Cisco certs

MQuinn6

Hi, All -

I was wondering if it's possible to have a career related to just Cisco stuff (ie, little to no Microsoft). If so, what job titles would one look for?

Webmaster

Mostly titles with 'network' and/or 'WAN' in it.

network administrator
network engineer
network designer
WAN engineer
WAN specialist
etc.
etc.

MQuinn6

Cool. Thanks!

Tesl

If you want to avoid Microsoft (Which I wholeheartedly recommend) then I'd suggest being comfortable with *nix related technologies as well. I'd say Cisco and Unix/Linux tends to be a good combination.

Aquabat [banned]

yea right lol, companies don't care what you have. i hate the it industry

larkspur

you will find in the network side that you are onsite durig the day in case stuff breaks and do the majority of your work in the evening\early morning.

Fimailarizing yourself with open source commands is very important as most of the network appilances you will become fimilar with are on open source platforms.

osiris69

MQuinn6 wrote:

Hi, All -

I was wondering if it's possible to have a career related to just Cisco stuff (ie, little to no Microsoft). If so, what job titles would one look for?

I do not know where you are I am in the UK and this is what I have found. I have CCNA + Network+ & A+ but have not got a position in IT yet. In the interviews I have had they made it clear that some Microsoft knowledge is required Server 2003 etc. Doing BSCI (642-901)at present, but when I've got it I intend to study for MCSA (70-270,290,291+ the CompTia qualifications I already have). Then I will continue with the other 3 CCNP exams.

Tesl

Aquabat wrote:

yea right lol, companies don't care what you have. i hate the it industry

Was this in response to me or the OP?

I don't think that MS skills are completely necessary. On average infact, I would think that although there are more Microsoft specific jobs around, on average the ones that don't need it (and focus specifically on *nix or networking) pay better.

If you don't want to learn how to point and click around a MS server, then don't bother. Just make sure that you have good skills in other departments!

snadam

Tesl wrote:

I don't think that MS skills are completely necessary. On average infact, I would think that although there are more Microsoft specific jobs around, on average the ones that don't need it (and focus specifically on *nix or networking) pay better.

If you don't want to learn how to point and click around a MS server, then don't bother. Just make sure that you have good skills in other departments!

my current job searches seem to have the need for all around good skills in most fields, but must have a strong skillset it MS, *nix, Cisco, take your pick; its alldependent on the job. Another key aspect companies look for is EXPERIENCE. On average, most companies look for 4 years+ for a Net Admin or similar type job. This might mean you will have to get your feet wet as a jr admin or helpdesk first, then go for the admin job. Its all really dependent of you/company expectations.

Its hard to pass judgement on the situation until you actually test the waters and see what happens. Either way, good luck!

Darthn3ss

just guessing, but you're probably going to want to look at larger companies.. i'm sure smaller companies can't really afford to staff a team for just microsoft, just cisco, etc.

MQuinn6

I appreciate all the input.

I don't mind getting involved in some Microsoft/Unix stuff. I just enjoy the Cisco side of things at this point so that's what I want to focus on right now. I'm currently working on an implementation team in a NOC. So I'm getting exposure to both Cisco & Juniper. The $ just isn't there though.

How many months/years experience does Cisco recommend before pursuing the CCNP? I know this must be on thier website, but, for some reason, I can't find it.