The Cisco training is the way to go for those who wish to work with routers and network switches. Routers are what connect networks of computers over dedicated lines or the internet. It’s advisable that you should start with the CCNA. It’s not advisable to launch directly into your CCNP because it is very complex – and you’ll need the CCNA and experience first to have a go at this.
Routers are linked to networks, therefore it’s essential to understand how networks work, or you’ll have difficulty gaining the program and not be able to understand the work. Find a training programme that includes basic networking skills (CompTIA is a good one) before you start the CCNA.
If you haven’t yet had any experience of routers, then working up to and including the CCNA is the right level to aim for – don’t be pushed into attempting your CCNP. After gaining experience in the working environment, you can decide if it’s appropriate for you to go to the level of CCNP.
We need to make this very clear: Always get full 24×7 professional support from mentors and instructors. Later, you’ll kick yourself if you don’t follow this rule rigidly.
Avoid, like the plague, any organisations which use call-centres ‘out-of-hours’ – with your call-back scheduled for office hours. It’s not a lot of help when you’ve got study issues and need an answer now.
It’s possible to find the very best companies that provide their students direct-access support all the time – no matter what time of day it is.
Seek out a training company that gives this level of learning support. Only proper live 24×7 support provides the necessary backup.
Can job security really exist anymore? In a marketplace like the UK, where business constantly changes its mind on a day-to-day basis, it certainly appears not.
We’re able though to reveal security at market-level, by digging for high demand areas, coupled with a lack of qualified workers.
Offering the Information Technology (IT) market for instance, a key e-Skills study showed major skills shortages throughout the UK in excess of 26 percent. So, for every 4 jobs available around Information Technology (IT), organisations can only find enough qualified individuals for three of them.
This disquieting idea underpins the requirement for more appropriately trained Information Technology professionals throughout the UK.
Because the IT sector is developing at such a rate, there really isn’t any other sector worth looking at for a new future.
Many training companies will provide a useful Job Placement Assistance program, to help you get your first job. Sometimes, this feature is bigged up too much, because it is actually not that hard for any focused and well taught person to get work in the IT environment – as employers are keen to find appropriately qualified personnel.
Ideally you should have help with your CV and interview techniques though; and we’d recommend everyone to update their CV right at the beginning of their training – don’t put it off till you’ve finished your exams.
Quite frequently, you’ll secure your first role while you’re still a student (occasionally right at the beginning). If your CV doesn’t show your latest training profile (and it isn’t in the hands of someone with jobs to offer) then you aren’t even in the running!
The best services to help get you placed are generally independent and specialised local recruitment services. As they’re keen to place you to receive their commission, they have the necessary incentive to try that bit harder.
A good number of people, apparently, invest a great deal of time on their training course (sometimes for years), only to give up at the first hurdle when attempting to secure their first job. Promote yourself… Do everything you can to get in front of employers. Good jobs don’t just knock on your door.
You should remember: a training program or a qualification is not what you’re looking for; the career you’re training for is. Too many training companies place too much importance on the qualification itself.
Imagine training for just one year and then end up performing the job-role for decades. Don’t make the mistake of choosing what sounds like an ‘interesting’ training program and then put 10-20 years into an unrewarding career!
Be honest with yourself about what you want to earn and what level of ambition fits you. Sometimes, this affects what precise qualifications you will need and what you can expect to give industry in return.
The best advice for students is to talk with an industry professional before deciding on their learning path. This gives some measure of assurance that it contains the relevant skills for the career that is sought.
Authored By Ruby Rowe. Browse this site for the best career ideas on Cisco CCNA Courses.
