Best network certification?

[kevnich2]

My opinion, certifications are all good and everything but the best way to get up there is plain old fashioned work. Experience is the best way to get up the ladder of achievement. There is no "get rich" scheme or some type of special elite class that you can go through in a short amount of time and be on your way to earning 6 figures a year, the world just doesn't work that way. Personally, I started off in a lowly helpdesk position like most others around here and worked my way up from that. Each different job did in fact teach me something that I would need later on. Since I first started in this industry (I'm here because I love the work, I love technology, not for the money), I've moved onto four different jobs. I just started a new job at a much larger company and this one pays 2x as much as my last job. But again, I've just worked my way up the ladder. Sorry, but you'll probably have to do the same thing. If your looking for very good certs though, Cisco is where you want to start, but again, it's not going to be an instant six figures just for having the certs. It's a combination of education, skills and experience.

 

[ForumMaster]

Originally posted by: Duddy

Originally posted by: JackBurton
CCIE...and you've got a looong road ahead of you.

Um, I don't think I should jump into, what sums up as, a PhD in Networking just yet. I'll be working on my degree and certification at the same time. A CCIE seems like a full time thing.

And how long of a road do I have?

really long. i'm getting my CCNA now through high school. once i finish that, i plan on getting a MCSE so that i can get a good job and then my CCNP.

through my high school, we visited Cisco's lab in israel. it's the 5th most important one in the world, has only engineers, and only one 5 guys out of 750 have their CCIE.

CCIE is really difficult and expesnive to get. therefor, it is the most valuable since so few actually manage to get it.

 

[nweaver]

how much experience/knowledge do you have?

Understanding WHY and HOW is >>>> knowing how to get from A to B....Why from A to B, why not B to A, or A to C?

I don't do the hiring around here...but when I help with a technical interview, experience > certs. If you don't have a clue about networking, now is not the time to start. Hell, I think you can make more then 13K a year dunking fries at a McJob.

Look into entry level positions, between 25-40K year. Helpdesk, PC Tech, etc. Testing/QA is another decent one, but again, if you don't have any clue about stuff, you won't find/retain a job.

 

[rasczak]

where do you live? starting out with a kid is tough. my wife and I did it on a similar payscale in san diego. granted we had help with living expenses but at the same time i was going to school for my mcse 2000. i never did get the cert but I learned enough to be able to apply several positions and feel comfortable with my knowledge.

4 years later I'm making just under 50k to start but the job I'm at takes care of all my schooling and have a great benefits package. currently working on finishing my mcse and taking ccna courses.

u just need to persevere and plug along. don't quit, and remember that you're not doing this so much for yourself but for your family. it takes a while but if you stay along the path you'll be making plenty of money for your family.

good luck bud.