Earning any of Cisco’s certificates will boost a career in information technology, but how? Salary and career growth are just two of the benefits in store for Cisco certified professionals. Certification sets professionals apart and advertises both their competence and determination.

Information technology training is a great way to build your resume and qualify yourself for competitive jobs in the industry. Having “CCNP” or “CCNA” on your resume is an eye-catcher for information technology recruiters and employers. But how much difference can they really make?

A “Prosperous, Lucrative” Career
A technology columnist for Best Syndication writes, “These world-recognized certifications are much desired, as they can easily make the difference between a prosperous, lucrative career in design and an average, low-rewarding job…” This is a bold statement with broad implications those working within information technology.

A salary analysis shows even more clearly the difference between information technology career professionals with and without Cisco training and certification. Average salary in 2003 for information technology professionals with the following Cisco certification:
CCNA: $60,000
CCNPL $72,000
CCDP: $88,000
CCIE: $102,000
Getting Cisco Training and Certification
Information technology training from Cisco is available directly from the company itself, but it is also available from a variety of third party vendors. The same columnist from Best Syndication also states that there are “solid, reliable websites on the World Wide Web that provide students with elaborate, well-structured and comprehensive materials…”

Researching and finding the best training resource for you can be done easily and efficiently online. Sticking through it and earning your certification is the greater challenge, but doing so will reward a career in information technology with higher growth and salary.