JNCIA vs CCNA: Networking Career
When it comes to networking certifications, it is widely known that Juniper and Cisco are the leading vendors. Therefore, whenever people start thinking about getting a certification, the dilemma is usually between these two. So, should you go for JNCIA or CCNA?
Both JNCIA and CCNA are entry-level certifications that serve for starting a networking career. However, Cisco is head of the market; therefore, there is a higher demand for CCNA. Cisco dominates the industry and CCNA is more well-rounded in regard to general knowledge.
In this article, I will explain the basic differences between JNCIA and CCNA. Furthermore, I will discuss their advantages and disadvantages and the reasons for that. After establishing the main differences, you can have a better idea of which networking path to pick.
Fewer People Have JNCIA: Hard To Start, Higher Demand
JNCIA stands for Juniper Network Certified Internet Associate and it is an entry-level certification that serves for getting a job in the networking field. Obtaining the JNCIA certification might get your career to the next level, increase your salary, or it can land you your dream job. This kind of certification is seen as a valuable investment in your career.
Even though JNCIA stands at the same level as CCNA, fewer people opt for JNCIA. The first reason for this is due to the fact that Cisco is the leader in the networking industry. Therefore people tend to choose the one that is considered as the head on the market.
However, JNCIA has its advantages and it might be quite beneficial for those who have different priorities in their career paths. Some people consider these advantages as crucial points in their career. Therefore they opt for a Juniper certification.
Firstly, it is important to acknowledge that JNCIA covers subjects like routing fundamentals and subnetting, and its main focus is on JunOS configuration and troubleshooting. For those who work with Juniper equipment, the first choice would be JNCIA certification, without a doubt.
Another essential point is the payment that Juniper professionals get. It is widely known that in the USA, those people who have obtained JNCIA are paid more than the CCNA professionals. The reason for this is quite simple – there are fewer people with JNCIA; therefore, when there is a need for Juniper, professional people have to pay more.
Establishing the reason behind the higher salary of the Juniper professionals, it is clear that the competition is smaller at this point. This might be a crucial point for those who want to stand out and get into a networking role even without experience. To accomplish this, it is better to do it in a field with less competition.
Technology From CCNA Is Everywhere: Easy To Start With Upside
CCNA stands for Cisco Certified Network Associate and it is widely known that Cisco is the leading figure in the networking market. Obtaining a CCNA certification can help you get a job with little or no experience. Taking into account that Cisco dominates the industry, it is understandable that companies that do not even use Cisco equipment will still demand someone with a CCNA certificate.
CCNA is well-rounded when it comes to general knowledge, but its subject might be slightly more difficult than the ones included JNCIA. The CCNA will provide you with a basic router and switching knowledge, and it is a good starting point if you are not sure where you should begin.
As I have mentioned before, Cisco is the leading figure in the networking industry. Therefore the demand for CCNA certifications is always on the rise. However, the higher demand means bigger competition. Therefore, getting your dream job position might not be a piece of cake.
Furthermore, since CCNA technology is present everywhere, that means that you can get a job in various fields. These fields include enterprise, collaboration, data center, design, security, and service provider. What is more, the CCNA certification is widely demanded abroad. Therefore you can easily look for a career path outside the borders of your country.
When it comes to payment, Cisco certification experts might be paid less than the Juniper ones. This is no surprise, considering that CCNA certifications are in high demand and the competition is quite big.
However, this does not mean that CCNA experts are not paid well. On the contrary, they might find a decent job with an amazing salary even without experience. Therefore, the payment should be a reason for discouragement.
Cisco Or Juniper Career Path
There is no right answer to this question since it all depends on your needs and priorities. Both certifications are positioned on an entry-level, and they do not have huge differences between them. Therefore, this question is debatable and depends solely on the individuals and their necessities.
If you choose to opt for a Cisco certification, you can expect to find a job easily considering the fact that there is a high demand for CCNA certifications. However, you should not be surprised if your salary is not what you imagined at the beginning. You should bear in mind that the high demand for CCNA professionals might easily lead to replacements in job positions.
If you do not have experience and you are at an entry-level, you should keep in mind that you need as many job opportunities as possible. You need to start building the foundations of your career on solid ground.
On the other hand, if you want to take the easier way and eliminate the competition as much as possible, you can opt for JNCIA. Juniper certifications are known to be in lower demand. Therefore it is easier to find a job with a higher salary and more serious responsibilities.
However, you should remember that Juniper equipment is not as common as Cisco equipment. Therefore, it might take some time to land a job position that will suit your needs.
Deciding on which certification you are going to obtain depends entirely on you. There is no right or wrong answer. Therefore the value of each certificate depends on you and your career path. You should consider all the pros and cons, and then decide what fits you best.
