NEWBIE NEEDS GUIDANCE IN CERTS!!

ab1867

Thanks to our recent economic downfall my employer recently notified me that my position was no longer need as of 12/30/08! I have worked for this company for 9 years (its a fortune 500 company everyone would know it if I named it) of which I did troubleshooting and repaired of POTS and Data Lines. For the last couple of years I was doing basic networking with small business routers (Netopia 3347 and others like) troubleshooting Wi-Fi interfernce problems and other. I have a very basic knowledge of Networking but I would like to gain more, in the hopes of getting a new job. I am very interested in learning more, I'm just very qlueless about what steps I need to take right now. I am looking into getting the CCNA Cert first, but I don't know what else to study. I need to know what to learn and where to get it. Should I go to a College or VoTech ? Should I study on my own/buy books on subjects? PLEASE HELP!!!!!

shednik

If you're looking to go back to school I'd recommend going to college over a VoTech, you will be more well rounded with an education for a Community College/University. I'd look at your local college's around the area and see what they have to offer, I'm not sure how old you are but I know alot of schools have accelerated programs for older students which may be a good program for you to look for. There is also this post List of Online Technology Degrees/Schools/Links Thread
which has a list of distance education programs to chose from. I would also keep your plans to get your plans of getting your CCNA if you want to stay in networking, check out the CCNA FAQ for starters. Hope this helps!

oo_snoopy

Go to College, get a BS degree in a computer related field while working on certs.

Met44

I second the advice on looking at local college programs, but be sure to look into the actual courses that you will have to take; some generic IT degrees involve almost no networking, in favor of programming. Local colleges will probably have an Associate's degree you can earn, then move on to a Bachelor's.

I am looking into getting the CCNA Cert first, but I don't know what else to study. I need to know what to learn and where to get it.

Take a look at the Techexams CCNA FAQ post here:

http://techexams.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=7268

In general, the Sybex book by Lammle is considered a pretty good choice for the CCNA. You can probably find a used one cheap on Amazon.

You can also look into the Cisco Networking Academy, which are great classes for the CCNA and CCNP that may be offered by a local community college.

blargoe

The fact that you have a few years of field experience is a plus for you. Round it out with some education and certs. Network+ and/or CCNA would be a logical step for you, with the network+ it probably wouldn't take that long for you to study and pass, you've probably been doing a lot of it in the field already.

It would beneficial for you to work on a degree too. A two-year degree at a community college or vocational school like someone mentioned would get you the biggest bang for the buck, right now. If you want to also do your BS look for a school from which you can transfer credits. But definitely do at least a 2 year degree.

In the meanwhile, you could probably survive contracting for a little while until you find something else. Your experience gives you a head above the entry level folks just starting out even if they do have certs, IMO, for the type of work you've been doing.

Best of luck to you.