Re: [OT] IT Training courses

["chrisanti98" <chris@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi John,

As a cisco network engineer myself, I find that having the
certificate seem to hold sway these days on whether I get a job
interview for networking jobs. However having the certificate as am
sure you aware doesn't necessarily guarantee the job but it does
open doors to start with.

Nevertheless Gaining work experience in the industry is much more
valuable for your son right now than investing vast sums in obtaining
these cetificate without any assurance of a job at the end.

Personally I would recomend your son start by applying for 1st line
helpdesk jobs, these jobs tends to have low IT skill criteria. He
should start with the ISPs.

Who knows if your son is lucky enough to find the right company, they
may even pay for him to do the courses and thereby obtain
accreditations. On the other hand they may, like my company, have in
house training scheme that may allow him to gain the necessary
knowlege and skills for career progression.

I know it must feel like a mine field right know with all this
information but the courses I feel isn't right for son as they are
quite intense and often doesn't allow enough time for digestion
especially if you knew to the field.

Another thing you can try before you make up your mind on the courses
is to try buying certification guide books for the relevant area of
interest, such as cisco CCNA certification guide or MCSE
certification for windows - you can find these books on amazon's
website. Sybex publication on the ccna certification is pretty good.

I hope this is of some help to you and your son.

Chris.