The CCNA qualification is the usual starting point for all Cisco training. This will enable you to handle maintaining and installing network switches and routers. The internet is made up of many routers, and many large organisations who have a number of branches utilise them to keep their networks in touch.

As routers are connected to networks, it is necessary to know how networks function, or you'll struggle with the course and not be able to do the work. Find training that teaches the basics (CompTIA is ideal) prior to starting your CCNA.

Achieving CCNA is more than adequate; don't be pushed into attempting your CCNP. Once you've got a few years experience behind you, you can decide if it's relevant for you to have this next level up. If so, you'll have the knowledge you need to tackle the CCNP - because it's far from a walk in the park - and shouldn't be taken lightly.

A typical blunder that students everywhere can make is to concentrate on the course itself, and take their eye off where they want to get to. Colleges are full of direction-less students that chose an 'interesting' course - rather than what would get them their end-goal of a job they enjoyed. Avoid becoming one of those unfortunate students who choose a training program that on the surface appears interesting - and end up with a certification for a job they hate.

Spend some time thinking about earning potential and what level of ambition fits you. Often, this changes what exams you will need and what you can expect to give industry in return. Seek out help from an experienced industry advisor that 'gets' the commercial realities of the area you're interested in, and who can offer 'A day in the life of' synopsis of of what you'll be doing during your working week. It's sensible to ensure you're on the right track well before you jump into the study-program. There's really no reason in kicking off your training only to discover you're on the wrong course.

A question; why ought we to be looking at commercially accredited qualifications as opposed to traditional academic qualifications obtained from schools and Further Education colleges? With the costs of academic degree's becoming a tall order for many, together with the IT sector's increasing awareness that vendor-based training is often far more commercially relevant, we've seen a great increase in Microsoft, CISCO, Adobe and CompTIA based training programmes that provide key skills to an employee at a fraction of the cost and time involved. The training is effectively done by concentrating on the actual skills required (alongside a relevant amount of background knowledge,) instead of covering masses of the background 'extras' that computer Science Degrees are prone to get tied up in (because the syllabus is so wide).

It's rather like the advert: 'It does what it says on the tin'. The company just needs to know what they need doing, and then request applicants with the correct exam numbers. Then they're assured that a potential employee can do exactly what's required.

The sometimes daunting task of securing your first IT job is often eased because some trainers offer a Job Placement Assistance programme. It can happen though that too much is made of this feature, because it is actually not that hard for a well trained and motivated person to secure work in this industry - because there's a great need for well trained people.

CV and Interview advice and support might be provided (if not, see one of our sites for help). Make sure you work on your old CV immediately - not when you're ready to start work! You might not even have got to the exam time when you'll secure your initial junior support role; but this isn't going to happen unless your CV is with employers. Generally, you'll receive better results from a specialist locally based employment agency than you'll experience from any training provider's national service, as they will be more familiar with the area and local employers.

A good number of students, so it seems, put a great deal of effort into their studies (sometimes for years), only to give up at the first hurdle when finding a good job. Introduce yourself... Work hard to get yourself known. A job isn't just going to bump into you.

Students will sometimes miss checking on a painfully important area - the way the company segments the courseware, and into how many parts. Many companies enrol you into a 2 or 3 year study programme, and courier the materials in pieces as you complete each section or exam. If you think this sound logical, then consider this: Many students find that the trainer's usual training route is not what they would prefer. They might find a slightly different order suits them better. And what happens if they don't finish within their exact timetable?

In an ideal situation, you want ALL the study materials up-front - giving you them all for the future to come back to - irrespective of any schedule. Variations can then be made to the order that you attack each section as and when something more intuitive seems right for you.

CBT PC Self-Study Certification Training For CompTIA Hardware Support >>