Should I obtain my Cisco CCNA certification?

Emily B wrote in this week to ask about the Cisco CCNA certification.  Cisco CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) is an entry-level certification from Cisco Networks that helps to display a competency in administrating common Cisco switches and routers.  Cisco certification are extremely popular due to the popularity of their equipment in the IT world.  A large majority of organizations run Cisco equipment to at least some degree, and so a lot of requests are made for professionals that understand Cisco technology.

That being said, a lot of people make the assumption that obtaining this certification will strengthen their value in the IT market.  But it all depends on where you want to go in your career that will determine its true value.

There are many reasons why a Cisco CCNA certification could be right or wrong for you.  Here are a few reasons to consider:

• Where do you plan to go within your computer career? 
• Do WANs (Wide Area Networks), routing and switching appeal to you? 
• Is it a skill that you feel comes naturally or is it difficult for you to understand? 
• Does this technology excite you, or are you more interested in it because it will help to “sell” you as a professional?
• What is your real goal?  Is it security, or communications or network engineering?  Is this an “additional” skill to add to your resume or is it a stepping-stone to your ideal career?
• Finally, do you need the certification or does your work experience already display your competency in this subject?

All of these questions are important to determining why you want to pursue the certification, and what it will ultimately gain you.  For those people specifically aiming for a career in networks, a Cisco CCNA certification can be an important step towards achieving your career goals.  However, if you are just starting out there are several other ways to strengthen your networking skills that would help much more towards your value as an IT professional.

To learn more about building value as an IT Professional, visit www.UltimateITHandbook.com