Entry level job in the the CCENT and CCNA world.

Acknowledged74

Hi

I am genuinely looking to change my career and from I know about networking I feel its a good fit.

I've been a freelance and self employed web designer for around 12 years on and off and frankly need a new challenge. Also apparently anyone can design a website these day, so the jobs becoming less well paid (an understatement).

So I have started a CCENT / CCNA course both online and as an evening course, but what would be genuine no qualification entry point, the money isnt important at this time a foot in the door while I continue taking the courses.

I came across cable pullers, but thats to general, but as I say money isnt the object the long term plan is.

Even related job in the sort of company that I can move forward once I have the qualifications.

I have been looking but I don't know the keywords or job descriptions of what I'm looking for.

Any advice would greatly appreciated.

networker050184

NOC, Network Technician, things along those line you could search for. A lot of people also start out on the helpdesk side, but I'd use this as my last resort if you can't find anything more network orientated.

Acknowledged74

I appreciate the reply. Wouldn't the Network Tech by entry level once I have the qualification?

I'm really looking for positions say in a company that will have CCNA, CCNP etc people but who need to employ people further down the food chain to do the grunt work, but still in the same sphere.

Hence me looking at cable pulling, though not exactly right a very low level career, but just a foot in the door.

I have look around at say Network Tech and admin entry level stuff but they all require the exams and some experience, so totally chicken and egg, how can you have 2 years experience for a £24,000+ a year entry level job, if you are only doing the courses now.

There must be somewhere before that, you know people getting £12,500-15,000 a year or whatever in the same companies, who dont have the qualifications and experience? But you have a foot in the door atleast for when you get the qualifications.

networker050184

Cable pulling is not going to translate over well. You'd be better off trying to get a NOC position. They hire entry level folks. Even if a position asks for 2 years experience just give it a shot. Someone will take a shot on you eventually.

Jon_Cisco

I have wondered about this too. When searching for networking I don't find anything looking for entry level. Most listing I find look for 5+ years experience so I know I'm not searching right yet.

Adding NOC to the keywords did seem to help my results.

networker050184

The issue is that networking is more of a mid level space in the IT industry. Employers are usually going to want some experience in a technology role first. Kind of like security.

DoubleNNs

The current position I have now is a networking role that asked for 3-5 years IT experience. I had 6 months worth.

And even when I started the job, I picked almost everything up by day 2 or 3. The actual work wasn't hard. My current position isn't very technical, but will look great on my resume when I complete my CCNA and look to move up.

So regardless of what the job ad may say, apply anyway. As long as you can do the job, someone will take the chance on you eventually.

gbdavidx

some folks can just have net+ can land noc technician jobs, i am applying for one now and don't even have net+ but i have a background in desktop/help desk and am currently working on net+ to get over to a NOC, then i'll study for ITIl and ccna

with certain noc's you can land system administrator role which is what I may go after next

ciscouser8429

a buddy of mine (printer tech) just got a job supporting cisco end users (admis, net eng, etc). He didn't even have a Net+. He I don't think he's making a lot of $, but he is def. going in the right direction since they are making get his CCNA and allowing him to study all day at work. I'm really happy for him and this has made me want to get my CCNA. He said he could get me in there, but I currently make almost double what he's making at my lead tech support position. When I do get my CCNA I will start looking for other options and if I can't find one I will apply where he works.

the point of my story is that you just have to find the right company. My friend didn't know much of anything about networks.

BTW I started as a cable puller and I always admired the cisco guys that came in to set up the network.

Good luck!