So you want to become a network engineer? I have a lot of people asking that exact question – “How can I get into Computer Networking?” or “How to become a Network Engineer?”. I personally think that anyone who asks these questions and has a desire to learn about computer networks is doing themselves a big favour that will benefit them for the rest of their lives.
There are many reasons to want to become a network engineer: great pay, great companies, good benefits, or to simply work with great technology. In addition, it opens the door to the IT world and maybe you can find yourself learning further technologies such as Linux to be an Ops Engineer or coding to be a Developer. Once you got into the IT field, the sky is the limit! When you work as Network Engineer, the exposure to technology is huge since you’ll be working on the “plumbing” that allows a computer system to work.
According to PayScale, a network engineer in United States earns an annual salary between $57,000 – $117,000 (including additional benefits).
But getting yourself into a position like this may not always be the easiest thing to achieve. In today’s market competition is fierce. In this post we will list some ways that may help you get that cool network engineering job and potentially boost your career.
Network Engineer Training and Certifications
The first and most direct way to easily get a job working as a network engineer is to do some self-study and get a vendor certification like a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA). Anyone who already has an IT certification knows these certification tests are not easy if taken correctly (means NOT cheating!). And Cisco tests are, in my opinion, the hardest tests out there.
The current CCNA test not only will test your book knowledge on the theory of computer networking, TCP/IP, and the OSI model but will also test your “practical knowledge” of actually performing the hands-on tasks that may be called upon you as a junior network engineer.
The one thing that set Cisco and Juniper tests apart from other vendors are the router emulators. Router emulators are very common on the CCNA and are very realistic. For this reason, people who pass a Cisco exam not just good test takers, they know their stuff. To pass the CCNA I would highly recommend starting with one of the great books on the CCNA.
Get to the online bookstore and find books that keep your attention and are easy for you to read (here our selection of best books about computer networking). Next, invest in a practice exam like one from Boson. Test questions are worded very tricky and taking these practice tests will guarantee you getting the multiple choice stuff correct. Finally, you will need to work on your router skills.
Either purchase a metal router on eBay or download the software emulator GNS3. GNSs is a free router emulator that can help you immensely and best of all its free. These three things combined will land you that certificate, they will increase your value in the workplace, and will most likely get in the door to do some real hands-on networking. Of course, you still have to pass the interview 🙂
And talking about certifications, nowadays Cisco is not the only option anymore: Juniper Networks is gaining traction in the market and as a consequence Juniper experts are in high demand. You don’t need Cisco to be a great network engineer, You can become Juniper Networks Certified Associate – Junos (JNCIA-Junos) in a few weeks and unlock access to more advanced certification tracks.
On the Job Training
Sometimes poring over the Career Builder website or the LinkedIn job boards can yield you a nice selection of network jobs you may qualify for without having a certification. These jobs will typically pay less however will offer the opportunity to learn and may provide training to advance yourself to get a CCNA or even superior certifications.
Self Study
For some people, the best way to learn about a new topic or field of interest is self-study, intended as getting a course of some kind (e.g. books, audio, video, etc.) and working on it. We have a great article about the 10 top books for Network Engineers, check it out! For audio and video courses, a great resource is the evergreen Youtube which offers free content.
College
Colleges today recognise the demand for skilled I.T. people in the workplace and have started to establish certification programs that will allow you to earn your CCNA or CCNP which will definitely launch you in the the computer networking hot seat. The benefit of College programs is that these often qualify for grants and loans that may not otherwise be available.
Military
This option seems to be overlooked and is last on the list of where to find quality training, but really this should be one of the first on many peoples list. The biggest problem is that working in the Army, Air Force, Navy or Marines is often misunderstood. Each branch is significantly different and each has their own training and benefits.
Most people envision Hollywood movie footage of “Black Hawk Down” living in the desert eating C-rations. Of course those jobs, locations, and duties do exist, however, life in the military is far different and the educational benefits are tremendous! The US military offers some great programs that will get your hands on some of the latest technology and networks that you can find in the civilian world. Nowhere else can you find a place that will immediately give you a paycheck, provide you with all the food you can eat, comfortable living quarters, new clothes and a world-class education.
Passing the job interview to become a Network Engineer
1. Do I Need a degree to Become a Network Engineer?
One myth or preconception of becoming a network engineer is that you have to have a college degree. This is not true. The job title Network Engineer or certification Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) does not necessarily mean that you are a “REAL” engineer. By this I mean a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, or other accredited degreed credential.
As a matter of fact titles such as these undermine the credibility of real engineers. Job titles like Systems Engineer and Network Engineer began popping up shortly after network and computer equipment vendors came out with similar certification names. For example, Novel created the Certified Novell Engineer (CNE) to provide a way to indicate an employee knew and could work on Novell equipment. To get this “certification” you simply had to pass 5 tests created for Novell server systems. Microsoft quickly copied Novell by creating the Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE). This took off in popularity and soon I.T. departments were flooded with “paper MCSE’s”. Finally Cisco took their certifications to a new level and created their own certification, the CCIE, positioning it at the top of the heap by adding an incredibly difficult hands on lab.
2. Do I Need to Pass the CCNA or CCNP to Take the CCIE?
Many people think that you need to complete the CCNA or CCNP in order to take the CCIE. This is not true. The only prerequisite for taking the CCIE lab is to pass the CCIE qualification exam (also known as the CCIE written).
3. I’m in school now, Should I Finish My Degree or should I Take the CCNA?
From all of the questions we receive, many of of you are in college (or are close to getting your college degree) and are curious if you should finish your degree or just skip ahead and take the CCNA. Our recommendation is of course to FINISH YOUR DEGREE! The CCNA is just one test that can be studied and passed at anytime. Getting your degree takes much more study and dedication and should be completed.
4. Will Passing the CCNA Get Me Hired as a Network Engineer?
No certification test will guarantee you get hired or even get you to an interview for a network engineer job. But many network jobs do require at least a CCNA to get your foot in the door or to be able to be considered for an interview. The CCNA is the basic entry level routing and switching exam and show employers you know at least the basics of how to do the job. Will the CCNA get you a job? No. But it may help get you talking to the hiring manager so you can sell yourself.
5. I Have No Experience, What Is The Best Way to Get a Job as a Network Engineer?
If you have zero experience in networking and zero experience with computers your first task is to learn computing. Buy a computer, take it apart and put it back together again. Learn how computers work first, then move on to learning how networks work. Next, take a look at studying for and passing networking certifications.
6. Will Learning UNIX/Linux Help Me with Networking?
Yes! Most routers and switches are based on a Linux/Unix operating system. Learning Unix or Linux will go a long way to helping you understand how advanced computer systems operate as well as how network computers communicate.
7. I have little experience but I passed the CCNA and got hired as a desktop admin. Is this job right for me?
Only you can decide if the job is right for you. If you enjoy the work and love what you do than that is the most important thing to consider. Don’t worry about what the job title is.
If your new boss hired you and stuck you on desktop duty… this may have been done to judge your overall performance and see how well you work with in the company culture. Also the risk factor for a company with a new hire is much less by having that new hire first work on desktops. If a new employee makes a on a single desktop. The only impact to the company is that one desktop needs to be rebuilt. However, if that same new employee is given a task to work on a network switch or router and mistakenly wipes out the entire VLAN database, effecting hundreds if not thousands of workstations, this would cause massive revenue loss for the company. Both you and your new boss would get fired!
8. Should I Take the CCNP or Just Go for the CCIE?
The statistics for passing the CCIE is only 3%. Thats a 97% failure rate. Compare this to the MCAT or the BAR and CCIE is THE hardest exam to pass in the world! Unless you have an employer or someone who will sponsor you to fail the test at least twice as well as pay for you to take the test a third time and pass, I would go for the CCNP.
9. I Passed the CCNA (CCNP) and Got an Interview but Didn’t Get the Job. Why?
Having a certification is great but honestly this piece of paper doesn’t say anything about you as a person or your experience. When you go to an interview one the biggest things an employers looks for is to see how well you will get along with the team (read as soft skills). You can be the greatest network engineer in the world but also difficult to work with and not a great team player. You need to be able to demonstrate your ability to work on a team and contribute to their person brand. But how? Try working on your personal brand and take a look at our soft skills interview questions.
10. Whats The Best Way to Study to Become a Network Engineer?
The best way to learn networking is by doing. The least expensive way, if you have access to an IOS image is to install a Router Simulator and practice working with real routers in a virtual environment right on your desktop
If you don’t have access to an IOS image or don’t feel comfortable working with a freeware router simulator you can install the router simulator from Boson. It installs very easy but it is not cheap!
You could also look for Packeteer from Cisco. You may have to buy this also as its usually only available to Cisco Academy folks.
Buy a cheap router from eBay! Probably the easiest and least expensive routes is to simply buy an old used router off of eBay. You can find a decent router from under a hundred bucks that will get you everything you need.
One last thing you will need to help prepare you for passing the CCNA or CCNP is some practice questions or testing software.
There are lots of ways for motivated people to change their life, and land a job as a network engineer. Doing so will allow you to make a good living and work with some awesome technology. Getting there is up to you. Whether it be self-study, classroom training, college or the military, if you truly want to work as a network engineer there is a way. You just have to do it, with passion and determination.
As Yoda once said – “Do or Do Not, There is no Try.”
Joe Wilson
Senior Network Engineer, technology enthusiast, guitar and bass player. Joe Wilson is the creator of RouterFreak.com as well as other niche websites that can be found around on the Internets.
302 Responses
Dear Sir,I have completed I.T college from IPMC and i successfuly came out with I.T.EXPERT in Systems and Networking Engineering.The courses are as follows:A+,N+, Linux Fundamental,MCSE,Linux Administration, CCNA,Ms Exchange server 2007 and Linux Advance Administration.If i may ask,are my on the to become SENIOR SYSTEM AND NETWORK ENGINEER.What is I.T.EXPERT and What is the difference between Diploma and Advanced Certificate.
hey i am living in usa florida ,i passed my BE from India in electronics & communication in 2004.i had job in india as support engineer in Nokia but it just contract company i worked there for 2 years.than i married and came usa in 2008 .i tried for my engineering job but still in 2011 i did get job in engineering field ,so decided to pass CCNA exams i did it before 2 month ,now i apply for job still i didnt get replay for any company.so tell me what i have to do in my next step to get network engineering job
I am MCA pass out and still not getting any job, i am intrested in Network Engeneer job, what should i hav to do to do to get a CCNA certification with this will i able to get a good job. and except CCNA what will be required qualification for that job.
I have a college degree from a top-tier university in the US. I am A+, and MCP certified. I got my CCNA in March last year. I am currently about 75-80% done with my CCNP, but i can't even get a junior network engineer job. Also prior to doing my cisco training, i had over eight doing break/fix technical support, and setting up home and small business networks. I even moved from Boston to Houston in TX because i couldn't find a job in Boston. I work currently as a Tier 1 Technical Support Engineer supporting over 3000 small networks running linksys and netgear basic routers remotely throughout the US and the Caribbeans and it sucks to say the list,and has nothing close to what i am studying or want to do. I want to do CCNP Security, and MCITP Enterprise after i am done with my CCNP but i am wondering whether it is even worth it.
Highly appreciate your passion to help others…me need an advice from you….
i am working in travel company…in india. and looking for a change… realy intrsd …in network engineering….is it a good option for me … which level i hve to start…. and how is the current oprtuniy…. can i go ahead…. ?? plz
I have to be honest, but without knowing how much experience you have, its hard for me to really give you any advise. I can tell you that you need a good bit of experience working with computers, repairing computers, understanding how computers communicate. This will help greatly. You also need to have a good grasp of TCP/IP and subnetting.
Once you have these concepts understood, you should begin studying for your CCENT or CCNA. CCENT the most entry level certification you can get, but may allow you to obtain employment where you can work on your networking skills.
Getting your CCNA is always a good start. When you couple it with any other certifications, degree, etc. you should certainly be able to get a good job.
Don't be tempted to take the first job that comes along. Make sure that the job duties appear to be something that you would like to do. You shouldn't stop at your CCNA either. The CCNP will opens many doors for you that the CCNA will not.
To start off with i have done N+ course from NIIT,SAN(storage area networking course from NIIT)
i hav worked in a company …..my work was based on learning the configuration of cisco routers and netwrking protocols like OSPF and RIP…..but now im looking for a job change and hav updated my resume with this but im not geting the job related ….im getting job offers for call centers and bpos……which i dont want to do……1)i want to know wat job v ll get if v update in our resume that v have done N+ and SAN
2)wat work does a system admin does???
3)wat work does a network admin does????
actually im bit confused and need ur advice regarding this………
Hi Divya,
Depending on where you are applying for jobs and the availability for jobs in that area will greatly depend on your chances for getting a networking job.
For example, if you are applying for a job as a network engineer in Jacksonville Florida, you may have a harder time find employment then if you were applying for a job in say Dallas, Texas, US. Each area, city, region is different. Think about supply and demand from high school economics. If there are not many jobs in the city you are applying for (supply) then it will be harder to find employment (demand).
You may want to consider widening your scope in your search. You may also have to consider relocation to an area where you can find the job you are searching for.
I hope this advise is helpful to you and good luck in your search.
For Linux you might want to look at either RedHat certification courses or even Sun classes.
There is a lot of information on the web for linux and you can easily teach your self linux and obtain a job once you become familiar with the operting system
What entry level certification should i be looking at getting in Australia/NZ? I see that you mention the Cisco certification as a great place to start, are these certificates valid internationally?
Cisco certifications are very much used internationally. One of our authors and good friend Andres Villalva is from Australia working as a Cisco engineer. The good thing about Cisco is that it is jut about everywhere.
The problem with working on Cisco equipment is that I would say it would be a good place to start if you haven't worked in I.T. or on computers. The Cisco CCNA is a great place to start when you want to move into working on computer networks after you have a bit of computer knowledge and experience under your belt.
If you're just coming out of high school (for example) and want to get some experience working on computers, you could start out working on desktops, then advance to servers and then finally networks. This will give you a well rounded background too.
If you're coming out of college with a degree in computer science, then I would have to assume you have some experience "playing" with computers. So a CCNA may work for you. Just know that the less experience you have working with and understanding how computers work and communicate the more difficult the CCNA will be for you.
Best of luck Simon and let us know how things turn out!
I'm looking at a bit of a career change, well really a step back into IT. I spent my early years as a computer technician in the UK before moving to NZ and taking up a procurement role which I have now been doing for nearly 8 years. Now, I think a return to IT would be a good step for me.
I'd say my computer knowledge is at a pretty good level but being out of the industry for so long has left me with more than a few black spots. I think starting with the CCENT certificate would be my best bet to catch up on what I need to know to start my transition back into this field of work.
Due to family reasons, and the fact that I'm unfortunately not working in a related field I have decided to try and self study in preparation for my ICND1 exam. Where would be the best place for me to start?
It's hard for me to say… but from your explanation the job doesn't sound very network oriented… more administrative. Looking at your dates though its sounds like you just got the job and just recently passed your CCNA.
there is a certain level of experience that employers will want. If your coming into the field with absolutely no experience, an employer maybe reluctant to let you work on the network. The reason being that any mistake you make will have far reaching consequences. For example… if a desktop tech makes a mistake it will most likely only effect that one desktop…. if a network administrator or engineer who maintains a large network supporting hundreds or thousands of computers makes a mistake… it will effect hundreds or thousands of computers and cause serious revenue loss for the company.
I guess a question you should ask yourself is "Do you like your job?" Do you like the work that your current assigned to do? If not, then maybe it's not the right fit for you. Does the company you're with provide for advancement (will you be able to be promote to a better position in a year or two)? Does the company you're with pay for education (Will they pay for you to get your CCNP)?
Only you can answer these questions and how you feel about where you are working.
Hi Yathiraj,
I have replied to your previous post. Please know that to become a network expert takes time. To be an "expert" in anything takes time and experience. Be patient and you will become an expert in whatever it is you love to do.
It is passion that drives people to become experts in their field. Be passionate
🙂
I think u r the right person to clear my douts and confusion…Here i go….
I finished BE in Computer science with good percentage and i was purely interested in networking so i did networking course CCNA and i cleared it in December of 2010.After that i got a job in MNC company at Jan 2011 and now i am working there but my parents r not interested to do this job since its less salary compare to development field.
In this company they hv given me the job to work as destop monitoring like installation of os and software and troubleshooting of that things and i am trying to move on to next level like CCNP,do i need practical experience to do CCNP or can i go through it directly….I am full of confused and afraid that is this job is good start for my career…In this company they told to get experience in the destop level after that we will push u to network based on yr performance…So please help me out….
Yathiraj,
You do not need practical experience to study and pass the CCNP. Though you will certainly need hands on experience as many of the questions are hands on question. There are a lot of people who pass the CCNP without a lot of practical experience, it can be done. It will be easier though with more practical experience.
Your parents are correct that a development job would have a higher starting salary. But, in my opinion you should do the work that you love. If you love networking then that is your path. If you love development then that is your best path. You may want to consider combining the two and into network development… where you develop networking software for routers, switches, etc.
I am employed with an MNC for the last 5 years and currently working as a Work Force Management Analyst. I am looking for a change and see Networking as an option. With a commerce grad, i am not sure of my options in this . I have read the earlier posts and what i understand is CCNA is the start for a Network Engineer. I have plans of going to US and if possible take up courses and work at the same time. I am not sure where to start from. Please help me with the universities and courses in US. Thanks in Advance!
Kishore,
For most people who pursue a CCNA they usually attain it by self study. You can pick up a book at Amazon.com or any large book seller that will help you begin your training for CCNA.
There are also companies that offer classroom training for the CCNA. One good company that I have personally used is CCBOOTCAMP. They are located in Las Vegas and offer excellent training.
If this does not work for you, you can also try CBTNuggets as they offer an excellent video course for CCNA study.
Thanks for the quick response. I had consulted one of my friend who is a network engineer and he suggets that i take up CCIE instead. Do i need to have a CCNA and CCNP cetrification before i start CCIE? The companies which you have mentioned, do thay provide this course. One last thing which i wanted to check on is the duration of the course and tution fees involved.
No Kishore you don't have to have any other certifications in order to take and pass with CCIE. The CIsco CCIE is the only certification that does not require and prerequisite exam.
But understand that the success rate for passing the BAR exam for lawyers is higher that the success rate for passing the CCIE exam. It is a difficult test.
Most of the companies I have listed above do offer CCIE study courses. But the majority of this will only help you on the wirtten portion. For the lab portion of the exam you will need to either rent or buy a stack of network equipment to practice taking the CCIE lab.
The key to passing the CCIE lab is time management. You have to KNOW the technology and be able to configure and troubleshoot your network very fast!
I am currently serving in the military due to leave next year, i use computers on a day to day basis in my branch. I have gained comptia A+2009 and an MCP, I aim to complete my Network + by the time i leave. What are the chances of me being able to walk straight into a job in civvy street, would i need to do more course? Many thanks Eddie
Hands down I would get your CCNA at least. That should get your foot in the door. If you have time try to also knock out at least one of the CCNP tests too.. ROUTE or SWITCH… that way you can word your resume in a way that shows you are "in the middle of your CCNP"
You should have no trouble with getting job. Let me know hows things go for you!
i am varatha studying final year computer science engineering student.i finished ccna course only bt due to finishing the degree i didnt complete certifications, thn how i got the job after finishing degree pls sir tell information about that matter i am n gr8 confusions here sir
Hi Varatha,
My advice for you is to finish your degree. Then study and pass your CCNA. Once you have your degree and your CCNA certification – update your resume and start applying for jobs. You can go to places like Careerbuilder or Monster.com and search for the keyword "Cisco" or the keyword "CCNA" …. this will pull up a lot of jobs that you qualify for. Submit your resume and wait for phone calls. Recruiters will be calling.
Once you get to this point and your taking phone calls and interviewing… you can start your study for your CCNP.
Good luck – and don't worry, everything will work out 🙂
I'm studying second year computer science engineering, i want to study ccna. When can i study that? by finishing my degree or i can start now itself. I need your advice…..
Hi Mohan,
You can start work on your CCNA at any time. You don't have to have a degree. Many engineers I have worked with do not have degrees and only have Cisco certifications.. however getting your degree will definitely look better on your resume
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302 Responses
Dear Sir,I have completed I.T college from IPMC and i successfuly came out with I.T.EXPERT in Systems and Networking Engineering.The courses are as follows:A+,N+, Linux Fundamental,MCSE,Linux Administration, CCNA,Ms Exchange server 2007 and Linux Advance Administration.If i may ask,are my on the to become SENIOR SYSTEM AND NETWORK ENGINEER.What is I.T.EXPERT and What is the difference between Diploma and Advanced Certificate.
hey i am living in usa florida ,i passed my BE from India in electronics & communication in 2004.i had job in india as support engineer in Nokia but it just contract company i worked there for 2 years.than i married and came usa in 2008 .i tried for my engineering job but still in 2011 i did get job in engineering field ,so decided to pass CCNA exams i did it before 2 month ,now i apply for job still i didnt get replay for any company.so tell me what i have to do in my next step to get network engineering job
hi joe,
I am MCA pass out and still not getting any job, i am intrested in Network Engeneer job, what should i hav to do to do to get a CCNA certification with this will i able to get a good job. and except CCNA what will be required qualification for that job.
hi,
i am currently working as an field engg(MUX)in ttsl…is that possible to become a level 2 network engg after getting exp in this field?
I have a college degree from a top-tier university in the US. I am A+, and MCP certified. I got my CCNA in March last year. I am currently about 75-80% done with my CCNP, but i can't even get a junior network engineer job. Also prior to doing my cisco training, i had over eight doing break/fix technical support, and setting up home and small business networks. I even moved from Boston to Houston in TX because i couldn't find a job in Boston. I work currently as a Tier 1 Technical Support Engineer supporting over 3000 small networks running linksys and netgear basic routers remotely throughout the US and the Caribbeans and it sucks to say the list,and has nothing close to what i am studying or want to do. I want to do CCNP Security, and MCITP Enterprise after i am done with my CCNP but i am wondering whether it is even worth it.
Thanks
Hi Joe..
Highly appreciate your passion to help others…me need an advice from you….
i am working in travel company…in india. and looking for a change… realy intrsd …in network engineering….is it a good option for me … which level i hve to start…. and how is the current oprtuniy…. can i go ahead…. ?? plz
Hi Vipin,
Thank you for your kind words.
I have to be honest, but without knowing how much experience you have, its hard for me to really give you any advise. I can tell you that you need a good bit of experience working with computers, repairing computers, understanding how computers communicate. This will help greatly. You also need to have a good grasp of TCP/IP and subnetting.
Once you have these concepts understood, you should begin studying for your CCENT or CCNA. CCENT the most entry level certification you can get, but may allow you to obtain employment where you can work on your networking skills.
I hope this helps!
Good Luck
Joe
hi….if iam having 57% in my b'tech frm information technology but i have passed ccna exam ……..should i get a good job…???pls rply…..
u r gr8…….u too a ccna certified
Getting your CCNA is always a good start. When you couple it with any other certifications, degree, etc. you should certainly be able to get a good job.
Don't be tempted to take the first job that comes along. Make sure that the job duties appear to be something that you would like to do. You shouldn't stop at your CCNA either. The CCNP will opens many doors for you that the CCNA will not.
Good luck!
p.s. Yes I am CCNA certified 🙂
Hi…
To start off with i have done N+ course from NIIT,SAN(storage area networking course from NIIT)
i hav worked in a company …..my work was based on learning the configuration of cisco routers and netwrking protocols like OSPF and RIP…..but now im looking for a job change and hav updated my resume with this but im not geting the job related ….im getting job offers for call centers and bpos……which i dont want to do……1)i want to know wat job v ll get if v update in our resume that v have done N+ and SAN
2)wat work does a system admin does???
3)wat work does a network admin does????
actually im bit confused and need ur advice regarding this………
regards
Divya
Hi Divya,
Depending on where you are applying for jobs and the availability for jobs in that area will greatly depend on your chances for getting a networking job.
For example, if you are applying for a job as a network engineer in Jacksonville Florida, you may have a harder time find employment then if you were applying for a job in say Dallas, Texas, US. Each area, city, region is different. Think about supply and demand from high school economics. If there are not many jobs in the city you are applying for (supply) then it will be harder to find employment (demand).
You may want to consider widening your scope in your search. You may also have to consider relocation to an area where you can find the job you are searching for.
I hope this advise is helpful to you and good luck in your search.
Joe
hello.sir
I m doing hardware & networking course .
sir, how can i become a linux operator.
For Linux you might want to look at either RedHat certification courses or even Sun classes.
There is a lot of information on the web for linux and you can easily teach your self linux and obtain a job once you become familiar with the operting system
Good luck
Hi Joe,
What entry level certification should i be looking at getting in Australia/NZ? I see that you mention the Cisco certification as a great place to start, are these certificates valid internationally?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Kind regards,
Simon
G'day Simon!
Cisco certifications are very much used internationally. One of our authors and good friend Andres Villalva is from Australia working as a Cisco engineer. The good thing about Cisco is that it is jut about everywhere.
The problem with working on Cisco equipment is that I would say it would be a good place to start if you haven't worked in I.T. or on computers. The Cisco CCNA is a great place to start when you want to move into working on computer networks after you have a bit of computer knowledge and experience under your belt.
If you're just coming out of high school (for example) and want to get some experience working on computers, you could start out working on desktops, then advance to servers and then finally networks. This will give you a well rounded background too.
If you're coming out of college with a degree in computer science, then I would have to assume you have some experience "playing" with computers. So a CCNA may work for you. Just know that the less experience you have working with and understanding how computers work and communicate the more difficult the CCNA will be for you.
Best of luck Simon and let us know how things turn out!
Hi Joe,
Thanks for the reply, I appreciate the help.
I'm looking at a bit of a career change, well really a step back into IT. I spent my early years as a computer technician in the UK before moving to NZ and taking up a procurement role which I have now been doing for nearly 8 years. Now, I think a return to IT would be a good step for me.
I'd say my computer knowledge is at a pretty good level but being out of the industry for so long has left me with more than a few black spots. I think starting with the CCENT certificate would be my best bet to catch up on what I need to know to start my transition back into this field of work.
Due to family reasons, and the fact that I'm unfortunately not working in a related field I have decided to try and self study in preparation for my ICND1 exam. Where would be the best place for me to start?
Thanks, I look forward to hearing from you.
Simon
Hai Joe,
Then What do u say about my work what i am working now is that fit for network…
It's hard for me to say… but from your explanation the job doesn't sound very network oriented… more administrative. Looking at your dates though its sounds like you just got the job and just recently passed your CCNA.
there is a certain level of experience that employers will want. If your coming into the field with absolutely no experience, an employer maybe reluctant to let you work on the network. The reason being that any mistake you make will have far reaching consequences. For example… if a desktop tech makes a mistake it will most likely only effect that one desktop…. if a network administrator or engineer who maintains a large network supporting hundreds or thousands of computers makes a mistake… it will effect hundreds or thousands of computers and cause serious revenue loss for the company.
I guess a question you should ask yourself is "Do you like your job?" Do you like the work that your current assigned to do? If not, then maybe it's not the right fit for you. Does the company you're with provide for advancement (will you be able to be promote to a better position in a year or two)? Does the company you're with pay for education (Will they pay for you to get your CCNP)?
Only you can answer these questions and how you feel about where you are working.
Keep in touch…
Joe
Then told based upon my performance they will promote me.It may be six months or one year.
They will not pay for the CCNP course..
Keep in touch
Yathiraj
Please reply for my msg.MY aim is to become a Network expert.
Hi Yathiraj,
I have replied to your previous post. Please know that to become a network expert takes time. To be an "expert" in anything takes time and experience. Be patient and you will become an expert in whatever it is you love to do.
It is passion that drives people to become experts in their field. Be passionate
🙂
Best of luck
Hai Joe,
I think u r the right person to clear my douts and confusion…Here i go….
I finished BE in Computer science with good percentage and i was purely interested in networking so i did networking course CCNA and i cleared it in December of 2010.After that i got a job in MNC company at Jan 2011 and now i am working there but my parents r not interested to do this job since its less salary compare to development field.
In this company they hv given me the job to work as destop monitoring like installation of os and software and troubleshooting of that things and i am trying to move on to next level like CCNP,do i need practical experience to do CCNP or can i go through it directly….I am full of confused and afraid that is this job is good start for my career…In this company they told to get experience in the destop level after that we will push u to network based on yr performance…So please help me out….
Yathiraj,
You do not need practical experience to study and pass the CCNP. Though you will certainly need hands on experience as many of the questions are hands on question. There are a lot of people who pass the CCNP without a lot of practical experience, it can be done. It will be easier though with more practical experience.
Your parents are correct that a development job would have a higher starting salary. But, in my opinion you should do the work that you love. If you love networking then that is your path. If you love development then that is your best path. You may want to consider combining the two and into network development… where you develop networking software for routers, switches, etc.
I hope this helps. Good luck
Hi Joe,
I am employed with an MNC for the last 5 years and currently working as a Work Force Management Analyst. I am looking for a change and see Networking as an option. With a commerce grad, i am not sure of my options in this . I have read the earlier posts and what i understand is CCNA is the start for a Network Engineer. I have plans of going to US and if possible take up courses and work at the same time. I am not sure where to start from. Please help me with the universities and courses in US. Thanks in Advance!
– Kishore
Kishore,
For most people who pursue a CCNA they usually attain it by self study. You can pick up a book at Amazon.com or any large book seller that will help you begin your training for CCNA.
There are also companies that offer classroom training for the CCNA. One good company that I have personally used is CCBOOTCAMP. They are located in Las Vegas and offer excellent training.
If this does not work for you, you can also try CBTNuggets as they offer an excellent video course for CCNA study.
I hope this helps and good luck
Joe
Hey Joe,
Thanks for the quick response. I had consulted one of my friend who is a network engineer and he suggets that i take up CCIE instead. Do i need to have a CCNA and CCNP cetrification before i start CCIE? The companies which you have mentioned, do thay provide this course. One last thing which i wanted to check on is the duration of the course and tution fees involved.
No Kishore you don't have to have any other certifications in order to take and pass with CCIE. The CIsco CCIE is the only certification that does not require and prerequisite exam.
But understand that the success rate for passing the BAR exam for lawyers is higher that the success rate for passing the CCIE exam. It is a difficult test.
Most of the companies I have listed above do offer CCIE study courses. But the majority of this will only help you on the wirtten portion. For the lab portion of the exam you will need to either rent or buy a stack of network equipment to practice taking the CCIE lab.
The key to passing the CCIE lab is time management. You have to KNOW the technology and be able to configure and troubleshoot your network very fast!
Good luck! Let us know what you decide.
Hi all,
I am currently serving in the military due to leave next year, i use computers on a day to day basis in my branch. I have gained comptia A+2009 and an MCP, I aim to complete my Network + by the time i leave. What are the chances of me being able to walk straight into a job in civvy street, would i need to do more course? Many thanks Eddie
Hands down I would get your CCNA at least. That should get your foot in the door. If you have time try to also knock out at least one of the CCNP tests too.. ROUTE or SWITCH… that way you can word your resume in a way that shows you are "in the middle of your CCNP"
You should have no trouble with getting job. Let me know hows things go for you!
Thanks Joe your response is greatly appreciated. I am looking into CCNA now i will let you know how i get on.
Thanks agin
i am varatha studying final year computer science engineering student.i finished ccna course only bt due to finishing the degree i didnt complete certifications, thn how i got the job after finishing degree pls sir tell information about that matter i am n gr8 confusions here sir
Hi Varatha,
My advice for you is to finish your degree. Then study and pass your CCNA. Once you have your degree and your CCNA certification – update your resume and start applying for jobs. You can go to places like Careerbuilder or Monster.com and search for the keyword "Cisco" or the keyword "CCNA" …. this will pull up a lot of jobs that you qualify for. Submit your resume and wait for phone calls. Recruiters will be calling.
Once you get to this point and your taking phone calls and interviewing… you can start your study for your CCNP.
Good luck – and don't worry, everything will work out 🙂
Hi Joe
I have really learnt alot from your advice.Keep up the good work ur such an inspiration.
Regards
Moses Nairobi Kenya
Thanks Moses that really means a lot.
I'm studying second year computer science engineering, i want to study ccna. When can i study that? by finishing my degree or i can start now itself. I need your advice…..
Hi Mohan,
You can start work on your CCNA at any time. You don't have to have a degree. Many engineers I have worked with do not have degrees and only have Cisco certifications.. however getting your degree will definitely look better on your resume
Good luck!