Should you be interested in training in Cisco, the chances are you’re looking for a CCNA. Training in Cisco is designed for people who want to learn about routers and switches. Routers connect computer networks to different networks of computers via dedicated lines or the internet.
As routers connect networks together, find a course that includes basic networking skills – perhaps Network+ and A+, and then do a CCNA course. You must have a basic grasp of networks before you commence any Cisco training or you’ll probably struggle. Once qualified and looking for work, networking skills will be valuable in addition to the CCNA.
Find a tailored course that takes you on a progressive path to ensure you’ve got the appropriate skills and abilities before starting your training in Cisco skills.
Most commercial training providers only give basic 9am till 6pm support (maybe a little earlier or later on certain days); It’s rare to find someone who offers late evening or full weekend cover.
Never purchase training courses that only support students with a call-centre messaging service outside of normal office hours. Companies will give you every excuse in the book why you don’t need this. The bottom line is – you want to be supported when you need the help – not when it’s convenient for them.
The very best training providers have many support offices across multiple time-zones. They use an online interactive interface to provide a seamless experience, irrespective of the time you login, help is just a click away, without any contact issues or hassle.
Unless you insist on direct-access round-the-clock support, you’ll end up kicking yourself. You may avoid using the support throughout the night, but you may need weekends, early mornings or late evenings.
A useful feature provided by many trainers is a Job Placement Assistance program. This is to help you get your first commercial position. The fact of the matter is it isn’t a complex operation to land employment – assuming you’re well trained and qualified; because there’s still a great need for IT skills in the UK today.
Ideally you should have help with your CV and interview techniques though; and we’d recommend everyone to work on polishing up their CV the day they start training – don’t procrastinate and leave it until you’ve qualified.
A good number of junior support roles are offered to trainees who’re still on their course and haven’t got any qualifications yet. This will at least get you on your way.
If you’d like to keep travelling time and costs to a minimum, then you’ll probably find that a local (but specialised) recruitment consultancy could work much better for you than some national concern, due to the fact that they’re going to know the jobs that are going locally.
Just ensure you don’t invest a great deal of time on your training course, and then do nothing more and expect somebody else to sort out your employment. Stand up for yourself and start looking for yourself. Invest the same focus into finding a good job as it took to pass the exams.
There is a tidal wave of change about to hit technology in the near future – and it becomes more and more thrilling each day.
It’s a common misapprehension that the technological advancement we’ve had over recent years is lowering its pace. There is no truth in this at all. We have yet to experience incredible advances, and the internet particularly is going to dominate how we conduct our lives.
If earning a good living is way up on your goal sheet, you’ll be happy to know that the average salary of a typical IT worker is considerably greater than with much of the rest of industry.
Apparently there is no easing up for IT industry expansion in Great Britain as a whole. The industry is continuing to expand quickly, 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 this will change significantly for years to come.
An all too common mistake that potential students often succumb to is to focus entirely on getting a qualification, and not focus on the desired end-result. Training academies are brimming over with students that chose a program because it looked interesting – instead of the program that would surely get them an enjoyable career or job.
Don’t be part of the group who choose a training program that seems ‘fun’ or ‘interesting’ – only to end up with a qualification for something they’ll never enjoy.
Be honest with yourself about what you want to earn and what level of ambition fits you. Usually, this will point the way to which exams you’ll need to attain and what you can expect to give industry in return.
Look for help from a skilled advisor that ‘gets’ the commercial realities of the area you’re interested in, and who can give you ‘A day in the life of’ understanding of what duties you’ll be performing during your working week. It’s good sense to know if this change is right for you well before you commence your studies. There’s really no reason in beginning your training and then realise you’ve made a huge mistake.
Copyright Scott Edwards 2009. Try CLICK HERE or www.learninglolly.com/Cisco_CCNA_Training_Courses.html.