Is their a big demand for Computer Network Associates (CCNA)?

Cherlyn Tefera: In order to be CCNA certified, you have to pass the one CCNA test, or the two ICND tests (I passed one last week). This require extensive knowledge of ip addressing and subnetting, and all of the various commands used to configure and troubleshoot Cisco routers and switches.

Patrica Loertscher: The demand for IT professionals nationwide isn't quite as high as it was a few years ago (pre-market crash). But the demand is constantly rising just by the nature of the job and the changing industries.I been in IT for the last 20+ years and been hiring System/Network Administrators for the last 10 years.I am going to be completely honest, on a whole I completely ignore college information. I look for practical experience if I am hiring for a non-starting position. But in starting/intern positions I am looking if the person has any certifications and what kind of personality the person has.As for certifications... start off with something like CompTIA Networ! k+. From there study and go for the CCENT. After these 2 certifications (and a good personality) this should get you a basic job in networking. But if you actually want to make a career of it, you will need to get the CCNA, CCDA, CCNP, and CCIE (holy grail).There are virtual Cisco router simulations, download them, use them, learn them. Make sure you know and actually understand the OSI model, how/why subnet work, and learn BGP.Applying for a job in the IT Market right now really depends on where you are in North America. 1.5 to 2 years ago the IT unemployment rate in Silicon Valley was about 30% (or roughly double what it was in other industries), which makes job scarce and makes having a broad range of computer/server/network based skills more important. No longer to companies just fork over 100k a year for a system or network guy, they want a system guy that knows networking, networking guys that know systems, MAC guys with Windows and Linux experience, and vice versa.! Learn as much as you can, but don't be surprised if you have t! o intern anywhere to get through the door.Good Luck!...Show more