@@goonerzel8531 Right, it means entry level pay. As in they want you to have experience but not pay you a salary based on that experience. It's a joke. It didn't used to be that way, but IT field is so saturated now that they can do that. Why pay entry level pay for someone with zero experience when there are so many in the IT field desperately looking for work WITH experience. Saturation killed it. I had friends that got into the IT field 12 years ago, no experience at all, shit a couple of them didn't even have a cert at all. If you ask them if they can get you a job, they say they can't because they will only hire people at entry level but they have to have experience, lol. They told me it's just too saturated. I knew this was going to happen. I remember we talked about this several times years ago, and here we are.
@@sunburst8810 I don't live in a flyover state, sweetie. I live in the tri-state area. Very high median pay here compared to California. Hate to burst your bubble. It is that bad. My friend lives in Houston, He's been in IT for a little over10 years, a year before the pandemic hit, he wanted more money. He was searching for a whole year couldn't find a single position, they all wanted to pay him entry level. He only got one offer that would pay him $15k more per year and he had to move to fucking Arkansas to get it. He declined.
That’s rubbish, no job as a network engineer is the same pay as a entry level helpdesk job. People don’t understand you can’t run before you can walk, everyone starts off at the bottom to build experience.
Yo fuck that is so true I have A+ and Network+ and no one will hire me cause I don't have experience. I even went to school got a Bachelor degree. Still no job cause of experience for entry level jobs. IT industry is a joke.
@@kjcenteno5734 Its not just IT industry, almost every industry is like this. The job market is much tougher than it used to be. The mistake everyone makes is listening to their parents and teachers whose experience is from a long gone era. They told you to study hard to get fancy pieces of paper, when really you need to network hard and study only what's needed to do a given job.
@@asdflikesjkl I understand and I agree with you. It's just BS that many work hard to study for an opportunity to work in the field they study. Companies don't want to give them a chance to prove their worth.
CCNA is an entry-level networking certification, not a general IT cert like the A+. I would absolutely recommend that people who want to get into networking aim for the CCNA, since it is BY FAR the most recognized entry-level networking certification, but it should not be recommended to those looking to get into 'IT', since networking is just one possible path in the field of IT.
I think n plus is more of an entry level cert than the CCNA because many entry level places don't even run Cisco switches so no iOS knowledge required.
But Cisco Website Forbidden me from Logging in just because i didn't fill the Company Name? What if i didn't have a job yet and I'm learning to get an entry level? They stopped me from Learning :( to reach my entry level job.
@JeremyITLab uhm….no…. The Network+ is an entry level Network Certification. CCNA takes most of what you learn in Net+ and takes it a step further. CCNA is a Vendor specific certification and it’s not by any means “Entry Level”. It’s closer to an intermediate level certification because you have to learn alot about all the Cisco Network hardware on top of the networking concepts in general. It also requires more “know how”. If you don’t know the basics first you will struggle. Imagine your boss asking you to set up a few PCs but you only know networking setup but no idea how to setup or configure a PC in general. That’s not good.
You might not be looking for an entry-level Networking Position but you most certainly have to. They come in different flavors, Entry Level Network Technician, Service Desk Networking Technician, etc. A fresh CCNA cert. will not necessarily translate into a job. NO serious company will hand their network to inexperienced, fresh CCNA certified students. Of course, depending on your level of interview negotiation you might get away with a higher pay job than someone with exactly your level of experience or no experience right out of your CCNA cert. but again you need to know how to interview great and be above average. So be ready to pay your dues and humble yourself. You will get to the $100K+ salary eventually if you add more cert. gain hands-on experience and determination and tenacity become your best friends.
@@kennyblessed2523 I have it, and am currently studying for CCNA. Sec+ seems easier so far. Took me about 2 months of every day studying. 1 book and prof messer. Passed on my first try. No experience
You are not wrong. A+ will get you a job a LOT faster than a CCNA. That being said, the CCNA has the POTENTIAL to get you a much higher paying job AFTER you get the experience from the job that the A+ got you.
u want to work in the federal govt? u need security+, ccna-sec, casp or cissp. a+ will get u into the help desk but then u NEED those other certs i just mentioned.
Whoever says CCNA is a beginner cert doesn't know a thing about IT. The Network+ is a beginner level cert. The CCENT is a beginner level cert. The CCNA is pretty advance because of the Protocols and such it teaches you...
The CCNA is considered entry Level for the fact that it covers only basic routing and switching concepts...in the real work environment, it's much deeper than what any CCNA materials taught you
"Wow you have a CCNA? Great! Then you must be able to troubleshoot Windows/Linux SMB/NFS, EUE such as Windows/Mac Desktops/Laptops and Mobile OS's such as iOS and Android. Debug driver issues and submit bug reports with vendors. Create and manage firewall rules, write a corporate security whitepaper, It should take you no time to figure out how to do all of the sysadmin tasks and optimize our development chain for CI/CD. The CCNA must go over Docker container Orchestration with Kubernetes and Ansible/Chef configuration of OpenShift plus AWS API's for Cloud integration for managing our cluster of thousands of servers, right? Plus you should know how our projector and microwave works and while you're at is why is the power in this part of the building spotty? I mean this is all entry level IT stuff." -> $45k/yr - no paid vacation - always on call. - This is seriously the line of logic from these people.The marketers on LinkedIn hiring for these jobs have no idea what Cisco even is.
You get that much money working as a dumb as doornails Helpdesk. Most of these illiterate clowns don’t know about SFC /scannow. There are the kind of knobs who hold a HDD by the PCB. Given the skills you listed, you can easily rake in 65k with paid vacation. Probably 80k.
Got my A+ and N+ in early 2010's, did a few microsoft admin certifications and then jumped into cisco. Cisco CCNA was the hardest but it landed me my first job, and now i am in love the Networking side of IT.
How die you manage this? When I got my CCNA, back in 2005, I was never able to get a job working with Cisco routers and switches. With one company, it was obvious that I could answer all their Cisco related question but the manager shut my application down precisely because of a lack of "relevant experience." Mind you I had about three years of technical and help desk experience. If you managed to square this circle, you can help a lot of aspiring Cisco network Engineers out.
@@Bruce.-Wayne Much like Network+ is now. There were two configuration questions on my exam that I took 2 months ago (because an interviewer required it).
CCNA is for an ENTRY level network admin, not engineer. Cisco has more advance certs that are 10 times harder then CCNA, the CCIE is the hardest cert one can get from Cisco and that is for those who want to be an Engineer
xrellikgr funny because I know a lot of network engineers that only have ccna. It just depend on which role to apply for. If you get your CCNP and CCIE your going to get a senior network engineer role. But it really depend where you work and what you apply for. Just to clear things up ccna can get you a admin and engineering job, just depend what you applied for.
Michael Yang at the same time there is a shortage on network engineers, so I can under an employer giving that position to someone with a CCNA and then just have them learn on the job
Honestly in order to get a CCNA you must already know hardware and software, so having a CCNA already shows that you know IT stuff, also the CCNA test is not just a test, it requires you to do real world lab problems. So passing the CCNA shows the employer that you know how to configure a enterprise network
I have worked in networking for over 7 years. I know many thing to a ccnp level. I worked in a high pressure and toxic environment, which was very unsupportive of getting my cisco certifications. They went looking for someone who has a CCNA cert. They hired an individual who has a CCNA cert. His previous job was being a driver. He didn't know how to do really basic things. Like finding the ip address of his own computer, pinging another computer. Due to this he didn't last 2 weeks. I have no idea how he has his CCNA but it showed that having a cert doesn't mean you know how to do the job. Probably a unique and extreme case but shows that it is possible that someone can have a cert and still not be any use in the job.
Michael Downing I fine that extremely hard to believe, the CCNA requires months of studying and multiple real world labs scenarios. Everyone I know who has a CCNA at least know the basic stuff in Networking
I totally agree. No idea how he has his certificate, unless it was a complete lie. I have seen people just memorise brain dumps of exams. But that doesn't seem possible for CCNA. Although similarly I have seen many failed hires in my previous job that where suppose to experienced individuals but where incredible helpless at the work.
@@MichaelImo if it was anything like my interview to work there, the MD didn't ask any technical questions. Less of an interview and more of a getting to know you chat. If you can be personable, and have a decent bit of paper you can get through.
@@Jr-mn2ol I got my A+ a few months ago.. The first exam was the hardest in my opinion. The test aren't super duper hard but you def can't sing it with 0 knowledge. I used Mike Myers udemy course and books to pass.
@@DevOpsLabs4Me I've just recently discovered Mike Myers thanks to my bro. I've been toying around doing basic tablet and smartphone fixes over the years but are Mike's lectures alone enough to pass?
A+ was what my dad got first and this was also his advice. He said basically the same thing you did, A+ is foundational to the rest of your IT education. And just like any machine shop (he's also a machinist) the company or client you work for will have the way THEY will want you to do it, the certifications just mean you have a grasp of the field. A school and a bank won't want you to do everything the same. I'm glad I found your channel Zach, it has greatly helped my pursuit of getting into the IT field. Even though I'm just heading to the start I feel like I have a better grasp of what to do and expect. Thanks also for the CompTIA recommendation they look awesome. Again thank you for doing these videos they are massively helpful.
I am very limited on experience, but I'll just give my short story. I went to school for an A.S. degree in computer science with a focus on "network engineering". Our core networking classes were all Cisco based, so that's the road i went down for certs. I passed my ICND1 and found a job for a "Jr. Network Engineer" that said it required zero experience, and preferred people with CCNA's, but would consider CCENT's. I applied, but was still in school so they basically wanted to wait until I graduated. A week before graduation, I took my ICND2 and passed, which earned me my CCNA obviously. I called the hiring company and told them about my new certification and they basically said "you're hired, we are forgoing the interview process and want you to start ASAP." I start on Monday and it is my first job in the IT world. I am nervous, but excited because I actually find working with Cisco equipment to be fun. With that being said, I am essentially working for Cisco, they are the ones paying me. I'm a contingent worker, and if I was applying to any other company, maybe my certs wouldn't hold as much weight. Oh, and just because I have my CCNA does not mean I am making oodles of money. This is entry level after all, the pay isn't extraordinary. I think with experience + the certs I have, that's when pay will become higher.
@@jonathangeorge7815 Well, good and bad. So I am still at the same job, mostly because the contract is coming to an end and I kind of want to see it through (it was supposed to end a while ago, but ya know, things happened in the past couple years that really set the whole thing back). At this job, I have received one 10% raise. I could probably ask for another, but since contract is near its end, not going to bother. With that being said, I put my updated resume out about 2 months ago and have received easily over 100+ job offers. 98% of them have been from recruiters, who unfortunately tend to lowball (like $20/hr lowball), so I ignore a good amount of them because they all seem to come from the same recruitment company and they all have lowballed me. But I've had two offers paying 2x my current pay (and then some). One was filled so quickly that I responded to the recruiter the day they emailed me, only to hear back that is was filled. The other I applied for myself before being contacted and never heard a response unfortunately. But the posting was 5 days old when I had first saw it and reached out. I think if I truly had no job and had all the time in the world, I'd be making double what I make now. But for now I am nitpicky. I don't want to sound "racist" or whatever, but when I get a 10+ emails a day from recruiters with very Indian sounding names who misspell multiple words in their email, I just delete it. These all are from the same firm/recruitment company. They bury all the good opportunities I am offered in my inbox, and half of them seem like BS from the get-go. They also apparently fail to read my qualifications, and will contact me about jobs doing Java scripting and things I have absolutely zero experience with. It's actually rather annoying.
@@cheeseburgerwalrus499 thanks for the update! I get spammed but shady looking companies / scammers too. Its really frustrating to deal with actually . I think the only thing you can do is look into the company. Not sure where you live but this is helpful to me. oag.ca.gov/consumers/general/checking_business_bkgrd10 $20 is low ball... I think fast food workers in my area get about $17-21/hr kind of insane that you would only be offered 20.... How much are you making now if you don't mind sharing? I'm also in IT I have a BS in computer science getting paid 57k at my current job. super low for my skill set, but I needed experience, and I tolerate it because the job is very stress free (i just get my job done and I receive zero micromanagement). You really should ask for more money though. even if you leave soon. Its good practice.
The CCNA is an entry level certification, just not a general entry level IT certification. If you are just trying to get into IT and have no experience absolutely get the A+, Network+, and/or the Security+. However, after a few years of experience, or for really anything above entry level, those CompTIA certifications lose their value almost completely. The CCNA IS an entry level NETWORKING certification. You can argue that the Network+ is but the problem with the Network+ is that it is vendor neutral. You aren't going to learn how to configure Cisco or Juniper devices in the Network+ and if you don't know how configure the devices, what good are you going to be in a networking role? The CCNA is THE DE FACTO entry level networking certification.
I.T. Career Questions No, you said the A+ was better many times throughout the video. Your video is called “CCNA is not an entry level certification” I am very confused by your statement. Also, there is a 1 year course you can take while in High School that takes up 3 periods that I am taking now. The course is meant to prepare for the CCNA exam. The CCENT has been cut so it is now the entry level certification we can get. I knew I made a mistake clicking this video.
@@MrPerry435 I said the A+ was better for entry level I.T. work. The CCNA is the best entry level networking certification. There is a HUGE difference between the two of them.
@@MrPerry435 No the youtuber is RIGHT. A+ is the foundation to get your foot in the door of an IT job. THEN a CCNA for focusing on Networking IF that is where you want to go. Some people are hiring for Microsoft, some Cisco. But the basic FOUNDATION of IT IS the A+ cert.
@@Akihito007 Exactly!! Entry level I.T. is general and NOT the same as entry level Networking, which is more career path specific. He definitely said it correctly in the video. There is soooo much the A+ teaches you that you really miss out on some critical knowledge by skipping straight to the CCNA. Good example: he's basically saying entry level Mathematics (like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) are like the A+ or just general entry level I.T. jobs. They don't require that much. The CCNA and entry level Networking jobs are like going straight to Algebra and Geometry. While they are also entry level math subjects that are foundational as well, Basic Algebra and Geometry are NOT the same as Basic Addition and Subtraction.
I generally agree with your statements, and I would add that networking and putting yourself out there is so important. I’ve known many people over the years who found out about entry level positions through college (primarily community colleges). I personally walked into a small MSP and introduced myself and was able to land an interview and a job. Interview skills got me the job, not my A+. My good friend landed an interview at school because they recommended him for a position because of his attitude and eagerness to learn. He said he wasn’t even the smartest one there, but it was his personality that got him the job.
I'm just getting around to this video. I've been in IT since the Ice Age. Litterally at the DOS age, but never got around to testing for the CCNA until about 5 weeks ago due to procrastination. Passed the ICND1 on Monday. I'm Doing it now due to the coming certpocolypse, which will be even harder to pass. It is certainly not an entry-level cert as it was back in the day. You need to know a lot more in version 3, which is about to expire, especially with regard to troubleshooting RS issues. It is the base to lead you to CCNP specializations and with the 2/24/20 exam changes, which will require a high degree of knowledge in many other areas, such as security, IOT, Voice, and a few more, just for CCNA. It will also become one exam after the deadline. As far as getting a job, that's a roll of the dice. Meaning luck and timing. I shop my resume every year and have over 25 years of experience in IT and for the most part, I get no replies or offers, except from BS recruiters. It's very interesting but there are literally hundreds of candidates to compete against. For entry-level, you are right in saying that those fundamental certs are a lot more handy for entry-level folks looking to get "into" IT. I highly encourage it. Yes, the CCNA certification track is for those that are really looking to get into networking and potentially higher-paying jobs. But don't just look at getting a job anywhere, target the right company's. Some on this thread have mentioned toxic environments where they've worked. Well, then you're working at the wrong place. Here's a tip for those that are searching: The same way they are interviewing you for the job, you should be interviewing them about the job and company. Look at the culture, whether most employees are happy and speak highly of the company and co-workers, what are their "Core Values." growth opportunities, training and education, benefits, etc. That usually spins their heads and lets them know how serious you are. When you get the response, it will help you determine if it is the right place for you.
A+ will teach you the fundamentals of IT systems, Network+ will teach you the fundamentals of networking, CCNA will further enhance those networking fundamentals; do it in that order. You don't need to have the certs but focus on knowing the material. There are plently of study guides and free resources. Your resume gets you an interview; you get the job.
This is taken straight from their website and I'm only using one bullet-point: Configure device operating systems, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Chrome OS, Android and iOS and administer client-based as well as cloud-based (SaaS) software. It teaches you more than hardware; it will give you the fundamental baseline of systems (both physical and logical) and how to support them. If you think it doesn't teach you fundamentals then hey, you're free to go your own way; I'm coming from over a decade of experience working my way up through helpdesk, sysadmin / datacenter then flopped into security.
is it worth pursuing for A+ first?? man want to get into IT but dont know where I should start. want to get into CCNA but guess Ive been doing it wrong the whole time
@@EXFOOLYCOOLY it doesn't really matter a whole lot. I got in to I.T. without any certs and a high school diploma. I have certs now, paid for by the company. Interviewing well and selling yourself on your resume will get you further than any cert.
2:35 Yup, I'm one of those. I just got hired on as a network engineer with no certs. Only prior experience is desktop support lol. 78K salary, and they'll be training me for the CCNP. I lucked out for sure.
Thank you kind sir. I was in a dilemma. I was attending the Cisco academy but had to put it on pause after taking and passing the first course. It was going at a fast pace due to being a compressed program. But your statement in this video has helped me to decide to switch lanes and pursue the CompTIA certification instead of the CCNA.
I saw help desk entry jobs asking for MCSE, Sec+, CCNA and CISSP. And this is not typical of the entry level job. But i do agree with your path A+, Net+ before going for the CCNA or MCSE(Expert)
Probably worthwhile applying anyway. That might just be a case of HR going a bit cert happy. Once they see a distinct lack of applications for what is an entry level job applying, they'll soon get the picture.
CISSP? It literally requires years of comproved work experience on security to get a CISSP. Anyone who write these requirements doesn't know a thing about those certs and also will find no candidates for the job.
@@johnp2631 The ICND 100-105 and 200-105 Review Books by Wendell Odom (CCIE certified) are very well written and explain everything you need and more to get your CCNA. Cisco is going to retire these exams soon, but the content in these books will stay relevant; they're pretty cheap too. For the labs, the Pearson network simulator tool worked well for me. You buy it once and have it for life, so you can practice your lab skills anytime.
@@whyshouldi2100 I'm currently studying for my ccna, I'm going the bootcamp plus UA-cam tutorial route, hoping to take my first exam in January and then in February I'm planning to start studying for my mcsa, your comment gives me hope man, thanks
So I was in the navy. I was an OS which is an operation specialist. My job was to operate different consoles. I never knew anything about being an IT. I realized that I wanted to get into IT because it was fun, evolving and you can do so much. So I picked out this older gentleman who was and still is an IT and the first thing he told me was to obtain my A+. It would ultimately give me the knowledge to not only speak IT but understand those fundamentals employers are looking for. I wince have gotten other certifications but the company that hired me that my mentor also works for was entry level. And some of the questions and scenarios they asked me, I could answer confidently because of A+. And to anyone who thinks that A+ is not worth it, compTIA wouldn’t go through so much time to create an entry level certification if it wasn’t “useful”. You’re spot on with your discussion. The network engineers at my company all have CCNA but none of them ONLY had that, they also had A+, and network+, some have sec+ or CASP. So A+ is extremely relevant to ITs.
I agree with your observations. I have the CompTIA trifecta and studying for my CCNA right now. I’ll still most like get a help desk job for six months and then jump ship to a better paying job.
I freaking love your channel , every now and then I forget that I am subscribed and have the notifications on and each and every time I watch a vid I love it over and over again
I don't think you're going to get the CCNA cert if you don't have the basic knowledge or troubleshooting skills that the Comptia A+ gives you. If you don't know how to do basic things, Comptia A+ is a great certification to get the knowledge that you need before going forward in IT. To me Comptia A+ is great for a beginner that has no knowledge of computers in general.
Well he’s saying anything is possible in terms what job you could possibly land but he takes the more realistic approach. Network engineering academy takes the more motivational approach. Pushing people to study hard and market themselves to get the job they want. I like both channels for that reasons.
Here is my experience with this. Most likely, if a job requires an A+, but you have a CCNA instead, you have a good shot at the job. Bear in mind, that there will be pc repair and windows info you wont know, if all you know about IT is what you learned preparing for the CCNA. Having said that, you probably didn't get the CCNA for a job that the A+ is design to prove you can do. You got the CCNA because you want to be a networking specialist specializing in cisco switches and routers. And here is the problem. These jobs are not entry level and you will have a hard time finding such a job with your CCNA if you do not have experience. What is unfair and frustrating is that you don't need a lot of expertise. A year might be enough, but the sad truth is that you might not he able to get that experience.
So why are the two certs being compared when they are two different certifications networking and another core fundamentals of PC servicing? Its like comparing the a CCNP to a CISSP
Thank you for this. I had started studying for the CCENT early in the year, then this whole new change from CISCO on the CCNA really screwed my plans. I was about to start studying the new CCNA ( I am new to IT) but I think I want to start with A+ and Security +. I have always been one with the thought that to build a good home you need a solid foundation and going straight to CCNA without that IT foundation, I am going to have a shaky start to this new career and that I cannot have.
IT career question: what if you have 20 years of strictly helpdesk/desktop support experience and you recently completed your BS degree and you have a recent CCNA and 8 other certs, but same or lower level jobs won't talk to you b/c they think you're over qualified (i suspect) and hardcore networking jobs won't talk to you either b/c you don't have that specific experience. And also your current job won't involve you in any networking exposure even after you politely asked multiple times. Great video BTW, thank you.
Get a job as a structured cabling installer, there’s an entry level networking job that’s leaning towards networking. You’ll pull cable, terminate, hang some APs, build some four posts, all while being an arms length from your next mentor the network technician. You can talk yourself into your next position and the next and the next.
I took the advice of getting CCNA based off of many videos that recommend that route. I enrolled in college to finish BA and by the end of the 1st semester I was told the same thing you are saying by people in the field teaching classes and helping people get jobs. A+ and Security+ is the recommended route for entry level. A lot of places will pay for the Security+ if you already have the A+
Hello there! So, I used CCENT and LPI essentials with Entry level certifications. Around 4-6 month later I got my CCNA R&S, Junos JNCIA and CCNA CyberOPS. After that I from Intern to Network beginner Jr. Now I am getting CCNP R&S and Learning about network automation. All in just 2 years on my first Job. I have 23 years old. Regards
Absolutely right I spent 5k on a CCNA class and ended up getting a job with a plus cert that I got with a coupon for less than $200,am very grateful to Professor messer
The is the 100% most honest and accurate IT video I've seen on YT. I started IT in the Army so my first IT job was very different from the norm. (so I thought). I got my Sec+ as my first cert because we can't have admin rights without IAT level ll certs in the federal gov sector but I wish I would've gotten my A+ first or focused on fundamentals because now going for CCNA, I understand WiFi security and encryption and deep IT theory but lack knowledge in the fundamentals of hardware. It is a very confusing place to be and I hope others take the time to understand those fundamentals and build that foundation, then focus on advanced certs.
The "IT Industry" isn't just one thing. If you're going into networking, your A+ is meh, hell get the current Net+ it's freaking great at the moment. If you want to get into the repair or stuck on the helpdesk, then go for your A+, or you wanna be a sysadmin. I'd the MSCX track is the route you wanna go.
Thanks so much for this! Just saved me a lot of stress down the line trying to figure out which course/certification I wanted to pursue looking for an entry level position. Great video!
Hey bud, I've been saying the same thing for the past few months, because I've been studying for my CCNA for almost seven months now. I'm almost to the point to where I can maybe pass the CCNA exam now. Because of that, I've discovered that this CCNA is at least intermediate level! You need at least a year or two of networking experience, esp Cisco, to even have a basic idea of the CCNA material. It is crazy hard! Not only do you need to know basic routing, switching, IP addressing, etc but you need to know network automation, cloud/virtualization, and wireless networks. You would think the CCNA should be divided up into two, maybe three categories of certifications. But they pack all that into one CCNA exam. Once I get my CCNA, I'm sure I can find something good-I also plan to get a Security+ and Pentest+ cert afterwards. I've been working in a volatile industry for 25 years and want a career change into something more stable.
I just started two Cisco courses online and I feeeeel this video! I love IT and I’m still excited to learn from Cisco, but this is very vast amount of information that I would have preferred to learn in person.
I have no certifications and no degrees, 25 years experience got me to IT manager for a major Las Vegas casino. I have 20 questions I ask on an interviews that count more than any cert. I have interviewed many people that could not give the proper definition of a router and they had a cert.
Because a certification is a TEST, not practical experience. Chances are that person just memorized everything for "The Big Test" and thats it, but like the guy said, it doesnt give you the SKILLS!
Having worked in IT for 20 years. When I first started, in 1999 in San Jose, California on a construction site for a hotel, after pulling cat 5 cable for 2 weeks, and terminating cabling jacks and tips; I came in the office and by boss just handing me a Cisco enterprise switch and said, "go install it." And, in those days, I had no degree, no certification and it took me two days, just to figure out how to get to the CLI (out of band), I had no books either. No youtube videos. But, I figured it out, and my boss game me several more and that launch my career. Ironically, later landed a job, and I ran an enterprises Windows Domain, with Exchange, DNS, Proxy, SQL and AD, with no degree, no certifications, no books. Later, I lost that job, and spent 15 years working desktop repair and random IT work. Now, in the last 3 years, I have gone back to a lot of IT work related to Routing and Switching. And, I agree with you. I touch dozens of Rack and stacks, cabling jobs and cut-overs, and less than 1% of the time, do ever get to touch the CLI. By the way. I have a COMPTIA A+, Network+ and Security+, and a CCNA in R/S (which has expired 2019), and I still can not get a job. I have been laughed at, literally in job interviews, for bringing up that I have a CCNA. One job interview, was 4 people panel interview and one of the people said, frankly, I would never hire anyone with a CCNA. For me, the bottom line, is that CCNA is Cisco related. But, it also covers dozens of topics that translate onto other gear. Having a strong understanding of STP and OSPF, and many other concepts, make any tech far superior. Also, I get it. I have been in dozens of IDF/MDF and server rooms, and not one was the same, even with in a corporation. But, having a core set of base skills, from a CCNA, gives a solid foundation of tools, both logical and physical to reference. I would agree. That experience is king. But the only way to get experience is to go out and do IT work.
Hey Bro how are you doing just watched your video about "CCNA is Not an entry level I.T certification" and you're absolutely right.. Came from one of the most disastrous interviews yesterday.. I recently certified in ccna and applied for some Junior Help desk technician posts and when I went to this job yesterday my CCNA held no relevance at all.. The employer simply asked me "If you were to build a computer from the ground up what components would u order?" and In that moment my ccna meant nothing.. I couldn't name the essential components & I just became tongue tied... As a result I failed the interview. Walked out with my tail between my legs.. Never felt so embarrassed & defeated in my life..
I got my a+ and security+ to get my first IT job. Then I got a networking job from there. I work in the Noc for my current company and currently working on my JNCIA to become a NOC engineer.
I think you’re wrong only because striving for your CCNA raises expectations. The industry is moving fast to an oligarchy of managed services and an endless supply of L1 technicians who are doomed to stay there. Just go on any jobs site and compare entry level roles to mid-career offerings. Next call any software vendors you have in your office and I guarantee you speak to someone in another country, an automated system, or a tech that does not work at the corporate site. Companies always cut costs on the labor side. CompTIA definitely had the edge 10-20 years ago, but IMO AWS, MS, and Cisco are entry level once you have an idea what you want to do in IT.
CCNA wasnt that difficult. I studied like 2 and half months n passed....but more employers are looking for comptia certs... I guess bc it teaches a wide array of skills
Customer service skills and the willingness/ability to learn do more for entry level IT Jobs than any one certification. Basic technical knowledge is important, but you learn that a lot easier than how to talk to a customer.
Thank you boss I needed to hear this . I paid for and am going through CCNA material now... with my experience I need a step back and need all the A+ fundementals .
Dude you should have make this video in 2017, I know so many people freaking out about getting a CCNA without any IT experience and in the way they are busting their heads with so much information; and at the end of the day makes sense that someone will give you a job managing their network with cero experience..... Kudos!
I disagree, the CCNA is a entry level cert FOR entry level NETWORKING, you’ll need a CCNA to become a network administrator. Cisco has a lot more advance certs that are 10 times harder then CCNA. CompTIA certs are useless unless you are just trying to stay in the help desk/system admin field.
Yes, CCNA is entry level.....at the highest level is the Almighty CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetworking Expert) ....at the CCIE level, you become the most sought after in the industry
Always honest and true to the purpose of your channel, you are absolutely correct and I think that recruiters are flooding the requirements for every single IT entry-level job with absurd expectations regarding certifications which in turn is leading to a spike in brain dumps proliferation and people are looking for them like that would be the only source to prepare for a test. I have my A+, Network+, even Project+ as well as CCENT and getting ready for ICND2 and I really enjoy the learning process and the satisfaction of personal accomplishment. Keep up the great job Zach!
It depends on the country. In Spain after the recession of 2008 the offer and demand was very complicated. They offer entry level job requiring bachelor degree and 2 years of experience. And they offer that because they can, and the demand was higher than the offer. So to the statement of "to apply to an entry level job you don't need experience nor degree" only applies to your country. Given that, Cisco certification is very specific and high level, so I agree with the video overall.
I am currently attending college for IT/networking and I really needed this video, thank you. So many people in my program or alumni would shove the A+ and CCNA down my throat like it was a REQUIREMENT after college. I had a feeling that wasn't the case and I am glad I am not wrong in my gut feeling. Keep up the great work and you earned a sub.
I just recently obtained my CCNA and then the other day my Security +. I actually started in Telecom sales got into a VoIP engineer position and was required to pass The SIP School SIP certification as my first certification. I did however study computer science for a few years. I will agree that the A+ would have been a faster route to break into the space and probably a lot easier. Studying now for my CND and CEH but security and Linux are fairly new to me. Always continually learning is what employers like more than a single cert.
He's 100% correct, the CCNA is an entry level NETWORK certification. Honestly, the best IT cert for entry level IT role is NO cert because they will train you on the job everything you will learn in a A+ or network+
I have been working in IT for the last 10 years and I just got my CCNA. I make good money at my current helpdesk position, but I want to be a network engineer. I got my CCNA to verify that I understand the fundamentals of networking, but I also know that the CERTIFICATION won't get me a job. It will get me an interview or a second look from a recruiter. I get the job because I show that I can think my way through problems. When asked by others, how do I get into IT, I say that they should become familiar with addressing problems in a coordinated fashion. I have seen many different types of "IT" people, some with a degree and some without. But the ONLY differentiating factor is how they handle working through issues. When you're on an IT interview (especially your first) you'll get asked scenario questions. 9 times out of 10, you won't have the "right" answer (and the interviewer isn't looking for that), but the interviewer wants to see what your thought process is. Point blank, there is NO certification that just GETS you a job. Like what was mentioned in the video, YOU get you a job. Fill out apps even if you don't check off EVERY "requirement". Get the interview and show them why your special and why they should give you an opportunity.
Amen to that.....having been in networking for 15yrs, I can remember those days when I went to job interviews and some employers even sent me to a white board or login to lab device and had me start troubleshooting on the spot to see if I can prove what my resume says I know....again, it's what you can prove that matters, other than that, the employer will just say you have "Book knowledge "
Hii im from India, I don't have a degree.. i did my A+ and worked in broadband service, then joined a hotel as tech support, now im working as desktop support engineer in a battery manufacturing head office, but still dont have degre or ccna certification, but i have skills and negotian skills and communication skills, hoping for bright career
I got my A+ and have been applying for entry level jobs for the last 5 months and haven't had a single response. I'm applying for like less than 20k a year jobs and still getting ghosted. Starting to feel like the A+ was worthless. I'm doing CCNA now to try and get a better shot. This industry is cold, man.
@@alinatsui209 nope not had a single response from any. I've changed my resume a few times with still no luck. Might try finding some examples online of better ways to structure it
@@Nick-zi4sd Do you have linkedin? Having a professional looking linkedin profile is a very very good thing to have. I'm starting a new job in a couple weeks, and they found me on linkedin. Many recruiters use linkedin these days. If you don't have it, get it.
@@Nick-zi4sd if you have a copy of your resume somewhere, I'd be glad to review it. You have to out your own spin, have your resume tell a story, brand yourself. What are you offering employers? Why should they hire you? Got to find a way to get your foot in the door.
I would always choose the quiet guy in the corner with no formal education at all. Those seem to be the best ones. I just like to break stuff for fun, not interested in a job hahahhaha! Love it man. Lots of people made Millions and Billions with highschool education or less. Education is not a requirement, it's just a tool to help you when you need it.
CCNA is just like any other IT certification. It’s only really valuable if you have relevant work experience to go along with it. I was fortunate enough to gain that experience in the military, and subsequently got hired as a network engineer despite my CCNA being almost 10 years out of date.
Honestly I needed this video. I want to have my CCNA but I’ve been thinking of doing the comptia certs first because I might study something that I love more then networking. Still undecided but I need to hear this so I know I’m not alone in this journey.
AMEN Bro!! I have worked at companies that have implemented networks the way they should b and places where its pure crap!! I have a friend who has only a ccent but has worked on vmware, cisco and other high end technologies. So it depends on the company if you are hired how far you will rise!
This video is much appreciated my friend! I started taking classes for CCNA but the teacher is death by PowerPoint and I feel like it’s a bad intro class. Once again thanks for making this!
Really glad I watched this video I was about to sign up for a CCNA course but was apprehensive about just jumping in. I have no experience but not computer illiterate and want to take the best first step possible into this field. Im going to look into getting an A+ cert first instead especially if that will help me land an actual ENTRY LEVEL job thanks for the really informative video and I'm a sailor so no offense to the swearing here haha.
First time here on this channel. I'm from Brazil and I must say that your English is very good for ESL fellas as I. I got your point, but unfortunately it is not the reality of all places and countries. In some countries it is not possible to get a job without nothing.
I would say this logic could apply to the MCSA as well. I didn't really think the CCNA was as hard as people say, it just takes discipline and the ability to stick to your studying. Definitely worth it though. I agree that it probably shouldn't be your first cert but that also depends on the individual.
Agreed. Working at an ISP at the time working with Cisco devices day in, day out, I completed the CCNA in less than 40 minutes. It wasn't hard. But it requires discipline and a degree of just being able to memorise bs things like STP versions, routing protocol timers etc.
He is exactly right. I have been in IT for 17 years and was ambitious enough to find a job right away. Sure it was helpdesk back in 2003 but it was a start, during that time you get exposure to a lot which may lead depending on your skill set and drive to a tier 2 position. The importance is during this time you must continue working on getting certifications and experience and above all start (no pun intended) networking. Trust the process and believe me you will get to where you want to go. That being said I have been a sys admin and deskside consultant / generalist for the last 8 years with oil and gas and then after a decade and a half of experience doing the grunt work of cabling and racking to imaging machines among other work, I decided to get a role as a network engineer (not certified at the time) THEN I decided to get the certification not for the great $ which I was already making but for the knowledge and to better understand and serve my clients. That being said, this cert should be used as a tool not to acquire a position as an entry level engineer or tech but as an add on to your already large skillset. It is definitely not an entry level cert speaking of which the new CCT is entry level.
I got my first IT job in Telecom by being an engaged interviewee. I am now, 10+ years and multiple promotions later, still without a certification. I am going for my CCNA as my *first* certification because I have been in an around the industry for over 10 years. CCNA should definitely not be what someone should need to START in IT. A+ and Net+ will get you in the door. CCNA will get you further within that company.
I've been working in IT field for about 12 years now I don't even really know what the CCNA is, something to do with networking, but I'm not a network engineer at all so I never really thought much about it.
So sad, but true. Majority of the fires I put out on second tier can almost always still be traced back to entry level troubleshooting that the help desk just missed for whatever reason. Printers are the devil. Thank goodness we farm out the printer issues.
Dude, you saved me. I’m starting CCNA next week. So I’m doing A+ and wanted to get into the system Admin and the instructors said that I can’t get any entry level jobs with just A+ that I need to add CCNA. After researching and decided that I’ll do A+ and MCSA cert because that’s the path I wanted to start first. That’s when they threw me off my game . Thanks to your video I’m canceling that and wait for my MCSA class to start so I can join.
Hi all, these videos are super helpful man. My goal is to switch careers to IT in the next year and a half (wife is changing careers to nursing so I cant make the switch from my current career until she is done) and the biggest question I have is exactly this do i get an IT degree? Do I focus on certs? This is rather helpful, and this video in particular is very helpful as perhaps when its time to make the switch I just try to jump into an entry level position and see how that goes. Keep up the good work my dude.
Thanks man and good luck to you and your wife! There is no right or wrong answer. You technically don't need anything to land an entry level role other than soft skills and the ability to learn. Anything after that is icing on the cake. Degrees can open a lot of doors just as certifications can. You'll often find some jobs have a hard requirement for a degree. But it's also important to note that companies like Facebook, Google, and Netflix dropped their degree requirements, if that trend sticks then we can see a major shift. At the end of the day do what makes sense to you, what you feel most comfortable with, whatever decision gives you the most confidence.
@@Itcareerquestions Man thank you for the reply, I really do appreciate it. I really do value your insight and issues you cover man. Keep up the good work!
I watched this video in the middle of studying for A+ for a job I interviewed for on the military base as help desk that requires me to get A+ or Sec+. I had already taken Sec+ and failed it by 60 points before getting the job interview and was told by the manager who interviewed me that he preferred I get A+ over Sec+ for now. I'm fairly competent and understood a lot of this information but I've still picked up and learned plenty of things by studying this material that will actually benefit me in my coming job. I want to become a network engineer/architect, so I will eventually be going for my CCNA and so forth to CCNP but I plan on taking all the steps I can to reach that. Taking A+ now, then taking Net+ and then recapping on the studying I've already done for Sec+ and retaking that test. Eventually I'll go for CCENT and CCNA.
I appreciate this guy. I’m also so tired of jeering IT pros trash this cert or that cert. what I’ve found is that almost anytime someone trashed a cert or a vendor, that person either doesn’t even have a cert from that vendor, or hasn’t tested for that cert, or hasn’t tested or earned that cert or a cert from that vendor in so many years that their opinion is grossly irrelevant. I’ve been hearing this from my first year in IT. And I continue to hear it. My first cert was Net+ even though supervisor said I should do CCNA. Now that I’m a network admin years later and am working on Cisco gear everyday, I’m so glad I didn’t get CCNA back then. Would have been largely irrelevant for me. Instead for Net+, then Sec+, then MCSA. The MCSA, btw, is a monster cert and anyone who says otherwise probably hasn’t earned it for ten years since it was a joke and you just had to sign your name on the test.
PREACH!!! I caught wind of a few videos saying to obtain the ccna before the A+. So I started studying for the CCNA. Once it got to a part that I didn't understand, I thought to myself "What if get hired for entry level with a CCNA but don't know the basics?" Its like a mechanic that can't change a tire. So its safe to say I'm now studying for my A+. This video just gave me confirmation that I'm making the right choice. Thank You.
After watching this video, part of me wonders if a quick run through A+ (even if not to certify) would help overall in covering whatever random things I've never come across before...There are plenty of things I've picked up by experimentation but Zach does drive a good case that all the basics of IT are covered there in A+.
I like the logic of your arguments; they make perfect sense. Apologies for being "Johnny come lately" to the comments. I decided to go for CCNA as my first certification (still working on it at this time), because I got into networking being an audio/visual shift manager, and wanted skills marketable outside of AV (which has taken a huge hit due to the COVID-19 pandemic). Additionally, working on computers and printers just isn't my wheelhouse; I can do it, but hate it. I worked my way up to become the Internet Services Manager over a metroplex, as well as a network engineer building Cisco networks from the ground floor. Mind you, I currently have no certifications; I am completely self-taught from UA-cam, books, hands-on experience, and worked with people who knew more than me. The company that I work for is exclusively Cisco and a little bit of Ruckus and so to become better at my current job and to possibly move on to something else, I decided on CCNA since I already have a long history and background with Cisco networks. First is CCNA, then Network+, and then I want to shift into Cisco DevNet for network automation. Thank you for sharing your thoughts good sir.
Summary: While I see your point I have to strongly disagree based on what I am seeing in the job market and my experience as an employee and employer. Excuse the long post. The CCNA was my second cert, A+ my first, but this stuff comes easy to me so there is a bit of bias. 1. Check job postings and you will see that many companies (depending on the area I live in S. Florida) don't want just a specialized person. They want a jack of all trades, that Swiss army knife. They want that person to know networking, systems, desktop support, VM concepts and have experience with Azure and/or AWS. Or gain a cert in one of those disciplines in 3 to 6 months. Even with that knowledge you are talking about a level 1 tech. 2. Not touching the network is no longer an option even as an entry level tech. It's really that bad out here because there is an abundance of talent in some areas. You might be an entry level tech competing against a 20+ yr vet with a B.S. and 5 up to date certs who just needs work and is applying for anything. 3. I am re-certifying for my CCNA now. Yes it is in depth in comparison to the Network+ but the concepts in it are industry standards that in my opinion you should know by your 2nd year in the industry. Really end of first year. 4. Speaking with colleagues that manage IT departments and the biggest issue is that new hires whether you are early 20s or in their 30s don't know a dam thing. Some have certs but most don't. I do see your point but it's survival mode out here and the CCNA should be entry level at this point for a tech if working in systems or networking. You will perform better with the knowledge gained.
I didnt even recert, I had A+ and CCNA. I am working with hardware, if I have to get a new job do to layoff I may recert but they don't teach you much, experience is everything.
So basically it's like getting a CDL truck driving license before you get your Driver's License? You dont really need a CDL unless you want to drive a truck?
A little over 9 years ago, I took my CCENT cert in high school and was on my way to doing the ICND-2 for the CCNA later that year. Before that, I had a bad experience(I was a 17 year old black male in Florida) during a state networking competition and noticed several errors in the test about Subnetting. The competition was good old boy country and the proctors told me what do I even know about networking (stupid right?) and I pointed to a Cisco Press book that I saw coming in the room. I told them which chapter they could find the correct way to do Subnetting, they humored me by looking, found out that I was right and they had to change the test. They were livid and embarrassed that a high school black (-___- Yeah I know) would dare correct them. Anyway, when it came down to the Routing and Switch test and I saved my network configuration, they said they couldn't find it and maybe if I would have known better next time, maybe they would be able to find it. I decided not to pursue networking after high-school and switch to programming because of how toxic that situation was. Anyway, 10 years later, I'm a senior dev working remote enjoying my life.
This is very true. I got my IT job before I had any cert, the employer saw that I'm eager to learn and willing to work and ambitious. I was in a stage of getting CCENT and the employer knew and he just thouhgt it was "nice". Everything I needed to do the work I learned on the job. Since then I got my CCNA and my employer doesn't care that much about the cert itself, but more that I'm willing to study on my own and that I have the self iniciative. That's what matters in the real world, the self iniciative, drive to learn, to do better every day, to learn from your mistake and help others. Make sure you grow.
Entry level position does not always mean they will train you on everything. They call it 'entry level' so they can pay you 'entry level'.
Exactly! yesterday I was looking up random jobs on LinkedIn , one post was asking for 15years of experience and they put it as entry level! wth
@@goonerzel8531 Right, it means entry level pay. As in they want you to have experience but not pay you a salary based on that experience. It's a joke. It didn't used to be that way, but IT field is so saturated now that they can do that. Why pay entry level pay for someone with zero experience when there are so many in the IT field desperately looking for work WITH experience. Saturation killed it. I had friends that got into the IT field 12 years ago, no experience at all, shit a couple of them didn't even have a cert at all. If you ask them if they can get you a job, they say they can't because they will only hire people at entry level but they have to have experience, lol. They told me it's just too saturated. I knew this was going to happen. I remember we talked about this several times years ago, and here we are.
@@robmen1402 It's not nearly that bad. You live in a flyover state
@@sunburst8810 I don't live in a flyover state, sweetie. I live in the tri-state area. Very high median pay here compared to California. Hate to burst your bubble. It is that bad. My friend lives in Houston, He's been in IT for a little over10 years, a year before the pandemic hit, he wanted more money. He was searching for a whole year couldn't find a single position, they all wanted to pay him entry level. He only got one offer that would pay him $15k more per year and he had to move to fucking Arkansas to get it. He declined.
That’s rubbish, no job as a network engineer is the same pay as a entry level helpdesk job. People don’t understand you can’t run before you can walk, everyone starts off at the bottom to build experience.
I would also like to note it took me 7 months to acquire the CCNA and the industry is super toxic for new people man, thanks for speaking up.
Always brother. Congrats on obtaining your cert and good luck!
Pat Daddy what’s toxic about it?
Very similar circumstances for me.
@@MrShark731 what happened
@@bigfly_214 in Melbourne help desk positions dont entertain ccna. As it is very much a networks certification.
*looking for Entry level position but must have 3-4 years prior * LMFAOOO ok
Yo fuck that is so true I have A+ and Network+ and no one will hire me cause I don't have experience. I even went to school got a Bachelor degree. Still no job cause of experience for entry level jobs. IT industry is a joke.
@@kjcenteno5734 Its not just IT industry, almost every industry is like this. The job market is much tougher than it used to be. The mistake everyone makes is listening to their parents and teachers whose experience is from a long gone era. They told you to study hard to get fancy pieces of paper, when really you need to network hard and study only what's needed to do a given job.
@@asdflikesjkl I understand and I agree with you. It's just BS that many work hard to study for an opportunity to work in the field they study. Companies don't want to give them a chance to prove their worth.
@@asdflikesjkl IT is not every other industry. The "fancy piece of paper" is the only way you can do med, pharma, Law, research etc
It's just a formality. They will higher you without experience if they see potential.
CCNA is an entry-level networking certification, not a general IT cert like the A+. I would absolutely recommend that people who want to get into networking aim for the CCNA, since it is BY FAR the most recognized entry-level networking certification, but it should not be recommended to those looking to get into 'IT', since networking is just one possible path in the field of IT.
I think n plus is more of an entry level cert than the CCNA because many entry level places don't even run Cisco switches so no iOS knowledge required.
Comparing apples and oranges was not rly my thing to begin wt. :)
But Cisco Website Forbidden me from Logging in just because i didn't fill the Company Name? What if i didn't have a job yet and I'm learning to get an entry level? They stopped me from Learning :( to reach my entry level job.
@JeremyITLab uhm….no…. The Network+ is an entry level Network Certification. CCNA takes most of what you learn in Net+ and takes it a step further. CCNA is a Vendor specific certification and it’s not by any means “Entry Level”.
It’s closer to an intermediate level certification because you have to learn alot about all the Cisco Network hardware on top of the networking concepts in general.
It also requires more “know how”.
If you don’t know the basics first you will struggle. Imagine your boss asking you to set up a few PCs but you only know networking setup but no idea how to setup or configure a PC in general. That’s not good.
Spot on!+
To be fair, if you've got a CCNA, you're probably NOT looking for an entry level job anyway.
You might not be looking for an entry-level Networking Position but you most certainly have to. They come in different flavors, Entry Level Network Technician, Service Desk Networking Technician, etc. A fresh CCNA cert. will not necessarily translate into a job. NO serious company will hand their network to inexperienced, fresh CCNA certified students. Of course, depending on your level of interview negotiation you might get away with a higher pay job than someone with exactly your level of experience or no experience right out of your CCNA cert. but again you need to know how to interview great and be above average. So be ready to pay your dues and humble yourself. You will get to the $100K+ salary eventually if you add more cert. gain hands-on experience and determination and tenacity become your best friends.
Is Security+ an easy cert to get?
@@kennyblessed2523 I have it, and am currently studying for CCNA. Sec+ seems easier so far. Took me about 2 months of every day studying. 1 book and prof messer. Passed on my first try. No experience
You are not wrong.
A+ will get you a job a LOT faster than a CCNA.
That being said, the CCNA has the POTENTIAL to get you a much higher paying job AFTER you get the experience from the job that the A+ got you.
1angrykoala agree well said
Definitely agree with you.
Exactly
u want to work in the federal govt? u need security+, ccna-sec, casp or cissp. a+ will get u into the help desk but then u NEED those other certs i just mentioned.
I got both plus some others and only get offered shitty Jobs and salary.
Whoever says CCNA is a beginner cert doesn't know a thing about IT. The Network+ is a beginner level cert. The CCENT is a beginner level cert. The CCNA is pretty advance because of the Protocols and such it teaches you...
Check back on the comments here in about 24 hours and you'll see.
And last I checked the CCENT is the first half of the CCNA.......
The CCNA is considered entry Level for the fact that it covers only basic routing and switching concepts...in the real work environment, it's much deeper than what any CCNA materials taught you
Are you talking shit on Chuck? Roflmao!
Working on my net+ since September. Thought about going down to A+ after this video
"Wow you have a CCNA? Great! Then you must be able to troubleshoot Windows/Linux SMB/NFS, EUE such as Windows/Mac Desktops/Laptops and Mobile OS's such as iOS and Android. Debug driver issues and submit bug reports with vendors. Create and manage firewall rules, write a corporate security whitepaper, It should take you no time to figure out how to do all of the sysadmin tasks and optimize our development chain for CI/CD. The CCNA must go over Docker container Orchestration with Kubernetes and Ansible/Chef configuration of OpenShift plus AWS API's for Cloud integration for managing our cluster of thousands of servers, right? Plus you should know how our projector and microwave works and while you're at is why is the power in this part of the building spotty? I mean this is all entry level IT stuff."
-> $45k/yr - no paid vacation - always on call.
- This is seriously the line of logic from these people.The marketers on LinkedIn hiring for these jobs have no idea what Cisco even is.
You get that much money working as a dumb as doornails Helpdesk. Most of these illiterate clowns don’t know about SFC /scannow. There are the kind of knobs who hold a HDD by the PCB.
Given the skills you listed, you can easily rake in 65k with paid vacation. Probably 80k.
make that $39 k
I believe Cisco is a character in a super hero series......
Garegin Asatryan 😂
Joe Sawyer i thought it was the name of the captain on deep space 9.
Got my A+ and N+ in early 2010's, did a few microsoft admin certifications and then jumped into cisco. Cisco CCNA was the hardest but it landed me my first job, and now i am in love the Networking side of IT.
Yes, CCNA is crazy hard!
How die you manage this? When I got my CCNA, back in 2005, I was never able to get a job working with Cisco routers and switches. With one company, it was obvious that I could answer all their Cisco related question but the manager shut my application down precisely because of a lack of "relevant experience." Mind you I had about three years of technical and help desk experience. If you managed to square this circle, you can help a lot of aspiring Cisco network Engineers out.
CCNA 1999 was entry level, CCNA 2019 definitely isn't.
1999 CCNA had no labs in it....it was 100 questions, all multiple choices.....lol....go figure
@@Bruce.-Wayne True. My lab in 1999 was my job at Sprint, where I got to play with a lot of expensive systems and networks.
@@Bruce.-Wayne Much like Network+ is now. There were two configuration questions on my exam that I took 2 months ago (because an interviewer required it).
@K B Actually it will cover less. A lot of stuff was moved to CCNP. There are "new topics", if that's what you mean but overall it's less material.
@@Bruce.-Wayne Funny enough, the new CCNA only has 100 multiple choice and drag & drop questions. No labs.
CCNA is for people who is trying to become network engineer. Not for entry level tech job.
CCNA is for an ENTRY level network admin, not engineer. Cisco has more advance certs that are 10 times harder then CCNA, the CCIE is the hardest cert one can get from Cisco and that is for those who want to be an Engineer
xrellikgr funny because I know a lot of network engineers that only have ccna. It just depend on which role to apply for. If you get your CCNP and CCIE your going to get a senior network engineer role. But it really depend where you work and what you apply for. Just to clear things up ccna can get you a admin and engineering job, just depend what you applied for.
Michael Yang at the same time there is a shortage on network engineers, so I can under an employer giving that position to someone with a CCNA and then just have them learn on the job
Helps though
yep true, networking knowledge is a big plus in IT.
Honestly in order to get a CCNA you must already know hardware and software, so having a CCNA already shows that you know IT stuff, also the CCNA test is not just a test, it requires you to do real world lab problems. So passing the CCNA shows the employer that you know how to configure a enterprise network
I have worked in networking for over 7 years. I know many thing to a ccnp level. I worked in a high pressure and toxic environment, which was very unsupportive of getting my cisco certifications.
They went looking for someone who has a CCNA cert. They hired an individual who has a CCNA cert. His previous job was being a driver.
He didn't know how to do really basic things. Like finding the ip address of his own computer, pinging another computer.
Due to this he didn't last 2 weeks.
I have no idea how he has his CCNA but it showed that having a cert doesn't mean you know how to do the job.
Probably a unique and extreme case but shows that it is possible that someone can have a cert and still not be any use in the job.
Michael Downing I fine that extremely hard to believe, the CCNA requires months of studying and multiple real world labs scenarios. Everyone I know who has a CCNA at least know the basic stuff in Networking
I totally agree. No idea how he has his certificate, unless it was a complete lie. I have seen people just memorise brain dumps of exams. But that doesn't seem possible for CCNA.
Although similarly I have seen many failed hires in my previous job that where suppose to experienced individuals but where incredible helpless at the work.
@@crazysc0tsman How did he get through the interview???
@@MichaelImo if it was anything like my interview to work there, the MD didn't ask any technical questions. Less of an interview and more of a getting to know you chat. If you can be personable, and have a decent bit of paper you can get through.
I agree with this 100%.. I got a CCNA in R&S and Security and couldn't land an entry level job.. Got A + and got numerous calls from recruiters.
Congrats on getting your A+ when did you pass? how were the exams?
@@Jr-mn2ol I got my A+ a few months ago.. The first exam was the hardest in my opinion. The test aren't super duper hard but you def can't sing it with 0 knowledge. I used Mike Myers udemy course and books to pass.
I had exactly the opposite. It's all situational and relevant it seems.
In the same boat. Got a CCNA, etc and can't even get one call. I get a Google IT specialist certificate..."Hey, when can you start??"
@@DevOpsLabs4Me I've just recently discovered Mike Myers thanks to my bro. I've been toying around doing basic tablet and smartphone fixes over the years but are Mike's lectures alone enough to pass?
A+ was what my dad got first and this was also his advice. He said basically the same thing you did, A+ is foundational to the rest of your IT education. And just like any machine shop (he's also a machinist) the company or client you work for will have the way THEY will want you to do it, the certifications just mean you have a grasp of the field. A school and a bank won't want you to do everything the same. I'm glad I found your channel Zach, it has greatly helped my pursuit of getting into the IT field. Even though I'm just heading to the start I feel like I have a better grasp of what to do and expect. Thanks also for the CompTIA recommendation they look awesome. Again thank you for doing these videos they are massively helpful.
how is your career going now? Since the 4 years
I am very limited on experience, but I'll just give my short story. I went to school for an A.S. degree in computer science with a focus on "network engineering". Our core networking classes were all Cisco based, so that's the road i went down for certs. I passed my ICND1 and found a job for a "Jr. Network Engineer" that said it required zero experience, and preferred people with CCNA's, but would consider CCENT's. I applied, but was still in school so they basically wanted to wait until I graduated.
A week before graduation, I took my ICND2 and passed, which earned me my CCNA obviously. I called the hiring company and told them about my new certification and they basically said "you're hired, we are forgoing the interview process and want you to start ASAP." I start on Monday and it is my first job in the IT world. I am nervous, but excited because I actually find working with Cisco equipment to be fun.
With that being said, I am essentially working for Cisco, they are the ones paying me. I'm a contingent worker, and if I was applying to any other company, maybe my certs wouldn't hold as much weight.
Oh, and just because I have my CCNA does not mean I am making oodles of money. This is entry level after all, the pay isn't extraordinary. I think with experience + the certs I have, that's when pay will become higher.
its been 2 years. hows the pay and experience going?
@@jonathangeorge7815 Well, good and bad. So I am still at the same job, mostly because the contract is coming to an end and I kind of want to see it through (it was supposed to end a while ago, but ya know, things happened in the past couple years that really set the whole thing back). At this job, I have received one 10% raise. I could probably ask for another, but since contract is near its end, not going to bother.
With that being said, I put my updated resume out about 2 months ago and have received easily over 100+ job offers. 98% of them have been from recruiters, who unfortunately tend to lowball (like $20/hr lowball), so I ignore a good amount of them because they all seem to come from the same recruitment company and they all have lowballed me. But I've had two offers paying 2x my current pay (and then some). One was filled so quickly that I responded to the recruiter the day they emailed me, only to hear back that is was filled. The other I applied for myself before being contacted and never heard a response unfortunately. But the posting was 5 days old when I had first saw it and reached out.
I think if I truly had no job and had all the time in the world, I'd be making double what I make now. But for now I am nitpicky. I don't want to sound "racist" or whatever, but when I get a 10+ emails a day from recruiters with very Indian sounding names who misspell multiple words in their email, I just delete it. These all are from the same firm/recruitment company. They bury all the good opportunities I am offered in my inbox, and half of them seem like BS from the get-go. They also apparently fail to read my qualifications, and will contact me about jobs doing Java scripting and things I have absolutely zero experience with. It's actually rather annoying.
@@cheeseburgerwalrus499 thanks for the update! I get spammed but shady looking companies / scammers too. Its really frustrating to deal with actually . I think the only thing you can do is look into the company. Not sure where you live but this is helpful to me. oag.ca.gov/consumers/general/checking_business_bkgrd10
$20 is low ball... I think fast food workers in my area get about $17-21/hr kind of insane that you would only be offered 20.... How much are you making now if you don't mind sharing? I'm also in IT I have a BS in computer science getting paid 57k at my current job. super low for my skill set, but I needed experience, and I tolerate it because the job is very stress free (i just get my job done and I receive zero micromanagement). You really should ask for more money though. even if you leave soon. Its good practice.
I completely have the same route as you , same degree and same cisco courses
The CCNA is an entry level certification, just not a general entry level IT certification. If you are just trying to get into IT and have no experience absolutely get the A+, Network+, and/or the Security+. However, after a few years of experience, or for really anything above entry level, those CompTIA certifications lose their value almost completely. The CCNA IS an entry level NETWORKING certification. You can argue that the Network+ is but the problem with the Network+ is that it is vendor neutral. You aren't going to learn how to configure Cisco or Juniper devices in the Network+ and if you don't know how configure the devices, what good are you going to be in a networking role? The CCNA is THE DE FACTO entry level networking certification.
Yes sir. I pretty much said that the CCNA is the best entry level networking cert so we're on the same page.
I.T. Career Questions No, you said the A+ was better many times throughout the video. Your video is called “CCNA is not an entry level certification” I am very confused by your statement. Also, there is a 1 year course you can take while in High School that takes up 3 periods that I am taking now. The course is meant to prepare for the CCNA exam. The CCENT has been cut so it is now the entry level certification we can get. I knew I made a mistake clicking this video.
@@MrPerry435 I said the A+ was better for entry level I.T. work. The CCNA is the best entry level networking certification. There is a HUGE difference between the two of them.
@@MrPerry435 No the youtuber is RIGHT. A+ is the foundation to get your foot in the door of an IT job. THEN a CCNA for focusing on Networking IF that is where you want to go. Some people are hiring for Microsoft, some Cisco. But the basic FOUNDATION of IT IS the A+ cert.
@@Akihito007 Exactly!! Entry level I.T. is general and NOT the same as entry level Networking, which is more career path specific. He definitely said it correctly in the video. There is soooo much the A+ teaches you that you really miss out on some critical knowledge by skipping straight to the CCNA.
Good example: he's basically saying entry level Mathematics (like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) are like the A+ or just general entry level I.T. jobs. They don't require that much. The CCNA and entry level Networking jobs are like going straight to Algebra and Geometry. While they are also entry level math subjects that are foundational as well, Basic Algebra and Geometry are NOT the same as Basic Addition and Subtraction.
I generally agree with your statements, and I would add that networking and putting yourself out there is so important. I’ve known many people over the years who found out about entry level positions through college (primarily community colleges). I personally walked into a small MSP and introduced myself and was able to land an interview and a job. Interview skills got me the job, not my A+. My good friend landed an interview at school because they recommended him for a position because of his attitude and eagerness to learn. He said he wasn’t even the smartest one there, but it was his personality that got him the job.
Dude, several times I had to look at the timer to make sure the video hasn’t started over again.
I'm just getting around to this video. I've been in IT since the Ice Age. Litterally at the DOS age, but never got around to testing for the CCNA until about 5 weeks ago due to procrastination. Passed the ICND1 on Monday. I'm Doing it now due to the coming certpocolypse, which will be even harder to pass. It is certainly not an entry-level cert as it was back in the day. You need to know a lot more in version 3, which is about to expire, especially with regard to troubleshooting RS issues. It is the base to lead you to CCNP specializations and with the 2/24/20 exam changes, which will require a high degree of knowledge in many other areas, such as security, IOT, Voice, and a few more, just for CCNA. It will also become one exam after the deadline.
As far as getting a job, that's a roll of the dice. Meaning luck and timing. I shop my resume every year and have over 25 years of experience in IT and for the most part, I get no replies or offers, except from BS recruiters. It's very interesting but there are literally hundreds of candidates to compete against. For entry-level, you are right in saying that those fundamental certs are a lot more handy for entry-level folks looking to get "into" IT. I highly encourage it.
Yes, the CCNA certification track is for those that are really looking to get into networking and potentially higher-paying jobs. But don't just look at getting a job anywhere, target the right company's. Some on this thread have mentioned toxic environments where they've worked. Well, then you're working at the wrong place.
Here's a tip for those that are searching: The same way they are interviewing you for the job, you should be interviewing them about the job and company. Look at the culture, whether most employees are happy and speak highly of the company and co-workers, what are their "Core Values." growth opportunities, training and education, benefits, etc. That usually spins their heads and lets them know how serious you are. When you get the response, it will help you determine if it is the right place for you.
A+ will teach you the fundamentals of IT systems, Network+ will teach you the fundamentals of networking, CCNA will further enhance those networking fundamentals; do it in that order. You don't need to have the certs but focus on knowing the material. There are plently of study guides and free resources. Your resume gets you an interview; you get the job.
This is incorrect. I.T. fundamentals cert will teach you the fundamentals. A+ will teach you hardware.
This is taken straight from their website and I'm only using one bullet-point:
Configure device operating systems, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Chrome OS, Android and iOS and administer client-based as well as cloud-based (SaaS) software.
It teaches you more than hardware; it will give you the fundamental baseline of systems (both physical and logical) and how to support them. If you think it doesn't teach you fundamentals then hey, you're free to go your own way; I'm coming from over a decade of experience working my way up through helpdesk, sysadmin / datacenter then flopped into security.
is it worth pursuing for A+ first?? man want to get into IT but dont know where I should start. want to get into CCNA but guess Ive been doing it wrong the whole time
Your post is almost word-for-word what I told someone on Facebook.
@@EXFOOLYCOOLY it doesn't really matter a whole lot. I got in to I.T. without any certs and a high school diploma. I have certs now, paid for by the company. Interviewing well and selling yourself on your resume will get you further than any cert.
I see quite a lot of entry level job offerings that require at least 4 years of prior experience.
2:35 Yup, I'm one of those. I just got hired on as a network engineer with no certs. Only prior experience is desktop support lol. 78K salary, and they'll be training me for the CCNP.
I lucked out for sure.
Can I get in touch with you
@@mosesodipo8944 Sure, feel free to message me.
odipom20@gmail.com,i would like to get some information about ccnp
Lasty K damn congrat-u-fucka-lations!
you make your own luck
Thank you kind sir. I was in a dilemma. I was attending the Cisco academy but had to put it on pause after taking and passing the first course. It was going at a fast pace due to being a compressed program. But your statement in this video has helped me to decide to switch lanes and pursue the CompTIA certification instead of the CCNA.
Same here brother.
I saw help desk entry jobs asking for MCSE, Sec+, CCNA and CISSP. And this is not typical of the entry level job. But i do agree with your path A+, Net+ before going for the CCNA or MCSE(Expert)
That is insane.
Probably worthwhile applying anyway. That might just be a case of HR going a bit cert happy. Once they see a distinct lack of applications for what is an entry level job applying, they'll soon get the picture.
CISSP? It literally requires years of comproved work experience on security to get a CISSP. Anyone who write these requirements doesn't know a thing about those certs and also will find no candidates for the job.
@@rafaeloliveira2740 like hiring a chef at mcDonalds
They probably wanted 10 years experience and a degree too for under 50k...lmao
I'm currently in a CCNA 1 and it's hard. There's time when I thought of giving up. Hearing this makes me feel better!
@@johnp2631 The ICND 100-105 and 200-105 Review Books by Wendell Odom (CCIE certified) are very well written and explain everything you need and more to get your CCNA. Cisco is going to retire these exams soon, but the content in these books will stay relevant; they're pretty cheap too.
For the labs, the Pearson network simulator tool worked well for me. You buy it once and have it for life, so you can practice your lab skills anytime.
Never give up, I failed my first time and passed my 2nd (yesterday evening).
@@johnp2631 udemy is also great if you are not a "book person" like me. Look at the videos by Neil Anderson or Chris Bryant.
@@whyshouldi2100 I'm currently studying for my ccna, I'm going the bootcamp plus UA-cam tutorial route, hoping to take my first exam in January and then in February I'm planning to start studying for my mcsa, your comment gives me hope man, thanks
@@pr3cious193 Good luck on your exams.
So I was in the navy. I was an OS which is an operation specialist. My job was to operate different consoles. I never knew anything about being an IT. I realized that I wanted to get into IT because it was fun, evolving and you can do so much. So I picked out this older gentleman who was and still is an IT and the first thing he told me was to obtain my A+. It would ultimately give me the knowledge to not only speak IT but understand those fundamentals employers are looking for. I wince have gotten other certifications but the company that hired me that my mentor also works for was entry level. And some of the questions and scenarios they asked me, I could answer confidently because of A+. And to anyone who thinks that A+ is not worth it, compTIA wouldn’t go through so much time to create an entry level certification if it wasn’t “useful”. You’re spot on with your discussion. The network engineers at my company all have CCNA but none of them ONLY had that, they also had A+, and network+, some have sec+ or CASP. So A+ is extremely relevant to ITs.
I agree with your observations. I have the CompTIA trifecta and studying for my CCNA right now. I’ll still most like get a help desk job for six months and then jump ship to a better paying job.
I freaking love your channel , every now and then I forget that I am subscribed and have the notifications on and each and every time I watch a vid I love it over and over again
I don't think you're going to get the CCNA cert if you don't have the basic knowledge or troubleshooting skills that the Comptia A+ gives you. If you don't know how to do basic things, Comptia A+ is a great certification to get the knowledge that you need before going forward in IT. To me Comptia A+ is great for a beginner that has no knowledge of computers in general.
You would be wrong
You're not wrong. A+ helps get you in. CCNA gets you higher.
How did I get my foot in the door? A+, CCENT, and I was a good interviewee.
Network Engineer Academy preaches this....it's so nuanced!
🧐
Well he’s saying anything is possible in terms what job you could possibly land but he takes the more realistic approach. Network engineering academy takes the more motivational approach. Pushing people to study hard and market themselves to get the job they want. I like both channels for that reasons.
I agree with Network Engineer Academy.
Here is my experience with this. Most likely, if a job requires an A+, but you have a CCNA instead, you have a good shot at the job. Bear in mind, that there will be pc repair and windows info you wont know, if all you know about IT is what you learned preparing for the CCNA. Having said that, you probably didn't get the CCNA for a job that the A+ is design to prove you can do. You got the CCNA because you want to be a networking specialist specializing in cisco switches and routers. And here is the problem. These jobs are not entry level and you will have a hard time finding such a job with your CCNA if you do not have experience. What is unfair and frustrating is that you don't need a lot of expertise. A year might be enough, but the sad truth is that you might not he able to get that experience.
Well said Tango, thank you for taking the time to leave this comment.
@@Itcareerquestions your welcome. I was once ccna certified. It expired on me and I never found my ccna level job.
So how do you get a job with the CCNA
So why are the two certs being compared when they are two different certifications networking and another core fundamentals of PC servicing?
Its like comparing the a CCNP to a CISSP
Thank you for this. I had started studying for the CCENT early in the year, then this whole new change from CISCO on the CCNA really screwed my plans. I was about to start studying the new CCNA ( I am new to IT) but I think I want to start with A+ and Security +. I have always been one with the thought that to build a good home you need a solid foundation and going straight to CCNA without that IT foundation, I am going to have a shaky start to this new career and that I cannot have.
Love your passion to educate us the newbies, thank you so much for your non-stop work with educating everyone!!!!
IT career question: what if you have 20 years of strictly helpdesk/desktop support experience and you recently completed your BS degree and you have a recent CCNA and 8 other certs, but same or lower level jobs won't talk to you b/c they think you're over qualified (i suspect) and hardcore networking jobs won't talk to you either b/c you don't have that specific experience. And also your current job won't involve you in any networking exposure even after you politely asked multiple times. Great video BTW, thank you.
Get a job as a structured cabling installer, there’s an entry level networking job that’s leaning towards networking. You’ll pull cable, terminate, hang some APs, build some four posts, all while being an arms length from your next mentor the network technician. You can talk yourself into your next position and the next and the next.
I'm in that position right now. Do you think it's still a good idea to just get a CCNA or Network + cert?
I took the advice of getting CCNA based off of many videos that recommend that route. I enrolled in college to finish BA and by the end of the 1st semester I was told the same thing you are saying by people in the field teaching classes and helping people get jobs. A+ and Security+ is the recommended route for entry level. A lot of places will pay for the Security+ if you already have the A+
Hello there! So, I used CCENT and LPI essentials with Entry level certifications. Around 4-6 month later I got my CCNA R&S, Junos JNCIA and CCNA CyberOPS. After that I from Intern to Network beginner Jr.
Now I am getting CCNP R&S and Learning about network automation.
All in just 2 years on my first Job. I have 23 years old.
Regards
Absolutely right I spent 5k on a CCNA class and ended up getting a job with a plus cert that I got with a coupon for less than $200,am very grateful to Professor messer
sadique abba $5k for ccna? I spent 10$ up to ccnp 😂🤙🏾
You got ripped off lol
I want to prepare for the same, could you please recommend me some good resources?
@Kx 96
Exactly! Comptia A+is a better cert. to get if you are new to the industry, not the CCNA. Thank you so much for insight.
WHILE THE COMMANDS FOR CISCO GEAR ON THE CCNA ARE SPECIFIC TO CISCO, THE KNOWLEDGE YOU NEED OF THE STACK IS APPLICABLE EVERYWHERE.
The is the 100% most honest and accurate IT video I've seen on YT. I started IT in the Army so my first IT job was very different from the norm. (so I thought). I got my Sec+ as my first cert because we can't have admin rights without IAT level ll certs in the federal gov sector but I wish I would've gotten my A+ first or focused on fundamentals because now going for CCNA, I understand WiFi security and encryption and deep IT theory but lack knowledge in the fundamentals of hardware. It is a very confusing place to be and I hope others take the time to understand those fundamentals and build that foundation, then focus on advanced certs.
The "IT Industry" isn't just one thing. If you're going into networking, your A+ is meh, hell get the current Net+ it's freaking great at the moment. If you want to get into the repair or stuck on the helpdesk, then go for your A+, or you wanna be a sysadmin. I'd the MSCX track is the route you wanna go.
CompTIA Security+,is the best bet then?
Thanks so much for this! Just saved me a lot of stress down the line trying to figure out which course/certification I wanted to pursue looking for an entry level position. Great video!
Hey bud, I've been saying the same thing for the past few months, because I've been studying for my CCNA for almost seven months now. I'm almost to the point to where I can maybe pass the CCNA exam now. Because of that, I've discovered that this CCNA is at least intermediate level! You need at least a year or two of networking experience, esp Cisco, to even have a basic idea of the CCNA material. It is crazy hard! Not only do you need to know basic routing, switching, IP addressing, etc but you need to know network automation, cloud/virtualization, and wireless networks. You would think the CCNA should be divided up into two, maybe three categories of certifications. But they pack all that into one CCNA exam. Once I get my CCNA, I'm sure I can find something good-I also plan to get a Security+ and Pentest+ cert afterwards. I've been working in a volatile industry for 25 years and want a career change into something more stable.
I just started two Cisco courses online and I feeeeel this video! I love IT and I’m still excited to learn from Cisco, but this is very vast amount of information that I would have preferred to learn in person.
I have no certifications and no degrees, 25 years experience got me to IT manager for a major Las Vegas casino.
I have 20 questions I ask on an interviews that count more than any cert.
I have interviewed many people that could not give the proper definition of a router and they had a cert.
Thom Silbaugh what are the questions?
are you still hiring
Because a certification is a TEST, not practical experience. Chances are that person just memorized everything for "The Big Test" and thats it, but like the guy said, it doesnt give you the SKILLS!
Hahaha poor dude! So arrogant... 🤣
Man, I want to know what those 20 questions are....
Having worked in IT for 20 years. When I first started, in 1999 in San Jose, California on a construction site for a hotel, after pulling cat 5 cable for 2 weeks, and terminating cabling jacks and tips; I came in the office and by boss just handing me a Cisco enterprise switch and said, "go install it."
And, in those days, I had no degree, no certification and it took me two days, just to figure out how to get to the CLI (out of band), I had no books either. No youtube videos.
But, I figured it out, and my boss game me several more and that launch my career. Ironically, later landed a job, and I ran an enterprises Windows Domain, with Exchange, DNS, Proxy, SQL and AD, with no degree, no certifications, no books. Later, I lost that job, and spent 15 years working desktop repair and random IT work.
Now, in the last 3 years, I have gone back to a lot of IT work related to Routing and Switching. And, I agree with you. I touch dozens of Rack and stacks, cabling jobs and cut-overs, and less than 1% of the time, do ever get to touch the CLI. By the way. I have a COMPTIA A+, Network+ and Security+, and a CCNA in R/S (which has expired 2019), and I still can not get a job. I have been laughed at, literally in job interviews, for bringing up that I have a CCNA. One job interview, was 4 people panel interview and one of the people said, frankly, I would never hire anyone with a CCNA. For me, the bottom line, is that CCNA is Cisco related. But, it also covers dozens of topics that translate onto other gear. Having a strong understanding of STP and OSPF, and many other concepts, make any tech far superior.
Also, I get it. I have been in dozens of IDF/MDF and server rooms, and not one was the same, even with in a corporation. But, having a core set of base skills, from a CCNA, gives a solid foundation of tools, both logical and physical to reference.
I would agree. That experience is king. But the only way to get experience is to go out and do IT work.
Hey Bro how are you doing just watched your video about "CCNA is Not an entry level I.T certification" and you're absolutely right.. Came from one of the most disastrous interviews yesterday.. I recently certified in ccna and applied for some Junior Help desk technician posts and when I went to this job yesterday my CCNA held no relevance at all.. The employer simply asked me "If you were to build a computer from the ground up what components would u order?" and In that moment my ccna meant nothing.. I couldn't name the essential components & I just became tongue tied... As a result I failed the interview. Walked out with my tail between my legs.. Never felt so embarrassed & defeated in my life..
Look at it as a win. Never be to sure of yourself and always dip your toes into professions that are "similar" to yours.
How's the IT journey going?
I got my a+ and security+ to get my first IT job. Then I got a networking job from there. I work in the Noc for my current company and currently working on my JNCIA to become a NOC engineer.
I think you’re wrong only because striving for your CCNA raises expectations. The industry is moving fast to an oligarchy of managed services and an endless supply of L1 technicians who are doomed to stay there.
Just go on any jobs site and compare entry level roles to mid-career offerings. Next call any software vendors you have in your office and I guarantee you speak to someone in another country, an automated system, or a tech that does not work at the corporate site. Companies always cut costs on the labor side.
CompTIA definitely had the edge 10-20 years ago, but IMO AWS, MS, and Cisco are entry level once you have an idea what you want to do in IT.
CCNA wasnt that difficult. I studied like 2 and half months n passed....but more employers are looking for comptia certs... I guess bc it teaches a wide array of skills
Customer service skills and the willingness/ability to learn do more for entry level IT Jobs than any one certification. Basic technical knowledge is important, but you learn that a lot easier than how to talk to a customer.
Thank you boss I needed to hear this . I paid for and am going through CCNA material now... with my experience I need a step back and need all the A+ fundementals .
Looks like universe sent you for me in the correct time to clear my dilemma.
Dude you should have make this video in 2017, I know so many people freaking out about getting a CCNA without any IT experience and in the way they are busting their heads with so much information; and at the end of the day makes sense that someone will give you a job managing their network with cero experience..... Kudos!
The network engineer academy is offended by this video 😆
Lmaooo
I disagree, the CCNA is a entry level cert FOR entry level NETWORKING, you’ll need a CCNA to become a network administrator. Cisco has a lot more advance certs that are 10 times harder then CCNA. CompTIA certs are useless unless you are just trying to stay in the help desk/system admin field.
Yes, CCNA is entry level.....at the highest level is the Almighty CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetworking Expert) ....at the CCIE level, you become the most sought after in the industry
Well I mean there is the CCENT but that is being phased out anyway.
Always honest and true to the purpose of your channel, you are absolutely correct and I think that recruiters are flooding the requirements for every single IT entry-level job with absurd expectations regarding certifications which in turn is leading to a spike in brain dumps proliferation and people are looking for them like that would be the only source to prepare for a test. I have my A+, Network+, even Project+ as well as CCENT and getting ready for ICND2 and I really enjoy the learning process and the satisfaction of personal accomplishment. Keep up the great job Zach!
This video gave me the push that I needed to start applying for my first IT position, thanks dude.
It depends on the country.
In Spain after the recession of 2008 the offer and demand was very complicated.
They offer entry level job requiring bachelor degree and 2 years of experience.
And they offer that because they can, and the demand was higher than the offer.
So to the statement of "to apply to an entry level job you don't need experience nor degree" only applies to your country.
Given that, Cisco certification is very specific and high level, so I agree with the video overall.
I am currently attending college for IT/networking and I really needed this video, thank you. So many people in my program or alumni would shove the A+ and CCNA down my throat like it was a REQUIREMENT after college. I had a feeling that wasn't the case and I am glad I am not wrong in my gut feeling. Keep up the great work and you earned a sub.
My CCNA class is kicking my ass. So much information to learn. If CCNA is like that I don't even want to imagine CCNP.
I just recently obtained my CCNA and then the other day my Security +. I actually started in Telecom sales got into a VoIP engineer position and was required to pass The SIP School SIP certification as my first certification. I did however study computer science for a few years. I will agree that the A+ would have been a faster route to break into the space and probably a lot easier. Studying now for my CND and CEH but security and Linux are fairly new to me. Always continually learning is what employers like more than a single cert.
He's 100% correct, the CCNA is an entry level NETWORK certification. Honestly, the best IT cert for entry level IT role is NO cert because they will train you on the job everything you will learn in a A+ or network+
I have been working in IT for the last 10 years and I just got my CCNA. I make good money at my current helpdesk position, but I want to be a network engineer. I got my CCNA to verify that I understand the fundamentals of networking, but I also know that the CERTIFICATION won't get me a job. It will get me an interview or a second look from a recruiter. I get the job because I show that I can think my way through problems. When asked by others, how do I get into IT, I say that they should become familiar with addressing problems in a coordinated fashion. I have seen many different types of "IT" people, some with a degree and some without. But the ONLY differentiating factor is how they handle working through issues. When you're on an IT interview (especially your first) you'll get asked scenario questions. 9 times out of 10, you won't have the "right" answer (and the interviewer isn't looking for that), but the interviewer wants to see what your thought process is. Point blank, there is NO certification that just GETS you a job. Like what was mentioned in the video, YOU get you a job. Fill out apps even if you don't check off EVERY "requirement". Get the interview and show them why your special and why they should give you an opportunity.
Amen to that.....having been in networking for 15yrs, I can remember those days when I went to job interviews and some employers even sent me to a white board or login to lab device and had me start troubleshooting on the spot to see if I can prove what my resume says I know....again, it's what you can prove that matters, other than that, the employer will just say you have "Book knowledge "
Hii im from India, I don't have a degree.. i did my A+ and worked in broadband service, then joined a hotel as tech support, now im working as desktop support engineer in a battery manufacturing head office, but still dont have degre or ccna certification, but i have skills and negotian skills and communication skills,
hoping for bright career
I got my A+ and have been applying for entry level jobs for the last 5 months and haven't had a single response. I'm applying for like less than 20k a year jobs and still getting ghosted. Starting to feel like the A+ was worthless. I'm doing CCNA now to try and get a better shot. This industry is cold, man.
Are you getting interviews? If not, it's probably your resume. It's also how you brand yourself.
@@alinatsui209 nope not had a single response from any. I've changed my resume a few times with still no luck.
Might try finding some examples online of better ways to structure it
@@Nick-zi4sd Do you have linkedin? Having a professional looking linkedin profile is a very very good thing to have. I'm starting a new job in a couple weeks, and they found me on linkedin. Many recruiters use linkedin these days. If you don't have it, get it.
@@Nick-zi4sd if you have a copy of your resume somewhere, I'd be glad to review it. You have to out your own spin, have your resume tell a story, brand yourself. What are you offering employers? Why should they hire you? Got to find a way to get your foot in the door.
@@rleften5788Def! Although, for me, it's also how they find you to sell you services or similar crap. It is what it is.
I would always choose the quiet guy in the corner with no formal education at all. Those seem to be the best ones. I just like to break stuff for fun, not interested in a job hahahhaha! Love it man. Lots of people made Millions and Billions with highschool education or less. Education is not a requirement, it's just a tool to help you when you need it.
CCNA is just like any other IT certification. It’s only really valuable if you have relevant work experience to go along with it. I was fortunate enough to gain that experience in the military, and subsequently got hired as a network engineer despite my CCNA being almost 10 years out of date.
Honestly I needed this video. I want to have my CCNA but I’ve been thinking of doing the comptia certs first because I might study something that I love more then networking. Still undecided but I need to hear this so I know I’m not alone in this journey.
AMEN Bro!! I have worked at companies that have implemented networks the way they should b and places where its pure crap!! I have a friend who has only a ccent but has worked on vmware, cisco and other high end technologies. So it depends on the company if you are hired how far you will rise!
Absolutely!!
Your recommendations are wonderfully practical. You are the best!!!. Thank you very much from Buenos Aires. Argentina.👋👋👋👍
Now "that's" the Zach I remember from way back then. Sans the swearing LOL
This video is much appreciated my friend! I started taking classes for CCNA but the teacher is death by PowerPoint and I feel like it’s a bad intro class. Once again thanks for making this!
Really glad I watched this video I was about to sign up for a CCNA course but was apprehensive about just jumping in. I have no experience but not computer illiterate and want to take the best first step possible into this field. Im going to look into getting an A+ cert first instead especially if that will help me land an actual ENTRY LEVEL job thanks for the really informative video and I'm a sailor so no offense to the swearing here haha.
First time here on this channel. I'm from Brazil and I must say that your English is very good for ESL fellas as I.
I got your point, but unfortunately it is not the reality of all places and countries. In some countries it is not possible to get a job without nothing.
I would say this logic could apply to the MCSA as well. I didn't really think the CCNA was as hard as people say, it just takes discipline and the ability to stick to your studying. Definitely worth it though. I agree that it probably shouldn't be your first cert but that also depends on the individual.
Agreed. Working at an ISP at the time working with Cisco devices day in, day out, I completed the CCNA in less than 40 minutes. It wasn't hard. But it requires discipline and a degree of just being able to memorise bs things like STP versions, routing protocol timers etc.
He is exactly right. I have been in IT for 17 years and was ambitious enough to find a job right away. Sure it was helpdesk back in 2003 but it was a start, during that time you get exposure to a lot which may lead depending on your skill set and drive to a tier 2 position. The importance is during this time you must continue working on getting certifications and experience and above all start (no pun intended) networking. Trust the process and believe me you will get to where you want to go. That being said I have been a sys admin and deskside consultant / generalist for the last 8 years with oil and gas and then after a decade and a half of experience doing the grunt work of cabling and racking to imaging machines among other work, I decided to get a role as a network engineer (not certified at the time) THEN I decided to get the certification not for the great $ which I was already making but for the knowledge and to better understand and serve my clients. That being said, this cert should be used as a tool not to acquire a position as an entry level engineer or tech but as an add on to your already large skillset. It is definitely not an entry level cert speaking of which the new CCT is entry level.
I got my first IT job in Telecom by being an engaged interviewee. I am now, 10+ years and multiple promotions later, still without a certification. I am going for my CCNA as my *first* certification because I have been in an around the industry for over 10 years. CCNA should definitely not be what someone should need to START in IT. A+ and Net+ will get you in the door. CCNA will get you further within that company.
I've been working in IT field for about 12 years now I don't even really know what the CCNA is, something to do with networking, but I'm not a network engineer at all so I never really thought much about it.
thank you for this because I'm just starting in IT and working on my A plus and CCNA but CCNA is really hard for me since i'm just starting
I hope hiring managers watch this. My first cert will be N+. Thank you for the video.
Majority of IT staff probably spend most of the time explaining how to do simple tasks on a computer to novice users and getting the printer to work.
So sad, but true. Majority of the fires I put out on second tier can almost always still be traced back to entry level troubleshooting that the help desk just missed for whatever reason. Printers are the devil. Thank goodness we farm out the printer issues.
Dude, you saved me. I’m starting CCNA next week. So I’m doing A+ and wanted to get into the system Admin and the instructors said that I can’t get any entry level jobs with just A+ that I need to add CCNA. After researching and decided that I’ll do A+ and MCSA cert because that’s the path I wanted to start first. That’s when they threw me off my game .
Thanks to your video I’m canceling that and wait for my MCSA class to start so I can join.
Hi all, these videos are super helpful man. My goal is to switch careers to IT in the next year and a half (wife is changing careers to nursing so I cant make the switch from my current career until she is done) and the biggest question I have is exactly this do i get an IT degree? Do I focus on certs? This is rather helpful, and this video in particular is very helpful as perhaps when its time to make the switch I just try to jump into an entry level position and see how that goes. Keep up the good work my dude.
Thanks man and good luck to you and your wife!
There is no right or wrong answer. You technically don't need anything to land an entry level role other than soft skills and the ability to learn.
Anything after that is icing on the cake. Degrees can open a lot of doors just as certifications can. You'll often find some jobs have a hard requirement for a degree. But it's also important to note that companies like Facebook, Google, and Netflix dropped their degree requirements, if that trend sticks then we can see a major shift.
At the end of the day do what makes sense to you, what you feel most comfortable with, whatever decision gives you the most confidence.
@@Itcareerquestions Man thank you for the reply, I really do appreciate it. I really do value your insight and issues you cover man. Keep up the good work!
@@davidwahe8167 No problem man! Thank you!
I watched this video in the middle of studying for A+ for a job I interviewed for on the military base as help desk that requires me to get A+ or Sec+. I had already taken Sec+ and failed it by 60 points before getting the job interview and was told by the manager who interviewed me that he preferred I get A+ over Sec+ for now. I'm fairly competent and understood a lot of this information but I've still picked up and learned plenty of things by studying this material that will actually benefit me in my coming job. I want to become a network engineer/architect, so I will eventually be going for my CCNA and so forth to CCNP but I plan on taking all the steps I can to reach that. Taking A+ now, then taking Net+ and then recapping on the studying I've already done for Sec+ and retaking that test. Eventually I'll go for CCENT and CCNA.
CCNA wasn't entry level 10 years ago but nowadays companies want CCNA just to get your foot in the door... At entry level... People laugh at A+ certs.
I appreciate this guy. I’m also so tired of jeering IT pros trash this cert or that cert. what I’ve found is that almost anytime someone trashed a cert or a vendor, that person either doesn’t even have a cert from that vendor, or hasn’t tested for that cert, or hasn’t tested or earned that cert or a cert from that vendor in so many years that their opinion is grossly irrelevant. I’ve been hearing this from my first year in IT. And I continue to hear it.
My first cert was Net+ even though supervisor said I should do CCNA. Now that I’m a network admin years later and am working on Cisco gear everyday, I’m so glad I didn’t get CCNA back then. Would have been largely irrelevant for me. Instead for Net+, then Sec+, then MCSA. The MCSA, btw, is a monster cert and anyone who says otherwise probably hasn’t earned it for ten years since it was a joke and you just had to sign your name on the test.
PREACH!!! I caught wind of a few videos saying to obtain the ccna before the A+. So I started studying for the CCNA. Once it got to a part that I didn't understand, I thought to myself "What if get hired for entry level with a CCNA but don't know the basics?" Its like a mechanic that can't change a tire. So its safe to say I'm now studying for my A+. This video just gave me confirmation that I'm making the right choice. Thank You.
After watching this video, part of me wonders if a quick run through A+ (even if not to certify) would help overall in covering whatever random things I've never come across before...There are plenty of things I've picked up by experimentation but Zach does drive a good case that all the basics of IT are covered there in A+.
I like the logic of your arguments; they make perfect sense. Apologies for being "Johnny come lately" to the comments. I decided to go for CCNA as my first certification (still working on it at this time), because I got into networking being an audio/visual shift manager, and wanted skills marketable outside of AV (which has taken a huge hit due to the COVID-19 pandemic). Additionally, working on computers and printers just isn't my wheelhouse; I can do it, but hate it. I worked my way up to become the Internet Services Manager over a metroplex, as well as a network engineer building Cisco networks from the ground floor. Mind you, I currently have no certifications; I am completely self-taught from UA-cam, books, hands-on experience, and worked with people who knew more than me. The company that I work for is exclusively Cisco and a little bit of Ruckus and so to become better at my current job and to possibly move on to something else, I decided on CCNA since I already have a long history and background with Cisco networks. First is CCNA, then Network+, and then I want to shift into Cisco DevNet for network automation.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts good sir.
Summary: While I see your point I have to strongly disagree based on what I am seeing in the job market and my experience as an employee and employer. Excuse the long post.
The CCNA was my second cert, A+ my first, but this stuff comes easy to me so there is a bit of bias.
1. Check job postings and you will see that many companies (depending on the area I live in S. Florida) don't want just a specialized person. They want a jack of all trades, that Swiss army knife. They want that person to know networking, systems, desktop support, VM concepts and have experience with Azure and/or AWS. Or gain a cert in one of those disciplines in 3 to 6 months. Even with that knowledge you are talking about a level 1 tech.
2. Not touching the network is no longer an option even as an entry level tech. It's really that bad out here because there is an abundance of talent in some areas. You might be an entry level tech competing against a 20+ yr vet with a B.S. and 5 up to date certs who just needs work and is applying for anything.
3. I am re-certifying for my CCNA now. Yes it is in depth in comparison to the Network+ but the concepts in it are industry standards that in my opinion you should know by your 2nd year in the industry. Really end of first year.
4. Speaking with colleagues that manage IT departments and the biggest issue is that new hires whether you are early 20s or in their 30s don't know a dam thing. Some have certs but most don't.
I do see your point but it's survival mode out here and the CCNA should be entry level at this point for a tech if working in systems or networking. You will perform better with the knowledge gained.
I have 3 of those certs: A+, Network+, and my CCNA. I'm still struggling to get a better job with those certs and get more experience for it.
@@staplesdex2 scarryy 🥺
Yep its the chicken and the egg. Everyone wants someone with experience, but knowone wants to give the experience.
I didnt even recert, I had A+ and CCNA. I am working with hardware, if I have to get a new job do to layoff I may recert but they don't teach you much, experience is everything.
So basically it's like getting a CDL truck driving license before you get your Driver's License? You dont really need a CDL unless you want to drive a truck?
A little over 9 years ago, I took my CCENT cert in high school and was on my way to doing the ICND-2 for the CCNA later that year. Before that, I had a bad experience(I was a 17 year old black male in Florida) during a state networking competition and noticed several errors in the test about Subnetting. The competition was good old boy country and the proctors told me what do I even know about networking (stupid right?) and I pointed to a Cisco Press book that I saw coming in the room. I told them which chapter they could find the correct way to do Subnetting, they humored me by looking, found out that I was right and they had to change the test. They were livid and embarrassed that a high school black (-___- Yeah I know) would dare correct them. Anyway, when it came down to the Routing and Switch test and I saved my network configuration, they said they couldn't find it and maybe if I would have known better next time, maybe they would be able to find it. I decided not to pursue networking after high-school and switch to programming because of how toxic that situation was. Anyway, 10 years later, I'm a senior dev working remote enjoying my life.
Whats a dev bro?
My bad im very very new to this IT thing
Live your best life black man!
Thats a dope story bruh. Keep breaking barriers for the culture
Damn daddy, I like the way you got all fired up like that.
I am a CCIE level engineer and you are 100% correct.
This is very true. I got my IT job before I had any cert, the employer saw that I'm eager to learn and willing to work and ambitious. I was in a stage of getting CCENT and the employer knew and he just thouhgt it was "nice". Everything I needed to do the work I learned on the job. Since then I got my CCNA and my employer doesn't care that much about the cert itself, but more that I'm willing to study on my own and that I have the self iniciative. That's what matters in the real world, the self iniciative, drive to learn, to do better every day, to learn from your mistake and help others. Make sure you grow.
Entry level IT position
Top of job description: “must have 3-5 years of experience”
Kay
Exactly
facts
Sometimes you've got to "lie until you can fly."
LOL so true
@@cyborgdale fake it til you make it!