Should you be aspiring to become Cisco accredited, but you haven’t worked with routers or network switches, it’s likely you’ll need the Cisco CCNA qualification. This will provide you with knowledge and skills to work with routers. The internet is constructed from huge numbers of routers, and big organisations with various different locations also need routers to connect their computer networks.
It’s important to have an understanding of 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 look for a course covering the basics in networking (for example Network+, perhaps with A+) before you start a CCNA course. Some providers offer this as a career track.
You should get a bespoke training program that takes you on a progressive path to make sure you’ve got the appropriate skills and knowledge prior to embarking on the Cisco skills.
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 what particular chunks.
Many companies enrol you into a 2 or 3 year study programme, and drop-ship the materials to you piecemeal as you pass each exam. This sounds reasonable until you consider the following:
What could you expect if you didn’t actually complete each and every exam within the time limits imposed? And maybe you’ll find their order of completion won’t fit you as well as some other order of studying might.
The ideal circumstances are to get all the training materials sent to your home before you even start; the complete package! Thus avoiding any future problems that could impede your capacity to get everything done.
OK, why should we consider commercially accredited qualifications as opposed to the usual academic qualifications taught at schools and Further Education colleges?
With a growing demand for specific technological expertise, the IT sector has of necessity moved to specialist courses that can only come from the vendors – that is companies like Microsoft, CISCO, Adobe and CompTIA. This often comes in at a fraction of the cost and time.
Vendor training works through focusing on the skill-sets required (together with an appropriate level of background knowledge,) instead of trawling through all the background ‘extras’ that degrees in computing often do (because the syllabus is so wide).
It’s a bit like the TV advert: ‘It does what it says on the label’. Employers simply need to know what they need doing, and then match up the appropriate exam numbers as a requirement. That way they can be sure they’re interviewing applicants who can do the job.
Looking at the myriad of choice out there, does it really shock us that a large percentage of students have no idea which career they will follow.
Flicking through a list of IT job-titles is just a waste of time. The majority of us don’t really appreciate what the neighbours do for a living – let alone understand the ins and outs of a particular IT career.
Arriving at the right resolution really only appears via a systematic analysis across many varying areas:
* What hobbies you have and enjoy – these often highlight what things will satisfy you.
* Why you’re looking at getting involved with the IT industry – maybe you want to triumph over a long-held goal such as being self-employed for instance.
* Is the money you make further up on your list of priorities than other factors.
* Many students don’t properly consider the level of commitment involved to achieve their goals.
* You should also think long and hard about the level of commitment you’re going to invest in the accreditation program.
In all honesty, your only option to seek advice on these areas is via a conversation with an advisor who understands computing (and specifically the commercial needs and requirements.)
One interesting way that training providers make a lot more is via an ‘exam inclusive’ package and offering an exam guarantee. It looks impressive, but is it really:
We all know that we’re still being charged for it – it’s obviously already in the gross price invoiced by the training provider. Certainly, it’s not a freebie – and it’s insulting that we’re supposed to think it is!
If it’s important to you to pass first time, evidence suggests you must pay for each exam as you go, give it the necessary attention and give the task sufficient application.
Isn’t it outrageous to have to pay a training college in advance for exams? Find the best deal you can when you’re ready, instead of paying any mark-up – and take it closer to home – rather than possibly hours away from your area.
A surprising number of questionable training providers secure big margins because they’re getting paid for examinations upfront and banking on the fact that many won’t be taken.
Don’t forget, with ‘Exam Guarantees’ from most places – the company controls how often and when you are allowed to do a re-take. They’ll only allow a re-take once completely satisfied.
Average exam fees were around the 112 pounds mark in the last 12 months via local VUE or Pro-metric centres throughout the country. Therefore, why splash out often many hundreds of pounds extra to have ‘an Exam Guarantee’, when it’s no secret that what’s really needed is consistent and systematic learning, coupled with quality exam simulation software.
Copyright 2010 S. Edwards. Go to Networking Courses or www.sqlcourse.co.uk.
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