Top 5 Jobs You Can Pursue as a CCNA-certified Professional
Getting a CCNA certification can be a great way to improve your job prospects and advance your career. Even if you already have a computer science degree, many companies prefer candidates to hold a CCNA certification to ensure their skills are up to date.
There are many CCNA jobs available, and the industry is booming, making it the perfect certification to pursue. Knowing more about your career options can help you target your studies and skills. Read on to learn what the CCNA certification is, the top CCNA jobs you will qualify for, and how to get certified.
What is a CCNA certification?
Many employers require a CCNA certification to ensure that the professionals they hire have the skills needed to succeed in IT and meet company goals. The certification proves to employers that you are capable, up to date, and able to offer superior IT support using industry-standard software and equipment.
CCNA stands for Cisco Certified Network Associate. To obtain the certification, you must pass an exam that typically consists of about 115 questions. While there are no other prerequisites, successful candidates must study beforehand to become familiar with computer networks, IP connectivity, computer security, and other topics. Once achieved, the CCNA certification is valid for three years. You can recertify by obtaining continuing education credits or passing the exam again.
CCNA certification is not offered directly through Cisco. Instead, they offer the exam through partner institutions such as community colleges and online learning platforms, including ed2go.
Discover how to obtain your CCNA certification with us below!
Jobs Aligned to your CCNA Certification
There are many CCNA certification jobs open and available for IT professionals. Growth in the industry is above average and has an outlook of up to 33% estimated employment growth rate.
Take a look at the top five jobs aligned to this certification to decide which is the best fit for you:
Network Administrator
Professionals with this title work to create and manage the company’s networks, including LAN and WAN networks. Their day-to-day responsibilities include:
- Troubleshooting and repairing network errors
- Improving system performance
- Adding new users to networks
- Managing the security aspects of the network
Some network administrators also serve as the go-to IT expert in their organization. In these cases, network administrator roles expand to include software management and upgrades, training users on best practices, and other duties. The median pay for network administrators is $80,600 but depends widely on the industry.
Network Security Engineer
Network security engineers specialize in protecting their organization’s data assets. Especially important in industries such as finance, government, and healthcare, network security engineers design and implement security systems for their organization’s networks. Daily tasks include:
- Analyzing for security threats
- Pinpointing potential risks
- Testing software and hardware
- Making improvements to mitigate security threats.
From preventing hackers from entering the system to protecting it from malware and viruses, network security engineers play an important role in protecting networks. Professionals in this role earn an average of $76,000 each year.
Information Technology Manager
Also known as an IT manager, professionals in this role lead a team of specialists who carry out the IT needs of their organization. In other words, IT managers are the immediate supervisor of professionals who serve in the other CCNA jobs listed here. In addition to managing their staff to coordinate IT needs, IT managers work with other managers and executives in the company.
IT managers may also purchase IT equipment and software, work with their team to evaluate needs, perform upgrades, and address problems related to security, networks, and software. As managers, these professionals earn an impressive median salary of $159,010 per year.
Information Security Analyst
In today’s world, more and more companies manage sensitive customer data or simply have high-security needs. Information security analysts maintain systems that keep their organization’s networks secure and safe from threats such as hackers or security breaches. Additionally, these professionals focus on keeping information such as intellectual property or client account details protected and confidential. Some daily tasks may include:
- Installing and updating security products
- Checking for security concerns
- Researching best practices in security for the organization’s needs
Information security analysts earn a median salary of $102,600.
Cybersecurity Analyst
Cybersecurity analysts specialize in cyber or online security threats their organizations may be facing, such as phishing, fraud, hacking, trojans, and viruses. These professionals need to assess for vulnerabilities within their organizations, perform tests, address security breaches, install and monitor firewalls, and keep software up to date.
Additionally, cyber security analysts may help educate computer and network users on the best security practices. Cybersecurity analysts earn an average annual salary of $79,000.
Training for Your CCNA Certification
Obtaining your CCNA certification requires significant preparation to pass the exam on the first try. The test can be challenging because you need to have technical knowledge as well as practical, hands-on experience using Cisco products and equipment. That said, with the right training, you are sure to succeed and move toward one of the best CCNA certification jobs available.
Self-paced Advanced Career Training Course
The best options for training depend on your experience level. For those earlier in their careers, a longer, robust, self-paced course may be ideal. This ed2go course will help you gain the experience and knowledge you need to pass the CCNA exam. Focusing on the Cisco-based technologies relevant to the test, you will learn administration techniques, best practices, and practical skills. Additionally, the course covers essential background knowledge related to networks, IP routing, security, wireless LANs, and more. Once you’ve finished this course, you will not only be ready for the CCNA exam, but you will also have expanded your IT skills and knowledge significantly.
Fast, Immersive Boot Camp Training Format
For individuals with greater experience, boot camp-style training can get you up to speed so that you can earn your CCNA certification more quickly. For example, this ed2go course can provide you with the training you need in as little as a week. The course focuses on hands-on experiences so that you can become familiar with Cisco-specific technologies required for simulation-related questions on the CCNA exam.
Even better, this course features a dual certification, meaning you end up with a CCNA certification and a Cisco CyberOps certification. After completing the boot camp, you will still have access to the course content for one year, giving you a chance for some extra study time before taking the exams.
Taking Your IT Career to the Next Level
As many as 67% of job seekers surveyed said that their CCNA certification helped them make more money, while 65% said it helped them get a job.
Investing in your CCNA certification and training is a solid way to move your IT career to the next level. We encourage you to explore both the self-paced and boot camp CCNA courses to determine which will best help you achieve your career goals.
Are you ready to find out which course is the best fit for you? Speak with one of our specialists who can help with any enrollment questions you have.
