Training course advice.
Hello,
First of, let me state that this is, of course, only my opinion in this matter.
I am an IT systems, hardware & network trainer.
If you can the ability to do it get a set of training books. I would quite honestly say you should start at A+. Get the A+ certification. Books cost about £30 to £50 in England. Global Training Solutions
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do the best training manuals, but these are normally done for instructor led courses and they cost a lot more £90-£130 approx.
Then go for the N+ or even the iNet+ course and certification. N+ gives you one exam toward the MCSE.
You say that Cisco only lasts three years. Well, a couple of things here. It costs a massive amount of money to go through a training program to become CCNE, but it is almost certainly the top one and would land you jobs at the 100K mark. Secondly, MCSE only lasts until Microsoft retires it in favour of the new operating system. I was MCSE & MCT in NT4 and had to upgrade myself to W2k when they retired NT4. Only CompTIA certification, as far as I am aware does not expire.
As for subscribing to a course, I found that using CBT's was very good, but I full copy of all CBT's needed for MCSE in W2k cost me £1,750 and you have to work at it at home, so you need the will power to not watch the TV, etc. But I did get full on-line and telephone help. I thought the particular company I got these off to be very good. Look into that option as well and before committing.
Networking is the best area to be proficient in, I think. As you say, everyone wants it and so being able to support it is going to keep you in work. There are lots of different areas you could be in, but I would think you would find yourself in an administrative post to start with, from there you can progress to your chosen area. I prefer network traffic analysis/packet analysis with a view to being able to enhance the speed and efficiancy of the network, you know, tweaking it to reduce bandwidth; but you will need to be proficient in Microsoft ADS structure, LAN & WAN technologies, Media types, Network access methods and frame types, all the different specifications, TCP/IP of course, Implementation and management on different operating systems, especially Microsoft ones. Pretty much everything that is in a N+ course outline. Look on [html] www.gtslearning.com
Of course, the best way to pay for the training is to get a job with a company that will put you on all the courses!!
Good luck. Need any more inf. Just ask.
