Become the Alpha

Finding work in a crowded IT field can be difficult, to say the least. The application and interviewing process can sometimes make you feel like a small bighorn sheep attempting to fight the alpha ram to win the attention of the females in the herd. Instead of being the one to fight the alpha, of course, you must learn how to become the alpha and set yourself apart from the rest of the pack.

An article by Ed Tittel recently posted to Tom’s IT Pro gives some insight into how to put yourself in high demand on today’s IT market. Tittel suggests that, given the always-looming Internet of Things, one way to assure that you are wanted is to gain knowledge and skills in one of the many realms of networking.

In Tittel’s words, “Getting your head around all of the different certification options and specialties can be challenging. Some well-known, highly regarded networking certifications can help ... we look at five networking certifications (in no particular order) that we consider to be leaders in the field of networking for 2016.”

The five certifications are:

• Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
• Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)
• Juniper Networks Certified Enterprise Routing and Switching Expert (JNCIE-ENT)
• CompTIA Network+
• Wireshark Certified Network Analyst (WCNA)

These certifications are designed to give you the knowledge needed to be the “Networking Alpha” in the interview field. The CCNP will teach you how to use platforms and products from a leading network equipment vendor found in the majority of enterprises and businesses. All you need as a prerequisite to learn these crucial skills is a CCNA, your stepping stone to the CCNP.

Of these five certifications, perhaps your best option as a first step to becoming a Networking alpha is to get the CompTIA Network+.

“There aren't that many entry-level networking IT certifications around, probably because CompTIA's Network+ credential more or less owns this particular certification niche,” Tittel says. “Many IT and certification pundits, believe the Network+ to be an important early check-box element in any savvy IT professional's basic certification portfolio. If you're just starting out, this is a cert for you.”

The Network+ certification will open the door to a number of advanced networking credentials and begin to separate you from your networking occupation competitors.

About the Author — Jake Slater is the social media manager for GoCertify and a graduate of Brigham Young University. He is the alpha ram in any herd he is part of.