Ken Danter served nine years in the U.S. Navy as an aviation electronics technician. As he transitioned back into civilian life, he held several technician roles before considering continuing education.
“I knew that employers really value certificates,” Danter said. “I knew that if I actually wanted to be competitive in the job market…certificates are the only way to prove my worth.”
In 2016, Danter enrolled in the Cisco CCNA Certificate at KSU’s College of Continuing and Professional Education. In this program, he learned the architecture, structure, functions, components, and models of the Internet and computer networks. Throughout the course, he learned to build simple LANs and perform basic configurations for switches and routers. The program also help Danter prepare for the Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT) and Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification exams.
“This course is built really well,” Danter said. “The course is really set up for people with zero experience to get started into it and be able to succeed.”
Rebecca Mattox, program manager for the Cisco CCNA certificate, says employment of network administrators in the industry is growing rapidly. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment growth in the field to grow 35 percent through 2022.
“There are many jobs available in this arena,” Mattox said. “The certification sets you apart from competition.”
After completing the continuing education program, Danter took the next step and registered to take the certification exam. He passed the exam on the first try. Danter is now a certified Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) for routing and switching and currently works at Emory University as a network analyst.
“As soon as you get that certificate, doors just open for you,” Danter said.
Cisco CCNA Certificate Instructor Adekunle Ayodele has been working in the industry for more than 15 years. He holds over 28 IT certifications including Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP), Program Management Professional (PgMP) and Project Management Professional (PMP).
“Our students are in good hands,” Mattox said.
The next Cisco CCNA Certificate program at KSU’s College of Continuing and Professional Education begins on Tuesday, Oct. 10. Financial assistance options include Continuing Education loans, interest-free payment plans, VA Education Benefits and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Funding.
For more information, visit ccpe.kennesaw.edu or call 470-578-6765.
