Experience?

[WFComm]

So how does one obtain experience in this field other then a lab at home? I am in the phone industry and studying to get my ccna but how do I possibly find a place to show me the ropes?

 

[CiscoGuy33]

WFComm,

Other than a home lab which is how many CCNAs, CCNPs and CCIEs stay practiced and gain experience with Cisco networking, you might consider getting your CCNA by taking Cisco Network Academy classes.

The Academy program uses lots of hands on labs, great on-line content and constant testing to get you ready to be a CCNA and to take your CCNA exam. With this program you gain lots of experience because it is not just a "test prep" class!!!

There are 4 classes in the program and they are offered at many community colleges and adult education centers - just check out the link at

http://www.cisco.com.

Even with the hands-on you get in a classroom setup, it still helps to have a home labe if you are serious about Cisco networking.

Hope this helps!!

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

 

[silverhairb]

Check the possibility of internships with some of the local business. that's a good way to get some hands-on experience and maybe open the door at the business where you're interning.


[the other] Bill

 

[CiscoGuy33]

Bill,

Good idea if you can find any companies willing to take on an intern.

At the college I work, we have had a terrible time trying to find companies willing to take on an intern because of security concerns with the network and servers etc. They also are afraid of the liability in this sue happy world!!

Our own IT department does not want interns for the same reason. Sometimes it can be a union/labor thing also.

One place we have had some luck, is small private schools, churches or non-proffits where budgets are tight and the people they have are swamped and look forward to any help!

Hope this helps!!

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

 

[silverhairb]

Hi Gene,

Coming from a very security-oriented environment, I understand the concern.

A lot of the time, city governments can provide some intern opportunities. In your vicinity there are hundreds of small city government networks operations and a couple of county ones to check out. Of all the possible answers an intern could get, the absolutely worst thing they could say is no.

Might also have the students ask the A-B brewery in your neighborhood. That organization is historically generous. An intern could definitely get a foot in the door by doing a stint on-site with them.


[the other] Bill

 

[burtsbees]

Obtaining my CCNP with no professional experience did not do much for me, so I strongly advise against it.

I put my home labs on my resume, and even Tek-Tips! Also put the Cisco Academy as training, and my CCNA score (987). Luckily, the company I work for now was about 1-2 years out of going hard on supporting Cisco contracts, so they needed a CCNA/NP to fulfill the company requirements of being a Cisco partner/reseller. Trust me---obtain the CCNA ONLY, and just keep at it! Most companies hire via HR. If you have a CCNP, and are looking for a beginner position, every company will look at you as being over qualified. Having just a CCNA and putting your home lab in as practical experience IMHO will help!

Hang in there!

/

tim@tim-laptop ~ $ sudo apt-get install windows
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
E: Couldn't find package windows...Thank Goodness!

 

[burtsbees]

BTW---when I was hired at the company I work for now, I only had the CCNA. During the first few months (VERY slow period), I studied for and obtained my CCNP (though really actually studying all that year). Since then, I have had 2 promotions, and am making 25% more than what they started me at.

/

tim@tim-laptop ~ $ sudo apt-get install windows
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
E: Couldn't find package windows...Thank Goodness!

 

[WFComm]

Just curious...You say you got hired with just a CCNA. What were you hired for. What did you look for to put your resume in?

 

[ISPKing]

This is where i have to disagree/agree with burtsbees, I only had my BSCI and i beat out 80 other applicants at my job and i now am ccnp and a lead network tech for and ISP Making market salary for a ccnp. You should most definitely pursue a ccnp, but remember any thing above a ccna will most likely land you a fix it man position, getting the ccna is not a hard task, but actually remembering 3 months later the states of pvst is, thats where you really have to be diligent and love cisco, Right know All i do is play with cisco 7200's and ubr 10k., design igp and egp topologies, but before that i was a consultant, and i got that with my ccna. Obviously tho i didn't just study the book. I built my self a lab about 400$ worth, and it was like instant experience. You really got to love it tho. Right know i have a 28u rack stacked with equip, cost me 5k so far and i am not done building. I am using that for my ccie study, and i am planning to sit the written in April, and then the lab, along with that i am also doing a dual study for the ccip. Service provider is where i want to be, nothing better then playing with oc-3 and oc-12's. All in all cisco is a great way to go, i think i did pretty well for a kid who still cant legally drink until this October