David Hedley's Tuesday Tech Talk Certification

David Hedley’s
Tuesday Tech Talks
Certification
What’s in it for you, personally, and for the company.
© 2018 David M. Hedley All Rights Reserved.

David Hedley's Tuesday Tech Talks – Certification
• Specific brands and models are for illustration purposes only.
• They do not imply any endorsement by the vendor, in any way.
• This talk does not represent the business process of any employer or
client, past or present, this is based on my own work and study.
• I only include equipment that I have experience with.
• At the time of writing, I have not received any compensation, or
inducement from any vendor.

• Definition
• cer·ti·fi·ca·tion
• sərdifiˈkāSH(ə)n/
• Noun NORTH AMERICAN
• the action or process of providing someone or something with an official document
attesting to a status or level of achievement.
• "a fundamental requirement for organic certification"
• an official document attesting to a status or level of achievement.

• Purpose: Making clear the value of certification.
• Question: Should I? AND, How do I get my company to pay for it?

• Triple Constraints
• Time
• Quality or Scope
• Budget

• Certification as a business
• Create program
• Instructors need to be certified.
• Exam guides, etc. get published.
• Every training partner pays a % to the vendor per student.
• Each person taking the classes becomes an advocate for your product.
• Having certified candidates out in the job market, gives some momentum to
your product.

• What is a Certification?
• Typically vendor defined.
• Learning objectives are defined by the vendor.
• Typically requires one or more proctored exams.
• Examples include Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA).

• How do you do it?
• Vendor approved in person classes.
• Vendor approved on-line classes.
• Vendor approved self-study materials.
• Third Party books etc.
• May require additional reading.
• Labs in class and likely additional practice with home labs, simulators, etc.
• Exam simulators.
• Experience.
• $$$$$$$$$

• What do I get out of it?
• Candidate
• Salary bump. May not be available from your employer, but the next company will likely
give you more money based on your cert.
• Some vendors may give benefits like bypassing Level 1/Level 2 tech support.
• Access to certain jobs. Often consulting jobs require certs as the client typically looks for
certs.
• Recognition. Let’s face it, 1 year of experience plus a cert vs 1 year of experience
without, or 20 years with certs vs 20 years without certs.
• You’re signaling to a client or employer that you have initiative.
• You’re going to learn about product features you may not use everyday or at all.

• What do I get out of it?
• Client or employer
• Tech has been exposed to a wide range of the product features.
• Tech has shown a certain mastery of the product.
• The tech has learned how the vendor wants the product implemented.
• May be able to reduce $’s you’re spending now on outside consulting.
• Wireless surveys.
• https://www.globalknowledge.com/us-en/content/articles/5-reasons-why-certifications-
are-helping-your-career

• I can’t!
• Maybe
• $$$
• Options like self study or some online training can be cheaper
• You are investing in your career (or in your employee.)
• For the employer, it’s cheaper to grow a CCNP than buy one.
• Time
• Yup, the class alone will never do it. PRACTICE!
• The best will give their people time on the clock to work on learning.
• Other
• Yes, you may have sever test anxiety.
• Yes, you have a processing deficit which means you can’t do the test in the time required.

• Practicals
• Classes
• Books
• Cheapest
• Good supplement, but lack lab practice.
• I prefer using eBooks, as I can load on my tablet and I don’t have to carry the tomb around
with me!
• Computer Based Training.
• Cheapest (typically) other than self study books.
• Requires motivation to keep doing the lessons vs the momentum of a 5 day class.
• Some have embedded labs or practice, but may be very limited in what they can do.

• Practicals
• Classes
• Online Classes
• Live
• Hours may be off due to cross time zone issues.
• Typically includes some kind of lab, virtual access, but may be real gear.
• Advantages of in person training, without hotel, etc.
• Need to be able to block out the time.
• Live + Recorded
• If you need to miss parts, you can watch the recording.
• You can re-watch the recording for some time after for more difficult topics.
• As above, for both positive and negative.

• Practicals
• Classes
• In person classes
• Most no longer seem to have labs onsite.
• Times and locations can be limited.
• Easier to meet other students who may be on the same track you are.

• Practicals
• Labs
• Virtual
• Cheaper
• Take up less space
• If you don’t need the lab anymore there is nothing to dispose of.
• Less power, heat, etc.
• Limits as to what equipment and what that equipment can do.
• Physical
• Current models are likely too expensive, and even setting up a training lab in the office, may lose
access due to equipment being taken for emergencies.
• Older equipment may not run current versions, nor have all the features (or may have quirky
commands.)
• Licensing will be an issue with the newer models.
• eBay!
• Serial cards vs. T-1 WICs.

• Practicals
• Practice Tests
• Why?
• You’ll want to be comfortable with the testing format.
• This is graded so you’ll want to do your best
• Tests aren’t cheap, so why not be as ready as you can before putting your money down.
• How?
• Register online. Lots of test centers.
• May need 2 forms of ID. Look carefully at requirements.
• Can’t bring ANYTHING with you!
• For recerts, be sure to leave time before yours expires, just in case you don’t pass (may be a
delay before you can retake test.)

• Money
• Books
• Cisco Official Guides (Kindle) appox $55
• Third Party $30-65
• Classes
• In person $3,000
• “Boot camps” $5,000+
• Online $2000+
• Other online training $13+
• Labs
• Boson NetSim for CCNP $349
• “Kits” $300+
• eBay – may be able to assemble a lab for $200, if you’re careful. (Shipping is what will hurt.)
• Test Prep
• $100+

• Homework
• Your employer will be might impressed if you show the initiative to do your
research, have shown progress, and come with a plan.
• If they say yes, make sure to follow up! Your failure to follow up makes it
harder for the next person!
• For the employer:
• Don’t spend the whole budget all at once.
• Make sure your team is making progress.
• Include in their yearly or even quarterly goals.
• Make sure what they’ve learned is put to use.
• Direct them to meet organizational needs. (Save you on consulting $$$’s)

• Thanks for watching!
• You can subscribe to my YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ3pcIh5Zmbp3rdjhfR7BOg
• You can follow me on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/david.hedley.940
• You can follow me on Twitter @David_M_Hedley
• Or connect with me on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-
hedley-541985/
• You can suggest topics in the comments!

David Hedley's Tuesday Tech Talk Certification

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

Similar to David Hedley's Tuesday Tech Talk Certification

Similar to David Hedley's Tuesday Tech Talk Certification (20)

More from David Hedley

More from David Hedley (14)

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

David Hedley's Tuesday Tech Talk Certification