Are you thinking of boosting your IT career in 2024? If Yes, then you are thinking right this is the era of Technology. One great way to do this is by earning a networking certification. Networking certifications can help you get a job, earn more money, and learn new skills. I have more than 10 years of experience in this Industry and based on my experience I can suggest some of the best trending networking certifications for 2024.
First of all, we should understand Why Networking Certifications Matter.
Networking certifications prove that you have the skills and knowledge to work in the Networking Domain. Right Certification helps you get noticed by employers and it boosts your career as well. No Matter, whether you are just starting or have been in the field for a while, the right certifications are always valuable assets.
Top Five Certifications you can consider in 2024:
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
The CCNA is a very trending certification nowadays among all networking professionals or those who want to start their career in the IT domain. This is the basic certification to enter the Networking Domain. In this certification, all the aspirants will learn about the basics of networking, including IP addressing, routing, switching, and automation. Nowadays, many companies use Cisco vendor devices in their real network environments, so having a CCNA certification will make you a valuable asset to the company.
Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
Once you have completed your CCNA certification, you can then pursue the CCNP. The CCNP is known as an advanced certification for all networking professionals. In CCNP, aspirants will get to know about all the topics covered in CCNA in much more detail, along with multiple additional advanced topics like BGP. In CCNA, you get a chance to learn about networking, but actual implementation and troubleshooting skills are learned in CCNP and these skills make you highly valuable to employers.
Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)
The CCIE is one of the most honored certifications in the world. There is no certification above the CCIE. Once you secure the CCIE certification, it guarantees that you are a champion of networking. This certification is designed for those who have expert-level knowledge along with extensive experience in networking. The CCIE certification covers an extensive range of advanced topics, so once you complete it, you will have a deep understanding of network design, implementation, and troubleshooting. Once you are CCIE certified, you receive a unique badge number from Cisco, which is recognized globally. The CCIE exam is categorized into two parts: a written exam and a hands-on lab exam, making it one of the most challenging exams in the world.
CompTIA Network+
The CompTIA Network+ is a great certification for beginners. It covers various networking topics, from basic concepts to more advanced practices. This certification is vendor-neutral, which means it is not tied to any specific company’s products.
VMware Certified Professional – Network Virtualization (VCP-NV)
If you are interested in network virtualization, the VCP-NV certification is a good choice. VMware is a leader in virtualization technology, and this certification shows that you have the skills to work with their products.
How to Choose the Right Certification?
When you are choosing a certification, first of all, you must think about your career goals. If you want to start working with Cisco devices, then CCNA is the best certification for you. But if you want to work with different vendor devices, then CompTIA Network+ will be a good option. And if you are interested in virtualization, then VCP-NV is a great certification for you.
Global Trending Certifications in 2024
Nowadays, a large number of companies use Cisco devices. As a result, CCNA, CCNP, and CCIE have become the top choices for certifications among many students.
My Journey in Networking
One of the best things about networking is that anyone can start their career in this field, no matter their educational background. I come from a completely non-technical background. When I finished my graduation, I was very nervous about choosing the best career option. Like many others, I researched a lot and reached out to many people for advice. At that time, access to the internet was a big thing for someone from a lower-class background. Thank God Finally, I was suggested the networking domain by one of my childhood friends and genuinely this was a very big decision for me because I didn’t know the ‘N’ of Networking. But I took the risk and started learning from the basics. Soon, I found myself becoming more and more interested in it. I pursued multiple certifications and kept learning. Now, looking back, I can’t believe how I completed 10 years in this domain.
When I reflect on my journey, I feel grateful for my extensive research and my Well Wisher. It led me to a successful career in networking. Based on my experience, I can confidently say that networking is a great field to start your career in 2024.