CCNA Network associate, A+ and N+

Vicxas

Hi All,

I just have a quick query,

Im looking to get into IT as a career. I have exceptional knowledge of PCs and their components, but i dont have the piece of paper to show it.

Im not big on the programming, id love to be a network tech or system admin. So when looking on nightcourses.com I came across the CCNA course. Now this to me looked exactly what i wanted. However most of them ask that I complete the A+ and N+ course in order to successfully join this course.

So... my question is;

Is this a good way to get my foot into IT?

Pitman just quoted me €890 for A+. This seems like an awful lot, is this worth doing or is there any online places that do it cheaper?

Thanks

Kinetic^

If you know a lot about PCs already, pick up Mike Meyers A+ passport on Amazon. Read it, do the exam questions, sit the exam. You may be able to do the same for Network+. Meyers books cover both of these in very good detail but I wouldn't use his content for other subjects, I've found it below par apart from those 2 courses.

krissovo

If you have good knowledge of PC's and components then why not just sit the A+ and N+ exams? They are easy exams and there are plenty of self teaching resources around.

I did CCNA and while its a good course and cert I have not used it all in my route. CCNA alone will not get you into Network role as its very specialized for Cisco routing but to its credit a lot of the fundamentals are covered.

Have a look at MCDST, tougher than A/N+ but still can be gained using self study fairly quickly. With this and A/N+ you should be able to get into a deskside/onsite role or 2nd line work and from there more opportunities will open up.

unreggd

Pitman's prices are all ridiculous IMO


I too want to do the same certs, but I dont know what job prospects Id have, as anything I see for IT wants a degree

krissovo

unreggd wrote: »

I too want to do the same certs, but I dont know what job prospects Id have, as anything I see for IT wants a degree

Every IT job I have done for past 10 years has had a minimum requirement of a relevant degree, I dont have one. There is no harm to apply for these roles without one but you should have transferable skill(s) or some experience to get noticed.

Realistically without a degree you have to start at the very bottom of the ladder. Normally the bottom rung for technical support is the IT Service Desk, other Technical Support or the SME IT services. For this CCNA/MCSE is a overkill and you may waste your cash getting trained up to never use the skills.

In some cases you can start on a Service Desk with no IT skills apart from good customer skills by logging tickets (Level 0) and get trained up to the higher levels (Level 1) where you start to log and solve tickets. From there you can move in few directions (Level 2 back office etc)for technical/management/business etc.

Another route in is to be a roll out technician, this is where you install upgraded systems (PC's, Networking equipment etc) in large companies. This often leads to deskside support roles (Level 2) once you have gained experience.

Depending where you in the country entry level IT salaries are between €18-€23k.

druidhill

Some people spend many years in IT as a network tech of some description and rarely go near a piece of Cisco equipment (especially providing services for SMEs).

Get the A+ and Network+ out of the way and try and get some server experience. Then you can decide if the CCNA is the path you would like to pursue.

Vytas_bew23

now i also have IT knowledge before and done myself A+ and N+ in about 5 months time, grab a book (using passport myself) and get yourself in to good routine, that's all you need to pass them. btw my native language is not English, so you can do it more quicker... and those 2 certs lead me in to IT job warm up your legs in new job , then you will decide you need CCNA or not

funkyship

Hi Vicxas, I'm CCNP qualified and teach CCNA. If you have "exceptional pc knowledge" then you will not need the A+ exam to prepare to do the CCNA. The CCNA has been broken down into two parts ICND1 and ICND2, ICND1 covers all basic Networking, ICND2 covers more advanced Networking topics. I would go straight into learning the CCNA and not be worried about learning A+.

unreggd

krissovo wrote: »

Realistically without a degree you have to start at the very bottom of the ladder. Normally the bottom rung for technical support is the IT Service Desk, other Technical Support or the SME IT services. For this CCNA/MCSE is a overkill and you may waste your cash getting trained up to never use the skills.

In some cases you can start on a Service Desk with no IT skills apart from good customer skills by logging tickets (Level 0) and get trained up to the higher levels (Level 1) where you start to log and solve tickets. From there you can move in few directions (Level 2 back office etc)for technical/management/business etc.

Thats exactly what I'm after. An entry-level IT job. I just dont know what positions I should looking to apply for

This is the course I was lookin to do:

Course Certification
CompTIA A+ CompTIA Network+ Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS): Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Configuration or Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) in Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment

Modules:
CAREER PLANNING AND JOB SEEKING SKILLS
COMPTIA A+ ESSENTIALS 2009
COMPTIA A+ PRACTICAL APPLICATION 2009
COMPTIA NETWORK+ 2009
IN-COMPANY (Think this is work experience)
INDUCTION
WINDOWS SERVER 2008 ACTIVE DIRECTORY CONFIGURATION

I can also do the Cisco Interconnecting Network Devices (ICND) Part 1 & 2 courses online
EDIT: Just realised that them 2 modules = CCNA :P

I really just know how to choose a cert course without ever havin done the job!

unreggd

OP, Fas do all the certs as online courses, about €120 each for fee payers, then theres exam fees

Check here: http://www.ecollege.ie/site/pages/categories/CatOperatingSystemsTechnicalSupport.html

Vicxas

I see that they're doing it on the 2009 edition, is this the latest?

Krusader

Vicxas wrote: »

I see that they're doing it on the 2009 edition, is this the latest?

Yep, new edition out next year