As a small business owner, I rely heavily on my company‘s network infrastructure to operate efficiently. Any downtime can result in significant revenue losses. This has taught me the incredible value that skilled network professionals provide. One of the top credentials in this domain is the prestigious Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) certification.
Demystifying CCNP Certification
The CCNP validates advanced knowledge required to manage complex enterprise networks. To qualify, you first need the Cisco CCNA credential. Then you must pass:
- 1 core exam (ENCOR 350-401): Covers network fundamentals, security, automation, etc.
- 1 concentration exam: Focuses on a specific technology like cloud, wireless, etc.
The certification exam components are regularly updated by Cisco to align with latest industry trends.
5 Compelling Benefits of Becoming CCNP Certified
Here are 5 reasons why CCNP can accelerate your networking career growth:
1. Wider Career Opportunities
The CCNP certificate establishes you as an expert-level network professional ready to handle critical network infrastructure roles.
As per recent PayScale data, top opportunities include:
- Network Engineer: $80,529 per year
- Network Architect: $103,402 per year
- Infrastructure Manager: $111,750 per year
2. Fatter Paychecks
According to Value Penguin, CCNP certified professionals earn an average annual salary of $97,965 compared to $85,239 for those without CCNP.
The advanced expertise you gain makes you eligible for the highest-paying jobs.
3. Rapid Return on Investment
While there‘s effort and cost involved in getting CCNP certified, the ROI is rapid once you land a job.
For example, if you spend $1000 on certification and get a $15k salary bump, you recover your investment in just 2.5 months! The lifetime ROI can be immense.
4. Cutting-Edge Relevance
Cisco frequently revamps CCNP exam syllabus to cover latest technologies like SD-WAN, 5G, IoT, etc. This keeps your skills current and in high demand.
5. Enhanced Professional Standing
Globally recognized by IT employers, the CCNP credential boosts your professional reputation as an expert in managing complex networks reliably and securely.
Steps to Earn the Coveted CCNP Badge
Based on my experience with Cisco certifications, here are 5 steps to earning CCNP credentials:
1. Review Requirements
Ensure you have the recommended 1-3 years of networking experience and pre-requisite CCNA certification.
2. Choose Your Specialization
Select a domain like Enterprise, Security, Data Center, etc. to focus on.
3. Invest Time and Budget
Set aside time for self-study and allocate budget for materials and exams. Leverage affordable resources.
4. Take Recommended Training
Combine self-study with instructor-led online CCNP training to prepare thoroughly for the challenging exams.
5. Pass Exams and Get Certified
Pass one ENCOR and one concentration exam to get CCNP certified!
An Ideal Next Step for Advancing Your Career
As a CCNP certified network specialist, you showcase cutting-edge expertise in managing enterprise networks efficiently and securely. This credential can unlock bigger and better career opportunities and higher salaries.
I strongly recommend CCNP certification for boosted employability and accelerated career growth in the networking domain. Get started today!
