Will taking a Cisco class help me get a job?

[matthew13l]

Quick background: I'm 16 years old and a sophomore in highschool.
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I'm taking an online 3-month Cisco course in my computer refurb class at school. It goes from October 24th to January 21st. I will be out of the refurb class by mid november because the trimester ends, so I will have to finish this Cisco course at home if I want to. If I finish this 14-chapter Cisco course and pass all the tests, will I beable to use that to help me get a job at a local computer shop? The Cisco course covers both Windows and hardware.

edit: I think I'm taking the CCNA course

-Matt

[Steve R Jones]

"help me get a job at a local computer shop?"

Doubtful local shops repair routers and bridges etc... If the local shop works on networks for large companies it'll help.

Than again, the more you know, the more valuable you'll be to employers.

[matthew13l]

well the entrie course covers all parts of hardware. Right now in chapter 2, it's just about identifying different pieces of hardware (motherboard, cpu, hard drive, floppy drive, etc.) and learning what their function is. Then chapter 3 is about identifying problems. The course isn't just about networking, and infact, only 1 of the 14 chapters is about networking. the rest is about other types of hardware and diagnosing/solving software and hardware issues. It's an all-around course I guess.

-Matt

[Steve R Jones]

Then by all means keep going after it

[Bigjakkstaffa]

Doubtful, as ive been told, the way ICT is nowadays, you have to wait for someone to die or quit to get your foot in the door. Either that or know someone in high places

--Jakk

[Rrip]

I'm taking the same thing, actually typing this from the class at the moment
Its another good thing to put on resumes, but you'll still have to have other skill sets to get a good job....

[Bovon]

Originally posted by matthew13l
I'm 16 years old and a sophomore in highschool.

At this time in your life, no shop or employer will stop to consider someone of your age. Too bad..really, because many of our younger people have the talent necessary to get the program going..plus the desire to succeed!

There is a very old saying (concerning men vs women) if you can't dazzle them with diamonds, baffle them with BS)!

This same theory works with possible employers as well.

Take what you have (in theory) and make it into some kind of speech..learn how to ramble on and on about certain aspects of the technology, to a point..not forever (as you know it).

Always..but always, leave the chat with a prospective employer with good feelings about you..this he will remember with good thoughts. If you go make an a** of yourself while being interviewed..you may as well move to the next state.

If you make a good impression with somebody...he/she will probably recommend you to the next shop who is in need of a tech.

[neverwhere]

well, if you take Cisco, take MCP/MSCE/A+ etc. If you get one, you should get them all. Having all of them is a big bonus on your resume. Also, as much as I hate saying this, get your Eagle Scout if you can. I got mine and it has givin me nothing but good results on applications. I havent been turned down for a job yet And, after talking with numerous employers, it looks excellent on a resume.

[maje87c]

Originally posted by matthew13l
Quick background: I'm 16 years old and a sophomore in highschool.
---
I'm taking an online 3-month Cisco course in my computer refurb class at school. It goes from October 24th to January 21st. I will be out of the refurb class by mid november because the trimester ends, so I will have to finish this Cisco course at home if I want to. If I finish this 14-chapter Cisco course and pass all the tests, will I beable to use that to help me get a job at a local computer shop? The Cisco course covers both Windows and hardware.

edit: I think I'm taking the CCNA course

-Matt

the full CCNA course is four semesters. At least, that's how much time my class has for it. The Windows/hardware coverage is not the focus of the certification, so when potential employers see Cisco, they see networking qualifications, not necessarily hardware/software qualifications. I think neverwhere has the right idea as far as the exams go.

[j.m@talk]

Any properly certified education is a bonus these days.

The idea if I do XYZ course then I'm woth $ABC dollars is folly i'm afraid ............................. Sad but true

[rangeral]

To get into the actual field you need legitimate certification papers from cisco, if you get that from them then your chances are better for obtaining a job.

[Ammok]

Originally posted by j.m@talk21.com
Any properly certified education is a bonus these days.

The idea if I do XYZ course then I'm woth $ABC dollars is folly i'm afraid ............................. Sad but true

Totally agree, but any training is well worth having and it gets you noticed, and cisco is a big name. Might not get you what you want short term, but it goes a long way to a proving to a prospective employer that you are keen, dedicated and above average intelligence, possibly reliable too. Go for it.

[j.m@talk]

Above average intelligence .............. Ya not talkin about me thats for sure

[zybch]

A CCNA course will bump you straight to the head of the queue if you want a job wearing a cardboard hat, flipping burgers.

[mpc2]

Actually, if you are sixteen and you just want a part time/summer type job working at a local computer shop or Best Buy/CompUSA etc. the A+ will suit you just fine. Getting a CISCO cert is not that applicable and is somewhat over doing it.

Most of those shops hire young people and the A+ cert is what they look for...as they're not employing "rocket scientist".

As for the "long term"...go to college and at least get your Bachelors degree...you'll have the time of your life...and you won't be limited in what you can do.