I'm going to have my CCNA in June. I have college hours, but no degrees. The credits I have are not related. I would love to hear anyones thoughts on my employment options. I am young and single so travelling or relocating isn't a problem. Everywhere I look they want experience....so where do I get the experience? Any thoughts at all would be greatly appreciated. Where should I look for employment? What kind of money am I most likely looking at here? I'm clueless, man. Thanks

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I'm going for CCNA myself, mainly because it will compliment my other certs. I'm not sure what a CCNA will get you by itself, some of the more sr. guys here will have more insight with that. I would recomend getting aditional certs in an Operating System, like and MCP or a CNA. I think that will make you more attractive at the entry level.

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-Zen-

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Thanks Zen. I really appreciate you taking the time to respond. I'm trying to get all the knowledge I can. Unfortunately I'm not much help to anyone else on here right now.....hopefully I will be in the future though.

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Zen is right, after you get your ccna, go for your mcp, write the win2k 78-210 exam. That will give you more options.

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Don't sweat it Clarence. Everyone here was a newbie at some point.

Maybe you should go as far as targeting the type of position you want an then contact possible employers and see what kind of certs or experience they prefer to see in applicants. I think you'll find a CCNA along with an MCP will at least get you onto a helpdesk.

__________________
-Zen-

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Don't panic guys or gals. Just work on your certs and keep reading up on the certification you want to achieve. Next is to go out and pound the pavement for an oportunity. Don't be impaitent. It will come. And when you do get your foot in the door, don't get flat feet!!!

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Netwiz.... I see that you ahve a quite a few certifictaions lined up . I wnat to know that how different is CCDA from CCNA and also what are your current perspectives job wise. Did u had a hard time finding one. I am currently workin on my CCNA but I wnat to know how much is the range for salary in your area?

Thanks

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CCDA is very different from CCNA. Don't let anyone tell you different. You must get the Cisco Press book and study it. CCDA is not about the IOS commands. It is about knowing all the protocols...routing and routed. The commuincation methods..ie X.25. The exam is long too. As far as a job. I was lucky. I did a lot of work for some small businesses. I got a good recomendation and so that was it. I do consulting now. I don't work full time for anyone. CCNA salaries vary. It all depends on the role you will be playing at that company. I think CCNA's can get about 45k-50k starting. If you have any other certifications you could add 5k-10k. Experience is a big plus!!!

Study hard for CCNA and CCDA. Everyone I know who took the CCNA and CCDA say the CCDA is harder.
But I see the passing score has changed for CCNA so that may make it harder. I took CCNA ver 1.0 back in August 2000 just before it retired. I am so glad.

Good luck!!!!

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How close are you to an associates degree? If you're close, grab an associates in communications, or something that would help you in the field or office and modify your job search for the combination. If it's a CCNA/Communications Associates, look to a field job with a reseller or vendor that stresses customer service. If it's some type of business degree look for some type of IS management job in a small company... and try to get some type of job in the meantime to compliment your skills... just my two sense.

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