If you think Cisco training might be for you, but you’ve no practical experience with routers or network switches, we’d recommend taking the CCNA training. This will give you knowledge and skills to work with routers. The world wide web is built up of many routers, and national or international corporations with many locations also rely on them to allow their networks of computers to communicate.
As routers connect networks together, look for a program that includes basic networking skills (such as CompTIA Network+ and A+) before you start a CCNA. It’s essential to have this background understanding on networks before getting going with Cisco or you could find yourself a little lost. When you’ve qualified and are on the job market, companies will expect good networking skills to complement your CCNA.
If you’re just entering the world of routers, then studying up to CCNA is more than enough – at this stage avoid being tempted to do the CCNP. After gaining experience in the working environment, you will have a feel for if it’s appropriate for you to go to the level of CCNP.
IT has become one of the more electrifying and revolutionary industries that you can get into right now. Being up close and personal with technology means you’re a part of the huge progress affecting everyone who lives in the 21st century.
Society largely thinks that the technological advancement we have experienced is easing off. This couldn’t be more wrong. Terrific advances are ahead of us, and most especially the internet is going to dominate how we conduct our lives.
The money in IT isn’t to be sniffed at also – the usual income in the United Kingdom for a typical IT employee is a lot higher than remuneration packages in other sectors. It’s likely you’ll bring in a whole lot more than you’d typically expect to bring in elsewhere.
It would appear there is no end in sight for IT jobs increases across Britain. The sector is still growing hugely, and as we have a skills gap that means we only typically have three IT workers for every four jobs it’s most unlikely that it will even slow down for decades to come.
Traditional teaching in classrooms, using textbooks and whiteboards, is an up-hill struggle for the majority of us. If all this is ringing some familiar bells, look for learning programmes which feature interactive and multimedia modules.
Recent studies into the way we learn shows that memory is aided when we receive multi-sensorial input, and we get practically involved in what we’re studying.
Programs are now found in disc format, where everything is taught on your PC. Utilising the latest video technology, you will be able to see the instructor presenting exactly how something is done, followed by your chance to practice – with interactive lab sessions.
Every company that you look at should willingly take you through some samples of their training materials. You should hope for instructor-led videos and a variety of interactive modules.
You should avoid purely online training. Physical CD or DVD ROM materials are preferable where obtainable, so you can use them wherever and whenever you want – you don’t want to be reliant on your broadband being ‘up’ 100 percent of the time.
Please understand this most important point: You absolutely must have proper 24×7 instructor support. You’ll severely regret it if you don’t follow this rule rigidly.
Be wary of any training providers who use messaging services ‘out-of-hours’ – with the call-back coming in during typical office hours. This is no use if you’re stuck and want support there and then.
It’s possible to find the top providers which give students direct-access online support all the time – including evenings, nights and weekends.
If you accept anything less than online 24×7 support, you’ll very quickly realise that you’ve made a mistake. It may be that you don’t use it late in the night, but what about weekends, evenings and early mornings at some point.
A capable and specialised consultant (vs a salesperson) will cover in some detail your current situation. This is vital for understanding your study start-point.
Don’t forget, if in the past you’ve acquired any accreditation or direct-experience, then you will often be able to begin at a different level to a trainee with no history to speak of.
For students commencing IT study from scratch, it’s often a good idea to start out slowly, by working on user-skills and software training first. This is often offered with most accreditation programs.
Author: Scott Edwards. Try www.MidLifeCareerChange.co.uk or I Need A New Career.
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