What advice can you give a technology student on finding a job after graduation and being successful long-term in the field?
I am new to the Information technology Field and I'm currently studying to be certified in CCNA and CompTIA A+. I just really want to be one of the best in this field despite being a new comer.
Thank you! #technology #engineering #information-technology #computer #job-search #ccna #comptia #computer-software #computer-engineer
13 answers
Raja’s Answer
After graduation you should be sure what you actually want to do in your life, as what we study in graduation is not relevant all the time to get a job for the field we are looking for. Otherwise you will be end up doing things by force not by choice. I would advise you should do some short term courses for the field you are interested in.
Ankush’s Answer
Hi,
From the description, it looks like you chose to enter the networking world. Welcome :)
Networking is a huge ocean. I would advice you that you should first narrow down on which domain of networking you are interested in rather than just following others. This is very important.
Throughout your graduation, is there any scenario/situation during which, you felt that you are interested in networking or are you entering networking just by following others? Further when you chose networking, do you know, in which networking domain you are interested? First ask these questions to yourself. Narrow down on which networking domain you should start with.
I am saying this because, in future, after gaining sufficient experience in a particular networking domain, you might think about broadening your networking domain knowledge, so that time, your paths will be already planned as to what next you want to do.
Regarding job, being a fresher, you can start with network associate position where you will be doing most of the basic stuff like configuring/troubleshooting (implementation teams) the network at a basic level. Or you can start with a position in TAC team as well. In TAC, you will develop your troubleshooting skills a lot, as a TAC engineer is supposed to be very strong in there packet (networking packets, like TCP packet, IP packets, etc.) level understanding which is the core of networking. As per my experience and what I know from my friends, this core level knowledge cannot be gained from implementation teams.
Implementation team are mainly responsible for deploying the networks (configuring the devices and maintaining them. TAC team is the point where the in house network teams of companies reach out to, so that they get help in resolving the issues in which they are stuck in.
Hope this helps :)
Ankush recommends the following next steps:
Swaroop’s Answer
Hi Rory,
CCNA would be a great place to start from. It'll teach you all the basics you need to start a career in this field. Try and get a whole lot of hands-on experience by using simulation software like GNS3 and EVE while you're at it.
I would also suggest that you understand the direction in which network technology is headed. Pick one and master it. You'll be future-ready and recruiters will find your skills market relevant.
Swaroop recommends the following next steps:
Thank you very much!
Rory
Divya’s Answer
Hi Rory,
I completely agree with Ankush. You should narrow down your options and see what domain you like. When i was in college i reallty liked networking and did my CCNA and CCNP. i was selected in Cisco and was given the opportunity to grow in Voice domain which is little different from mainstream networking. I loved it and enjoyed it. So if you have a doamin i mind, do research about the different companies and their domains. Read about them :
- voice
- switching
- routing
- data center
- cloud
- wireless
These are different domains that are related to networking. Read about them and see what is most suitable for you
shweta’s Answer
Gain as much practical knowledge you can while studying
Aman’s Answer
If you want to go for Networking you can go for CCNA Routing Switching and move from their own wards to many things.
For lectures on CCNA and Networking do check below youtube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/c/ciscowithamansoni
Terence’s Answer
In a similar manner, you'll want to assess and develop your own skills and interests to build your long term career path. You may shift from the building and problem solving aspects (software developer) to tackling larger, more strategic issues (product mgmt., software architect).
Keep learning and developing yourself in any job and you'll be equipped to build a successful career.
Chethan’s Answer
CCNA Program is the starting point of Cisco Career certifications further going into advanced Certifications like CCNP and CCIE .
CCNA R&S (Routing and Switching Certification ) is the first and foremost step in leading toward your Network Engineer career in Cisco domain. Cisco provides two paths to get your CCNA certification:
1 Composite exam path – 200 – 125 CCNA exam
2 individual exam path – 100-105 ICND1 exam and 200 – 105 ICND2 exam
I completed my CCNA training when i was doing my engineering. I then worked for 18 months to apply this knowledge & completed CCNA R&S certification after being in the industry for this long. I went on to complete my CCNP R&S later on & currently(after 10 years in the industry) pursuing my CCIE (which takes lot of experience, sacrifice & time).
Cisco is revamping their certifications to suit tomorrows need & there is lot of focus on SDN as this is a growing trend. Cisco's SDN solutions in the market which are trending are Cisco SD-WAN, SD-Access with DNAC & ACI.
I suggest you start off with CCNA & learn some programming language(e.g Python) to have a great career ahead. WIshing you all the best .
Chethan recommends the following next steps:
sravanthi’s Answer
Focusing on underlying technologies of Industry 4.0 is the best suggestion I can give as there already enough Mobile app developers, web developers, Salesforce certified people.
sravanthi recommends the following next steps:
Sankar’s Answer
Rory,
As many have already suggested above, just focus on gaining a solid foundation of networking basics and then build on top of those skills. You can achieve a CCNA certification in any specialization; Route&Switch, Security, Wireless, Collaboration, etc. But just remember that having a strong knowledge of TCP/IP protocols is a prerequisite to become a great professional in the networking domain. Good luck :)!
-Sankar
Thanghadurai’s Answer
Appreciate this question and your curiosity in hunting Job offers,
Being successful in an industry is first you should understand the subject and do your own research what is your actual interest. Don't consider the domain to work if you are inspired by your friend's talks or someone referrals. If you lose the interest after getting into the job, you may tend to switch the career to something else and this may cause some gap with irrelevant experience in your career history too.
Here we go to answer your actual question, now the curriculum is changed with the industry upfront, check the new curriculum and stay on the track, and do not just read topics also understand the subject by doing practical using GNS3 or EVE-NG emulators. Since these are just an emulators, you wont see what is happening beside the communication between the nodes, So I would recommend you to learn some packet sniffer technologies like Wireshark to sniff the packets and to understand what is inside the packet.
Once you are good at these things, then you can up-skill to some scripting knowledge like Python and etc., you can start trying to automate the manual things on your own which is relevant to your subject whatever you have learnt in CCNA, Fortinet or something else.
This could be the best practice to learn the new technologies, to do your own research and with this knowledge you can crack any interviews with the relevant domain.
Again, for the long run in industry, you need to keep updating your skills and also you need to keep practicing the things what you have read in past to avoid forgetting in future, because there are the possibilities that you may not be working on 100% what you have learnt on the domain.
Regards,
Thanghadurai S
Thanghadurai recommends the following next steps:
Handy’s Answer
- Get up to date with your certifications, having a Cisco CCIE would be very beneficial in the industry.
- Be hungry to learn new stuff and be passionate about it
- Positive attitude is crucial
Raju’s Answer
CCIE should be your target.
I know its sounds overkill for a guy who is doing graduation. but trust me, I have seen people spending 6 months straight out of college post graduation and doing CCIE in their own track of choice e.g security. They always lands up higher paying jobs than usual than a college guy who is joining network industry without any certification or CCNA. They also climb the ladder fast.
Hope it helps.
Thanks Raju! I'm looking into that.
Rory