What is the right choice? CCNA+MCSE or CCNA+CCNP

jainyvardhman

I am new to networking. I want to join the networking certification course. So, plz refer me either to join MCSE+CCNA or CCNA +CCNP

networker050184

Try to join a job if you don't already have one and then go with what ever interests you. All of them are good certifications, but not really for begginers expet for maybe the CCNA.

crap I forgot my old pwd

jainyvardhman wrote:

I am new to networking. I want to join the networking certification course. So, plz refer me either to join MCSE+CCNA or CCNA +CCNP

Go for the union of the 2...

dtlokee

networker050184 wrote:

Try to join a job if you don't already have one and then go with what ever interests you. All of them are good certifications, but not really for begginers expet for maybe the CCNA.

It's tough out there! Sometimes you will need a certification to get a foot in the door.

jainyvardhman wrote:

I am new to networking. I want to join the networking certification course. So, plz refer me either to join MCSE+CCNA or CCNA +CCNP

You may want to consider starting out with something like Network+ (you don't need to take the exam, just study the material) then advancing from there. The CCNA and MCSE both expect you to have atleast 6months - 1 year of related work experience. The network + can help bring you up to speed on some of the topics.

Ahriakin

It really depends on what you want to do and your current position and promotion prospects. CCNA->CCNP will provide you with a more exclusive set of skills and usually a higer paying position compared to an MCSE with similar levels of experience BUT it is much harder to break into Network Engineering with little experience even with the certs than it is to get into Server Administration. Starting from scratch I would definitely work up the Network+ as DT suggested and then take the MCSE route. Along the way you should be able to leverage this into at least a Junior network position, you may also get enough exposure to see if Cisco is a route you want to take. Personally I prefer the Cisco/engineering side of my job to the Microsoft/administration but everyone's different. If you choose to go the Cisco route you should be then be in a position trusted with some access to the network devices and it'll be a bit easier to break into.

mwgood

I can recommend my strategy, which has worked for me so far.

Getting work in IT can be a bit of a bootstrap problem - which comes first, experience or certification?

Anyway, I recommend studying whatever allows you to excel in your current work environment. If it's a Linux house - become a Linux guru. If Cisco is prevalent - do that. If it's a Microsoft domain and you can get your hands on some admin privileges, go the MCSE course.

Just remember that if you don't use it, you will lose it (mostly). And that real, quantifiable, skill is (usually) developed on the job.

So - in order to turn your certification into a concrete marketable skill - get a job that interests you - or start down a certification path that interests you, then focus on the cert paths that you are able to use in your job, and you will be rewarded.

Simple as that.

empc4000xl

I've been having this same problem. Im done with my CCNA in a few weeks and I"m sure I will pass the test as much work as I have put into it, but whats next. I can get a CCNP or MCSE for free, but I don't know what route to take. I will be outta my current job by July of next year and I really dont know what employers outside the military are looking for. When I look on most sites I see combination MCSE/CCNA. I see jobs that require CCNP, but also want way more experience than I have so its a toss up. I'm thinking since I"m near a larger netacad right now I will do the CCNP since they have a good instructor and get the MCSE somewhere else since its avaliblity in other locations is greater than CCNP

AlanJames

1, what do you enjoy!?
2, what skill set does your current employer require?

CCNA is a great start, I would recommend this over network+, CCNA still goes into the basics before it hits on the heavy stuff.

I'm doing my ccnp over the mcse, as i feel being specialised is a better option for me. But if I was working in a server admin role, I would be doing my mcse.

Goldmember

CCNA--->MCSE

Here is why...

YOU ARE NEW TO NETWORKING!!!!


It will be hard to land a job with CCNP and no experience.

CCNA + MCSE will get you a LAN Admin/Server Admin job which is easier to find.
After you get 1-2 years on the job(all the while obtaining your CCNP), you will have the necessary skills to break into the Network Engineering field(which is more lucrative and better IMO)...


Muchas Gracias

A-Mart

How about an associate degree instead if you are looking to stand out and get a job. Getting a CCNP without experience or some type of education to back it up aint impressive.

mikej412

networker050184 wrote:

job

Job first, or as soon as possible as you gain useful knowledge from your studies -- either classes or studying on your own for certification.

Jumping straight to higher level certifications without any experience doesn't help your career all that much, and might hurt it.

To break into networking, a CCNA and MCSA may be more useful. You might not get a Network Technician job to start, but you might get a Junior Admin job with a company that could move you into networking down the road. Once you have that first job -- then continue to work on your certifications.

sarwes

hi,guys i have completed my ccna and now i am working as a desktop support engineer now what course should whether
CCNP or MCSE::::::::

markulous

mikej412 wrote: »

Job first, or as soon as possible as you gain useful knowledge from your studies -- either classes or studying on your own for certification.

Jumping straight to higher level certifications without any experience doesn't help your career all that much, and might hurt it.

To break into networking, a CCNA and MCSA may be more useful. You might not get a Network Technician job to start, but you might get a Junior Admin job with a company that could move you into networking down the road. Once you have that first job -- then continue to work on your certifications.

I agree with this. Getting a CCNP or MCSE right now doesn't seem like an ideal plan. A CCNA can be challenging to get, but totally doable for someone with little to no experience if you can get a lab setup or a program like Packet Tracer (which is what I did). That should get you at least into a NOC job.

awitt11

+1 To getting a job/internship/volunteer. You need to find what part of technology you enjoy working with. The certifications you pursue should fall in line with the work you are doing (or want to do). Employers also tend to want people with experience, even if they have CCNP, MCSE, CISSP, etc.