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CCNA or EMC certified

  • 09-02-2007 9:36pm
    #1
    MrWenger1982
    Closed Accounts Posts: 84 ✭✭


    Hi,
    I am 24 and from a server background with nearly 3 years experience including a year as an intern. I am now a SAN administrator working with all EMC products (Symmetrix, Clariion, Brocade, McData, Celerra, and Centerra) although I do help out with server or NetBackup related issues from time to time.

    I love working with SAN and it defintely seems to be a good career path in IT. I have been keeping an eye out for SAN jobs over the past year to analyse the demand and the number of jobs seem to be increasing (albeit most are through agencies :mad: ). The pay scale seems to be roughly 40K - 70K per annum.

    I am now contemplating whether I should look to become EMC certified or go for the more recognised CCNA. I don't have much experience in the network arena as my company is a large multinational and server and network teams are seperate. I understand the basic concepts of routing, switching etc... and I have completed 3 network related MCP's. But I know none of this is a substitute for hands on experience of which I have very little.

    I do see my career progressing in SAN but I have seen no jobs looking for EMC certified personell although I am sure it would do no harm to have it :) . CCNA is always a good base to have and might give me a better grounding in looking for a better job in future should SAN not progress as I expect it to.

    I leaning towards completing my CCNA now and maybe complete the EMC one later on. What do others think?


Comments

  • #2
    mick.fr
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,974 ✭✭✭mick.fr


    Well EMC skilled people are more rare than Cisco people, especially CCNA level, which is the entry level exam.

    Now I would suggest you to get the both certifications, EMC first, as you have the skills already and it will give you the confidence to look forward to get Cisco certified.

    Having both skills are pretty nice, and you would ultimetly work for big companies only.

    Having good network and storage skills will give you lots of opportunities in my opinion, because even if you stick to one only later in a job, you will have a good background in the other area, which is extremelly close to the other one.

    Do not forget to get your hands dirty on backup softwares as well, such as NetBackup, TSM ...

    With such skills you could even think to go to consulting in 1-2 years, but Ireland would eventually be too small to make a real year long living, so you might have to work in Ireland and UK, which could be nice.


  • #3
    MrWenger1982
    Closed Accounts Posts: 84 ✭✭MrWenger1982


    Thanks Mick. I already know NetBackup very well as I have been working with it since I started working in the server area. I spent 8 months last year completely dedicated to working with backups before I focused on SAN around Autumn time.

    I am very fortunate to work for a company who will pay for nearly any training for me and I want to take full advantage of it should I choose to leave soon. I can see myself being at this company for a while longer though as I am making good progress career wise. Ultimately consulting is my long term ambition. I hope to be based here in Ireland but I would have no problem with extended stints in the UK should it be required.

    You make a good point about CCNA being common but I suppose I have always seen it as the next step after becoming an MCSE. EMC certification only really entered my head once I got the job as a SAN administrator. Do you have any EMC certification yourself?


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