Transition Input: CCNA (Certified Cisco Networking Associate) vs Other tech certs

This image is a great place to start. As you can see the CCNA is thankfully not entirely an entry level cert. With this certification though, you do have a strong basis for networking in a fair number of fields.

Security is one of the fastest growing fields within IT right now and you can make a quick transition with a CCNA Security and/or Security+ if that is the route you are going. If you need to build more experience, consider offering assistance to local small businesses either pro bono or at a reduced rate in order to gain experiences and work references.

What areas of the country are you currently shopping around in SPC Angel Guma ? That could affect what you want to learn as well.

Good luck!

SPC Angel Guma, good for you taking these courses to make yourself more marketable. Have you checked out the RP career corner? https://www.rallypoint.com/careers/civilian

We have over 10,000 jobs many of which would be great fits for the courses that you are taking, for example, if you type "cisco" in for a keyword search jobs that are looking for people who are cisco certified, etc. You can search by location, job type, full time/ part time and many other things to drill down and find the best jobs for you.

OK, I'm not a tech geek. At least not in the industry sense; however, I will say your approach is admirable. Seeking experience and looking at the long term rather than attempting to make your millions immediately is a smart way of doing business. I will leave the advice on what experience you should obtain to those with the knowledge base. Good luck in your adventure and I believe you will go far.

Well to start with the CCENT is entry level. The CCNA used to be entry level, but it has changed & is now harder that it was when I got my CCNA back in 2007.

Once you get your CCNA-Route/Switch, get a job in the field. this is step one. the last thing you want to be is a "paper tiger" (someone who is good at reading a book & taking a test, but also has had no practical experience).

Once you get the job I would point to towards more of the Cisco associate level training to widen your skill set IE CCNA-Datacenter, CCNA-Security, CCNA-Wireless, CCNA-VoIP, CCDA. 2 or 3 of these will give you a good base & will get the attention of potential employers. Then start heading up the cert chain. I would start with the CCNP-Route/Switch (as routing & switching is the core of what we do). Then expand on 1 or 2 more of your other CCNA's & get them to NP level.

If you want to do something that requires travel, you may want to talk to some local VARs because you will get a lot of hands on work with building new stuff. You gennerally get paid well at the VARs too.

Hope this helps.

SPC Angel Guma, I think Cisco changed the way the track is designed.. I took my first CCNA end of 2001, then it was just routing and switching only. I recertified (CCNA) and completed my CCNP tracks (4 exams) in 2006. After deploying to Iraq in 2009/2010, the certifications expired, so I thought I could just take one of the higher level exams to renew all, was unable to because it has been two years since expiration.
I was made to start everything back from CCNA all the way back to retaking the full set of the CCNP routing and switching tracks (3 exams). I decided I was going to move in the VoIP direction.. I took the CCNA Voice and passed it, but never received the certificate. I called Cisco to find out why.. Cisco told me.. Unless I take the CCNA – Routing and Switching exam.. I’ll not receive the certificate for any of the specialty exams like VoIP, Security etc.. I have to go back and pass the CCNA routing and switching exam (3 pass) before I can receive any of the certificates. It was after this.. I started my CCNP track back, finished the CCNP in about a year. So now I have my CCNA (R/S), CCNA (Voice) and CCNP (R/S) once again.. I will never again, let my Cisco certification expire again.. It’s a nightmare studying for all the exams again including the labs.
To answer your question on the simulations.. You are free to get some Cisco 3750, Cisco 29xx series switches and Cisco 16xx series Router on eBay just to feel and hands-on.. If you need more information on passing the exam and getting good on the lab (believe me it is really easier than you think – you just have to put your wiz mind to work) send me an email to [login to see] there is a very good software that gives you real device simulation, it’s called gns3 and there are lots of prep lab you can download to practice with. This software gives you an actual IOS feel except without the box.
As for job prospects, it depends on what part of the country you are in.. I live in Portland and Cisco is a hot market here, you even have recruiters from other part of the country coming here to recruit, if you are willing to change location, I believe you’ll get the right job.

I have a BA in telecommunications and unless you live in an area as big as say Dallas (AT&T, etc.) it won't really come in handy. I would love to be able to take my experience and work in the military as a civilian, but again, there is nothing close by here. There are a lot of ways you could make the money tho. I tell you what, entry level at AT&T makes quite enough. And I am not talking about the cellular shop. Routing Good, Security Good, VOIP Eh...for military installations yeah. If I were in your shoes, I would try getting in working in the military as a civilian for at least a year and then go from there. I mean, those contracts make GREAT money as well. You are going to do well. Good Luck!!!

At Motorola we are looking for other veterans, so if your interested, please email me your resume at [login to see]

I work with the veterans business council for hiring veterans and can get your resume to the right people.

Since I left the Marines in 1998 I have collected a long list of certs. To many to list here. Certs are a marketing tool to get pasted HR and only shows a base level of knowledge. So basically a cert might get you an interview, but it won't get you a job. More importantly get you a bachelors degree, that will help more. An associates degree will not help much, unless you have a lot of good experience and certs. If you ask me an associates degree is pretty much worthless. You will be competing with poeple with masters and certs.

VOIP, fiber, and load balancing are all good. While certs are good you're on the money with getting in at the entry level. Once in somewhere learn all you can. Its not hard to either move up or jump up with new organization with experience. Best of luck.

SPC Angel Guma

I have a stack of certs some where. My advice would be start with the COMTia certs: A+, Network +, Security+. This is a good basic foundation to build on. Now, the question is what are you going to do in the IT field. IF you are going to be a systems admin the the Microsoft certs will help with that. If you want to be a network engineer then Cisco is the way to go. CCNA is a starting point but you will want to work your way up to CCNP. The hot field right now is $ecurity, that is yet another branch you can follow. If you are going follow any of the above you need to have working Knowledge of all of them. Unix and Linux are also something that you should at least have a basic understanding of.

Attending a tech school rather than traditional 4 year bay serve you better unless you want to move into IT management.

John Erny

A+, MCP, MCDST, MCSA

As far as advice on technical certs go, I would advise that anyone who actually tries to apply for a job that whatever you put on your resume you better know how to do it. Reason I say this is we all know there are test banks out there and essentially all you need to be is a good test taker in order to pass. You can have all the certs in the world but it does not mean that you know how to apply the knowledge learned from it.

This is what I have been told through college classes, NCOES, and contractors in my respective career field.

I have been told that some interviews are done by putting something in front of you and seeing if you can accomplish the task. If you cant then you do not get the job.

I work in a large company that deals with financial institutions. We have basically 4 levels of network people -

1 - Technical Support Center tech - no certs, about $14 and hour mostly 18 to 26 year olds
2 - Technical Support Center Level 2 - CCNA is the entry to this level $18 to $36 an hour - look at routers, determine issues, pass the info up the food chain
3 - Network Engineers - Normally something above CCNA and 10 to 20 years in the field - $70 to 90K - field all lower level calls
4 - Senior or above Engineers (they call us all kinds of stuff) - Degree in Computer Science or Network Engineering - some certs, 10 to 30 years in the field - $65k+ (highest in my team is $140K)

You're passing the CCNA will get you an interview in the Technical Support Center - progress up the food chain is based on your ability's, work ethic, and people above you moving on. CCNA is a good start, but in my company specifically, a good technical degree is better (you move in at a higher level and higher pay).

If I had to do it over again, I would do the Network Engineering Degree and get my CCNA, I would think about a management job (I turned it down about 10 years ago to remain technical track - probably my Warrant background coming to the fore). I would be managing a shop and making probably about 3x what I am making now.

Good luck with the test!

Have you considered MCSE private cloud certifications? It would make a great addition to your repertoire. While IT and network jobs are frequently offshored, there are ample opportunities for MCSE private cloud certification holders.

Ok, 1st Question you have to ask is "What do you want to do and what are you good at doing already?" If you have the skills to learn and work TCP/IP and are into networking. Follow the Cisco Route. CCIE, CCNP are also other good certifications, but having a certification does not mean you can do that well or under a working environment. It just means you passed the minimum standards to pass the exam. Civilian sector looks at experience and capability. Broaden your horizon and open up the doors to multilevel career paths. Admin, and Security are both growing areas and if you can do tech and Business side that leads to growth potential for future jobs, because you may get started at Entry level but you don't want to stay there. Take all of the courses and certification you can get before you exit and layer them with experience. If you can't get any from the Military seek internships through the schools you are going to for Cert training or Education degrees. The world is your oyster and it's up to you to crack it open.

My advice, and I speak from a little bit of experience, get into the industry and start to figure it out. That will guide you more than anything. Find out what in the industry interests you the most, or what is most viable in your area. Also, you are spot on about getting experience over pay because eventually that experience will turn into better pay.

This is where I veer off the path of computer into my infantry ways.

You should be at DEFCON and better, is BSidesLV where they are openly hiring.
Some links on what I wrote while attending both of these. Going back later today.
http://incyberdefense.com/james-lint/bsideslv-information-security-conference-provides-useful-job-information/

CCNA and MSCE/MCITP certifications are a dime a dozen. Find a niche and exploit it. Right now, the buzzwords are Cloud Computing, Devops, Automation. If you can learn Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, IBM Bluemix, or Google Compute, you have a job.