Thoughts on Cisco CCNA Training - Options

By Jason Kendall

The CCNA is the usual starting point for all training in Cisco. With it, you'll learn how to handle maintaining and installing routers and network switches. Basically, the internet comprises of vast numbers of routers, and many large organisations who have various regional departments rely on them to keep their networks in touch.

Achieving this qualification means you'll probably end up working for large companies who have many locations, but still need contact. Alternatively, you may find yourself employed by an internet service provider. These jobs are well paid and in demand.

The CCNA qualification is more than adequate; don't be pushed into attempting your CCNP. After gaining experience in the working environment, you can decide whether you need to train up to this level. If you decide to become more qualified, you'll have the experience you need to tackle the CCNP - because it's far from a walk in the park - and ought not to be underestimated.

A top of the range training course package will incorporate accredited simulation materials and exam preparation packages.

Avoid relying on non-official exam papers and questions. Their phraseology is sometimes startlingly different - and sometimes this can be a real headache when it comes to taking the real exam.

Why don't you test your depth of understanding by doing quizzes and mock ups of exams to get you ready for the real deal.

How can job security honestly exist anywhere now? In a marketplace like the UK, where business constantly changes its mind whenever it suits, it seems increasingly unlikely.

When we come across escalating skills shortages coupled with increasing demand though, we can discover a fresh type of market-security; as fuelled by a continual growth, employers are struggling to hire the number of people required.

Investigating the IT sector, the 2006 e-Skills investigation brought to light a more than 26 percent deficit in trained staff. Put directly, we only have the national capacity to fill three out of every 4 jobs in the computer industry.

This one concept on its own shows why the United Kingdom needs a lot more people to enter the IT sector.

Actually, gaining new qualifications in IT throughout the years to come is probably the finest choice of careers you could make.

One of the most important things to insist on has to be 24x7 round-the-clock support from professional mentors and instructors. So many companies we come across only provide office hours (or extended office hours) support.

Never purchase certification programs which can only support students with a message system when it's outside of usual working hours. Training organisations will always try to hide the importance of this issue. But, no matter how they put it - support is needed when it's needed - not when it suits them.

We recommend looking for training programs that use several support centres from around the world. All of them should be combined to enable simple one-stop access together with 24 hours-a-day access, when it's convenient for you, with the minimum of hassle.

Never settle for less than you need and deserve. Support round-the-clock is the only viable option when it comes to computer-based training. It's possible you don't intend to study late evenings; often though, we're working when traditional support if offered.

It's usual for students to get confused with one area of their training usually not even thought about: How the training is broken down and packaged off through the post.

Often, you'll enrol on a course taking 1-3 years and receive a module at a time. It seems to make sense on one level, but consider these issues:

What would their reaction be if you find it difficult to do each and every exam at the required speed? Sometimes their preference of study order won't fit you as well as some other structure would for you.

To be straight, the very best answer is to have a copy of their prescribed order of study, but make sure you have all of your learning modules right from the beginning. You then have everything should you not complete it as fast as they'd like. - 29852

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