Description
Preparing for the CCNA alone can feel like trying to drink from a fire hose. The 1:1 CCNA Mentorship Program gives you eight weeks of structure, accountability and hands-on guidance from someone who has walked the road from network administrator to network engineer. The focus is not just on passing an exam, but on understanding networks well enough to work on them with confidence.
Overview
The CCNA covers a wide range of topics: network fundamentals, switching, routing, IP services, security basics, wireless and an introduction to automation. Many learners struggle not because the material is impossible, but because they lack a plan, study passively, or never build enough lab practice to make concepts stick.
This program addresses those problems directly. We begin by assessing where you are, then build a realistic eight-week plan around your schedule and the exam blueprint. Each week includes a live one-to-one session, a hands-on lab assignment and feedback on your work. The approach builds on the same principles in our free CCNA study plan and learning roadmap, adapted to you personally.
Who it is for
- Help desk technicians and system administrators moving into networking.
- Network administrators who want to formalize their knowledge and fill gaps.
- Self-studying learners who have started the CCNA but lost momentum.
- Career changers with a grasp of basic IT concepts who want guided, practical study.
- Students who want to supplement classroom learning with real lab practice.
You will get the most from the program if you are already comfortable with basic IP addressing and know what a switch and router do. If not, start with Subnetting Made Simple and our learning roadmap first.
What is included
- Skills assessment: a short questionnaire and practical exercise before the first session to identify your strengths and gaps.
- Personal study plan: an eight-week plan mapped to the exam topics, weighted toward the areas where you need the most help.
- Eight live sessions: one 60-minute one-to-one video session each week for concept explanations, whiteboarding, live lab walkthroughs and review.
- Weekly lab assignments: practical tasks such as building VLANs and trunks, configuring OSPF, setting up ACLs and NAT, and troubleshooting deliberately broken topologies.
- Feedback on your work: written comments on submitted lab configurations and troubleshooting notes.
- Subnetting and troubleshooting drills: regular short exercises to build speed and a methodical troubleshooting habit.
- Written Q&A support: send questions by email between sessions during the program, with replies typically within two business days.
- Exam readiness review: in the final weeks, a review of your progress and a practical plan for exam day or for continued study.
Process and timeline
The program runs for eight consecutive weeks from your first session. A typical structure looks like this, adjusted to your needs:
- Week 1: assessment review, goal setting, lab environment check and network fundamentals.
- Weeks 2–3: switching, VLANs, trunking, spanning tree and EtherChannel.
- Weeks 4–5: IPv4 and IPv6 routing, static routes and OSPF.
- Week 6: IP services such as DHCP, DNS, NAT, NTP and SNMP, plus security fundamentals and ACLs.
- Week 7: wireless concepts and an introduction to automation and programmability.
- Week 8: mixed troubleshooting labs, weak-area review and readiness planning.
Sessions are scheduled at mutually agreed times. Please give at least 24 hours’ notice to reschedule.
What we need from you
- A computer capable of running network simulation or emulation software, a stable internet connection, a microphone and ideally a webcam.
- Six to ten hours per week for independent study and lab work in addition to the live session.
- Your own study materials, such as a CCNA book or video course. We can recommend options during the first session.
- Willingness to submit lab work and be honest about what you find difficult.
What is not included
- Exam vouchers, official courseware, books, practice exams or software licenses.
- Any guarantee of passing the exam or of employment.
- Unlimited on-demand support outside scheduled sessions and the written Q&A channel.
- Completion of assignments or exam answers on your behalf.
- Physical lab equipment. If you want help designing a lab, see the Home Lab Blueprint.
The outcome
After eight weeks you will have worked through the major exam topics with hands-on practice, built a reusable lab, sharpened your subnetting and troubleshooting, and developed a study habit you can sustain. Most importantly, you will understand why networks behave the way they do, which is what makes the difference in interviews and on the job.
Questions about whether the program fits your level? Contact us before you enroll.
