Cert track...

thejman

Hello.

I have a question I think you guys could answer. I'm currently taking the steps to make a career change to the IT field.

I had taken a course for A+ cert last summer/fall & recently passed both exams. I am now sitting a class for Net+, with course completion in about 3 weeks (4/17 is last class). I am interested in entering the Cisco field, more specifically the CCNA/CCNP path. The community college where I am taking the classes has a CCNA class that starts 5/16 & ends 6/27 & then a CCNP class that starts 7/11 & ends 8/22 (exactly 2 weeks after the CCNA finishes) & I can save $500 if I register for both simultaneously. The questions is, should I do it? Are they too close together or could I take both courses & then take the exams when I am finished both? I can accept the fact that w/my lack of on-the-job experience any job I get is going to be entry level regardless of what cert I have. Also, the school recommends as a prerequisite that I have 2 years networking experience and/or an MCSE or that I am a Certified Novell Engineer. Is this really necessary? The school offers another class entitled Network Administrator that includes the CCNA (along w/Linux+, Security+ & MCP w/Windows XP) & they say that the only prerequisite is Net+.

I am definately going to try to set up a short meeting w/the instructor of the CCNA/CCNP courses or the counselor to get his/her opinion, but I figured a few more (opinions) couldn't hurt either. I have been kicking around this site for a little over a month now & find that the advice & encouragement given to those in need to be extremely encouraging, so I figured I would ask here also.

Thanks a lot...

Ricka182

If you don't have any experience, I would look at that second option. Cisco certs without experiecne are worthless. The second will give you a couple more good, entry level certs from Comptia, as well as the MCP status, then followed by CCNA.

thejman

Ricka182,

That's the route I wanted to take, but the only class they had running was during the day (not good for me, I work full time) so I thought I would take a look @ this.

Thanks for the reply

mikej412

thejman wrote:

I can save $500 if I register for both simultaneously. The questions is, should I do it? Are they too close together or could I take both courses & then take the exams when I am finished both?

That Network Administrator option does make more sense -- too bad it doesn't fit into your schedule.

I guess it comes down to that saving $500 -- read some more of the forum posts. Each test attempt costs $125 and there is a 5 day wait between attempts. Assuming you study hard and pass the CCNA on your first attempt, and continue to study even harder for the CCNP -- yes, you saved money on the classes. But if you don't pass the CCNA, you only get 1 or 2 more shots before you need to focus on the CCNP. And that $500 savings starts to get eaten up by re-tests.

You didn't mention how much class time is involved -- every night? weekends? There is lots of material to go over.... And without experience, and if you don't pass the CCNA -- it could just turn out to be a confusing mess. That is why they recommend previous networking experience.

IF they let you do it, make sure you have set your expectations at a reasonable level. Definitely take the CCNA exam ASAP after the CCNA class. See where you are at (hopefully a pass) -- and use those 2 weeks to pre-study for the CCNP class. This is where I would recommend the Sybex CCNP Complete Study Guide from 2005 (unless there is even a newer one now).

The other option could be to just take the CCNA class and study hard and save money by not having to do re-tests (and knowing for sure that you really do like the Cisco stuff). And then plan for the CCNP once you have that entry level CCNA job.

thejman

Thanks Mikej412. Since you seem to be somewhat of a Cisco guru (judging by your cert list anyway) I want to ask you, how much experience did you have before you took the CCNA? Do you think it's a good idea for a Net+ student or should I hold off (in your opinion). The more I think about it, the more I want to scrap the whole idea. Not following through w/the CCNA/CCNP just the timing. I can sometimes be a ilttle over ambitious/unrealistic.

I may have a job lined up after I finish Net+ so I may do that, gain some real world exp & then move on to CCNA. I was also thinking of actually taking the MCSE first. It's something that fits my schedule now & something that I wanted to do. I just wanted to do it later on.

I'll figure it out.

Thanks a lot guys. You're all very helpful...

mikej412

thejman wrote:

I want to ask you, how much experience did you have before you took the CCNA? Do you think it's a good idea for a Net+ student or should I hold off (in your opinion). The more I think about it, the more I want to scrap the whole idea. Not following through w/the CCNA/CCNP just the timing. I can sometimes be a ilttle over ambitious/unrealistic.

My first networking book was "UNIX Network Programming" by Stevens (1991). I've been a Senior Network Engineer. I've been an Enterprise Architect and taught the Global Delivery teams how to build out the hardware and deploy the servers and enterprise applications (back in the good old days of Internet version 1). And I remember when Cisco couldn't switch a packet to save their life.

When I run out of Cisco Certifications.... I'll probably go back and get the MCSE. I had considered starting my certifications with the A+, Net+... etc -- but it would have felt silly with my experience -- but I'm still not ruling it out. Some people wake up with a tatoo after a week of wild partying -- I might wake up with a bunch of CompTIA exam reports.

If you look at the CCNA from the 2 exam perspective -- INTRO and ICND -- Net+ should cover a major chunk of INTRO material -- lots of network cabling trivia, intro to TCP/IP and subnetting. So after the Net+ you should continue on with the CCNA if possible..... The new stuff would be the Cisco routers... and then the fun stuff in ICND.

But the MCSE isn't bad either. And it works well with the CCNA.

Which would fit in better with that possible job? What is the career path there? Experience is great -- if you can get it. But you should keep learning -- I see CCNAs who spend their days with vendors who actually do the real work. If you're lucky you'll get a job where you work with routers or servers and the company will want you to learn and move into positions which greater access and responsibility.

thejman

Thanks mikej412. I foung a CCNA course that is starting about 3 weeks after Net+, so I think that's the way I'm gonna go. Would've liked to to have been able to get the MCP in Windows XP pro as well as Linux & Security+ but you can't always get what you want...

I'll just have to do them later on.

Thanks again, man. You've been a HUGE help.