Is getting a CCNA a waste of time/money?

[trmiv]

I'm considering doing going the self study route, and get a CCNA. I have a BS in MIS, but the job market is tight, and I need all the ammo I can get. Is it worth spending the time to get it? I have a pretty good grasp of networks and router config already, and I think I could pass it with self-study only, should I just go for it? I want to get a network tech type job, and move towards network security. What I'd like to do is eventually go after a SSCP and then a CISSP or maybe CISA, which are all network security certs. (The cisco CCSP is also an option) In addition to certs, what other things should I know (programming and scripting languages, etc). I know the security certs require a few years experience before you can even take them, so I want to move myself in that direction.

Another question, without experience or certs in network security, how do I obtain the experience necessary to even meet the requirements to get one of these network security certs?

Or should I just scrap this whole IT thing and start selling pizzas?

 

[Pepsei]

I think CCNA is better than MCSE. However the drawback for me is the expiration date. Mine expired, so I'll have to take it sometimes this year, whenever I feel like it. Sure, the company will pay for it, but it is a PITA to study for it.

 

[ScottMac]

The job market in this area is still a little tight, but it's getting better by the month. The additional "check box" item on your resume will (depending on the other content) increase the liklyhood of getting in the door for an interview.

Once you're in for the interview, you will almost certainly face some sort of technical review by a/some experienced staff. Knowing it to pass the test and knowing it to interview are two completely different animals.

Whether adding a cert will represent a higher knowledge or skill level is becoming a moot point: the HR folks are now looking for certs as part of the selection criteria. Personally, I disagree with this practice, but that's life: if you don't meet the "checkbox" criteria, chances are you don't even make it to the interview.

The place I work is filling ~50 positions (with another ~100 later this summer) for Tier One phone technical support. One of the requirements (no exceptions) is that they possess a CCNA (or better), or sign a contract that says they will get CCNA certification in 90 days of the hire date.

During the "tech interview" phase I had CCNAs, CCNPs, CCIEs, Network+, and other "certified" people (including many computer / network-related degrees)that couldn't discuss the role of the OSI model layers, didn't know about ARP, couldn't subnet, and were all but clueless on much of the foundational knowledge you'd expect of someone alledged to be at that level.

IMHO, you are better off getting the cert, but in the process of getting the cert, don't just study to pass the test .... study to learn the material and take the test when you are confident that you have a solid grasp of the knowledge and skills.

FWIW

Scott

 

[trmiv]

Thanks for the advice. I might as well get it. I am not interested in just being a paper cert though. This stuff interests me, so I want to dive into it. I look at the CCNA as one more way to *try* to get my foot in the door for the valuable experience I need. I'm really amped about the virtual lab, and the router sims that you can get that let you mess around like you configuring cisco routers, and setting up networks. Those sound fun, I love hands on stuff. I might pick up an older cisco router on ebay to mess around with too.

Like I said, my ultimate goal is to get into network security, and get some security certs. I'd love to eventually get a CISSP. Or I could go the SANS route and get a GISF then GSEC, and maybe a few more of the SANS ones.