CCNA Field sevice jobs

[Mikel05]

Im looking to go in a differant direction. Im a field service tech, for years its been copiers, fax, printers. Recently everything is connected. For a few years now my job has been pushing certifications. I focused on CompTia. I have A+, Net+, Server+, and in January I plan on passing Security+. Now my job has been pushing certs....but not paying for them. so the loyalty is not there. I would like to stay in the "field". Im a little nervous. Ive been w/this company 13+ years, but they make it seem as if you don't get certified raises will vanish and the job may not be yours anymore. Last but not least, If I stay....my boss's view is "If Mike can pay it on his own, why can't everyone." QUESTION: which direction should I go to stay in the "field" CCNA or MCSA/MCSE.

 

[KiscoKid]

Both are useful for field engineers albeit I admit most of the field engineers I liase with have little or no certs. I've worked for 2 telecomms providers (one a global player) and thus we specialised in networking technologies.

For us, Cisco awareness was a must and, in my opinion, a CCNA would elevate a field engineer over most of the others I've worked with.

However it does kind of depend what interests you and/or who you'd like to work for and the work they do.

If fixing servers and PC's is your thing, MCSA seems the wise choice. If your'e a networking guy, CCNA makes sense.
If you want to mix it up a little, maybe grab both!

 

[Drakhan]

CCNA is a great certification to have. In fact, I am currently in graduate school and my "Networking Technology" class uses Todd Lammle's CCNA Study Guide, Deluxe Edition as its textbook. I was a bit surprised to learn that a graduate level technology class was using a CCNA book, but apparently the professor feels it is the right thing to learn. The nice thing about the Deluxe Edition is that it has a "network simulator" that allows you to put in actual Cisco IOS commands into switches and routers to "learn by doing."

I've been in the IT field for 11 years. During that time I've climbed the ladder and now work for one of the largest banks in the country in their Information Security department. I truely believe that certifications have allowed me the flexibility to get into an organization that not only pays for my certs, but is paying for my Masters degree as well.

Good luck to you. Don't be afraid of the change!

 

[CCIE9277]

CCNA is more of a springboard to bigger things, most Network Engineers working hands on with Cisco equipment should already know this information inside and out.

That being said its a great place to start if you want to get into the infrastructure side of networking.

 

[Mikel05]

Thank you everyone. I guess CCNA will be next. I have CCNA CBT from

http://www.testout.com.

I really enjoy there CBT's. I will also purchase Cisco CCNA Network Simulator. Any other recommendations?


EVERYONE THANKS AGAIN

 

[NetworkGhost]

Yeah, send me the simulator when your done!

 

[gwildfire]

Sybex CCNA book is also money well spent, if you can afford it go for real routers over sim's if not Boson is my reccomendation.



Visit

http://www.Cisco-Engineer.com

for free Cisco rack access.

 

[Mikel05]

Thanks gwildfire,

It'll have to be simulators. Boson's is on my wish list unless I hear from you guys. I plan on buying it used to save some $$$. Again, if anyone feels there is a better sim....let me know. As for sims. I read something that made me smile. When you test....it'll be a simulation. Truth to tell. I better focus on my Security + test first. Thank you all for your input. I believe I will be taking CCNA next.

Thanks and God Bless.
Mike

 

[NetworkGhost]

I got my CCNA over a year ago. Im going for Security+ now. Its a good cert to have. I think the Security field is pretty great right now.