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Sunday, August 23, 2009

Finding The Right Cisco CCNA Training - Options

By Jason Kendall

If it's Cisco training you're after, but you've no practical experience with routers or switches, then you'll need a CCNA course. This teaches you the knowledge you need to understand routers. Vast numbers of routers make up the internet, and big organisations with multiple departments and sites also utilise routers to allow their networks to keep in touch.

Jobs that need this knowledge mean the chances are you'll work for big organisations that are spread out geographically but need their computer networks to talk to each other. On the other hand, you might end up joining an internet service provider. Jobs requiring these skills are plentiful and well remunerated.

The correct skill set and comprehension prior to starting the CCNA is essential. So find an advisor who can fill you in on any gaps you may have.

It would be wonderful to believe that our careers will remain secure and our work prospects are protected, however, the truth for most jobs throughout England at the moment seems to be that there is no security anymore. Of course, a marketplace with high growth, where there just aren't enough staff to go round (because of an enormous shortage of commercially certified staff), creates the conditions for lasting job security.

The most recent UK e-Skills analysis highlighted that 26 percent of computing and IT jobs remain unfilled due to an appallingly low number of properly qualified workers. This shows that for each four job positions in existence in Information Technology (IT), there are only 3 trained people to do them. Appropriately skilled and commercially certified new professionals are as a result at a resounding premium, and it looks like they will be for many years to come. It would be hard to imagine if a better time or market state of affairs will exist for gaining qualification for this swiftly increasing and evolving sector.

The sometimes daunting task of securing your first IT job can be relieved by training colleges, through a Job Placement Assistance programme. Because of the growing demand for appropriately skilled people in the United Kingdom even when times are hard, it's not necessary to make too much of this option though. It's actually not as hard as some people make out to find employment as long as you're correctly trained and certified.

Whatever you do, don't wait till you've passed your final exams before polishing up your CV. The day you start training, list what you're working on and get it out there! You might not even have taken your exams when you will be offered your first junior support position; yet this isn't going to happen if interviewers don't get sight of your CV. The best services to help you find a job are usually specialised and independent recruitment consultants. Because they make their money when they've found you a job, they're perhaps more focused on results.

Do be sure that you don't spend hundreds of hours on your training and studies, just to give up and imagine someone else is miraculously going to land you a job. Stand up for yourself and get out there. Invest as much energy and enthusiasm into securing your new role as you did to gain the skills.

We're often asked why qualifications from colleges and universities are now falling behind more commercially accredited qualifications? With university education costs becoming a tall order for many, together with the IT sector's recognition that corporate based study often has more relevance in the commercial field, there's been a big surge in Adobe, Microsoft, CISCO and CompTIA based training paths that educate students for much less time and money. Essentially, only required knowledge is taught. It isn't quite as lean as that might sound, but principally the objective has to be to cover the precise skills needed (including a degree of required background) - without trying to cram in everything else (as universities often do).

The crux of the matter is this: Authorised IT qualifications tell an employer precisely what skills you have - everything they need to know is in the title: as an example - I am a 'Microsoft Certified Professional' in 'Designing Security for a Windows 2003 Network'. Consequently employers can look at their needs and what certifications are needed for the job.

Always expect the current Microsoft (or Cisco, CompTIA etc.) authorised simulation materials and exam preparation packages. Avoid depending on non-accredited exam preparation systems. Their phraseology is often somewhat different - and often this creates real issues in the actual examination. For many reasons, it's very important to ensure that you've thoroughly prepared for your commercial exam prior to going for it. Rehearsing simulated tests helps build your confidence and helps to avoid unsuccessful attempts at exams.

Speak with a professional consultant and we'd be amazed if they couldn't provide you with many worrying experiences of students who've been sold completely the wrong course for them. Stick to an industry professional that asks lots of questions to uncover the best thing for you - not for their wallet! It's very important to locate the right starting point of study for you. Occasionally, the training start-point for a student with experience is vastly different to the student with no experience. If this is going to be your initial crack at an IT exam then you should consider whether to practice with some basic Microsoft package and Windows skills first.

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