CCNA to Job?

[GoldenHaddock]

Cisco claim that there is massive demand for network professionals...and say that the average starting wage is £30k.....I very much doubt I will be getting £30k when I graduate, but I was wondering how easy it is to find work?

I would like to continue to specialise in Security, I presume that would increase job chances?

TIA.

 

[CiscoGuy33]

GoldenHaddock,

I think you have at least 2 different types of CCNAs. "Paper" CCNAs who study a TestKing or go to a 1 week "boot camp" and pass the exam and those CCNAs that take the time to learn the information well, not just to pass an exam.

Our local international airport was looking for several CCNAs - they had 5 apply and having been burned in the past by "paper" MCSEs they presented the 5 with a Cisco 2600 router and asked them to break the password. 2 did it with ease, 1 thought he could but fumbled having never touched a Cisco router before and 2 had no idea where to start. The 1st 2 ended up with a very good job.

I think that the bottom line is - if you know something well (not just pass an exam) you will rise to the top and find a good job.

Just look at the average house or small business, 7 years ago they had maybe 1 computer, now most have several computers, switches, routers, firewalls, web servers high-speed connections etc. Someone needs to understand how it all works.

I think that the more you learn in the way of security the better.


I hope this helps!!




E.A. Broda
CCNA, CCDA, CCAI, Network +

 

[GoldenHaddock]

It does, yes, thanks!

I have been studying the CCNA course for almost two years now, I am just finishing off my CCNA4 (online final exam is tomorrow!).

I still have a year left at university...I was just wondering what the job prospects are...I don't want to have done all this work and then find it hard to get a job!

I would ideally like to study the CCSP while working!!

 

[CiscoGuy33]

GoldenHaddock,

Good luck to you as you complete your school work and CCNA.

If you can - do the CCSP as you finish college, security is going to be a HOT subject for the next several years.




E.A. Broda
CCNA, CCDA, CCAI, Network +