Please Help Guys With Some Guidance To Cisco Cert!!!

Biggcity

Hi Guys, just to give you a review of my situation.

I live here in Phoenix AZ and 10 year Air Force Veteran. I am qualified for the Post 9-11 GI Bill and have a Bachelor of Science Degree. I want to work toward getting my CCNA for starters and need help on what institution to attend? Some people locally say go to a Computer Tech School and some say go to a college or University. I do not want to get another degree. I just want to get a good Network Fundamentals Knowledge with a good working foundation.

I am starting from the beginning Guys and need some expert guidance. I just want to spend my benefits the right way to become a Network Engineer. One school out here I visited name New Horizons and this was the his suggestion below.

· "We are going to start with CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Network+. These will lay the best foundation for the next classes in Network Security as well as give you the best opportunity to start working in the field sooner than later."

I also spoke with ITT Tech here and they were really pushy about getting in a degree program with them. I know these companies want that government money. I really need hands on and a good understanding of Networking. I have no idea which schools are the best way to go.

The goal here guys is to get Cisco Certifed and use my GI Bill before it expire. Unemployed right now and need to get my foot in the door with a company. Please give me some direction on where to get started and get some Cisco certifications.

Thanks Everybody

emerald_octane

Definately try some of your local community colleges. They may have it in a legit classroom format such that you can be reimbursed for the classes. AS far as I know, and I could be wrong, anything other than a degree seeking program will not entitle you to BAH allowance as well.

WGU may be your best bet even though you don't want to get the degree. They will give you all the resources you need as well as vouchers for the programs.

You can always self study, take the exam and request reimbursement from the VA, however they won't cover the cost of materials. Nor will you get BAH.
However sometimes the cost of the reimbursement for the test is greater than the test cost itself.

Biggcity

Emerald thank you very much for the feedback. I hate to sound like an idiot but what is "WGU"?

Totino

I took a Network+ class with New Horizons. I would recommend just self-studying. IMO the class was too rushed (no surprise), you would of only been able to get the information if you went home after class ended and continued studying until you went to bed. To me that was a bit of an overload. Net+ is something you could spend ~two months on self studying and pass without the headache. Plus you'd have a better grasp of the material and not lose it all after the exam. The post 9/11 DID cover the class because I took it through a local college who pawns it off to NH. I got about 5 days worth of BAH along with 100% of the class paid for. Considering how much the class cost, and the fact that it only took 5 days out of my gi bill benefits, I guess that's a good deal. But the class definitely wasn't worth near what it cost.
As others have said with bootcamp type classes, you have to commit 110% of your free time after class in order to process what was just glazed over in class.

I'm taking a CCNA class at my local CC come October. It's about 6 months long with lots of lab time which is plenty of time to be comfortable with the material and have a solid foundation to pass the exam. You're much better off going with a CC class than a bootcamp style IMO. Again, it's 100% covered by the gi bill, and I'll be getting about 75% of the BAH from this one course. It's 3.5 hours long, two times a week. Definitely a good deal and it allows me to continue working full time in the help desk position I have.

Biggcity

Thanks Totino for the info. I have only a 1 1/2 years worth of benefits left because I been out the military so long. I am trying to get 100% BAH if possible, but New Horizons told me I have to do 18 hours/weekly to get the full benefit. I just got a job with Intel contract position working 4 12/hour nights a week as a manufacturing tech. This is not for me because I want to be a Network Engineer starting as a help desk position.

I like that schedule you have with the local CC you have. I am not a good self study type a person so I would like to find a CC here in Phoenix that offer the Cisco Classes. I know the Bootcamps for me will not work because I will not remember or feel comfortable learning the info at that pace.

Do you think I should start with Network+ class Totino?

Thanks

Totino

Self-study definitely requires a good amount of discipline. Which is why I took the NH class to begin with, but again I didn't get much value from. I ended up having to really buckle down and ended up self-studying for another good month so I could pass net+. And I'm confident I could of passed it with no class.
NH will be drooling at the mouth to get you, that's free easy money.

The CC stuff is nice. The CCNA class I'm taking is at night, so it won't interfere with my day job either. Not sure if your CC has that, but it's worth looking into.

As far as the best cert to start with, I'm not quite sure. I'm still new to the IT game and got my job with no cert, simply based off of acing 3 technical interviews. If you search the forum as I did a while back, you'll see varying opinions on the best cert to start with. But considering you're a vet, I would look into getting Security+ in the near future. I plan to get Security+ self studying at the same time as my CCNA class. Sec+ is required for a DoD job, and since you're a vet, you can definitely take advantage of preferential hiring with the government. That's something I plan on doing this time next year when I have those 3 certs under my belt.

That's my 2 cents anyways

DonM34

It really depends what your aiming for, Are you interested in Network Security? Network Administrator? or are you aiming to becoming a Tech? I would aim for Security+ & CCNA for Network Security.............. Network Administrator aim for MCSA (Microsoft Certified Server Administrator) and for a Tech aim for >>> A+,N+/CCENT and Security+ <<<< Two out of the Four will do ... Also the CCNA has different exam which cater to different areas of concentration. Since you have a degree, I wouldn't waste time going back to college. I would strongly advice taking continue education and training classes. Since you have a military back ground you will receive a lot of discount for most training courses.

filkenjitsu

Phoenix AZ?

Programs & Degrees | Maricopa Community Colleges | Phoenix, AZ USA

3167
Computer and Information Technologies
Associate in Applied Science
60 Credit Hours
South Mountain

3312
Computer and Networking Technology
Associate in Applied Science
60 Credit Hours
Glendale

5217
Computer Applications
Certificate of Completion
18 Credit Hours
Phoenix

3547
Computer Applications Technology
Associate in Applied Science
64 Credit Hours
Estrella Mountain

5214
Computer Applications Technology
Certificate of Completion
26 Credit Hours
Estrella Mountain

5147
Computer Applications: Microsoft Office Specialist/Advanced
Certificate of Completion
19 Credit Hours
Mesa

5146
Computer Applications: Microsoft Office Specialist/Basic
Certificate of Completion
16 Credit Hours

Mesa
5644
Computer Applications: Office Specialist/Core Level
Certificate of Completion
12.5 Credit Hours
Chandler-Gilbert

5024
Computer Applications: Office Specialist/Expert Level
Certificate of Completion
25 Credit Hours
Chandler-Gilbert

3548
Computer Business Applications
Associate in Applied Science
63 Credit Hours
Chandler-Gilbert

3684
Computer Graphic Design
Associate in Applied Science
60 Credit Hours
Phoenix

5684
Computer Graphic Design
Certificate of Completion
38 Credit Hours
Phoenix

5026
Computer Hardware and Desktop Support
Certificate of Completion
22 Credit Hours
Chandler-Gilbert
Estrella Mountain
Scottsdale

5909
Computer Hardware and Network Support
Certificate of Completion
25 Credit Hours
Scottsdale

3162
Computer Information System Technologies
Associate in Applied Science
64 Credit Hours
Scottsdale

5162
Computer Information System Technologies
Certificate of Completion
45 Credit Hours
Scottsdale

3152
Computer Information Systems
Associate in Applied Science
61 Credit Hours
Glendale
GateWay
Phoenix
Paradise Valley

5671
Computer Information Systems
Certificate of Completion
21 Credit Hours
Glendale
GateWay
Phoenix
Paradise Valley

3786
Computer Information Technology
Associate in Applied Science

filkenjitsu

3 Spring
Final Term: Current

Award: AAS
Total Credits: 60-65
CIPS Code: 11.0901
Initiating College: Glendale Community College
Program Availability: College-Specific

Occupational Area: Manufacturing / Electronics/Electrical Technology
Instructional Council: Applied Technology (57)
GPA: 2.0


Description: The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Computer and Network Technology program offers the student a solid, hands-on skill set of computer, networking and internetworking systems, and health information technology principles. Students gain an understanding of the interaction between microcomputer software and hardware, network and internetworking operating systems software and hardware, the use of troubleshooting techniques, and troubleshooting hardware and software tools.

Program Notes:
Students must earn a grade of "C" or better in all courses within the program.
+ indicates course has prerequisites and/or corequisites.



Program Prerequisites
Program Prerequisites may be waived by Program Director depending on student's background.

NET183AA Operating Systems/PC (2) OR
Permission of Program Director 0-2
Credits: 0-2
Required Courses
CIS114AE Excel: Level I 1
CIS117AM Database Management: Microsoft Access - Level I 1
CIS126AA UNIX Operating System: Level I 1
CIS133AA Internet/Web Development Level I-A 1
CNT140AA Cisco Networking Fundamentals 4
+ CNT150AA Cisco Routing Protocols and Concepts 4
+ CNT160AA Cisco Local Area Networking (LAN) Switching and Wireless 4
+ CNT170AA Cisco Accessing the Wide-Area Network (WAN) 4
+ CNT171 CCNA Exam Prep 1
+ CNT205 Cisco Certified Network Associate Security 4
+ CNT206 Cisco Certified Network Associate Wireless 4
CWE198AA Career/Work Experience 1
ELT101 Mathematics for Electronics I 3
+ ELT102 Mathematics for Electronics II 3
+ NET220 Health Information Networking 2
+ NET271 Microcomputer Maintenance I: A+ Essentials Prep 3
Credits: 41
General Education Requirements

General Education Requirement Credits: 19-22

General Education Core Credits: 9-12

First-Year Composition Credits: 6.0
+ ENG101 First-Year Composition (3) OR
+ ENG107 First-Year Composition for ESL (3)
AND
+ ENG102 First-Year Composition (3) OR
+ ENG108 First-Year Composition for ESL (3) OR
+ ENG111 Technical Writing (3) 6

Oral Communication Credits: 3.0
COM100 Introduction to Human Communication (3) OR
COM110 Interpersonal Communication (3) OR
+COM225 Public Speaking (3) OR
COM230 Small Group Communication (3) 3

Critical Reading Credits: 0-3
+ CRE101 College Critical Reading (3) OR
+ CRE111 Critical Reading for Business and Industry (3) OR
Equivalent as indicated by assessment 0-3

Mathematics Credits: 0
Met by ELT102 in Required Courses area.

General Education Distribution Credits: 10.0

Humanities and Fine Arts Credits: 3.0
Any approved general education course from the Humanities and Fine Arts area. 3

Social and Behavioral Sciences Credits: 3.0
Any approved general education course from the Social and Behavioral Sciences area. 3

Natural Sciences Credits: 4.0
Any approved general education course from the Natural Science area 4


Program Competencies
1. Identify the binary equivalent of decimal numbers and other features of common computer codes. (CNT140AA)
2. Identify several widely used end user applications and describe the strengths and weaknesses of each. (CIS114AE, CIS133AA, CIS117AM)
3. Use algebraic and trigonometric functions to solve electronic problems. (ELT101, ELT102)
4. Describe the general role of information technology (IT) and the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system specifically in healthcare delivery (NET220)
5. Identify the requirements for implementing an EHR system (NET220)
6. Incorporate wireless security and design considerations into the medical group network (NET220)
7. Use disk operating system commands and various utility programs to create batch files and system recovery disks, fix disk hardware and software problems, and to manage data files and folders. (CIS126AA)
8. Describe various network cabling topologies, local and wide area network access protocols, and internal and external communication components using the OSI model. (CNT140AA)
9. Use microcomputer servicing techniques to maintain and troubleshoot hardware and software related problems. (NET271)
10. Demonstrate knowledge of skills necessary to install, configure, customize, maintain and troubleshoot Cisco routers and components. (CNT150AA, CNT171)
11. Demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to configure routing protocols, Local Areas Networks (LANs), and LAN switching. Design and management of networks. (CNT160AA, CNT171)
12. Demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to design and configure wide area network (WAN) projects using an Internetwork Operating System command set. (CNT170AA, CNT171)
13. Use utility programs to install application software on a network, to perform security procedures, and to control printer and file servers (CNT205)
14. Design, implement, and troubleshoot wireless networks. (CNT206)
15. Demonstrate knowledge of establishing a secure network. (CNT205)
16. Demonstrate knowledge of installing and using operating systems software in both a server and workstation capacity. (NET271)
17. Work effectively in a computer and network services setting. (CWE198AA)

DonM34

I would suggest, put your efforts on certification training courses.

Pseudo_node

I was in a similar place after leaving the military; I would recommend the Cisco Network Academy:

Become a Student - Cisco Systems

The instructors are generally good mentors and can help you with your career path.

I would augment with CBTnuggets training and a procure a personal router/switch lab (look on ebay) for the "hands on" practice.