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UK Cisco Support Training Compared

March 28th, 2010

CCNA is the usual starting point for all Cisco training. This teaches you how to handle maintaining and installing routers. The internet is made up of many routers, and large companies that have various regional departments utilise them to connect their computer networks.

Routers are linked to networks, so seek out training that includes basic networking skills (maybe the CompTIA Network+, possibly with A+ as well) before you start a CCNA. You must have a basic grasp of networks before getting going with Cisco or you may encounter problems. In the commercial environment, you’ll benefit from having a good knowledge of networks to complement your CCNA.

Getting your Cisco CCNA is where you need to be aiming - you’re not ready for your CCNP for now. Once you’ve got a few years experience behind you, you can decide if it’s relevant for you to have this next level up. If it is, you’ll be in a better position to pass then - because you’ll have so much more experience.

A service offered by some training providers is job placement assistance. This is designed to assist your search for your first position. With the great need for more IT skills in this country today, it’s not necessary to place too much emphasis on this feature however. It isn’t so complicated as you might think to land a job once you’re properly qualified.

However, don’t wait till you have qualified before polishing up your CV. As soon as you start a course, mark down what you’re doing and place it on jobsites!

It’s possible that you won’t have even passed your first exam when you will be offered your first junior support role; however this won’t be the case unless your CV is with employers.

Normally you’ll get better results from a specialised and independent local recruitment service than you will through a course provider’s employment division, as they’ll know the area better.

A good number of people, apparently, spend evenings and weekends on their training and studies (sometimes for years), only to do nothing special when attempting to secure a good job. Market yourself… Work hard to put yourself out there. Don’t think a job’s just going to jump out in front of you.

Commercially accredited qualifications are now, undoubtedly, taking over from the older academic routes into the IT industry - so why is this?

The IT sector is of the opinion that for an understanding of the relevant skills, the right accreditation supplied for example by Adobe, Microsoft, CISCO and CompTIA most often has much more specialised relevance - for much less time and money.

In essence, only that which is required is learned. Actually, it’s not quite as pared down as that, but the principle objective is to concentrate on the fundamentally important skill-sets (along with a certain amount of crucial background) - without going into too much detail in every other area (as academia often does).

Just like the advert used to say: ‘It does what it says on the tin’. Companies need only to know what they’re looking for, and then request applicants with the correct exam numbers. They’ll know then that all applicants can do what they need.

Don’t accept anything less than the latest Microsoft (or Cisco, CompTIA etc.) authorised exam preparation packages.

Often students can get thrown by trying to prepare themselves with questions that don’t come from official boards. Often, the way questions are phrased can be quite different and it’s important to prepare yourself for this.

A way to build self-confidence is if you check your depth of understanding through tests and practice in simulated exam environments to prepare you for taking the real deal.

Many students come unstuck over a single training area which is often not even considered: How the training is broken down and packaged off through the post.

Most companies will sell you some sort of program spread over 1-3 years, and drop-ship the materials to you piecemeal as you complete each section or exam. This sounds reasonable until you consider the following:

What could you expect if you didn’t actually complete each section at the required speed? Often the staged order doesn’t come as naturally as an alternative path could be.

To be in the best situation you would have all your study materials sent to your home before you even start; the whole caboodle! This way, nothing can happen down the line which could affect your capacity to get everything done.

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