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Interactive PC Career Courses In Cisco CCNA Support - An Update |
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Written by Jason Kendall
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Monday, 26 July 2010 07:39 |
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Training in Cisco is the way to go for those who need to know all about routers. Routers are what connect computer networks via dedicated lines or the internet. It's likely that your first course should be CCNA. Don't be tempted to go straight for the CCNP for it's full of complexities - and you need to work up to it to take on this level.
by JasonKendall
Training in Cisco is the way to go for those who need to know all about routers. Routers are what connect computer networks via dedicated lines or the internet. It's likely that your first course should be CCNA. Don't be tempted to go straight for the CCNP for it's full of complexities - and you need to work up to it to take on this level.
Because routers join up networks, look for a course which teaches the basics (maybe the CompTIA Network+, possibly with A+ as well) before getting going with CCNA. It's essential to have some knowledge of how networks operate before you commence any Cisco training or the chances are you'll fall behind. Once qualified and looking for work, companies will expect good networking skills to complement your CCNA.
Start with a tailored course that will add in the necessary skills ahead of starting your Cisco CCNA course skills.
The classroom style of learning we remember from school, utilising reference manuals and books, can be pretty hard going sometimes. If all this is ringing some familiar bells, look for learning programmes that are multimedia based.
Long-term memory is enhanced when all our senses are brought into the mix - educational experts have expounded on this for decades now.
Study programs now come via DVD-ROM discs, where everything is taught on your PC. Video streaming means you are able to see your instructors showing you how it's all done, with some practice time to follow - via the interactive virtual lab's.
Be sure to get a demonstration of the study materials from your training provider. You should ask for demo's from instructors, slideshows and virtual practice lab's for your new skills.
Some companies only have access to training that is purely available online; sometimes you can get away with this - but, imagine the problems if your access to the internet is broken or you get intermittent problems and speed issues. It's much safer to rely on DVD or CD discs that will not have these problems.
You should only consider learning programmes which progress to industry acknowledged accreditations. There's an endless list of trainers suggesting 'in-house' certificates which aren't worth the paper they're printed on in the real world.
Unless the accreditation comes from a big-hitter like Microsoft, Adobe, Cisco or CompTIA, then you'll probably find it will be commercially useless - because no-one will recognise it.
The perhaps intimidating chore of finding your first role in IT is often relieved because some trainers offer a Job Placement Assistance programme. The need for this feature can be bigged up out of proportion though - it's easy for their marketing department to overplay it. At the end of the day, the still growing need for IT personnel in the UK is why employers will be interested in you.
Help and assistance with preparing a CV and getting interviews is sometimes offered (if it isn't, consult one of our sites). Be sure to you update that dusty old CV straight away - don't leave it till you pass the exams!
Quite frequently, you'll secure your first role whilst you're still studying (even in the early stages). If your CV doesn't show your latest training profile (and it hasn't been posted on jobsites) then you don't stand a chance!
If it's important to you to find work near your home, then you'll often find that a local IT focused recruitment consultancy might be of more use than a centralised service, as they are much more inclined to be familiar with the local job scene.
A common frustration of many course providers is how hard students are focused on studying to become certified, but how un-prepared they are to work on getting the position they're acquired skills for. Have confidence - the IT industry needs YOU.
A capable and practiced advisor (vs a salesman) will talk through your abilities and experience. This is useful for calculating your starting level of study.
If you have a strong background, or maybe some work-based experience (maybe some existing accreditation?) then it could be that the level you'll need to start at will be quite dissimilar from someone with no background whatsoever.
If you're a new trainee starting IT studies and exams from scratch, it can be useful to ease in gradually, kicking off with some basic Microsoft package and Windows skills first. This is often offered with most accreditation programs.
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