Value of CCNA 1

[macdiesel1]

I know it varies by location, but based on my resume about how much more money could I get from an employer if I get the CCNA cert? I plan on getting it anyway, but I am just curious how poewrful it is when it comes to getting another job.

I have 3 years in various roles ranging from hardware support and repair to currently Desktop support at an Architecural firm.

Current Certs - A+, Network +, MCDST, MCP (Windows XP)

9 Months away from an Associates in Computer Networking Systems

 

[lerdalt]

I'll give the Cisco answer...it depends. I think it all depends on the employer and what direction you see yourself going within the company.

For me, my CCNA did not give me any more money than I would have normally gotten at my review. HOWEVER, it did give me a better understanding of some of the things I was working on/with. Of course, the CCNA was also recommended for my position.

Now, the CCNP did help me get promoted.

 

[silverhairb]

Most positions have salary ranges within which a hiring manager / human resourses staffer have to work. If they lay out the resumes of those that qualify for a given position, having additional letters behind you name may mean the difference between getting hired for the job or having your resume placed "on file" for future reference.

That said, there may be particular positions for which a CCNA may only open the door. The more selective the position requirements, the higher the potential salary. Can't put a dollar sign on it since that's something that typically also requires a careful balance and negotiating skills. Also depends on the competition for a given position.

As a former manager, positions that I had available were filled by the best people I could find. Certifications and education only opened the door, personality, experience and accomplishments (not necessarily always in that order) got the applicant an office.

[the other] Bill

 

[macdiesel1]

Thanks guys.

 

[CiscoGuy33]

macdiesel1,

Normally CCNA on the resume will get you an INTERVIEW where you might have been over-looked with the hundreds of other people trying to get the same job but without a CCNA But it really depends on how well you learn Cisco and CCNA - just enough to pass the exam and you MIGHT make it through a technical interview, well enough to "Talk the talk and walk the walk", and they might do just about anything to get you on their team

I have been teaching CCNA wannabee's since 1999 and those that half-ass it do not go far, those that set up a lab and learn it like the back of their hands normally do very well and the $$$$ follows!

Word of advice, you said -"9 Months away from an Associates in Computer Networking Systems" when you are done with your AS continue on and get your BS or BA in ANYTHING - that will mean MORE on your resume in years to come then just about any cert short of CCIE

In fact, I myself am finishing my BS in Management Technology and then moving onto my Masters at my age of 49, wish I would have done this when I was 21. If you are young - DO IT NOW!!!!! You will NEVER REGRET IT!!! At some point you will want to be a supervisor, manager or some other upper level position and YOU WILL FIND YOU WILL NEED AT LEAST A BS or BA - as Nike says - JUST DO IT!!!

Hope this helps!


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

 

[silverhairb]

AMEN to THAT!! And well put, Gene.

Most places that offer the kinds of positions that actually pay a good salary and have good advancement opportunities don't even interview candidates without a Bachelor's degree or a brazillion years of experience to make up for it. There's too much competition in the job market and there are a LOT of four-year graduates pounding the pavement looking for a good job. Sometimes its all about the discipline needed to get a degree in a specialized field.

[the other] Bill

 

[macdiesel1]

Would a simulator work near as well as a physical lab? What would you consider a good lab? I have a Cisco 2900 switch already. I need a router obviously. How many pc's?

 

[macdiesel1]

I may march on and get a BA, but I haven't decided yet. I am 26 and when I initially went to college out of high school I hated it and told myself I would never go back. Well here I am and it's not bad now that I am a little more mature and willing to put the time in. It is just hard to imagine another 2 years of class 3 nights a week for 4 hours a piece after working 40 hours. I know it would be worth it but....

 

[CiscoGuy33]

macdiesel1,

Like I said - you can half-ass it or you can learn it like the back of your hand, I have YET to see someone hired to work on a Cisco sim

I will say sims are good practice, and practice is practice BUT - if you want to be good, you can not use sims to do everything and even the emulators have limits.

You want to rack the equipment, figure out the cables and the network modules and the WICS etc. setup a PC using TCP/IP and connect it to a switch that is connected to a router that is talking to other routers that are connected to another switch that is connected to another PC that you are able to exchange files with etc. - NETWRKING - END TO END NETWORKING!!!!!

As far as a good lab - read some of the posts here, we have discussed it in GREAT detail. A 2924 is a good start but you really want a 2950 switch, you should have 3 switches so you can do VLANs, truncking VTP etc. as far as routers 26xxXM routers and 3640 routers are very good and not that bad on Ebay - read the blog below

Also read this blog at Network Wold by Wendell Odom CCIE and Cisco author about setting up a CCNA lab -

http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/24916

Hope this helps!!!


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

 

[CiscoGuy33]

macdiesel1,

TRUST ME - it is no easier when you are 49 at 26 you have the energy that YOU WILL NOT HAVE AT 49 or at least more of it!!

Even if you drop back to 2 classes a semester - JUST DO IT, the nice thing is that your 3rd and 4th years are mostly ALL your major classes like computers or networking or security etc. stuff you should be interested in, if you are not - you might want to rethink what you are doing because moving into most Cisco or networking jobs you are ALWAYS trying to stay up with the latest technology - YOU BETTER LIKE IT

I have had lots of students that took my classes at the college I teach (it is a Cisco Network Academy also) that were just taking the classes because of the $$$$$$ - they got out real fast, it is very hard to do day in and day out if you do not enjoy it!!

All I can say is ------- TRUST ME

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

 

[itsp1965]

If you guys don't mind my 2 cents... As someone who doesn't work as a network engineer/technician, I got my CCNA a few years back and unfortunately let it lapse, now I am going back to get it again not because I plan on working in the field, it is because I have found the knowledgebase it provides extremely useful in previous positions as a server administrator (I had to configure routers and switches on occasion) and now working as an infrastructure architect, having to review networking components for application environments we deploy. My knowledge of basic Cisco networking has helped me a lot so regardless as to whether you plan to pursue a career in networking, if you plan to work in IT where you will be exposed to networks and network concepts, I think the CCNA is an excellent addition to your repertoire of skillsets

 

[silverhairb]

I agree. And for anyone interested in getting into PCI reviews, the knowledge gained by studying for CCNA will be valuable in performing PCI assessments. There's a lot of money in doing PCI assessments, but also liability. That's where the additional knowledge make a difference.

[the other] Bill

 

[burtsbees]

42.

Burt

 

[silverhairb]

lol

[the other] Bill

 

[maczen]

So what does that make 43?

[Yet Another]Bill

B Haines
CCNA R&S, ETA FOI

 

[silverhairb]

meaning of life + 1?

[the other] Bill

 

[macdiesel1]

What are PCI review/assessments?

 

[burtsbees]

Hitchhiker's Guide To The Universe, Billy...

Burt

 

[silverhairb]

PCI = Payment Card Industry, basically MasterCard and Visa.

The program sets minimum security requirements for organizations that handle bankcard / credit card transactions. Merchants, back-office processors, POS concentrators, etc. Just about anybody that touches a credit card transaction. PCI reviews are conducted by third-parties to assess compliance with the requirements. There are a lot of requirements for securing the networks used to transport the transactions and the systems used to process, store and forward those transactions.

Consider that a merchant accepting a credit card for a purchase has to have a large supporting infrastructure behind them. The tx has to be authorized, the transactions have to be captured and reconciled against sales totals, then submitted for clearing through the merchant's bank, and then the merchant has to actually get paid for the transaction (settlement).

Its pretty complex, but there are security requirements at each point in the process. Typically the reviewers / assessors are pretty agile and experienced in a wide variety of security disciplines.


[the other] Bill