Does the Cisco material, at least for a CCNA, change as much as Microsoft products? I found MCSE unappealing as it loses value when M$ comes out with newer versions. Is it a similar situation with Cisco stuff?
The "value" of any Cisco Certification is that the "holder" has kept up with current techology.
Sincerely,
Brad Reese BradReese.Com - Cisco Network Engineer Directory
Sorry, but the certification is that the "holder" can apply for an entry level position, not to keep up with current technology. Once you are in business, the certification is good to those that collect the money.
new guy :)
Interesting, was not aware that suspended and inactive certifications had such positive merit.
Brad Reese Cisco Repair
CCNA is there for 2 things - to show the holder knows the basics about Cisco kit, and as an entry level exam.
so - it only has value if reasonably up to date.
once you pass a higher level exam such as CCNP - you only have to recert CCNP and CCNA is assumed to be covered as well.
so - the recert is only needed if you havent bothered to go further up the food chain - which sort of makes sense if you buy in to the "ever newer technology" marketing spin.
>Don't forget about the part where you are damned lucky if you find an IT manager or director who will let you even touch one of their routers with only a CCNA to your credit. It just doesn't happen often...
I am contracted to a large microprocessor manufacturing company and I touch routers and switches numerous times daily with only a CCNA certification.
A number of the folks in the network group I am helping support now don't even have their CCNA. And they're getting paid more than me. :-(
Dave
Experience is the key factor. I've worked contracts all over the southeast for some very large companies, and the best in the business don't have any certifications on all, and I'm talking about Cisco routers and Microsoft servers. Certifications are wildly overrated. The CCIE still carries a good punch, but the CCNA is just an entry level cert upon which to build to get to better things.
Thank you!
new guy :)
There was no technological reason to require CCNA's to recertify. The policy is simply a money grab.
Totally agree. CCNA (and MCSE) never got me a job. I get agencies ringing me up asking if I would be interested in a £15K helpdesk job...which is hardly worthy of these "coveted credentials". The only people who make money from these certifications are the vendors and trainers.
I say this from the standpoint of being an unemployed IT support manager for the last 5 months and every job that has looked suitable for my experience (and qualifications) results in "overqualified-underqualified-too much experience-not enough- think I'll get bored easily etc..." At 40 years old I think its time I took stock of the IT industry and decide if I want to stay in it (prolly not)
Being a techie at age 40 is not an easy thing. They want 'em younger.
Puts me in mind of "The Recession" during Margaret Thatchers reign as Prime Minister here in Britain during the late 70's early 80's. My Dad was made redundant when he was 40. Took him two years to be offered another job and then it was something well below what his experience and qualifications called for. (No such thing as being "overqualified" back then).
Is this what I have to look forwards to?
Things aren't as good for the techies as they were during the 90's. No more signing bonuses from tech recruiters, no Cross pen and pencil sets, etc. I went back to college and got an MIS degree and had a devil of a time finding a job until I finally got hired as an IT manager. That was my only shot to stay in the game. Without the degree, I'd probably be a salesman or something. I don't know...
I don't have CCNA yet (hope to pass the exam next week) but I worked at a big ISP and had access to their worldwide routers without any certificate. I must admit this company had their own internal training which was very impressive.
Hans
ISP and had access to their worldwide
How did you get in the company? Internal link?
ISP and had access to their worldwide
I worked at a hardware-company (who made Unix stations and add-ons) and they hosted the POP in that town for that ISP. So once I met the technicians of that ISP and he went to HR for me and they invited me. (1998)
Hans
Because it is an additional revenue source for Cisco, ah duh.... (And you need to keep up-to-date on changes and inovations)
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