Why Should I Get Cisco Certification?

If you are considering a career in the information technology field (or if you already have one and you want to advance your career), then chances are you will need to obtain some sort of IT certification. Certifications are a reliable method for employers to judge a prospective employee's competence in a technical field by observing credentials from a trustworthy third party. One of the most trusted third parties in the IT certification world is Cisco, one of the world's foremost providers of computer networking and data storage solutions.

Cisco is the go-to provider of networking certifications, since they have dominated the market for devices that perform this function. Chances are, if you work in IT you either have worked or will work with Cisco devices. So it certainly makes sense that the folks who put together the products should be able to reliably quiz you on how to make them work.

If you ace your Cisco certification exam, future employers will be impressed by your knowledge. Having one or more Cisco certifications on your resume is a great indicator of your technical prowess. This is especially important in the IT field, where there are no in-between answers: either you know how to make something work, or you don't. Requiring certifications from employees helps companies ensure that they won't hire someone who might make a critical IT mistake that could cost millions of dollars and hours of network down-time.

Because of their expansive catalog of products and services, Cisco offers dozens of certifications in a wide variety of computer networking and data management specializations. No matter what IT career path you are on, there is probably a Cisco certification that is relevant to your job. For entry-level IT gigs, a Cisco CCENT certification is often required. IT pros that are into networking can get a CCNA or CCNP certification to prove their skills. You can even specialize in network design (CCDP and CCDE), network security (CCSP and CCIE Security), or any number of other fields including voice, wireless, data center, and video networking specializations.

Cisco certifications also build upon one another, creating a clear career path for you. Those who are new to the IT field should start out with a Cisco CCENT certification. Then, as you progress in your career, you can obtain more advanced Cisco certifications as you gain more responsibility in the workplace. If you find a particular specialization that interests you, you can pursue the right specialty certification to help you move up to the next level in your career.

Many employers may even pay for your certification training. Companies have a vested interest in training their employees in new technologies, so it's a wise investment to pay for employee retraining and certification. Ask your employer if there are company funds available to take a training class and sit for an exam. Obtaining a certification will not only help you in your current position, but might help you land another job if you get laid off.

If you decide to pursue a Cisco certification, you should look for a certification training school that can help you prepare for your exam. That way, you will be sure to pass your exam the first time. You will be on your way to enjoying the career benefits of your Cisco certification in no time.

Shawn Livengood works for TechSkills, a career training school with over 25 campuses nationwide. TechSkills offers career training programs for IT certifications, healthcare services, accounting, and project management
If you are considering a career in the information technology field (or if you already have one and you want to advance your career), then chances are you will need to obtain some sort of IT certification. Certifications are a reliable method for employers to judge a prospective employee's competence in a technical field by observing credentials from a trustworthy third party. One of the most trusted third parties in the IT certification world is Cisco, one of the world's foremost providers of computer networking and data storage solutions.

Cisco is the go-to provider of networking certifications, since they have dominated the market for devices that perform this function. Chances are, if you work in IT you either have worked or will work with Cisco devices. So it certainly makes sense that the folks who put together the products should be able to reliably quiz you on how to make them work.

If you ace your Cisco certification exam, future employers will be impressed by your knowledge. Having one or more Cisco certifications on your resume is a great indicator of your technical prowess. This is especially important in the IT field, where there are no in-between answers: either you know how to make something work, or you don't. Requiring certifications from employees helps companies ensure that they won't hire someone who might make a critical IT mistake that could cost millions of dollars and hours of network down-time.

Because of their expansive catalog of products and services, Cisco offers dozens of certifications in a wide variety of computer networking and data management specializations. No matter what IT career path you are on, there is probably a Cisco certification that is relevant to your job. For entry-level IT gigs, a Cisco CCENT certification is often required. IT pros that are into networking can get a CCNA or CCNP certification to prove their skills. You can even specialize in network design (CCDP and CCDE), network security (CCSP and CCIE Security), or any number of other fields including voice, wireless, data center, and video networking specializations.

Cisco certifications also build upon one another, creating a clear career path for you. Those who are new to the IT field should start out with a Cisco CCENT certification. Then, as you progress in your career, you can obtain more advanced Cisco certifications as you gain more responsibility in the workplace. If you find a particular specialization that interests you, you can pursue the right specialty certification to help you move up to the next level in your career.

Many employers may even pay for your certification training. Companies have a vested interest in training their employees in new technologies, so it's a wise investment to pay for employee retraining and certification. Ask your employer if there are company funds available to take a training class and sit for an exam. Obtaining a certification will not only help you in your current position, but might help you land another job if you get laid off.

If you decide to pursue a Cisco certification, you should look for a certification training school that can help you prepare for your exam. That way, you will be sure to pass your exam the first time. You will be on your way to enjoying the career benefits of your Cisco certification in no time.

Shawn Livengood works for TechSkills, a career training school with over 25 campuses nationwide. TechSkills offers career training programs for IT certifications, healthcare services, accounting, and project management