By KIMBERLY ROSS

 The Cisco Networking Academy program is designed to equip students with the skills to become a technology professional in the field of network administration or network engineering. The Computer Networking A.S. Degree Program prepares students to sit for the CCNA Certification exam.

Founded in 1984 by a group of computer scientists from Stanford University, Cisco’s primary mission is for people to connect to one another through technology, thus creating a close-knit atmosphere.

For St. Petersburg College students interested in Cisco certificates, Cisco Professor Michael Gordon is a great source.  Employed by SPC since 2001, Professor Gordon mentioned the reasons why students enroll in this program: Some students who already have four-year degrees, or they want to make a career change. Then there are students who are already in the industry but are seeking a new direction.

Professor Gordon emphasized that “Cisco sets a high standard.” With a predominant number of certificates in Computer Networking, he further stated that this is “a rigorous field of study,” so students must approach it seriously.

In sum, he said the most fulfilling part of his career has been “giving students the opportunity to gain viable skills.”

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Michael Gordon, (CCIT) Computer & Information Technology, has been employed with SPC since 2001. He has completed his CCAI (CISCO instructor), CCNA, CCNP, MCSE, MCT, and A+ certifications. Professor Gordon has been working professionally in networking as a Network Engineer, Installer, and level 2 Support Technician working with CISCO hardware since 1998. He is also an experienced webmaster. He received both his BA and MS in education from Queens College, and is currently completing his MLS in Information Networking and Telecommunications.