After the 'CCNA', certification routes are quite varied and may perhaps incorporate a specialisation in Security or Wireless fields, or you could take a look at progressing onto the 'CCNP' ('Cisco Certified Networking Professional'.) The CCNP is really a rather large step-up from 'CCNA', & for the majority, thinking about this before you have fully attained the CCNA isn't advisable. It's best to get a couple of years of Cisco experience alongside your 'CCNA' before progressing onto 'CCNP' accreditation. There are a few exclusions to this advice, especially if you've been in IT for some time, and have got alternative accreditation that covered much of the same information (armed forces exams for example.) In reality an employer won't think about you for a senior post when you haven't got a reasonable amount of 'CCNA' level practical hands-on experience & idea of industry.

One crafty way that colleges make a big mark-up is by charging for exams up-front and then including an 'Exam Guarantee'. It looks impressive, until you think it through:

Obviously it isn't free - you're still footing the bill for it - it's just been wrapped up in the price of the package. Should you seriously need to get a first time pass, you must fund each exam as you take it, focus on it intently and give the task sufficient application.

Do the examinations at a local pro-metric testing centre and don't pay up-front, but seek out the best deal for you when you're ready. Why borrow the money or pay in advance (plus interest of course) on examinations when there was no need to? A great deal of money is made because training colleges are getting money in early for exam fees - and then cashing in when they're not all taken. Many training companies will require you to do mock exams and with-hold subsequent exam entries from you until you've proven conclusively that you can pass - so an 'Exam Guarantee' comes with many clauses in reality.

With average prices for VUE and Pro-metric tests costing in the region of 112 pounds in this country, it's common sense to fund them one by one. Not to fork out thousands extra in up-front costs. Consistent and systematic learning, coupled with quality exam simulation software is what will really see you through.

At the top of your shopping list for a training program should be full 24x7 support through trained professional instructors and mentors. It's an all too common story to find providers that only provide office hours (or extended office hours) support. Never purchase training courses that only support trainees through a call-centre messaging service outside of normal office hours. Trainers will always try to hide the importance of this issue. Essentially - you want to be supported when you need the help - not when it's convenient for them.

The most successful trainers have many support offices around the globe in several time-zones. Online access provides the interactive interface to seamlessly link them all, no matter what time you login, help is just seconds away, without any problems or delays. Don't under any circumstances take less than you need and deserve. Direct-access 24x7 support is the only kind to make the grade for technical courses. Maybe burning the midnight-oil is not your thing; but for most of us, we're at work when traditional support if offered.

CompTIA Networking Technical Support Career Computer Multimedia Home-Based Certification Courses >>