4 Causes Why Cisco Certifications Are Nonetheless the Greatest Alternative

At totally different instances of my profession, I discovered certifications to be a crucial a part of my studying journey. My first position as a channel programs engineer at Cisco drove me to start my certification course of. Now, as a part of the Studying & Certifications group, it’s all about creating sources and pursuing coaching.

After I discover a new expertise space I need to study, I search for a key vendor in that exact area to seek out out if they’ve a technical coaching program. Many instances I’ll pay for an examination simply to check and validate my very own information. However relating to Cisco, the coaching and certification surroundings continues to be next-level, standing the check of time. Listed below are 4 the reason why Cisco Certifications are nonetheless the only option for my studying and certification journey.

#1: Cisco certifications prioritize lifelong studying

The cool factor about Cisco coaching is it creates a path for folks to study all through their careers. You possibly can progress from the CCNA to a CCIE, relying in your ability stage. Or, you’ll be able to transfer ahead down a siloed path towards one particular expertise. As an example, let’s say you begin out in a networking job and your employer desires you to develop your abilities for his or her information middle. You possibly can then take a deeper dive into information middle applied sciences with Cisco coaching. Or, you’ll be able to choose up a number of applied sciences and begin new paths. 

Nevertheless it’s about greater than that. Cisco gives a constant, clear, logical path to certification that’s based mostly on the talents it’s good to achieve success in the true world. Even when you don’t pursue the certification itself, you realize you can belief Cisco coaching as a result of it’s aligned to a globally acknowledged IT certification program. And when you full coaching particularly designed to organize you for a certification examination, then testing is all that’s standing between you and a shiny Cisco certification. So, why wouldn’t you are taking the examination that awards you the popularity your information deserves?

As for present Cisco certification holders, they need to renew their lively Cisco certification standing earlier than their certification expires. If you need to study extra about how Cisco prioritizes lifelong studying, check out how the Cisco Recertification Coverage encourages licensed people to maintain their information rising — and preserve it present.  

#2: Cisco certifications keep forward of evolving applied sciences

As expertise evolves, Cisco certifications proceed to be acknowledged throughout the trade, standing the check of time to stay related. That isn’t a coincidence, both. It takes a aware determination to replace and evolve the complete program and guarantee its certification holders have the instruments they must be profitable and ready for what lies forward.

If I’m thinking about a technical job, corresponding to networking, I don’t need my first certification to be from an organization no person has heard of. It is sensible to hunt certification from Cisco, the market chief in a number of applied sciences. Cisco certifications cowl so many merchandise and applied sciences that align with many job alternatives. In some areas, 40 to 50 p.c market share. 

Cisco’s Affiliate, Skilled, and Knowledgeable certifications symbolize your stage of experience with particular applied sciences and talk the place your abilities land in a globally acknowledged, revered approach. Hiring managers belief Cisco. They know that when you’ve got your CCNA and have saved it present, your information isn’t previous. You’ve recertified and saved abreast of expertise modifications. 

In a approach, incomes a Cisco certification tells the world that Cisco has your again. And when an IT chief vouches in your information, you’ll be able to belief that their popularity can get you within the door. CCNA, CCNP, and CCIE technical abilities or certifications are the usual markers in job-listing {qualifications}. 

#3: Cisco certifications’ expert-led group of learners

With 25 years of certifications from totally different organizations, I nonetheless consider Cisco has the most effective technique, constructing a constant path with a group that will help you put together and keep your information. With another organizations, you would possibly must earn 60 Cisco Configuration Skilled (CCP) hours. Positive, you’ll be able to learn all of the stuff from any supply yow will discover, and perhaps they’ll settle for these hours. However with Cisco, you’re not scrambling to seek out your hours. All the things in your path is related.  

The Cisco Studying Community provides you a spot the place you’ll be able to talk about subjects with Cisco enterprise unit sources, engineers, and your friends within the discipline. After which there’s Cisco Dwell, which at all times delivers a ton of studying alternatives and alternative ways to deliver Cisco Licensed professionals, learners, and specialists collectively (check out this 12 months’s CCIE celebration in Las Vegas), the place they may join and rejoice their group.

#4: Cisco certifications and… Cisco coaching  

Cisco is chock-full of related coaching supplies for learners to check in the best way that works finest for them. You’ve Cisco Press expertise books in addition to cert-specific research supplies. Digital lab merchandise, corresponding to Cisco Packet Tracer and Cisco Modeling Labs, can be found to remain present and study new issues. And in case you missed it, Cisco Studying & Certifications has a completely new digital studying expertise coming quickly.

I do know of no different vendor certification program that brings all of the totally different items to the desk, with coaching occasions, webinars, and lifelong studying paths that provide the incentive to turn into an skilled in a specific space. With Cisco certifications, I do know the following logical step from a CCNA is a CCNP. I do know what books and coaching to get. Perhaps there’s an ELT or ILT course to begin prepping. In the end, the coaching, sources, and experience all merge to kind an entire bundle. Once more, Cisco is constructing that path, and it’s a easy one to navigate.

My recommendation in your studying and certification journey

Whenever you’re able to embark by yourself certification journey, begin with one thing that pursuits you. Whether or not it’s simply one thing you need to know extra about or to know baseline abilities in an space that potential employers are on the lookout for; the entire thought is to study — construct abilities and experience — and continue learning. Certification is the checkmark that signifies that you have that information. It tells employers you perceive a sure expertise. On the finish of the day, employers acknowledge Cisco Certifications because the mile marker of what it means to be expert at an expert stage. 

I’ve named a number of the finest causes for acquiring a Cisco certification; lifelong studying, maintaining with present expertise, and entry to the group and sources. However as for me, I belief that my Cisco certifications will proceed to be the only option as a result of they’ve pushed me to turn into the most effective model of myself. 

Listed below are some sources that will help you get began:

Observe Cisco Studying & Certifications

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