CCNA is a waste of time - I explain why.

Summary

In this video, the speaker critiques the relevance of the CCNA certification in today's IT job market, highlighting the decline in network engineering roles due to advancements in cloud technology. They advocate for focusing on more promising fields like cybersecurity and cloud engineering, where job opportunities are rapidly expanding. The speaker challenges common misconceptions about the necessity of CCNA for foundational networking knowledge, arguing that many resources exist to learn these fundamentals. Ultimately, they encourage aspiring professionals to prioritize their learning on high-demand skills to enhance career growth.

Takeaways

• 😀 The CCNA certification may not be the best use of time for those entering IT or cybersecurity due to the decline in network engineering jobs.
• 😀 There are significantly more job opportunities in cloud engineering and cybersecurity compared to traditional network engineering roles.
• 😀 Many IT fundamentals can be learned through university courses, free online resources, and on-the-job experience, making CCNA unnecessary for many.
• 😀 Networking knowledge is not exclusive to CCNA; professionals can gain relevant skills through other certifications and practical work.
• 😀 The speaker emphasizes that CCNA is just a vendor-specific certification and not a comprehensive foundation for networking knowledge.
• 😀 The job market has changed, and certifications like CCNA are less critical compared to skills in cloud and cybersecurity.
• 😀 Employers often look for potential and willingness to learn rather than just certifications when hiring entry-level candidates.
• 😀 Many IT professionals do not have CCNA but still possess essential networking skills through experience.
• 😀 The perception that CCNA is mandatory in certain regions is challenged; vendor certifications are rarely required by law.
• 😀 Individuals are encouraged to focus on certifications and skills relevant to growing fields for better career advancement.

Q & A

Why does the speaker believe CCNA is a waste of time?

The speaker argues that there are fewer network engineering roles available today compared to 10-15 years ago, suggesting that pursuing CCNA does not align with current job market demands, which favor fields like cloud engineering and cybersecurity.

What has changed in the tech industry regarding network engineering?

Technology has evolved, with many organizations moving their data to the cloud, which reduces the need for traditional network engineers to maintain on-premises networks.

What career fields are experiencing significant growth according to the speaker?

Cloud engineering and cybersecurity are the two fields identified as having substantial growth, offering more job opportunities than network engineering.

What does the speaker say about the necessity of learning CCNA before pursuing cloud certifications?

The speaker refutes the idea that CCNA is a prerequisite for cloud certifications, stating that fundamental networking knowledge can be acquired through various other resources and experiences.

How does the speaker address comments suggesting CCNA is foundational to networking?

The speaker emphasizes that networking fundamentals are taught in many educational settings and are not exclusive to the CCNA certification, noting that many IT professionals succeed without it.

What does the speaker think about geographical requirements for CCNA certification?

The speaker suggests that while some regions may list CCNA as a requirement for certain jobs, it is not legally mandated, and such certifications are often part of a wish list rather than strict hiring criteria.

How should individuals approaching a tech career prioritize their learning?

The speaker advises focusing on high-demand areas like cloud and cybersecurity rather than spending time on certifications that may not provide a competitive edge in the current job market.

What advice does the speaker offer to newcomers in the IT field?

The speaker encourages newcomers to seek knowledge and skills relevant to high-demand roles, and to understand that many professionals in the field have succeeded without specific certifications like CCNA.

What was the speaker's personal experience with CCNA?

The speaker completed their CCNA certification in 2006 while working for a Cisco gold partner and acknowledges that it helped maintain their job at the time, but feels it is less relevant today.

What is the speaker's overall message regarding CCNA and career development in tech?

The speaker's overarching message is to prioritize learning in areas that are currently thriving in the job market, such as cloud engineering and cybersecurity, rather than focusing on outdated certifications like CCNA.