Getting a Cisco CCNA certification is worth your time and money if you
want to become a computer network professional. As information technology is
growing and expanding the demand for qualified personnel in IT industry is
expected to grow exponentially over the next decade. By obtaining in a Cisco
certified network associate certificate you have the potential to earn more and
choose top jobs, especially if you obtain further Cisco certifications.
When it comes to median salary, networking professions ranked among the highest.
The 2005 salary survey made by the Network World had listed an increase in the
base pay of 5.1% for networking executives. The salary had reached a median of
$110,620, according to the researchers King, Brown & Partners. And the ticket to
this high caliber job is Cisco certifications.
A Cisco CCNA certification, or Certified Network
Associate certification, is the first step in Cisco certifications. From a CCNA
certification, you move up to "Professional" and then "Expert" levels. Training
in Cisco certifications can be completed at a college or university. While many
schools offer courses on campus, more and more universities are offering online
courses as well.
A CCNA certification shows that you have the skills and abilities in networking.
Here training is imperative in order to obtain the skills that are required for
the certification. When you enroll in a CCNA training program, you will learn
basic skills in networking, including: design, installation, configuration,
troubleshooting, maintenance, management and IP and non-IP Networks.
CCNA certification is the first rung on the networking ladder of the Cisco
certifications. This level is best suited for help desk engineers, field
technicians and beginning networkers. If you want to continue up the ladder and
obtain further Cisco certifications there is the CCNP, Cisco Certified Network
Professional and the CCIE, Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert, as the highest
certification level.
In order to obtain a Cisco CCNA certificate, you
must be able to pass the CCNA exam that examines the following skills: a basic
history of networking, basic network design, Cisco's Internetwork Operating
System, network security and management and many more.
There are several ways to prepare for the CCNA exam. You can study through one
of the official Cisco learning partners, at a university or college, or online.
Another online study option is Cisco's e-learning system which offers a great
deal of study materials and practice tests for free.
There is a fee to take the exam. It is generally $100 and must be paid either
before the exam or on the day of the exam. You need to spend about two hours to
take the CCNA exam. With about 78 questions you must answer about 80% of the
questions correctly in order to pass the exam and get your certificate.
Since the CCNA certification is valid for three years, if you wish to renew your
certificate, you need to take an official recertification exam at the end of the
three years.
As you see computer network expertise is a money-spinning asset. By obtaining a
Cisco CCNA certification you can open the doorway to a high caliber job and
rewarding career.
