Training in Cisco CCNA PC Support Revealed
Posted: Thursday, September 17, 2009
by Jason Kendall
Should you need training in Cisco, a CCNA is in all probability what you'll need. The Cisco training is the way to go for those who wish to get to grips with routers and network switches. Routers hook up networks of computers to different networks of computers over the internet or dedicated lines.
You must have a good understanding of how computer networks operate and function, because computer networks are joined to routers. Otherwise, you'll probably struggle. We'd recommend you find a course teaching basic networking skills (for example Network+, perhaps with A+) before you start a CCNA course. You may find training companies will put such a package together for you.
Training support for students is an absolute must - find a program offering 24x7 direct access to instructors, as not opting for this kind of support could hold up your pace and restrict your intake. Many only provide email support (too slow), and phone support is often to a call-centre which will take the information and email an instructor - who will attempt to call you within 24-48 hrs, at a time suitable for them. This is no use if you're stuck and can't continue and have a one hour time-slot in which to study.
The most successful trainers use multiple support centres across multiple time-zones. Online access provides the interactive interface to link them all seamlessly, irrespective of the time you login, help is just seconds away, avoiding all the delays and problems. Always pick a training provider that goes the extra mile. Because only live 24x7 support gives you the confidence to make it.
Accredited simulation materials and exam preparation packages are essential - and really must be obtained from your training company. Due to the fact that most IT examination boards are American, you need to become familiar with their phraseology. It isn't good enough just going through the right questions - they need to be in the proper exam format. Simulated exams will prove invaluable as a tool for logging knowledge into your brain - so that when you come to take the real thing, you won't be worried.
The sometimes daunting task of getting your first IT job can be eased by some training providers because they offer a Job Placement Assistance facility. With the massive demand for appropriately skilled people in the UK today, it's not necessary to make too much of this option though. It isn't such a complex operation to land a job once you're well trained and qualified.
Help with your CV and interview techniques might be provided (alternatively, check out one of our sites for help). Make sure you update that dusty old CV today - don't wait until you've finished your exams! You may not have got to the stage where you've taken your exams when you'll secure your initial junior support role; although this won't be the case if interviewers don't get sight of your CV. If you'd like to get employment in your home town, then you'll often find that a specialist locally based employment agency could be more appropriate than some national concern, for they're far more likely to be familiar with the local job scene.
A slight grievance of a number of training providers is how much trainees are focused on studying to get qualified, but how un-prepared that student is to get the job they've acquired skills for. Get out there and hustle - you might find it's fun.
The old fashioned style of teaching, involving piles of reference textbooks, is usually pretty hard going. If you're nodding as you read this, look for learning programmes which have a majority of interactive, multimedia parts. If we can get all of our senses involved in our learning, then we often see hugely increased memory retention as a result.
Fully interactive motion videos featuring instructor demo's and practice lab's will beat books every time. And they're far more fun. It would be silly not to view some of the typical study materials provided before you make your decision. What you want are video tutorials, instructor demo's and a variety of audio-visual and interactive sections.
Plump for disc based courseware (On CD or DVD) if possible. You can then avoid all the difficulties of broadband outages, failure and signal quality issues etc.
Make sure that all your certifications are current and also valid commercially - forget programs which end up with a useless in-house certificate or plaque. All the major commercial players like Microsoft, CompTIA, Adobe or Cisco all have internationally recognised skills programs. These big-hitters will give some sparkle to your CV.
(C) Jason Kendall. Navigate to LearningLolly.com for excellent career advice on CCNA Training Courses and Cisco CCNA Training Courses.
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