Next Steps in CCNA Certification

This Cisco CCNA will provide advice on the next steps once you have passed your Cisco CCNA Certification. It will also discuss which certification is best. This article might be useful if your CCNA certification is nearing completion or if it's something you are considering. Scroll down to see the video and text tutorial.

First, congratulations on passing the CCNA exam! This has given you a solid foundation for your IT career. You should not stop there. You need to continue moving forward, so you will want to obtain more certifications to help you further your career.
We need to continue moving forward and obtaining more certifications for the same reasons you took the CCNA. Although this may seem obvious, you still want a secure job and a decent salary. This does not mean you should be worried about being fired from your current job. But things do happen.

You want to be valued as a member of a team, and you also want to do work you are passionate about. We'll remember that when we consider what certifications to get in the future.

Next Step Considerations

Search the Job Market

The main things you need to consider are three. The first thing you should do is research the job market. This can be done by checking out job boards. Look at the types of jobs being advertised on Monster, or any other IT job board in your area. What are the most in-demand jobs and what qualifications are needed to obtain those jobs? These are the qualifications you desire.

It's important to keep track of what is in demand and to also monitor trends to see which products are becoming more popular in the future. This will give you a good idea of how to position yourself.

What is relevant to your current job?

You want to do a great job. This will make you more valuable to your employer. Employers will likely pay for certifications that are very relevant to your job. It's a win-win situation. Your employer will benefit from your efforts to obtain a certification that's relevant to your current job. And it's good for your future career.

What interests you?

Let's not forget to ask yourself what you are most interested in. There are many options. You'll have a lot of fun studying the one you are most interested in. You'll find it much easier and more enjoyable.

These are the main points I'd like to make when you think about your next certification.

Logical Next Cisco Qualification

Let's now look at the next certification options. It makes sense to continue on the Cisco path since you have just completed the Cisco CCNA. If you're going to do that, there are three qualifications that I think are most relevant.

CCNP Routing & Switching

The CCNP is the first, and it's responsible for routing and switching.
When I first thought about it, I thought "Wow! There are so many topics in the CCNA exam. If there are four exams for CCNP, that must be a lot!" But this is not the truth. You're 90% done with your CCNA once you have it. You can see the same topics on both the CCNA and the CCNP Cisco websites. Both cover routing and switching. The CCNP goes into a lot more detail.

It makes a lot more sense to do the CCNP Routing & Switching next, as you are already 90% of the route, and have the information fresh in your head from the CCNA, so it is not a lot of extra work to get the CCNP.
This has the advantage that fewer people will get the CCNP than the CCNA. Many people work in multiple areas of IT, not just networking. They think that it would be beneficial to obtain the CCNA. They are right. It is beneficial for them to diversify their work. However, these engineers often stop studying networking after they have the CCNA, as it is not their primary focus.

The CCNP Routing & Switching certification will make you more knowledgeable than everyone who has the CCNA. This makes you more appealing in the job market. Employers are unaware that the CCNP is just a little more expensive. It makes you appear more proficient in networking if you have it. Although it is three additional exams, it is worth taking the CCNP Routing & Switching next.

CCNA Safety, CCNA Data Center

If you don't plan to do CCNP Routing & Switching, the two other most relevant options right now are CCNA Security and CCNA Data Centre. They are also the CCNAs most in demand in the job market at the moment.

You can view all tracks on The Cisco certification website. There are many CCNAs. I recommend Security or Data Centre. Some of these tracks are not in high demand on the job market, so they won't boost your career.

While I am talking about this, keep in mind that it all depends on what job you are currently working at. If you are currently involved in IP video or IP telephony, then CCNA might be a good fit. Keep in mind the three points I mentioned earlier.