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Beav

Beav

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I currently have a BTEC National in IT and 6 months experience working in a computer shop doing the repairs, running the place when the boss is out on call outs. The wage isn't great at all and ide like to build on this experience.

Im looking and doing a night course for a few weeks to get a better understanding of maintaining and building networks. Ideally ide like some kind of advanced apprenticeship where I could work and learn about networking but they are very hard to find at the moment so ide like to do the night courses in order to build on my knowledge.

Has anyone been in my situation and done the night courses and found them helpful?


Thanks
 
neil_g said:
Cisco quals would be good, although not cheap
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Yea, thats why I would like to find an employer who would train me really like an apprenticeship. It has to be an advanced one though because I have a level 3 from college. Standard apprenticeship is only a level 2.
 
Network+ and Security+ would be a good start and pretty easy
 
It depends on the type of networking you want to do, setting up routers or playing with servers. If it's servers you may want to head down the MCSA/MCITP-SA route
 
Probably want to look at CCNA, its pretty easy course, but VERY VERY Cisco specific, obviously its their qualification, but the course teaches networking syntax well.
 
Dale_tem said:
It depends on the type of networking you want to do, setting up routers or playing with servers. If it's servers you may want to head down the MCSA/MCITP-SA route
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Either really. I can set up routers etc for home use but never done anything for business use.

Been in this current job 6 months and I haven't been given a contract and I get paid whenever the boss feels like it pretty much. Mean't to be the last day of each month but sometimes its a week late :/ Surely this is wrong?
 
The Cisco quals are the ones to have for networking. You can do the CCNA direct but that exam is aimed at those who are already accredited and need to re-certify. Cisco's advised route is to take ICND1 (gets you CCENT) then ICND2 around 6-12 months later. Someone mentioned it was easy, well they are obviously a lot cleverer than I am! I know no one who passed the CCNA exam first time!

Get yourself a copy of Cisco Packet Tracer, it's the Cisco simulation software that Cisco provide to students, it uses cut down version of the IOS syntax but is designed to accompany the study for ICND1+2 and CCNA. Either that or set a Lab up but that can be a bit costly and flippin noisy (had to get a noise reduction rack to house mine before the wife killed me).

My company insisted on having HP Networking Essentials for some reason and that was a lot of learning the specs of HP routers/switches, hope I don't have to re-certify that one!
 
Beav said:
Either really. I can set up routers etc for home use but never done anything for business use.

Been in this current job 6 months and I haven't been given a contract and I get paid whenever the boss feels like it pretty much. Mean't to be the last day of each month but sometimes its a week late :/ Surely this is wrong?
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What sort of stuff do you generally do? What do you want to do? Cisco is pretty specific but it wil teach you fundamentals.

If it is setting up the whole network, desktops, servers, firewalls, printers etc then I would look at Microsoft stuff. If you want to do purely routers, firewalls etc. then ccna is a good start.
 
As mentioned above I wouldn't do the CCNA yet as I doubt it will help you get a job

I'm an IT Operations Manager and I wouldn't employ anyone with a CCNA without having real world network experience

I'd advise a+ n+ and then maybe look at client/server certifications
 
I have been recommended doing a job like 1st/2nd line IT support? Training is often provided and you can build on this usually within the same company.

I have seen a few IT support line jobs within 15 miles of my house :)
 
It's not just experience you want and it's not just certificates you want, it's both.

5 years in a job doesn't tell anyone what you know, if you are doing it right or anything.

A certificate is one thing, but there is the Microsoft way and the real world way and it is understanding the difference.

I've seen first level tech support jobs require qualifications, so do what you can in your own time while you can.
 
Dale_tem said:
It's not just experience you want and it's not just certificates you want, it's both.

5 years in a job doesn't tell anyone what you know, if you are doing it right or anything.

A certificate is one thing, but there is the Microsoft way and the real world way and it is understanding the difference.

I've seen first level tech support jobs require qualifications, so do what you can in your own time while you can.
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Yeah true. Just need something a little more focused on a certain area in IT. BTEC national level 3 covered quite a few areas of IT but didn't fully cover any which makes it hard applying for specific jobs
 
I trained with firebrand. Intense and quite expensive but fills you with a lot of knowledge in a short time.

By getting the qualification sooner, the higher wage can offset the cost.

But that is potential salary and not guaranteed.
 
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