Is Getting the CCNA Certification from Cisco for $800 Worth It? Other Recommended Certifications to Enhance Your Career

Question:

If you're considering investing in your career, is obtaining the CCNA certification from Cisco for $800 worth it? Are there any other recommended certifications that can enhance my skill set and make me stand out in the job market?

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If I were an IT professional, most likely.

In the early 2000s, I came to the realization that non-accredited certificates are essentially worthless, serving as nothing more than a stack of meaningless paper. Despite accumulating over 100 certificates in various fields, employers and potential employers showed no interest in them. Since then, I have disposed of numerous certificates that held no value in advancing my career opportunities. It is important to note that these certificates were not obtained from accredited colleges or universities.

I recently had a conversation with a friend who has a background in information technology (IT) and has been actively seeking employment for over a year. Despite his intelligence and on-the-job training experience, he has been facing challenges in securing job interviews due to lack of certifications. After working at the same company for 25 years, he was laid off, depleting his 401k savings. Now, he is facing financial difficulties.

Aabeck lamented the realization that certificates were ultimately deemed useless and nothing more than a pile of discarded paper. Despite earning over 100 certificates, employers showed no interest in the fields of expertise they represented or the quantity acquired. However, the value of certificates may vary depending on the industry. While they may hold little significance in some sectors, the IT industry tends to place more importance on them.

Many IT professionals are hindering their own progress by refusing to collaborate with Operational Technology (OT) teams. Despite multiple attempts to integrate machines onto a separate network for OT management, IT departments struggle to prioritize VPN setup for plant floor applications. The reality is, while the plant floor can function without IT support, the reverse is not true. Manufacturing has historically thrived independently of IT, highlighting the importance of bridging the gap between these two essential components.

I believe investing in a CCNA certification is definitely worth it, especially if you're planning a career in IT networking. It's well-respected and often recognized by potential employers as an indication of dedication and understanding of networking fundamentals. However, it's crucial to remember that the value of certification can sometimes also depend on the specific industry you're aiming for. If you're looking at cybersecurity, then CompTIA Security+ or Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) may be more relevant. Similarly, for cloud computing jobs, AWS Certified Solutions Architect or Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert, could add a significant boost to your CV. Ultimately, the certification should align with your career path and interests.

Investing in CCNA certification can definitely add value, especially if you're planning a career in networking or cybersecurity. It's globally recognized and can make your profile more compelling to potential employers. However, the perceived value can vary depending on your specific job role and career path. If you're interested in cloud and virtualization, a VMware certification could add value while CompTIA Security+ could be a good option if information security is your preferred route. Remember, the best choice of certification often depends on which specific field and role you're keen to pursue. Always ensure to align your certifications with your career aspirations to extract the maximum benefit.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

FAQ: FAQs:

Answer: 1. Is obtaining the CCNA certification from Cisco for $800 worth the investment for my career? - Yes, obtaining the CCNA certification from Cisco for $800 can be worth it as it is a sought-after certification in the IT industry and can help enhance your career opportunities.

FAQ: 2. Are there any other recommended certifications to enhance my skill set and stand out in the job market?

Answer: - Yes, there are several other recommended certifications depending on your career goals, such as CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Security+, Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator, AWS Certified Solutions Architect, and others that can help you stand out in the job market and broaden your skill set.

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