Cisco study path...

[pixel_ninja]

Ok so I have a Higher National Diploma lvl5 (ISE from CTI) and would really like to get into cisco. I have gone through the CBT Nuggets already, and I am looking for a place to study it. Problem is, I'm from the armpit of SA and the only place that seems to have courses is UFH. These are the only courses which they offer:

• CCNA1—Networking Basics

• CCNA2—Routers and Routing Basics

• CCNA3—Switching Basics and Intermediate Routing

• CCNA4—WAN Technologies

How does this differ from the ICND1 and 2? or is it the same thing?

They only offer these courses so once I've gotten them, should I be looking for a job (will I be employable at this point?) even if it is a internship/working for free? My only issue with this is that the lectures are only held on a saturday(once a week) so things are going to be painfully slow, as I would like to get my CCNA/P quicker(read:full time) but there doesnt seem to be any option for an attended class.

Is there a decent online class that I could attend? Is it possible to study directly through CISCO themselves?

I am currently employed, so maybe the Saturday class once a week is my best option, but I would prefer to do as much as I can and then go into a decent company to get actual working experience, whether it be paid or unpaid. I have been trying to get hold of HR people from companies such as BCX, Datacentrix, Di Data, with regards to what sort of (CISCO) qualifications they are looking for in their prospective candidates, but it's been proving to be quite difficult. I suppose I can cross that bridge once I get there, but it would be nice to know what it is that they are looking for exactly.

JP

 

[roadcat]

I did CCNA, CCNP, CCDP all without any courses - so it's possible although tough on your social life.

Cisco has an e-learning site where most of the required material can be found (site):

One of the best learning tools is the old Cisco CCO (Univercd) site. The new version is not as good but can be found here

 

[pixel_ninja]

Hi Roadcat,

Thanks for taking the time to reply How long (more or less) did it take you to get to that point, if you dont mind me asking?

Thanks for the links, I have briefly perused through them, and it seems to be catagorized according to the type of technology. How do I know what will be needed for CCNA/CCNP etc?

Thanks again

 

[ponder]

Thanks for taking the time to reply How long (more or less) did it take you to get to that point, if you dont mind me asking?

It depends on the person/eperience. You can get your CCNP in 4 weeks easily, guys I were on course with wrote their exams every friday afternoon when lectures finished but we all had years of practical experience so it was easy. Subject matter you are new to will require a bit of studying though.

 

[pixel_ninja]

It depends on the person/eperience. You can get your CCNP in 4 weeks easily, guys I were on course with wrote their exams every friday afternoon when lectures finished but we all had years of practical experience so it was easy. Subject matter you are new to will require a bit of studying though.

Thanks ponder, in terms of getting employment in the relevant field, everyone is looking for experience, which I wont really have? How would one go about breaking the cycle of need xp to get job, cant get job cuz of no xp? Can I go to a big company like BCX/Di Data/Datacentrix and ask them if I could work for free for a while? Will they accept my offer?

Cheers

 

[roadcat]

I did a 5 year certification roadmap, although it included MCSE and CISSP as well. Had no kids and an understanding girlfriend/now wife.

Now that I have kids this would not be possible

Get the breakdown of the topics for each cert from Cisco - shows what you need to know. Click on the the appropriate cert here

There are tons of sites and forums dedicated to these certs - not going to list them, but google it. These can help if you have questions about the material

 

[roadcat]

Can I go to a big company like BCX/Di Data/Datacentrix and ask them if I could work for free for a while? Will they accept my offer?

Cheers

I work for one of those and we do typically take junior engineers with IT Diploma and/or certs as starters. You get paid Would depend on available positions.

 

[pixel_ninja]

I work for one of those and we do typically take junior engineers with IT Diploma and/or certs as starters. You get paid Would depend on available positions.

You're proving to be a great help roadcat, I look forward to one day also being able to help a forum member out with noob cisco questions

One last thing, In terms of speaking to the companies, how do I approach the actual EL branches, as opposed to the main HR person at Head Office, and find out if there is a position for me? I suppose, I'm just worried that my passion/motivation doesn't translate onto a generic cv and as a result, I subsequently get overlooked. Or does it have to go via the HR people in the main branches and get filtered down to the EL one?

 

[roadcat]

You can typically just phone the local branch PE or EL, depending on the company and ask to speak to local HR. Ask them if you can come in and drop off a CV/ have a little chat.

I know our local ones will do this (I am in PE and also know the EL branches)