CCNA or not CCNA! That is the question ...

halesquad · #1 25-Apr-2008, 12:07 AM

I am currently working as a Mechanical service Engineer and as part of my job i am a draughtsman using the program Autodesk Inventor. I went to college to get my cert from Autodesk for this course and i enjoy using it now and again as part of my job. But i fancy a change in direction as i am on the computer a lot and fancied my chances doing a bit of network support. I have been to college and done the Network essentials course, followed by the Network + course. I am just about to sign up to the CCNA course (part 1) and i am not sure if i am making the right decision as i have no other IT qualifications and i think that i may be getting a bit specialised too soon if i spend all this time getting qualified in CCNA without the help desk side.

Just really need a hand at this crucial time in my career.

Thanks guys and great forum.

kevicho · #2 25-Apr-2008, 09:39 AM

Quote:

“

Originally Posted by halesquad

I am currently working as a Mechanical service Engineer and as part of my job i am a draughtsman using the program Autodesk Inventor. I went to college to get my cert from Autodesk for this course and i enjoy using it now and again as part of my job. But i fancy a change in direction as i am on the computer a lot and fancied my chances doing a bit of network support. I have been to college and done the Network essentials course, followed by the Network + course. I am just about to sign up to the CCNA course (part 1) and i am not sure if i am making the right decision as i have no other IT qualifications and i think that i may be getting a bit specialised too soon if i spend all this time getting qualified in CCNA without the help desk side.

Just really need a hand at this crucial time in my career.

Thanks guys and great forum.

”

Do you think you could move into IT support with the company you are working with?
If so I would bring up your plans and what training you are doing, and see if you could help out the IT staff for a day or two a week while you keep up your current job.

**Boyce** · #3 25-Apr-2008, 06:26 PM

In my opinion, although the CCNA is an *associate* certification (which needs to be re-newed by the way) it is for someone who already has lots of networking experience under their belt.

Nothing wrong with learning the topics, but if it's a *first job* you are after, you might more succesful looking at the desktop support stuff.

Simon

sunn · #4 25-Apr-2008, 06:55 PM

Quote:

“

Originally Posted by Boyce

In my opinion, although the CCNA is an *associate* certification (which needs to be re-newed by the way) it is for someone who already has lots of networking experience under their belt.

Nothing wrong with learning the topics, but if it's a *first job* you are after, you might more succesful looking at the desktop support stuff.

Simon

”

Agreed....

halesquad · #5 25-Apr-2008, 11:41 PM

Should i go for a course in Pc servicing which is a three part course at my local college. Is this going to be useful as a base for future training?

http://www.cityofbristol.ac.uk/cours...&subclassid=26

Do you think that this is the right course and then go on to the pc servicing course 2 and then 3 and then hopefully progress to the A+ exam.

Is this a natural progression in to IT?

It is really good to have these comments and i really appreciate your help.

I am going to approach my boss and see if he would like to contribute to my studies as i am the only one with a bit of knowledge in IT within our small company(8 people). So to the earlier comment about learning from the IT department, I am the IT department!!

Jiser · #6 27-Apr-2008, 10:33 PM

Nothing wrong with doing the first semester or two. You can study at home though which will save money, is my advise. Something which may be of more use is the MCDST and A+.

I think its time you got more experiance under your belt. No point in over paper certing! You dont want to be qualified without any experiance to back it up.

PatrickMc · #7 03-May-2008, 07:16 PM

India and the CCNA.

Hi All,

I am here to warn you all never go to India for a course. I sent 8 weeks on the CCNA, CCNP course with Koenig Solutions in Delhi and I only had 3 hourse on a swicth and that was so old it would run 12.1 IOS.
I had 2 days on the routers and they told me I was ready for the exams!
Having a laugh. At my expenses. The guy I spoke to was called Sandeep, or as we all called him ****deep as we were all in deep**** after we paid our money. I a room in a hotel called the Rangoli, nice staff and food was okay. But the noise!!!!!!!!!!! it was god awful. There was one guy from the UK who just had enough. He complained about the noise levels as they were renewing the kitchen which was directly under his bedroom. I went down stair to see the Dutch bloke down there having a go too. It was a crazy place. DDon't go for christs sake. You guy better take heed of lose you money like me and be a CCNP with no experience whatsoever. Yes I can tell you the thoery as I had cbt nuggets. The instructors were usless and had no experience with technology the whole thing is a sham, and a shame. I lost 4000 pounds in total on investing in myself. And I am no further forwards. If you want to go then fair enough. They will take an extra 50 dollars and pass the exams for you. Sandeep will make the offer to you and pretent that it's all a one off deal.

There is an English company I heard of that is in Thailand that is doing a full 4 or 5 week CCNA and i will go and do it, so if anyone knows who? Then please email me and let me know. Got to get out of banking man, it's kiiling me. Number crunch... man it ain't good. Never will I go back to Delhi.
I am going to do the course and take a month off, or the month off and then the course.
I have my own routers and swicthes at home and to be the best CCNA i need it as the market is competitive.

I wrote to Cisco about India and they said they new about it, and that they were closing down there testing centres. I told them about Sandeep and they said they knew all about Koenig and some other companies in Bangalore and Hyderabad which I think is in Pakistan? India had color, and that was it.

Food poisoning every day man. I ain't no good for a brother to be a toilet lover.

Thailand her I come for my CCNA and something that's close to my heart! Women man, get over it.

kevicho · #8 15-May-2008, 09:12 AM

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PatrickMc

There is an English company I heard of that is in Thailand that is doing a full 4 or 5 week CCNA and i will go and do it, so if anyone knows who? Then please email me and let me know. Got to get out of banking man, it's kiiling me. Number crunch... man it ain't good. Never will I go back to Delhi.
I am going to do the course and take a month off, or the month off and then the course.
I have my own routers and swicthes at home and to be the best CCNA i need it as the market is competitive.

”

Just out of interest if you have all the kit at home, why not study using the cisco press materials?

Seems like an expensive pointless trip, unless you are going for the site seeing ;)