Sunday, January 17, 2010

Cisco Training In Your Own Home Compared

By Jason Kendall

Training in Cisco is designed for people who want to learn about routers and switches. Routers connect networks of computers over the internet or dedicated lines. It's a good idea that you should start with your CCNA. Don't be tempted to go straight for a CCNP as it's a considerable step up - and you really need experience to have a go at this.

It's very probable you'll get a job with an internet service provider or a big organisation which is located on multiple sites but still wants secure internal data communication. These jobs are well paid and in demand.

You should get a bespoke training program that will take you through a specific training path to make sure you have the correct skill set and knowledge prior to getting going with Cisco.

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.

We recommend that you search for training programs that have multiple support offices across multiple time-zones. Each one should be integrated to give a single entry point together with access round-the-clock, when you want it, with no fuss.

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.

Because without any solid background in computing, how should we possibly understand what someone in a particular job does?

Arriving at a well-informed resolution really only appears from a methodical analysis of several shifting key points:

* The type of personality you have and interests - which work-centred jobs you love or hate.

* Is it your desire to achieve an important dream - like becoming self-employed someday?

* What priority do you place on salary vs the travel required?

* Because there are so many different sectors to gain certifications for in the IT industry - you will have to gain a basic understanding of what separates them.

* The level of commitment and effort you'll commit getting qualified.

To be honest, it's obvious that the only real way to investigate these matters tends to be through a good talk with an advisor or professional who has years of experience in IT (as well as it's commercial requirements.)

A question; why should we consider commercial qualifications as opposed to traditional academic qualifications gained through schools, colleges or universities?

The IT sector is now aware that to learn the appropriate commercial skills, official accreditation from the likes of CISCO, Adobe, Microsoft and CompTIA is far more effective and specialised - for much less time and money.

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.

What if you were an employer - and you required somebody who had very specific skills. What is easier: Trawl through loads of academic qualifications from several applicants, trying to establish what they know and which vocational skills they've acquired, or choose particular accreditations that specifically match what you're looking for, and make your short-list from that. Your interviews are then about personal suitability - rather than on the depth of their technical knowledge.

Consider only training paths which will grow into commercially acknowledged exams. There are way too many trainers proposing minor 'in-house' certificates which aren't worth the paper they're printed on in the real world.

Only nationally recognised certification from the likes of Microsoft, Cisco, CompTIA and Adobe will be useful to a future employer.

About the Author:

No comments:

Post a Comment