Should you be aspiring to become Cisco accredited, but you haven't worked with switches and routers, it's likely you'll need CCNA certification. This teaches you the knowledge you need to understand routers. The internet is constructed from huge numbers of routers, and large commercial ventures with various different locations also need routers to keep their networks in touch.
The kind of jobs requiring this type of knowledge mean you'll be more likely to work for national or international companies that have various different locations but need their computer networks to talk to each other. The other possibility is joining an internet service provider. Both types of jobs command good salaries.
The correct skill set and understanding before commencing your Cisco training is crucial. Therefore, it's probably necessary to speak to an advisor who can fill you in on any gaps you may have.
Usually, trainers will provide piles of reference manuals and workbooks. Obviously, this isn't much fun and not a very good way of studying effectively. We see a huge improvement in memory retention with an involvement of all our senses - this has been an accepted fact in expert circles for many years.
Learning is now available via DVD-ROM discs, so you can study at your own computer. Through video streaming, you can sit back and watch the teachers showing you precisely how to perform the required skill, and then practice yourself - via the interactive virtual lab's. It's imperative to see examples of the study materials provided by your chosen company. They have to utilise video demo's and interactive elements such as practice lab's.
Go for CD or DVD ROM based materials if possible. You're then protected from broadband 'downtime' or slow-speeds.
If an advisor doesn't ask many questions - the likelihood is they're really a salesperson. If they're pushing towards a particular product before looking at your personality and experience, then you know you're being sold to. In some circumstances, the training start-point for a trainee with a little experience is substantially different to someone just starting out. Commencing with a user skills program first will sometimes be the most effective way to get up and running on your IT program, but really depends on your level of familiarity with computers.
With so much choice, it's not really surprising that nearly all students balk at what job they should even pursue. Because without any previous experience in IT, in what way could we know what any job actually involves? Getting to the right conclusion really only appears through a systematic investigation across many altering key points:
* What hobbies you're involved with in your spare-time - these often highlight what things will provide a happy working life.
* Is it your desire to achieve a key aim - for instance, becoming self-employed as quickly as possible?
* How highly do you rate salary - is it very important, or is day-to-day enjoyment a lot higher on the priority-scale?
* Considering the huge variation that IT encapsulates, you'll need to be able to absorb what's different.
* Our advice is to think deeply about what kind of effort and commitment you're going to give to your education.
For the average person, sifting through so much data will require meeting with a professional that has direct industry experience. And not just the qualifications - but the commercial needs and expectations of industry too.
Student support is absolutely essential - find a program that provides 24x7 direct access, as anything else will annoy you and definitely hamper your progress. Look for training with proper support available at any time you choose (even 1am on Sunday morning!) Make sure it's always access directly to professional tutors, and not a call-centre that will take messages so you're parked in a queue of others waiting to be called back during office hours.
Top training companies utilise several support facilities from around the world. An online system provides an interactive interface to seamlessly link them all together, any time of the day or night, there is always help at hand, without any contact issues or hassle. Never compromise when you're looking for the right support service. The majority of students that give up, are in that situation because of support (or the lack of).