Unsure of obtaining certification

Hey Guys,

I was wondering if some one could help me out with my situation. Here is some background info on myself before I stated my dilema/question.

I am currently 26 years old I graduated in October with a BA in computer network systems. I have close to 5 years of overall IT experience mostly working linux distros include debian/fedora/centos etc. I worked in a NOC for 3 years but not on the data communication side of things more of event response some light web dev, lamp, etc things. My current position is doing pretty much the same minus working with linux on a day to day basis.

My interest is working with cisco gear, reading documation news, and brushing up things that I havent worked with in awhile. In my current position a certification is not needed nor doesnt seem revlevent for any other positions where I work. But I also want to add more creditentals and advance myself at the same time.

My isssue is if I decide to obtain my ccna cert or even more what good are they if i am not working with the gear and IOS on a daily basis? As I stated before i do wish to however accomplish more and also add more creditentals without going back to school and accumulate more debt. I have all the material to study for it and then some. The thing that is holding me back is what I stated before of not using it.

Thanks,

The confused and the unsure

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Comments

cxzar20

I am not a big fan of certifications, but they can be used as a tool for employment. If you don't have them then you will be at a competitive disadvantage. That is the reason I have mine. If you earn a CCNA then you can "show" current and future employers that you have a range of technical knowledge.

Michael.J.Palmer

cxzar20's got it right.

Certifications can make or break you in the IT world these days. Companies are looking for specialist more than people with general IT knowledge these days and the certifications show a specialist more than a general IT degree. From my experience when I was job hunting, degrees were treated more like work experience in the field than actual proof that you knew something about the job requirement, most of the employers were looking for certified individuals who could taken on the responsibilities of working with specific hardware/software with very little supervision, not someone who has a degree and general knowledge but no real backbone beyond that.

With your five years of experience, your degree, if you did get your CCNA I think that would go a long way in helping you get a decent Network Admin position in the future. I wouldn't stop with the CCNA though, if you really want to work with Cisco equipment, etc. and lock down a really good paying job then I'd work on the higher Cisco certs as well after the CCNA.

Devilsbane

CCNA is a great place to start if you are looking to be on the networking side of things. Many jobs out there require CCNA's and CCNP's to even get an interview.

N2IT

Devilsbane wrote: »

CCNA is a great place to start if you are looking to be on the networking side of things. Many jobs out there require CCNA's and CCNP's to even get an interview.

+1

Why not get your CCENT or CCNA and see if you like it. Worse thing that can happen is you hate it and never want to do a certification again. Nothing wrong with that either it's not for all people. In the process you get great resume fodder and fill in a lot of the Cisco networking gaps. In my honest opinion if you show you can get 1 or 2 certifications you are going to be fine, especially with all that experience.

xenodamus

When I got my CCNA I was in a Desktop Support/Sys Admin position, and it filled in alot of gaps in my networking knowledge. You may not use IOS on a daily basis, but the concepts you will learn from the CCENT or CCNA are useful in almost all areas of IT. Solid networking knowledge makes for a much better Sys Admin.

When it comes to looking for a pure networking position, definitely get the CCNA. If you want to work with routers/switches/IOS and you don't have much direct experience, you need to be able to prove you have the knowledge to hold your own. Like I said before, I just came from a Desktop/Systems position and didn't have much Cisco experience at all. But, because I had my CCNA and could answer technical networking questions with no problem in my interview, someone gave me a shot. After I passed the exam it took over a year and several interviews before I got it, but that's the hardest part.

So, I say build a home lab....get the Cisco Press books....and start watching the job sites for what people want in a network guy.