Hhello/Help with a mistake!

Discussion in 'New Members Introduction' started by Stephen83, Apr 1, 2008.

  1. Stephen83

    Stephen83 New Member

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    Hey, I wish I had found this forum about 6 months ago!! After doing some reading around I think I have wasted some money, and time, but anyway here goes...

    I graduated from a Business Information Systems degree about a year and a half ago, it covered stuff like relational databases/business and a bit of networking. I ended up being pretty bored by most of it except the networking side but thought I did not have enough knowledge to get a job in it so got a more general IT support type job.

    After a while I started getting pretty bored of it so thought I'd take the plunge and spend some money and get on a CCNA course, get a network support type job and work my way up kind of thing. However I have read most the posts here and it appears that unless you already working in networks the CCNA is a waste of time, ARGH! :blink

    I could really do with some advice on the best way forward on this as networking is something that genuinely interests me and I don't really want to give up on this! Also to add a little more complexity to the issue I am looking to move out to the States in the next year and hopefully carry working in the IT sector there.

    Any advice would be gratefully received! Thanks!
     
  2. tripwire45
    Honorary Member

    tripwire45 Zettabyte Poster

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    Greetings and welcome to CertForums.

    Actually, the plan isn't absolutely worthless as one poster recently pointed out to us, but it is unlikely that studying for and earning your CCNA will automatically result in a job in networking. Experience is king, however, study is also important. Typically, we recommend that someone with little or no technical experience study for and earn their A+ and Network+ certifications to establish a foundation for further achievements.

    You migth want to go to CompTIA's certifications page and have a look at the specifics for those two exams. Around here, we recommend the "self-study" route since those certs are generally able to be achieved without the use of a training vendor and this is the most economical path.

    Both certifications are considered "entry-level" and often are enough to help someone break into a support or repair position. From there, you can begin earning experience that will help in advancing to more challenging positions, including those on the networking track. Once you've got a bit of experience under your belt, you can tackle additional certs including those offered by Cisco.

    Keep in mind, that while Cisco is the leader in internetworking hardware and software, they aren't the only player in the game. Juniper also produces such products and maintains their own certification program.

    Hope some of this helps. Good luck.
     
    Certifications: A+ and Network+
  3. hbroomhall

    hbroomhall Petabyte Poster Gold Member

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    Hi and welcome to CF!

    I'd agree with Trip - particularly about looking into acquiring Network+.

    'Networks' covers a huge area, and Cisco is only one part of that.

    Harry.
     
    Certifications: ECDL A+ Network+ i-Net+
    WIP: Server+
  4. BosonMichael
    Honorary Member Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    BosonMichael Yottabyte Poster

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    Trip's advice is solid. Welcome!
     
    Certifications: CISSP, MCSE+I, MCSE: Security, MCSE: Messaging, MCDST, MCDBA, MCTS, OCP, CCNP, CCDP, CCNA Security, CCNA Voice, CNE, SCSA, Security+, Linux+, Server+, Network+, A+
    WIP: Just about everything!
  5. wizard

    wizard Petabyte Poster

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    Hi there and welcome 8)
     
    Certifications: SIA DS Licence
    WIP: A+ 2009
  6. Notes_Bloke

    Notes_Bloke Terabyte Poster

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    Hi & welcome :D

    NB
     
    Certifications: 70-210, 70-215, A+,N+, Security+
    WIP: MCSA
  7. Bluerinse
    Honorary Member

    Bluerinse Exabyte Poster

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    Welcome to the forum 8)
     
    Certifications: C&G Electronics - MCSA (W2K) MCSE (W2K)
  8. sunn

    sunn Gigabyte Poster

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    Trip's spot on.
    Welcome to the forums...
     
  9. Stephen83

    Stephen83 New Member

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    Cheers for the advice! Very useful forum I am sure I will be bugging people with more questions soon! :biggrin
     

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