hello friends,
I have known since my undergraduate days that being an I.T certified individual boosts your chances of landing a good job after school and my experiences in the labour market justified that. Actually, I just had my CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) but someone more experienced is telling me to switch to the Microsoft path. does anyone in here have something to add which I can learn from here?

Qudbell:
hello friends,
I have known since my undergraduate days that being an I.T certified individual boosts your chances of landing a good job after school and my experiences in the labour market justified that. Actually, I just had my CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) but someone more experienced is telling me to switch to the Microsoft path. does anyone in here have something to add which I can learn from here?

****MODIFIED****
it depends on what path u wanna go, servers or networks...
Cisco has a wider range of opportunities than Microsoft, there are several paths in Cisco, and each path is essential (r&s, data center, security, collaboration, wireless, voice) but the opportunities are more abundant in professional and expert levels. Trust me Cisco is the real deal if you can get to expert certification, well paying international and domestic jobs await u. but Cisco is expensive and quite difficult, so plan before doing it. Microsoft certificates aren't as difficult as Cisco's, so every employer doesn't see that "uniqueness" with your Microsoft server certifications, might get you a job, but then you'd need to back up with more non-microsoft certifications to grow. both have jobs, but in the long run, Cisco pays you better(expert o!!!)...
my opinions only

thanks but what I really wanna know is which is more open to job opportunities and flexibility.

Here to learn

Both!

For naija all na same...




Without Conne nothing for u

Cisco

Well, I think Cisco is better because he sang Unleash The Dragon & Thong Song

....

I'm waiting for the geniuses in the house


......

Cisco

Guy ,get the two, the two certification is better.

Qudbell:
thanks but what I really wanna know is which is more open to job opportunities and flexibility.

Do both at entry level and see where your career takes you. I wouldn't say one is better than the other. On opportunities, it really doesn't matter much at entry level. Quite a number of people even have both at the highest levels.

I did my CCNA before getting my first MCP. I never went beyond CCNA eventually because my career was steered towards Servers, Desktops and Applications...so I concentrated on the Microsoft ones. Cisco gives you a very good foundation in understanding networks and that push, at entry level...their exams are a little more difficult and more expensive.

No comparison.

If you can do the two, do them.

If you have to prioritize and it is networking line, prioritize Cisco.

The most important thing is that you must know whatever you are doing inside out.

Certification will only get u audience from a prospective employer, it will not get u the job.

What you KNOW and can DO matters.

Oracle

Weac certificate!

Akathriel:
Well, I think Cisco is better because he sang Unleash The Dragon & Thong Song

you are funny.

God bless Nigeria

Following..

Cisco

.

It depends on what you want. Do u want to go into servers or network? Well if u desire to go into cisco aim for the peak-CCIE and be a master in it,you willdistingish ur self from every other cisco certified person.
As for microsoft,it is really deep and you must be ready To dive into it. Many corporate and govt org use microsoft packages and its evolving daily.

Note you certification is not u,what you can offer and your skills is what is you.
If possible know the basics of both and decide where ur passion is.

Akathriel:
Well, I think Cisco is better because he sang Unleash The Dragon & Thong Song

how far bros,you don take your drugs? person dey ask beta q,you dey do lubbish

wayaa007:

****MODIFIED****
it depends on what path u wanna go, servers or networks...
Cisco has a wider range of opportunities than Microsoft, there are several paths in Cisco, and each path is essential (r&s, data center, security, collaboration, wireless, voice) but the opportunities are more abundant in professional and expert levels. Trust me Cisco is the real deal if you can get to expert certification, well paying international and domestic jobs await u. but Cisco is expensive and quite difficult, so plan before doing it. Microsoft certificates aren't as difficult as Cisco's, so every employer doesn't see that "uniqueness" with your Microsoft server certifications, might get you a job, but then you'd need to back up with more non-microsoft certifications to grow. both have jobs, but in the long run, Cisco pays you better(expert o!!!)...
my opinions only

Sir, how about oracle? Can you enlighten me on the certification?

Trust me both are important for a newbie. I always advise everybody to go for MCSA and CCNA.
If you find yourself in an enterprise environment with only CCNA, you wuld find it a little difficult.
If you find yurself in an ISP envirnment with only CCNA, you would still be able to patch thrugh.

But overall I would advise you to choose one path as you begin to explor the basic foundations of the two

Guy good talk, you must know what you are doing inside out and it will get you the audience you need but what I want to point out to is that without these certifications you have very limited negotiation power at the interview because your drive, skills, experience, qualifications and additional certications will be put into consideration for the offer you will be given. I.e A CCNP cert applicant with same skills as CCNA or non CCNA applicant can never be given same offer because of the cost of training and also point of not is that all these big organizations get discount from CISCO not Microsoft based on the number of licensed engineer on their pay Role.

I have done my MCP, CCNP etc and I have being on both side of career path and I can tell you that the diff is clear and I will share how I was able to make my choice.

With desktops, servers etc please ask yourself the question, can someone pay me in the next 4 years to consult me on what I am doing? When secondary students are already have hands on. Cisco is a lifetime career path and I stand to be corrected.

Conclusion: study for a month, take the ITIL V3 certification which is nt expensive and this will give u better understanding of whatever path you choose. Best of luck

AntiWailer:
No comparison.

If you can do the two, do them.

If you have to prioritize and it is networking line, prioritize Cisco.

The most important thing is that you must know whatever you are doing inside out.

Certification will only get u audience from a prospective employer, it will not get u the job.

What you KNOW and can DO matters.

Nice post... very informative

Akathriel:
Well, I think Cisco is better because he sang Unleash The Dragon & Thong Song

how far bros,person dey ask beta q,you dey do lubbish

Gbengard:

Sir, how about oracle? Can you enlighten me on the certification?

Bro, i don't really know about Oracle.

debbie:
It depends on what you want. Do u want to go into servers or network? Well if u desire to go into cisco aim for the peak-CCIE and be a master in it,you willdistingish ur self from every other cisco certified person.
As for microsoft,it is really deep and you must be ready To dive into it. Many corporate and govt org use microsoft packages and its evolving daily.
Note you certification is not u,what you can offer and your skills is what is you.
If possible know the basics of both and decide where ur passion is.

morayo08:
Guy good talk, you must know what you are doing inside out and it will get you the audience you need but what I want to point out to is that without these certifications you have very limited negotiation power at the interview because your drive, skills, experience, qualifications and additional certications will be put into consideration for the offer you will be given. I.e A CCNP cert applicant with same skills as CCNA or non CCNA applicant can never be given same offer because of the cost of training and also point of not is that all these big organizations get discount from CISCO not Microsoft based on the number of licensed engineer on their pay Role.
I have done my MCP, CCNP etc and I have being on both side of career path and I can tell you that the diff is clear and I will share how I was able to make my choice.
With desktops, servers etc please ask yourself the question, can someone pay me in the next 4 years to consult me on what I am doing? When secondary students are already have hands on. Cisco is a lifetime career path and I stand to be corrected.
Conclusion: study for a month, take the ITIL V3 certification which is nt expensive and this will give u better understanding of whatever path you choose. Best of luck

Nice response... Pls, what is your view on COMPTIA A+ in terms of job opportunity in Nigeria today?

My brother, I have been opportuned to work with both for almost seven years
My advice
Get the two if you can.
MS is more open to job opportunity but very rigid.

Cisco more flexible and open to job also.
Go for both.

I also need this info...