Interesting Graphic from Cisco Networking Academy
On Thursday afternoon, I found this interesting graphic posted by Cisco Networking Academy in my LinkedIn feed.
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| Skills Required in Different IT Specialties |
Some Background
Ever since I decided to go into information technology (IT), I have been overwhelmed with all of the various certifications that are out there. After I earned my CompTIA A+ certification a couple of years ago, I tried to study for CompTIA's Network+ certification. It was an ABSOLUTE, COMPLETE, and TOTAL mess!!! Trying to study for the Network+ certification was like trying to study for three or four separate IT certifications at the same time. Let's see, for the Network+ certification, you needed to know about configuring routers and switches, how to configure servers with Microsoft Server, how to use Microsoft Active Directory, and how to use a network monitoring program like Wireshark. The Official CompTIA Network+ study guide that I was following along with used Microsoft's now-defunct Network Monitor program. I even paid $700 to CompTIA for online exercises for Network+ that were WORTHLESS. Ironically, for a certification that was supposed to be vendor neutral, everything about routers and switches was about Cisco routers and switches. Not a single mention about routers and switches from other vendors, such as Palo Alto Networks or Hewlett Packard Enterprise.
As a result, I became HIGHLY DISCOURAGED with studying for Network+. A co-worker at the Tier 1 IT help desk at the Social Security Administration suggested that I give studying for CCNA a try.
Studying for CCNA
At first, studying for CCNA was a breeze compared to studying for Network+. The study guides for CCNA focused exclusively on Cisco routers and switches. Before I got really busy with work, I made slow, steady progress through the first ten chapters in the first CCNA study guide. Perhaps more importantly, the author of the CCNA 200-301 Official Study Guide, Wendell Odom, had a section about career planning in IT. It was an intriguing read. You can read the series of posts about career planning for those going into IT here. I read each post and actually wrote down some ideas on what I wanted to do with IT. Like I wrote earlier, I had a span of time where I got really busy with my job. I put aside studying for CCNA. I put aside my nascent attempts at some kind of career planning.
After moving from Maryland back to Arizona after 13 years, I have restarted studying for networking. Instead of studying for CCNA directly, I made the decision to work my way through the online networking classes available from the Cisco Networking Academy. My original intent was to complete the online networking classes as a way to establish a foundation in networking PRIOR to making another attempt at studying for CCNA. Another factor for studying the online networking classes was that it became rather apparent to me that I needed to add some IT certifications on my resume IOT get out of working at a Tier 1 IT help desk.
Skills Required in Different IT Specialities
Getting back to the interesting graphic from the Cisco Networking Academy that just randomly appeared in my LinkedIn feed, I was immediately intrigued when I saw it. The graphic gave recommendations on what subjects to study for four different IT specialties. Want to be a software engineer? Then you need to study Python, C++, Java, and Scala. In other words, you will want to study the major programming languages. Want to be a web developer? Then you need to study HTML 5, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP. Again, you need to know how to use the most popular applications. Want to go into computer networking? Then it gets tricky. The graphic recommends that you study networking (preferably CCNA), have an analytical mind (for problem solving), have communication skills (for communicating with non-technical customers), and be able to read and understand reams of documentation (researching an answer is a valuable skill). Let's see, I have really good communication skills. I can simplify complex subjects for non-technical people to understand. For the analytical mind piece, I already worked as an intelligence analyst for the Army for almost nine years. All I need is that CCNA certification. Want to work in cyber security? Cisco recommends knowing how to use the Linux operating system, know about computer networking (again, CCNA), know how to program (Python), and have an analytical mind. In addition to computer networking, cyber security is also a field that interests me. For whatever reason, I cannot tell you why I never got around to studying for, say, CompTIA's Security+ certification for cyber security. Cisco also has its own cyber security certification. For Linux, I have played around with Ubuntu on a previous Dell laptop. When I had to buy a new Dell laptop back in November, I wanted to install either Debian or OpenSUSE. Unfortunately, my brand new Dell laptop doesn't have enough memory to do so. Currently, I am learining about computer networking. I have tried to learn how to program in Python on previous occasions. I need to try again, but make it my only focus. Lastly, for the analytical mind piece, I worked as an intelligence analyst for the Army.
In Conclusion
The graphic from Cisco gives me a guide on what to study for CCNA. That said, I also should get certified in Microsoft Windows Server and Microsoft Azure, for example. On their own, those two certifications will add punch to my resume. From what I have seen, those are the certifications that get noticed on a resume. There is always a demand for those certifications. When I complete my last CCST online course, I just might move over to studying Microsoft Windows Server and Azure. We'll see. Another possible option would be to find a location in Peoria, in Glendale, in Surprise, or in northern Phoenix that offers in-class learning for CCNA. With the new CCNA study guides coming out soon, that might be the way to go. On LinkedIn Learning, I found what appears to be a really good class on the Python programming language. I just might give that a try. Again, knowing how to program in Python is a good thing to have on your resume. Unfortunately, there are only so many hours in a day.
