I m persuing CCNA and luking for a fruitful career in Computer Networking?Is my future secured with that
Answers (6)
Hi Luv:
This question really folds into the age old topic of "what is the value of certifications?". I've been in IT a very long time and very much recommend that you persue your CCNA, but it does not secure your future employment. Being a valuable employee is always the sum of what you know and experience.
There is absolutely no down side to studying for certifications - it contributes to your general body of knowledge, but don't be misled by thinking that certifications are a substitute for experience. One last thing - don't go overboard with the certs - having a few is enough. If you're serious about your career in computer networking, it would be a good goal to obtain CCNP and something like CISSP. Having those 2 certs along with some solid experience will make you a very good candidate. Just like anything else in life, there are no guarantees for successful careers - you just have to work hard.
Hi Luv;
I agree with Matthew on this subject. Certifications really help when it comes to pursuing a career, but experience and the ability to work hard is going to outshine the paper. Keep in mind too, that where you look for work is a paramount factor in finding a solid and fruitful career. I you have the ability to relocate, then you will find much better success in pursuing career opportunities in areas where technology and research are prominent means of economy. I can tell you that the more you know, the more valuable you become. However, in order for what you know to shine passed the certifications, you have to sell yourself as an asset to a company. Best wishes on your goals. I hope this helps.
Hi,
CCNA is a basic certificate and by no means does it secure your future. It just deals with the basics of networking. You need to build on from there by pursuing higher certifications like CCNP/CCIP or CCIE.
John C
Chief Security Engineer at Onward Technologies
Best Answers in: Computers and Software (3), Computer Networking (1), Information Security (1)
A CCNA is a good choice to help get entry level networking jobs. However, I would recommend you also get some hands-on experience. Used routers are relatively cheap.
Make sure you know how to do the following, if you want to pass a networking interview:
1. Know how to save settings on a router, so they are preserved on reboot.
I interviewed a person once who's resume skills were 50% Cisco. However, when I asked "How do you save settings on a router?", he didn't know. He didn't get the job.
2. Know how to show the current and stored configurations.
3. Practice exporting and upgrading the Cisco IOS on a router.
4. Know how to assign an IP address to an interface. (Serial and FastEthernet)
5. Know how enable and configure SNMP on the router.
6. Practice assigning static routes, including a default route.
7. Know how to set the "enable" password, and how to assign passwords to telnet lines.
8. Know how to create an IP access list.
9. Know how to reset the settings and/or passwords on a router WITHOUT knowing the existing passwords.
Know this for one or two router models, and be able to tell some which router's this procedure applies.
10. Know how to look for errors or traffic levels on an router interface.
Get a cheap used router, and practice. You should practice all the above until you have the procedures memorized, and can recite the relevant commands at will.
80% of a network engineer's job uses the above skills. If you get a chance to learn other items, like routing protocol configuration, great. But at minimum, know what is listed here.
If an interviewer thinks you don't have enough experience, you can recite to him the above procedures. It will go along way to showing that you really have the "knowledge" to do the job.
Hi Luv,
Very good answers from everyone. In addition, please keep in mind that this is a vendor specific certification. While CCNA will give you some knowledge about Networking it won't give you by any means make you an expert. It is primarily used as a stepping stone into the Career field. There's a lot of different aspects to Networking as well so I would advise you to look into the various other possibilities before you spend a lot of money on certifications. As an example, if you wanted to go into security, you would probably pursue CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) in conjunction with your CCNA
Robert G
Technology Management Consultant
Best Answers in: Using LinkedIn (2), Job Search (1), Equity Markets (1), E-Commerce (1), Information Security (1)
I am sorry to say, but the answer is "no".
An IT career means life long learning and growth. An IT professional is only as good as his or her last project.
Now if you say "over the next three months I am completing my Cisco CCNA", and after that you plan on working towards a Cisco CCNP, certification, followed by a Check Point course, followed by some Juniper training, etc., then you are on the right track.
IT is not a world where you take one course and jump forward. In IT you need to learn every day, keep getting hands on (documentable) experience, and continuous professional development. It is hard work in the field, accompanied by a structured and continuous professional growth plan that will lead to success.
Robert
