Considering Cisco CCNA Retraining Compared
The CCNA certification is the way to go for training in Cisco. With it, you'll learn how to handle maintaining and installing routers and switches. The internet is made up of many routers, and large companies who have different locations utilise them to allow their networks to keep in touch.
It's vital that you already know a good deal about computer networks and how they operate and function, because computer networks are joined to routers. If not, it's likely you'll run into difficulties. Better to find training that also includes the basics (CompTIA Network+ as an example - maybe with the A+ as well) and then do a CCNA course. Some companies will design a bespoke package for you.
Achieving CCNA is where you should be aiming; don't let some salesperson talk you into starting with the CCNP. Once you've worked for a few years, you can decide whether you need to train up to this level. Should that be the case, your experience will serve as the background you need for the CCNP - which is quite a hard qualification to acquire - and shouldn't be looked upon as otherwise.
A knowledgeable and specialised consultant (in direct contrast to a salesman) will cover in some detail your current level of ability and experience. This is useful for working out your starting level of study. If you've got a strong background, or sometimes a little commercial experience (maybe some existing accreditation?) then it could be that your starting level will be very different from someone who is just starting out. For those students starting IT studies and exams for the first time, you might like to avoid jumping in at the deep-end, starting with some basic Microsoft package and Windows skills first. Usually this is packaged with most types of training.
Of all the important things to consider, one of the most essential is always full 24x7 support via trained professional instructors and mentors. Too many companies only seem to want to help while they're in the office (9am till 6pm, Monday till Friday usually) and nothing at the weekends. Avoid those companies who use 'out-of-hours' call-centres - with your call-back scheduled for typical office hours. It's no use when you're stuck on a problem and need help now.
Top training providers opt for an online 24x7 package pulling in several support offices across the globe. You will have an easy to use environment which switches seamlessly to the best choice of centres irrespective of the time of day: Support when it's needed. You can't afford to accept anything less. Direct-access round-the-clock support is the only viable option with computer-based courses. Maybe burning the midnight-oil is not your thing; but for the majority of us however, we're working at the time when most support is available.
Being a part of the cutting-edge of new technology is as thrilling as it comes. You become one of a team of people creating a future for us all. We're barely beginning to get a handle on how all this change will affect us. How we correlate with the world as a whole will be significantly affected by technology and the internet.
Let's not forget that income in IT throughout this country is considerably more than the national average salary, therefore you will probably receive significantly more as a trained IT professional, than you'd get in most other industries. It's no secret that there is a significant nationwide demand for trained and qualified IT technicians. And with the marketplace continuing to expand, it looks like this will be the case for a good while yet.
Most people don't even think to ask about something of absolutely vital importance - how their training provider breaks up the courseware elements, and into how many bits. Many companies enrol you into a program typically taking 1-3 years, and send out each piece as you pass each exam. If you think this sound logical, then consider this: What would their reaction be if you find it difficult to do all the exams at the speed they required? And maybe you'll find their order of completion won't fit you as well as some other structure would for you.
Ideally, you want ALL the study materials up-front - meaning you'll have all of them to return to any point - whenever it suits you. This allows a variation in the order that you complete each objective if another more intuitive route presents itself.
You have to make sure that all your certifications are current and also valid commercially - you're wasting your time with courses that lead to in-house certificates. Unless the accreditation comes from a company like Microsoft, Adobe, Cisco or CompTIA, then it's likely it won't be commercially viable - as no-one will have heard of it.
It's vital that you already know a good deal about computer networks and how they operate and function, because computer networks are joined to routers. If not, it's likely you'll run into difficulties. Better to find training that also includes the basics (CompTIA Network+ as an example - maybe with the A+ as well) and then do a CCNA course. Some companies will design a bespoke package for you.
Achieving CCNA is where you should be aiming; don't let some salesperson talk you into starting with the CCNP. Once you've worked for a few years, you can decide whether you need to train up to this level. Should that be the case, your experience will serve as the background you need for the CCNP - which is quite a hard qualification to acquire - and shouldn't be looked upon as otherwise.
A knowledgeable and specialised consultant (in direct contrast to a salesman) will cover in some detail your current level of ability and experience. This is useful for working out your starting level of study. If you've got a strong background, or sometimes a little commercial experience (maybe some existing accreditation?) then it could be that your starting level will be very different from someone who is just starting out. For those students starting IT studies and exams for the first time, you might like to avoid jumping in at the deep-end, starting with some basic Microsoft package and Windows skills first. Usually this is packaged with most types of training.
Of all the important things to consider, one of the most essential is always full 24x7 support via trained professional instructors and mentors. Too many companies only seem to want to help while they're in the office (9am till 6pm, Monday till Friday usually) and nothing at the weekends. Avoid those companies who use 'out-of-hours' call-centres - with your call-back scheduled for typical office hours. It's no use when you're stuck on a problem and need help now.
Top training providers opt for an online 24x7 package pulling in several support offices across the globe. You will have an easy to use environment which switches seamlessly to the best choice of centres irrespective of the time of day: Support when it's needed. You can't afford to accept anything less. Direct-access round-the-clock support is the only viable option with computer-based courses. Maybe burning the midnight-oil is not your thing; but for the majority of us however, we're working at the time when most support is available.
Being a part of the cutting-edge of new technology is as thrilling as it comes. You become one of a team of people creating a future for us all. We're barely beginning to get a handle on how all this change will affect us. How we correlate with the world as a whole will be significantly affected by technology and the internet.
Let's not forget that income in IT throughout this country is considerably more than the national average salary, therefore you will probably receive significantly more as a trained IT professional, than you'd get in most other industries. It's no secret that there is a significant nationwide demand for trained and qualified IT technicians. And with the marketplace continuing to expand, it looks like this will be the case for a good while yet.
Most people don't even think to ask about something of absolutely vital importance - how their training provider breaks up the courseware elements, and into how many bits. Many companies enrol you into a program typically taking 1-3 years, and send out each piece as you pass each exam. If you think this sound logical, then consider this: What would their reaction be if you find it difficult to do all the exams at the speed they required? And maybe you'll find their order of completion won't fit you as well as some other structure would for you.
Ideally, you want ALL the study materials up-front - meaning you'll have all of them to return to any point - whenever it suits you. This allows a variation in the order that you complete each objective if another more intuitive route presents itself.
You have to make sure that all your certifications are current and also valid commercially - you're wasting your time with courses that lead to in-house certificates. Unless the accreditation comes from a company like Microsoft, Adobe, Cisco or CompTIA, then it's likely it won't be commercially viable - as no-one will have heard of it.
About the Author:
(C) Jason Kendall. Visit LearningLolly.com for quality advice on Cisco CCNA and Cisco Training.
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