Case Studies: Exemplary IT and Networking Education
In today’s challenging global economy, government and education leaders are finding that Networking Academy curricula, aligned with industry certifications and tailored to the needs of students, can provide important pathways to 2- and 4-year degrees, as well as in-demand careers in IT and networking.
St. Charles Community College Strengthened by Cisco Networking Academy
Since 2000, St. Charles Community College (SCCC) has been training students in the field of IT in partnership with Cisco Networking Academy. “The fact that Cisco sponsors the Academy makes it special,” says Mike Fuszner, an associate professor at SCCC who is a certified Academy faculty member. “It is targeted toward the skills students will need.”
“It was a natural progression for us to move from the programs we offered, such as Microsoft and A+, into the Academy,” he said. “Not all students take classes to earn a degree. Some use the classes to complete their CCNA or CCNP certification; some take classes to work toward their Associate of Science degree in computer networking; and some already have jobs and just want to further their education in the field.”
Of the 100 students currently enrolled in the program, Fuszner estimated half of them already have jobs in the field. Ted Davis began taking classes through Networking Academy when his supervisor at the telecommunications company Alcatel-Lucent encouraged him to pursue his CCNA certification. “You will find professionals from the entire metro-St. Louis area, along with various corporations, utilizing this program at St. Charles,” Davis said.
SCCC students participated in the NetSpace Skills Pursuit, a two-month long competition hosted by Cisco. Anyone—including current students, alumni and instructors—can participate. Three Cisco students from SCCC placed in the top ten in their respective categories.
Although all class work is done on Cisco equipment, Fuszner stressed that students will not be limited to using this equipment after completing the classes. He said it is easy to adapt the knowledge of Cisco products to equipment made by other companies. “In the long run, students who are Cisco-trained will be well ready for the real world,” said Barbara Keim, vice president of technology, research and planning at SCCC. “As business continues to increase its use of technology to remain competitive in a global marketplace, technology-related job opportunities will continue to be available to people who are well-trained, up to date on the latest technology and have good work skills,” Keim said. “We incorporate opportunities to develop these skills, along with technical knowledge, in our Cisco program activities.”
Miami-Dade Offers Summer High School Apprenticeships
Cisco Academy Apprenticeship Program (CAAP)
Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) offers an annual summer apprenticeship program for high school students enrolled in Networking Academy courses. The program offers students a rare opportunity to combine classroom theory, practical hands-on training, and "real world” customer support experience, serving nearly 400 school sites 24/7, all in preparation for the demands of today’s competitive workforce. Inspired by M-DCPS core values of citizenship, cooperation, and responsibility, the Cisco Academy Apprentice Program (CAAP) offers an inside view of IT and networking to two participants from each of its 17 Cisco Networking Academy schools.
CAAP students are nominated by their Academy instructors. They participate in a three-phase structured learning project, including: technology curricula and employability skills; hands-on experiential learning; and project development and presentation.
“One of the great things about CAAP is that it pulls students out of their individual classrooms into a new environment,” says Davion Crumel, CAAP Director and district network analyst. “Here they are in close contact with other students, instructors and engineers – solving problems together and expanding their network.”
CAAP’s ultimate focus is on student transition from school to the workplace and higher education. M-DCPS initially hires CAAP graduates part-time while they pursue a degree from a community college, trade school or university.
“The benefits of going through CAAP are countless!” asserts Jerry Jerome, previous CAAP participant and M-DCPS Exchange Support Specialist. “I can honestly say that this program was the stepping stone to my career here at M-DCPS. Everything in the program helped develop and fine-tune the abilities I acquired through Cisco Networking Academy, and allowed me to translate that into my job functions here. It’s really an invaluable asset to any student looking to begin their career.” Learn more
North Carolina Offers Honors Credit, Articulation, and Seamless Pathways for Students
In 2005, North Carolina added Networking Academy coursework to its honors credit list, enabling Networking Academy students who successfully completed CCNA 3–4 to earn weighted grade points based on a 5.0 scale rather than the standard 4.0 scale. Citing the rigor of the coursework and preparation for industry certification, this marked the entry of career and technical courses to the honors credit list in North Carolina.
“Honors courses, especially those from Cisco Networking Academy, offer our students more opportunities to reach for the most rigorous coursework and be rewarded accordingly. It also requires a higher level of involvement and commitment by the instructor.” -Dr. June Atkinson, North Carolina State Superintendent
With the introduction of CCNA Discovery and CCNA Exploration this year, David Barbour, North Carolina Education Consultant working with Career and Technical Education programs and a former Networking Academy instructor, is very excited about new opportunities for students.
Besides being more engaging than the previous curriculum, Barbour says that Networking Academy encourages pathways to post-secondary education and careers, and helps meet revised Perkins requirements. “Perkins legislation requires valid, secure assessments and industry certification with increases in percentages of students earning certification each year. The CCENT certification and additional security on the final exam meet these requirements.”
In addition, North Carolina has a statewide articulation agreement between North Carolina high schools and community colleges for up to 4 college credits for Networking Academy coursework completed in high school. Learn more
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