Cisco training is fundamentally for those who wish to understand and work with routers and switches. Routers join up computer networks over the internet or lines dedicated for that purpose. We’d recommend that you should start with your CCNA. It’s not advisable to launch directly into your CCNP for it’s full of complexities – and you’ll need the CCNA and experience first to take on this level.
Usual roles with this qualification could be with an internet service provider or perhaps a national or international corporation which is located on multiple sites but needs to keep in touch. Both types of jobs command good salaries.
Getting your Cisco CCNA is where you need to be aiming – don’t be cajoled into attempting your CCNP for now. Get a couple of years experience behind you first, then you’ll know if this next level is for you. If you decide to become more qualified, you’ll be in a better position to pass then – because you’ll know so much more by then.
We can guess that you probably enjoy fairly practical work – the ‘hands-on’ individual. If you’re anything like us, the trial of reading reference books and manuals is something you’ll force on yourself if you absolutely have to, but it’s not really your thing. Check out video-based multimedia instruction if book-based learning really isn’t your style.
We see a huge improvement in memory retention when multiple senses are involved – experts have been clear on this for many years.
Programs are now found in disc format, where your computer becomes the centre of your learning. Using video-streaming, you can sit back and watch the teachers showing you precisely how it’s all done, with some practice time to follow – in a virtual lab environment.
It makes sense to see some of the typical study materials provided before you sign on the dotted line. What you want are video tutorials, instructor demo’s and audio-visual elements backed up by interactive lab’s.
You should avoid purely online training. You want physical CD/DVD ROM course materials where available, so you can use them wherever and whenever you want – it’s not wise to be held hostage to a quality and continuous internet connection.
Any program that you’re going to undertake has to build towards a nationally (or globally) recognised certification at the end – not a useless ‘in-house’ diploma – fit only for filing away and forgetting.
All the major IT organisations like Microsoft, Adobe, CompTIA or Cisco all have internationally renowned skills programmes. These big-hitters will give some sparkle to your CV.
Chat with almost any knowledgeable advisor and they’ll regale you with many worrying experiences of salespeople ripping-off unsuspecting students. Stick to an experienced industry professional that quizzes you to discover the most appropriate thing for you – not for their pay-packet! Dig until you find a starting-point that will suit you.
With some commercial experience or certification, your starting-point of learning is now at a different level to a new student.
Where this will be your opening crack at IT study then you may want to start with some basic PC skills training first.
It’s so important to understand this key point: It’s essential to obtain proper 24×7 round-the-clock professional support from mentors and instructors. You will have so many problems later if you don’t heed this.
Email support is too slow, and so-called telephone support is normally just routed to a call-centre that will chat nicely with you for 5 minutes to ask what the issue is and then simply send an email to an instructor – who will call back over the next day or so (assuming you’re there), at a suitable time to them. This isn’t a lot of good if you’re lost and confused and only have certain times available in which to do your studies.
Top training providers provide an online access 24×7 system combining multiple support operations across the globe. You will have an environment that switches seamlessly to the best choice of centres no matter what time of day it is: Support when it’s needed.
Always choose a training school that is worth purchasing from. As only live 24×7 round-the-clock support delivers what is required.
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