POST CCNA: What Next?

rob_crossley

Hi All,

Ive had a week off studying to celebrate my recent success in passing my ICND2 and gaining my CCNA. But now the question is what should i study next?

I was thinking that maybe i should try to get some microsoft 1s as lots of employers look at these as an essential qualification. What are your views guys? Should i bother specialising in a CCNA:wireless, security,voice etc?

Any viewpoints would be a great help.

Thanks posters.

okplaya

What is your current situation? What do you like the most? It's hard to suggest anything without knowing your situation.

rob_crossley

Im about to start a job doing 2nd line support, but really wanna be doing 3rd line support and hopefully network admin. But im guessing best way is to get a solid grounding in everything first then i can see what i like and specialise.

fslima0

I'd say if you really enjoyed learning all the CCNA topics, you should pursue CCNP which basically covers CCNA, but it's more detailed and complete.

ehnde

Odds are you will not get a promotion at the job you are about to start. If you could be certain of this, would it affect what you studied?

The certifications you start working on while at this new job will help you with your NEXT job. Employers are fickle like that. They value you now for what you've already done. Raises and promotions are not commonplace.

What do you mean by network admin? Do you want to manage a companies routers and switches, or their servers?

Routers and switches = ccna tracks (wireless, voice, security), or juniper, and someday vyatta when they have certifications
If you want to manage servers check out the MCITP:SA microsoft track. It's 3 exams total.

-DeXteR-

IF you are interesting in pursuing further into networking "MYSTICAL":D world . Then i think CCNA:S -->CCNP would be a good goal . Well it all depends on you basically .

seekrit

I've been thinking a lot about the same question. After doing the CCNA:S I was thinking what now? The CCNP Security books aren't out yet, the CCNA Voice ICOMM material won't be out until August, and even then I'll probably need to buy the CITP1 & 2 books for V8, but those aren't out until this summer either. Which realistically leaves me either the CCNP R&S or CCNA Wireless for Cisco at the moment.

The Microsoft MCITP looks like a really nice networking filler dirrection at the moment for me. It's fresh, businesses will be migrating for the next 5+ years to Server 2008, and knowing how to integrate/implement the top two market shares could only help my chances of selecting a diverse career. That is untll the rest of the Cisco Security and Voice material get polished up and put on the shelf for us to use.

If you don't know what you want to do, go wide.

burbankmarc

Virtualization is still taking off like a bat out of hell, you could always look into that.

mikej412

rob_crossley wrote: »

Im about to start a job doing 2nd line support, but really wanna be doing 3rd line support and hopefully network admin.

Do the certification(s) that will help you do your current job better -- then do the certification(s) that will help you get your next promotion or next job.

What are you actually supporting? End users and their Microsoft Office Issues? Password reset ninja (where the 1st line takes the requests and the 2nd line support makes the change)? Riding shotgun on Exchange servers?

Is there a career upgrade path (or paths) with this job you're starting?

The CCNA:Security is probably easier than the CCNA -- and security is always good to know. So if you're looking to add another line to your resume that mentions Cisco, this is a good one while you decide on your long term goals and plans.

And grab the Network Warrior book (new version coming out soon, so consider the eBook if you get a free upgrade to the new version). It may help you to "talk the talk" so that someone notices you and gives you a chance to "walk the walk."

mekler

After finishing the CCNA I'll be looking at certifying in virtualization technology, not sure which yet, but that's the direction I'd like to go.