibly important - ensure you track down something that provides 24x7 direct access, as anything less will not satisfy and will also impede your ability to learn.
Look for training where you can access help at all hours of the day and night (irrespective of whether it's the wee hours on Sunday morning!) Ensure you get 24x7 direct access to mentors and instructors, and not a message system as this will slow you down - parked in a queue of others waiting to be called back at a convenient time for them.
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.
The market provides an excess of work available in IT. Picking the right one in this uncertainty is a mammoth decision.
Perusing a list of odd-sounding and meaningless job titles is no use whatsoever. The vast majority of us have no concept what our own family members do for a living - let alone understand the subtleties of any specific IT role.
Consideration of several areas is vital if you want to expose the right answers:
* The sort of individual you are - what kind of jobs you enjoy, and on the other side of the coin - what don't you like doing.
* What time-frame are you looking at for your training?
* Is salary further up on your list of priorities than anything else.
* Considering the huge variation that computing covers, you really need to be able to take in what is different.
* Taking a cold, hard look at the level of commitment, time and effort you can give.
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.
Commercial certification is now, undoubtedly, beginning to replace the traditional academic paths into IT - but why is this?
Corporate based study (to use industry-speak) is far more specialised and product-specific. Industry has realised that this level of specialised understanding is essential to meet the requirements of an increasingly more technical marketplace. Adobe, Microsoft, CISCO and CompTIA are the dominant players.
Many degrees, for example, become confusing because of a lot of background study - with much too broad a syllabus. Students are then prevented from getting enough core and in-depth understanding on a specific area.
In simple terms: Authorised IT qualifications give employers exactly what they're looking for - the title is a complete giveaway: i.e. I am a 'Microsoft Certified Professional' in 'Designing Security for a Windows 2003 Network'. Therefore employers can identify just what their needs are and what certifications are required to perform the job.
Be alert that all exams you're studying for are recognised by industry and are up-to-date. Training companies own certificates are not normally useful in gaining employment.
Only nationally recognised certification from the likes of Microsoft, Cisco, CompTIA and Adobe will be useful to a future employer.
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.
Proper support is incredibly important - ensure you track down something that provides 24x7 direct access, as anything less will not satisfy and will also impede your ability to learn.
Look for training where you can access help at all hours of the day and night (irrespective of whether it's the wee hours on Sunday morning!) Ensure you get 24x7 direct access to mentors and instructors, and not a message system as this will slow you down - parked in a queue of others waiting to be called back at a convenient time for them.
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.
The market provides an excess of work available in IT. Picking the right one in this uncertainty is a mammoth decision.
Perusing a list of odd-sounding and meaningless job titles is no use whatsoever. The vast majority of us have no concept what our own family members do for a living - let alone understand the subtleties of any specific IT role.
Consideration of several areas is vital if you want to expose the right answers:
* The sort of individual you are - what kind of jobs you enjoy, and on the other side of the coin - what don't you like doing.
* What time-frame are you looking at for your training?
* Is salary further up on your list of priorities than anything else.
* Considering the huge variation that computing covers, you really need to be able to take in what is different.
* Taking a cold, hard look at the level of commitment, time and effort you can give.
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.
Commercial certification is now, undoubtedly, beginning to replace the traditional academic paths into IT - but why is this?
Corporate based study (to use industry-speak) is far more specialised and product-specific. Industry has realised that this level of specialised understanding is essential to meet the requirements of an increasingly more technical marketplace. Adobe, Microsoft, CISCO and CompTIA are the dominant players.
Many degrees, for example, become confusing because of a lot of background study - with much too broad a syllabus. Students are then prevented from getting enough core and in-depth understanding on a specific area.
In simple terms: Authorised IT qualifications give employers exactly what they're looking for - the title is a complete giveaway: i.e. I am a 'Microsoft Certified Professional' in 'Designing Security for a Windows 2003 Network'. Therefore employers can identify just what their needs are and what certifications are required to perform the job.
Be alert that all exams you're studying for are recognised by industry and are up-to-date. Training companies own certificates are not normally useful in gaining employment.
Only nationally recognised certification from the likes of Microsoft, Cisco, CompTIA and Adobe will be useful to a future employer.
