If you think Cisco training might be for you, but you’re new to working with switches and routers, then you’ll need a CCNA course. This will provide you with skills for setting up and maintaining routers. The world wide web is built up of many routers, and big organisations with various different locations also use them to connect their computer networks.
Achieving this qualification means you’ll probably end up working for large companies that have several different sites, but need their computer networks to talk to each other. Alternatively, you may find yourself employed by internet service providers. These jobs are well paid and in demand.
Having the right skills and correct mind-set ahead of commencing your Cisco training is essential. Therefore, it’s probably necessary to speak to an advisor who can fill you in on any gaps you may have.
Incorporating exam fees as an inclusive element of the package price then including an exam guarantee is a common method with many companies. But look at the facts:
These days, we have to be a little bit more aware of sales ploys – and the majority of us ought to realise that of course we’re actually paying for it (it isn’t free or out of the goodness of their hearts!) The fact is that if a student pays for each progressive exam, one by one, they’ll be in a better position to pass every time – since they’ll be conscious of their investment in themselves and will therefore apply themselves appropriately.
Don’t pay up-front, but seek out the best deal for you at the time, and hang on to your cash. You’ll also be able to choose where to sit the exam – so you can choose somewhere closer to home. Buying a course that includes payments for examination fees (and interest charges if you’re borrowing money) is insane. Why fill a company’s coffers with additional funds simply to help their cash-flow! Many will hope you will never make it to exams – so they get to keep the extra funds. The majority of organisations will insist on pre-tests and hold you back from re-takes until you’ve completely proven that you’re likely to pass – so an ‘Exam Guarantee’ comes with many clauses in reality.
Exams taken at local centres are approximately 112 pounds in the United Kingdom today. Why spend so much more on fees for ‘exam guarantees’ (usually wrapped up in the course package price) – when a quality course, support and study, commitment and preparing with good quality mock and practice exams is what will really guarantee success.
Now, why should we consider commercial certification rather than more traditional academic qualifications taught at tech’ colleges and universities? As demand increases for knowledge about more and more complex technology, industry has been required to move to specific, honed-in training only available through the vendors themselves – for example companies such as Microsoft, CompTIA, CISCO and Adobe. This frequently provides reductions in both cost and time. They do this through honing in on the skill-sets required (along with a proportionate degree of background knowledge,) instead of trawling through all the background ‘padding’ that computer Science Degrees can get bogged down in (to fill up a syllabus or course).
Think about if you were the employer – and you required somebody who had very specific skills. Which is the most straightforward: Wade your way through a mass of different academic qualifications from several applicants, trying to establish what they know and which vocational skills they’ve acquired, or select a specialised number of commercial certifications that perfectly fit your needs, and draw up from that who you want to speak to. Your interviews are then about personal suitability – rather than establishing whether they can do a specific task.
Let’s face it: There really is pretty much no personal job security now; there’s only industry or sector security – as any company can let anyone go when it fits the business’ trade requirements. It’s possible though to hit upon market-level security, by searching for high demand areas, tied with a lack of qualified workers.
Investigating the IT industry, the 2006 e-Skills analysis showed a more than 26 percent shortage in trained professionals. Meaning that for every 4 jobs that exist throughout IT, we’ve only got three properly trained pro’s to fulfil that role. This troubling concept reveals an urgent requirement for more technically qualified computing professionals in the United Kingdom. It would be hard to imagine if a better time or market settings is ever likely to exist for obtaining certification in this swiftly emerging and evolving sector.
Finding your first job in the industry can feel more straightforward if you’re offered a Job Placement Assistance service. Don’t get overly impressed with this service – it’s easy for their marketing department to make it sound harder than it is. The fact of the matter is, the need for well trained IT people in this country is the reason you’ll find a job.
Whatever you do, don’t wait till you’ve passed your final exams before updating your CV. The day you start training, list what you’re working on and get it out there! It’s not uncommon to find that junior support jobs are offered to people who are still studying and haven’t got any qualifications yet. This will at least get you on your way. The most efficient companies to get you a new position are normally specialist independent regional recruitment consultancies. As they’re keen to place you to receive their commission, they have more incentive to get on with it.
A constant frustration for a number of training course providers is how hard men and women are prepared to work to become certified, but how ill-prepared they are to market themselves for the job they’ve qualified for. Don’t falter at the last fence.
Many students come unstuck over a single courseware aspect which is often not even considered: How the training is broken down and sent out to you. Trainees may consider it sensible (with a typical time scale of 1-3 years to achieve full certification,) for a training company to release the courseware in stages, until you’ve passed all the exams. But: What would happen if you didn’t finish each and every module within the time limits imposed? And maybe you’ll find their order of completion doesn’t come as naturally as some other structure would for you.
The ideal solution is to have every piece of your study pack packed off to your home before you even start; the entire package! Then, nothing can hinder the reaching of your goals.
