certs for network engineer

[Joshcanread]

Hello,

 

I'm studying a bachelor of computer systems and networking and I've got about 1.5 years left. 

 

I've been doing random research asking people what additional certifications I should get like CCNA CCIE etc, CompTIA and such but idrk what's best or ideal (or is experience better? idk lmk!).

 

Wanting to work in a major city in Australia. 

 

Thanks. 

[manikyath]

if your future employer requires certifications, there's two options:

- they have a means of getting that cert trough work

- they state it as a hard requirement on job applications

 

so.. what do you do?

- if your school offers a means of getting a cert trough the school at a discount, go for it. even if it's the wrong cert, getting any cert at all is evidence to a future employer you're capable of getting certified.

- browse trough local listings, to find out what most of them are requiring.

 

generally, every hardware and software brand has their own huge certification tree, so it is very likely that certs you need at one job will be irrelevant for another. but getting a cert at all, even if it's irrelevant, can be an upside for job applications.

[porina]

I'll have to skip "is it worth it" but have input on CompTIA N+ and CCNA.

 

My past employer put me on an intensive course for N+. Turned up Thursday afternoon. Passed exam Sunday morning. I found it very easy with no formal education on computer systems. Mainly knowledge built up over the years. I'm also good at last minute cram so this arrangement suited me. Given how easy it was, I'd view it as an entry level certification. Might help when starting out.

 

The same employer put me on a CCNA course. It was a 1 week intensive. I knew by the end of it I had no chance of passing the exam at the time. The scope and depth is so much bigger than N+. You will have to work over time for this one. On the flip side of that, I feel this one is actually worth something if you get it. Even if you wont be working on Cisco gear, the principles are pretty much the same.

[Karim Bizid]

My experience with CCNA is that it honestly doesn't really have the value it once had. Might be a bit of a controversial take, but my point is:

CCNA is ALOT of work and time and might end up being wasted time if it isn't something your future employer really desires.

 

Quote

if your future employer requires certifications, there's two options:

 

- they have a means of getting that cert trough work

 

- they state it as a hard requirement on job applications

 

I agree with this.

If you have the skills (and you obviously would have you current educational experience) they will let you do any desired course while starting with the job.

If not it will be stated out on any job descriptions and you could already poke around to some jobs and companies of your likings just to see how they go about this.