Build A Better Career

The CCNA qualification is the way to go for training in Cisco. With it, you’ll learn how to operate on maintaining and installing routers and network switches. Fundamentally, the internet is based upon huge numbers of routers, and large companies who have several locations need them to allow their networks to keep in touch.

It’s vital that you already know a good deal about how computer networks operate and function, as networks are connected to routers. Otherwise, you’ll probably struggle. You might first take a course in basic networking skills (CompTIA Network+ as an example – maybe with the A+ as well) before you start a CCNA course. Look for a training provider that can offer this as a career package.

It’s a good idea to find a tailored route that will take you through a specific training path ahead of getting going on the Cisco CCNA.

Can job security really exist anymore? In the UK for instance, with businesses changing their mind whenever it suits, we’d question whether it does.

Where there are escalating skills deficits and increasing demand though, we generally discover a fresh type of security in the marketplace; where, fuelled by the constant growth conditions, businesses find it hard to locate the staff required.

With the Information Technology (IT) industry as an example, a recent e-Skills analysis demonstrated major skills shortages throughout the UK of over 26 percent. This shows that for every 4 jobs in existence in Information Technology (IT), we have only 3 certified professionals to do them.

Properly taught and commercially accredited new staff are consequently at a complete premium, and it’s estimated to remain so for a long time.

It’s unlikely if a better time or market conditions could exist for getting certified in this swiftly increasing and budding industry.

Getting your first commercial position is often made easier with a Job Placement Assistance service. Often, this feature is bigged up too much, for it’s relatively easy for any focused and well taught person to land a job in this industry – as employers are keen to find appropriately trained staff.

Having said that, it’s important to have help with your CV and interview techniques though; additionally, we would recommend everybody to get their CV updated as soon as they start a course – don’t put it off until you’ve qualified.

It’s not uncommon to find that junior support jobs have been offered to students who’re still on their course and have yet to take their exams. At least this will get your CV into the ‘possible’ pile and not the ‘no’ pile.

Actually, an independent and specialised local employment service (who will get paid by the employer when they’ve placed you) will perform better than any centralised training company’s service. It also stands to reason that they’ll be familiar with the local industry and employment needs.

Certainly make sure you don’t invest a great deal of time on your training course, then call a halt and imagine someone else is miraculously going to secure your first position. Get off your backside and get out there. Channel the same energy and enthusiasm into getting your first job as you did to get trained.

There is no way of over emphasising this: You have to get round-the-clock 24×7 instructor support. You’ll definitely experience problems if you don’t.

Email support is too slow, and so-called telephone support is normally just routed to a call-centre which will just take down the issue and email it over to their technical team – who will call back over the next day or so (assuming you’re there), at a time suitable for them. This isn’t a lot of good if you’re stuck and can’t continue and only have a specific time you can study.

World-class organisations utilise an online 24×7 package involving many support centres over many time-zones. You’re offered a single, easy-to-use interface which switches seamlessly to the best choice of centres irrespective of the time of day: Support when you need it.

Never make do with less than this. Support round-the-clock is the only viable option for technical learning. Perhaps you don’t intend to study during the evenings; often though, we’re out at work at the time when most support is available.

In most cases, your typical student doesn’t have a clue in what direction to head in the IT industry, or what area they should look at getting trained in.

How likely is it for us to understand what is involved in a particular job when we haven’t done that before? Most likely we don’t even know anybody who does that actual job anyway.

Contemplation on the following points is essential if you need to get to the right solution that will work for you:

* Your personal interests and hobbies – these can show the possibilities will give you the most reward.

* What length of time can you allocate for the training process?

* Is the money you make further up on your list of priorities than other requirements.

* Learning what the main Information technology areas and markets are – and what makes them different.

* How much effort you’ll spend on your training.

For most people, getting to the bottom of these areas needs a long talk with an advisor who can explain things properly. And not just the certifications – but the commercial requirements and expectations of industry too.

(C) Jason Kendall. Browse LearningLolly.com for in-depth ideas. Cisco Certification or www.cisco-training-in.co.uk.