Now-of-days, getting a Cisco certification is essential if you want to be able to create and manage advanced networks. No business is going to care if you know how to hook up a Linksys router unless it's your local Geek Squad. Cisco routers are the fastest, most advanced, commonly used routers today. If you dream of being the network admin of a high-speed network then your going to have to get Cisco certified. Currently im going for my A.S.(Assosciates in Science) in Computer Engineering and im required to get a Cisco certification before I can evene receive it. Thats how important it is and im very much looking forward to learning as much as I can about the capabilities, benefits, and importance of Cisco systems.

The first step to receiving your CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) is by getting your CCENT (Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician) certification. Just because it's a entry-level certification doesn't mean it's worthless. It will give you the skill to operate and troubleshoot a small enterprise network, and the skills to do basic network security. You can then take those skills to get a entry-level network position such as a network admin or network analyst position. This shouldn't be your last step though. You should go on to get your CCNA before someone with one comes along with enough skill to prove to your boss that your replaceable. It's called 'career growth' and it's the key to success. Besides, having a CCNA will boost your credibility tremendously.