Professionals in the IT industry are in demand in Washington, D.C. and around the world. In fact, the current demand far outweighs the candidate pool for many IT roles. One of the first things that hiring managers look for in potential new hires is their certifications. The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is one of the most well-known and trusted certifying agencies for IT professionals, offering many certifications including the Network+ and Security+ credentials.
Paul Ricketts
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A Network+ certification from the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) proves that you have the knowledge and skills to design, configure, manage, and troubleshoot both wired and wireless networks. This certification is a globally recognized credential that is highly sought after all over the world. Not only will the Network+ certification boost your employability and job opportunities, but many of the jobs that it makes you qualified for offer lucrative salaries, especially in the Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. area. Metropolitan D.C. typically offers higher salaries for IT roles than the rest of the country, and the CompTIA Network+ certification can help you land one.
The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) introduced the Network+ certification more than two decades ago, and it has continued to be one of the most recognized and sought-after credentials in the IT industry since then. The certification tests the skills of IT professionals who have some prior experience with networking that is required to work on network design and implementation.
You've learned about the exciting possibilities of a career in IT and are looking to jump in. You have some computer experience but need a qualification to help you get the entry-level role you need to get started. So, let us break-down Cisco's CCNA certification and the CCNA entry level jobs you can expect to get once you have it.
The Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) certification program underwent some changes earlier this year. It now encompasses two exams, one that tests your core networking skills, and a second that tests your knowledge in a concentration area of your choice. Earning the CCNP credential means that you have successfully passed both exams.
In February 2020, Cisco did some rearranging and updating its certification program to address the needs of modern networking, requiring both infrastructure and software expertise. One of the credentials that were affected is the Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) certification. The CCNP is a professional-level certification that validates your proficiency in building, implementing, and troubleshooting local area networks (LAN) and wide-area networks (WAN).
Cisco products and services are used worldwide by major corporations. That means that IT professionals who understand and can maintain Cisco technologies are in demand. The Cisco Certified Networking Associate (CCNA) designation is the first step in certification for many IT professionals. In fact, it is the most popular certification globally. It provides validation that you have the associate-level knowledge of Cisco technologies and networking basics.
But the CCNA exam can be challenging for early career professionals, so is CCNA worth it?
CCNA is Cisco’s entry-level certification exam for anyone looking to get started in IT, especially in network support and network management roles. In February 2020, Cisco made significant changes to the CCNA accreditation by bringing together the old multi-track program under one comprehensive exam. Consequently, elements of the specialist exams such as CCNA Security were consolidated into the new CCNA 200-301.
Cisco certifications are some of the most sought after and globally recognized in the information technology industry. The Cisco Certified Networking Associate (CCNA) credential is an important first step for many IT professionals. The CCNA has become one of the most popular certifications in the world. It provides certificate-holders with validation that they have comprehensive associate-level knowledge of the technologies and solutions needed to implement and administer a wide range of modern networking and IT infrastructure.
IT certifications, like the Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), are designed to test the skills that you will use on the job, not merely the knowledge you memorize from training (though there is a lot to remember, too). Most IT certification exams have a hands-on component that requires you to have practical experience that can only be learned by doing. The CCNP certification exams tend to be highly technical, with some questions that are more like lab exercises.