IT Courses

Information technology (IT) is one of the most fields in today’s world. Everyone can benefit from taking IT courses to improve their understanding of computer technology and to update their skills. Many different IT courses are available at the community college and university levels, and some of lead to a degree or certification. Before choosing a particular program, applicants must first decide which type of degree they want to earn.

The IT courses offered at community colleges are cost less but sometimes have limited availability. Private and public colleges may offer a greater selection of courses and thus more times from which to choose. These programs tend to be more expensive. Whichever route students take, they need to have confidence in the quality of the curriculum and instruction.

In addition, many IT courses are now available online, so it is possible to take a course or earn a degree or certification without ever setting foot on campus. Students need to choose there IT course work based on their current job requirements or the career path they wish to take. If they are just starting out, they can check out current lists of which IT fields are highly in demand. Certain specialties will be popular for a certain amount of time, whereas others may become obsolete. For instance, as medical records increasingly become digitized, IT courses related to health care will become more essential for this growing field.

CCNA Certification

Information Technology (IT) professionals often seek CCNA certification as a way to increase employment opportunities. CCNA stands for Cisco Certified Networking Associate. It is highly recognized and IT professionals with this certification are highly sought-after by employers.

Cisco developed the CCNA certification as a way to demonstrate that an information technology professional had the base skills and knowledge required to install and support small to mid-sized networks.

While the CCNA certification is the foundation for all the more advanced and specialized Cisco certifications, it is by no means entry-level. Even though there are no prerequisites required to sit for a CCNA exam, the course material is most appropriate for professionals with some networking experience, background, or exposure.

The types of positions most often filled by people with CCNA certifications include: network engineers, network administrators, systems engineers, and information technology managers. The average salary for a CCNA varies depending upon the specific role filled. For example, according to PayScale.com, networking administrators who hold a CCNA earn an average of $40,000 to $60,000 per year.

Candidates who are interested in obtaining the CCNA certification must first prepare for the examination. Many schools, such as Devry University and the University of Maryland, offer curricula geared toward helping candidates prepare for the exam. Alternatively, there are a variety of independent study materials and practice exams available for free on the Internet.

The CCNA certification exam can be taken in a couple of different ways. It can be taken all at once and consists of 55 to 65 questions that must be answered in 90 minutes. Or, it can be broken down into two sessions: the first part of the exam consists of 45 to 55 questions that must be answered in 75 minutes; and the second part of the exam (which must be taken within three years of the first) consists of 55 to 65 questions that must be answered in 60 minutes.

Once obtained, the CCNA certification is valid for three years without taking further recertification examinations.