CCNP for Not Yet Techies

"Computer Careers: This Cisco Certification is Your Second Step If Your High Tech Jobs Goal Is To Become an Expert at Supporting Networks Using Cisco Hardware"

by Richard Stooker, President Info Ring Press and author of Secrets of Changing to a Computer Career

CCNP Background:

Cisco certifications such as the CCNP Cisco Certified Network Professional -- are the premier certifications for networking hardware. Microsoft's MCSE certification concentrates more on the software, naturally since that is Microsoft's business. CCNP advances your computer career.

But Cisco makes the hardware that carries the software, whether by Microsoft, Novell, Linux or any other. Cisco routers and switchers hold the Internet together. CCNP is a highly valuable certification.

Over 70% of the routers used today are made by Cisco. It and therefore the CCNP was started in 1984 by two professors, Leonard Bosack and Sandy Lerner, husband and wife, who designed and built their own router.

Type of CCNP certifications for computer careers:

Vendor

Cisco CCNP certifications worth it?

Standard disclaimer:

Whether or not any certification is "worth it" is an individual decision. You alone must decide what your career goals and needs are.

Look at certifications from a cost/benefit or Return On Investment (ROI) basis. If they help you get a better paying job or make more money at your current job, they are obviously "worth it."

The problem is, there is no real way of measuring how much you can expect your income to go up as a result of any given certification. It also depends on non-related job search skills such as how well you network.

Cisco's certification system looks a little complicated at first, but there is a logic to it. Besides, if you can't figure out the certification system itself, you sure can't pass the tests anyway:)

They have two basic tracks:

Network Design
Network Support

OK, logical enough, right? If you want to be the one called in by a business when they need to design a network, you go for the Network Design track. If you want to keep working there running the network once it's in place, you go for the Network Support track. Of course, a lot of knowledge and skills overlap. Logic tells us that in the long run there will be a lot more job demand for network support specialists.

CCNP - Page 1

Use Your New Computer Career as a Stepping Stone to Even Greater Success

Send off for your free 7-part Techie Plus eCourse now. So that you can learn:

The 7 most important skills to even greater business achievement -- not to mention wealth and (maybe) fame
Why techies are expendable in bad times and how to protect yourself from them
Why the world's richest computer programmer has not written any code in ages
How one ex-engineer now makes $500,000 a year
The abilities most techies don't even realize they don't have -- which confines their success to their technical abilities
Why techies are expendable in bad times and how to protect yourself from them

It's fast and easy. You will receive the first part in your email box within minutes.

I respect your privacy. I will never sell, rent or trade your email address.

After you subscribe, the form will redirect you to a thank you page.

Thank you!

Rick Stooker

Permission is granted to reprint the above article in an ezine or on a website as long as it is reprinted in full, with no changes, with full credit and with this contact information and link included at the bottom. All other rights reserved.

Computer Careers (Home) Sitemap Contact Privacy

Info Ring Press

Richard Stooker

PO Box 617

130-G Ballwin Manor Dr

Ballwin, MO 63011

(636) 394-2052

rick@inforingpress.com