CCNA training

[Sicario]

I was looking into getting my Cisco certification, I really have no background in computer networking but just thought that it pays pretty well and I need to study something I wanted to ask however, is this still a fairly open market or is it slowing down like a lot of tech industries, and then how long does it take to become a certified CCNA, I was looking at courses, and some are as long as 170 weeks, and others just a few months.

[Roofus]

I was looking into getting my Cisco certification, I really have no background in computer networking but just thought that it pays pretty well and I need to study something I wanted to ask however, is this still a fairly open market or is it slowing down like a lot of tech industries, and then how long does it take to become a certified CCNA, I was looking at courses, and some are as long as 170 weeks, and others just a few months.

To do it right (i.e. Actually know the stuff) takes ~2 years. That's the way I got mine. I'd look at your local community colleges because odds are they offer a Cisco program (at least they do here) and it's a hell of a lot cheaper than going to one of their training centers.

Also, stay away from the "bootcamps." They'll get you your cert in 6 weeks but you won't know the material; only the test.

Finally, having a CCNA != instant $60,000/year job. It helps, but not as much as a college degree.

[Wagh]

Like he said take the two year class. It's worth it.

[Sanchez]

Honestly, it depends on how you learn... I had some prior knowledge of it, played with Ciscos a bit, took a one week class (not a boot camp), and annihilated the exam. That was Mar 2000. By Sept 2000, I had my CCNA/CCDA/CCNP/CCDP. The latter three came between July-Aug 2000. I failed the CCIE qualifier by a point... (if anyone ever asks you about if a router running IPX will respond to a SAP request if there's another server present on the network that can respond, just say "yes, it always will, with the address of the server in question") Of course that being said, I was 23, had already worked for a major business school's IT dept, Microsoft, and a large ISP.

All in all, the computer field is very much a hands-on deal... get an internship where you can play (maybe a small ISP, etc.) You'll learn more there than you can in any class.