The CCNA is the usual starting point for all training in Cisco. This teaches you how to work on the maintenance and installation of switches and routers. Basically, the internet comprises of vast numbers of routers, and many large organisations who have a number of branches utilise them to allow their networks to keep in touch.

Jobs that use this qualification mean it’s likely you’ll end up working for national or international corporations that have several locations but still want internal communication. On the other hand, you might end up being employed by an internet service provider. Either way, you’ll be in demand and can expect a high salary.

The CCNA qualification is where you need to be aiming – you’re not ready for your CCNP for now. After gaining experience in the working environment, you’ll know if you need to train up to this level. If it is, you’ll be much more capable to succeed at that stage – as your working knowledge will put everything into perspective.

If an advisor doesn’t question you thoroughly – it’s likely they’re really a salesperson. If they push a particular product before learning about your history and whether you have any commercial experience, then it’s definitely the case.

With a strong background, or sometimes a little real-world experience (some industry qualifications maybe?) then it’s more than likely your starting point will be different from a student that is completely new to the industry.

If this is going to be your first crack at studying for an IT examination then you should consider whether to practice with some basic PC skills training first.

A service offered by some training providers is job placement assistance. This is designed to help you find your first job in the industry. Because of the growing need for more IT skills in this country even when times are hard, there isn’t a great need to place too much emphasis on this feature however. It really won’t be that difficult to find employment once you’re well trained and qualified.

Whatever you do, don’t leave it until you have passed your final exams before getting your CV updated. As soon as you start studying, list what you’re working on and place it on jobsites!

It can happen that you haven’t even passed your first exam when you’ll secure your initial junior support role; yet this won’t be the case if interviewers don’t get sight of your CV.

In many cases, an independent and specialised local employment agency (who will get paid commission to place you) will be more pro-active than a division of a training company. They should, of course, also know local industry and the area better.

A big frustration of some course providers is how hard trainees are prepared to work to pass exams, but how un-prepared they are to work on getting the role they’ve studied for. Don’t give up when the best is yet to come.

Now, why is it better to gain qualifications from the commercial sector rather than familiar academic qualifications taught at tech’ colleges and universities?

Vendor-based training (as it’s known in the industry) is far more specialised and product-specific. The IT sector has acknowledged that such specialised knowledge is necessary to handle an increasingly more technical marketplace. Microsoft, CompTIA, CISCO and Adobe are the dominant players.

They do this by honing in on the skills that are really needed (along with a proportionate degree of associated knowledge,) instead of going into the heightened depths of background ‘extras’ that degrees in computing can often find themselves doing – to fill a three or four year course.

Put yourself in the employer’s position – and you needed to take on someone with a very particular skill-set. What is easier: Wade your way through reams of different degrees and college qualifications from various applicants, trying to establish what they know and what commercial skills have been attained, or pick out specific commercial accreditations that exactly fulfil your criteria, and make your short-list from that. The interview is then more about the person and how they’ll fit in – rather than on the depth of their technical knowledge.

Considering how a program is ‘delivered’ to you isn’t always given the appropriate level of importance. How many stages do they break the program into? And in what sequence and how fast does each element come?

You may think that it makes sense (with most training taking 1-3 years for a full commercial certification,) that a training provider will issue one module at a time, until you’ve passed all the exams. But:

With thought, many trainees understand that their training company’s ’standard’ path of training isn’t the easiest way for them. You may find that varying the order of study will be far more suitable. And what happens if they don’t finish within their exact timetable?

For maximum flexibility and safety, many trainees now want to make sure that every element of their training is couriered out in one package, all at the beginning. You can then decide at what speed and in which order you want to finish things.

(C) Jason Kendall. Go to LearningLolly.com for excellent career tips on Cisco Training Course and Cisco CCNA Certification.

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