Pick the right Networking certification, prep with a mentor who has already passed it, and put it to work in your next role. Updated for 2026.
Anyone can sign up for a certification course. But getting certified – and putting that knowledge to work – takes more than reading slides. A long-term mentor keeps you focused and gets you across the finish line faster.
The best Networking certification depends on your current role and target job. Most professionals start with a foundational Networking cert to validate core skills, then move to a role-specific track. Pairing exam prep with a Networking mentor on MentorCruise cuts study time and turns the cert into real, applied skills.
Last reviewed: May 2026 · Based on 13 Networking certifications recommended by working mentors.
The 12 industry certs below, plus MentorCruise itself as the 1-on-1 prep path most mentees pair with whichever one they pick. Each cert is paired with prep notes from someone who has already passed it. Not sure which to start with? Talk to a Networking mentor first – the wrong cert costs you months.
The JNCIA-Junos is the associate-level certification for Juniper Networks technologies. It’s the first step required for those who want to take more advanced certifications from Juniper Networks in data center technologies, enterprise routing, and switching, or service provider routing and switchin…
Consider reaching out to a coach specialized in Networking certifications. They can help you prepare for your exam, and provide you with the necessary resources to succeed. MentorCruise is the best place to find a coach for your Networking certification.
This course is designed to provide a full overview of computer networking. We’ll cover everything from the fundamentals of modern networking technologies and protocols to an overview of the cloud to practical applications and network troubleshooting. By the end of this course, you’ll be able to: …
The Palo Alto Networks Cybersecurity Professional Certificate prepares students for entry level careers in cybersecurity, with an emphasis on learning the fundamentals of Networking, Network Security, Cloud Security, and Security Operations related to Palo Alto Networks Technology and the cybersecu…
This course has been designed for individuals seeking entry-level positions in IT support. Whether you're a recent graduate, a career changer, or someone looking to kickstart your career in the tech industry, it will provide you with the foundational knowledge and practical skills needed to excel i…
Demonstrate the design, implementation, and maintenance of Azure networking infrastructure, load balancing traffic, network routing, and more. Prices start at $165.
Consider joining a workshop specialized in Networking. Workshops are a great way to learn new skills, and get hands-on experience. MentorCruise is the best place to find a workshop for your Networking certification.
Passing this exam earns you the CCNA certification, and can also can be used towards your recertification goals. Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions (200-301 CCNA) v1.1 is a 120-minute exam that tests a candidate's knowledge and skills related to network fundamentals, network access, IP…
Are you interested in learning how large global network operations work? Does managing 30% of the internet traffic globally intrigue you? Then the Network Engineering certification is for you. The NOCC is a proactive monitoring and troubleshooting team that monitors and manages globally distribut…
CompTIA Network+ validates the core skills necessary to establish, maintain, troubleshoot and secure networks in any environment, preparing you for a rewarding career in networking and cybersecurity. Prices start at $369 - $721.
This credential helps organizations identify and develop talent with critical skills for implementing cloud initiatives. Earning AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty validates expertise in designing and maintaining network architecture for the breadth of AWS services. Prices start at $300.
In this course we will cover the basics of networking, introduce commonly used TCP/IP protocols and cover the fundamentals of an Ethernet network. In addition, you’ll be equipped with the basic knowledge to understand the main data center requirements and how they can be fulfilled. Upon successfu…
Our certifications build on the foundation of a global network of thousands of SolarWinds Certified Professionals and focus on enabling the effective use of SolarWinds’ products. Becoming a SolarWinds Certified Professional (SCP) ensures that you have the technical expertise to use and maintain Sol…
87% of Google Cloud certified users feel more confident in their cloud skills*. This program provides the skills you need to advance your career as a network engineer and provides training to support your preparation for the industry-recognized Google Cloud Professional Network Engineer certifica…
A Networking cert is a starting point, not a finish line
A certificate proves you can pass an exam. A mentor proves you can apply the work. Most of our mentees pair their Networking cert with weekly 1-on-1 sessions so the knowledge sticks – and translates into a promotion, a new job, or a real project shipped.
There is no better source of accountability and motivation than having a personal mentor who has already passed the cert you're studying for. All mentors are vetted, certified, and hands-on.
Explore a curated network of vetted mentors – engineers, designers, founders, and more. Find someone who matches your goals, skills, and budget.
Choose a flexible plan that fits your pace – whether it's Q&A chats, regular calls, or something in between, your mentor will help you build a personalized roadmap.
Get ongoing support through regular calls, check-ins, and feedback. Your mentor stays with you for the long haul.
Mentees who stick with their mentor for 3+ months reach their goals 2x faster than they would on their own. Fewer dead ends, more breakthroughs.
A mentor who has already passed the Networking cert can spot weak areas in your prep, point you at the exam topics that actually matter, and save you a re-sit fee.
Cut down on failed attempts, abandoned courses, and bootcamp upsells. Work directly with someone who knows what worked and what didn't.
Self-paced learning is easy to drop. Mentorship adds structure and momentum, so you actually finish the cert you started.
Mentors help with more than the exam – they review portfolios, coach for interviews, and translate the cert into a promotion or new role.
Frequently asked
The questions Networking mentees ask most before picking a certification and starting prep.
Start with a foundational Networking certification if you're new to the field – it validates core concepts and is recognized everywhere. If you already have hands-on experience, jump to a role-specific or associate-level track. A Networking mentor can look at your background in one session and tell you which cert is the right starting point.
Most Networking certifications take 6 to 16 weeks of structured prep, depending on your starting point and the cert level. Foundational exams are closer to 6 weeks. Professional and specialty exams run longer. Mentees with weekly mentor sessions typically finish in the lower half of that range.
Yes, when paired with applied work. A Networking certification opens recruiter pipelines and signals baseline competence – hiring managers still look for evidence you can use the skill on real projects. That's why mentees who get certified alongside mentor-led portfolio work move into roles faster than those who only have the cert.
MentorCruise plans start at $120/month, which is roughly 70% less than most cert bootcamps. You get weekly 1-on-1 sessions with a Networking expert plus async messaging between sessions. Cancel anytime – you're not locked into a multi-month bootcamp contract.
Courses give you a curriculum. A mentor gives you a curriculum, accountability, and a feedback loop on the gaps you didn't know you had. Most mentees pair both – they consume a self-paced course and meet with a mentor weekly to debug their understanding. Pure self-study works for some, but completion rates are much lower.
Yes. Most MentorCruise mentors do production Networking work day-to-day. They'll guide you through portfolio projects, code reviews, architecture decisions, and the kind of real-world judgment calls that an exam can't test for. This is what closes the gap between "certified" and "actually employable".
A failed attempt is information, not a verdict. Most cert programs let you re-sit after a short waiting period. Your mentor will help you read the score report, identify which knowledge domains you missed, and rebuild the prep plan around those gaps. Mentees who fail once and re-sit with a mentor usually pass the second time.
Weekly 1-hour sessions are the sweet spot for most Networking certification tracks. It's frequent enough to stay accountable and unblock confusion early, but not so frequent that you don't have time to study between sessions. Bi-weekly works for longer prep cycles or part-time learners.
Senior Product Design Manager at Datadog
Leadership and Career Coach , ex Senior Director of Engineering at IBM Siemens
CTO and Product Strategy Mentor | Ex-Google/Amazon | Scaling Teams an… at Google
Senior Account Executive at Microsoft
Sr. Consulting Data Engineer at Astrodata | ex-Samsung
Software Engineer at Starling Bank
Senior Product Design Manager at Datadog
Leadership and Career Coach , ex Senior Director of Engineering at IBM Siemens
CTO and Product Strategy Mentor | Ex-Google/Amazon | Scaling Teams an… at Google
Senior Account Executive at Microsoft
Sr. Consulting Data Engineer at Astrodata | ex-Samsung
Software Engineer at Starling Bank
We've already delivered 1-on-1 mentorship to thousands of students, professionals, managers and executives. Even better, they've left an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 for our mentors.
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