First of all I do apologize if am posting in wrong section as am first time Spiceworks user.
I have a degree in engineering Electric and Electronics. But I love IT too much. I have been troubleshooting PC from windows Win95 to Win7. Whenever i had a problem I never took my computer to a repair shop i fixed it by myself.
Age 27 I want to come into IT because thats what I love to do I believe its not loot late. I had a interest in software and coding side but after some research I want to go towards networking because I can get entry level job and work my way.I wanted to go into CCNA straight without any microsoft or networking certs. Been on different forums I was advised to take Compatia A+ then Network + then go towards CCNA. Actually I want to go Big dont want to stay at entry level knowledge wise and job wise.
I would really appreciate if someone can advise me. I have been on different forum for over 2 weeks non of the comments catched my eye everyone had different views.
Many Thanks Much appreciated.
@Cisco
8 Spice ups
Brother in law is going for his CCIE right now, he said forget the NA and just go for the NP because it breaks the tests up into Routing, Switching, and troubleshooting. It is much easier to take the tests when they dont apply to all of the above.
2 Spice ups
I didnt go back to college until I was 28, I didnt get into the field until I was almost 30. It’s not too late. Good on you!
A+ and Net+ are not bad to start with. That Net+ will help you more with the path you seem to want to take. If you have the opportunity to acquire one or both, I would do it. There are a lot of people around that would poo-poo on any CompTIA cert, that you should go straight for a vendor cert like CCNA, or MCSA, etc. I disagree. You will learn a lot just studying to take those exams.
I know you’re probably chomping at the bit to get that CCNA, just understand that in this industry, nobody wants to trust someone with their network that has no experience. You’ve got to go slug it out at some entry level position for a bit, get some experience under your belt. If I’m looking at to fill a position, and I get a resume that has a CCNA but no experience, my first thought would be “This guy or gal is pretty good at taking tests”, not necessarily “This guy or gal knows their stuff”. Experience is key. You’ll get there. You just have to be patient. Persistent, but patient.
Good luck, whatever path you choose.
1 Spice up
I have to agree wholeheartedly with zking. I went back to school for IT when I was 32 (2 yrs ago). I went to one of those accelerated schools that help you pump out cert after cert. Certs are awesome, mind you, but I got the same reaction zking was talking about. “Wow, you have a lot of certs, but no experience”. With just a year or two of experience, many of those certs will have some teeth with them, and you can use them to prove what you have done on the job.
Here’s your progression, depending on where you live, this is the minimum your salary should look like.
CCNA = $50k
CCNP = $75k
CCIE = $100k
spwrks
(Brenda_Morris)
6
Never too late! I went back to college at age 47. If this old broad can do it, so can you.
You could probably pass the CCNA after several months of labs and home study on some live equipment. To become employable it really boils down to how much on the job experience you have with business systems and network equipment.
A System Admin and Network Admin are two different career paths but they do overlap a lot, and to be honest to become employable you have to be pretty solid in both. You can’t go big without a solid foundation, its just not very cost efficient in IT.
I wouldn’t suggest obtaining your A+ but you do need to study the material. Focus on your Network+ and a Microsoft Server Cert. Windows 7 knowledge is good but you really just need to know the GPO server side of things, Windows is Windows you can figure out consumer OS stuff with a simple Google.
You’re still young so its possible but please don’t hit a wall thinking you can be the master of all things Microsoft/Linux x Storage x LAN x WAN x VoIP x Cisco x Procurve x VMware x EMC x APC x Veem in 12-24 months. Create some server VMs, buy some managed switches(cheap), USB2Serial adapters, routers and APs, make a few patch cables from scratch and just study the books front to back, hit the forums and watch the Youtubes. Rinse and repeat. After you’ve done all of that you still have to cut your teeth in a help desk position before anyone will believe you know what your resume says you do.
Good luck.
1 Spice up
Guys you are amazing Love you all. You just made me took COMPtia a+. By all your words I believe I wont regret it.
Again Many Thanks
Also Any recommendation on books and their versions? I heard a lot about about michael meyers books and i looked those on Amazon dont know which version to choose? Many Thanks
One step at that time; you can go to Network Plus or you can take the whole package to CCNA. It depends mainly how id your commitment to study.
The Cisco certification is designed to grow with you, so to address previous posts
Don’t go straight to the NP exams, yes they’re segmented into nice categories, however the CCNA is base level foundation you need to understand to go forward to them.
If you’re doing it just for the money, get a second job, it will be less stressful…
Get yourself over to the Sadikhov forum, and more importantly the CIsco Learning Network (Google both). The Cisco website has improved massively in recent years as far as information about the exams, and the content within.
I would recommend GNS3, although Cisco’s Packet Tracer would do, you’'ll need to learn how to use GNS3 although that would come will time. Check out the GNS3 website, full of friendly people and good training tips!
CBT Nuggets (big fan of them!) has a GNS3 series (although the new GNS3 website is awesome and helpful) as well as all the Cisco content you can choose to shake a stick at, I regard it as value for money. They do a 7 day free trial! Check 'em out!
Good luck with your studies!
@Cisco
2 Spice ups
The only jobs these days are in software development. Don’t waste your time with network and infrastructure, it’s too consumerized, meaning that everyone who is not in IT had been brainwashed into believing network and infrastructure is trivial.
Where do you live? Around here, (NW Florida,) it’s the following:
CCNA = $18k
CCNP = $24k
CCIE = $30k
PLUS you have to have a minimum of 5 years experience along with these certs to warrant this much.
pbp
(RoguePacket)
15
It can work, if committed and dedicated to networking.
Not familiar with UK’s options, but look around for a “Cisco Network Academy” which strives to use Cisco curriculum to train students to CCNA level in ~1 year. First half should be easy, and can do other things concurrently (A+, N+, or whatever). Second half is typically more challenging, and does require the added time outside class to prepare for class, and complete exercises.
CCNA is the entry point into the Cisco world. From there can focus on an added Security, Voice, or Wireless cert. Too, can continue to the CCNP R&S (routing & switching) if opportunity allows.
Advantage of the Cisco Academy is having equipment to work on, be around like minded students, and have an instructor to assist with bottlenecks & stumbling points.
Todd Lammle has a well-regarded CCNA study guide to supplement the above Cisco Academy.
Coming from an EE background the CCDA can be of particular interest. If have a *nix exposure, keep developing it as the CLI skills will complement later level Cisco skills (BGP routes, regex, policies, etc).
.
CCNP & CCIE would be grievously low. Both tend to be specialized, and limited to companies which can use them. Real, practical experience is a must. CCIE, in particular, tends to be for consultants/contractors tasked for specific jobs; or, become Cisco sales engineers to large account markets.
In the UK I would expect an average CCNP (who has some experience) to be on a minimum of £30-35k, not sure about CCNA, either it’s an entry point, or taken as part of a wider role, maybe also managing servers etc…
In London, ad a little more.
Contract wise, I would suggest (and this is just a guide) that unless you specialise in something (such as Voice/Video/Datacentre etc.) a contract rate of at least £300 a day, in London and more specialise more.
Obviously experience is the key, anyone can pass the certifications using brain dumps, that great until someone asks you to do something, and you can’t!.
I’ve use Fast Lane ( www.flane.co.uk ) in the past a lot, very good and talented tutors, all of who still work in the field so to speak, including doing the ACS/ISE course with a CCIE Security instructor and a Nexus course with an instructor a friend of mine had worked with a lot, again she was incredible, her knowledge and ability to explain stuff was great…
Courses are expensive, a certain level of knowledge prior to starting always is beneficial, I see them as an investment, I know what training I need and where I need to be, it’s important to get some of the base or ground knowledge lodged in there first, the foundations make everything easier!
Good luck!
Tayyib,
It is never too late to pursue what you are most passionate about. As for the CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Network+ certifications, these would be a great start if you do not have much experience in networking. As for the Cisco Certified Network Associate certification, you do not need the A+ or Network+ as a prerequisite.
It may be beneficial for you to sign up for a CBT Nuggets 7-day free trial and check out our A+ and Network+ training courses to see how much of it is familiar to you. You could also watch all of the training courses in our CCNA Routing and Switching certification playlist to help get you on the way of earning this certification. Good luck with your training endeavors and keep us updated on your progress!
