Retaining knowledge when persuing another Cert

How do you guys go about on retaining the knowledge you gained from one cert once you start studying for another one. for example: studying for CCNA for 6 months and then start studying for the MTA/MCSA cert(which takes around 6-8 months) How would you go about keeping your CCNA skills while learning server skills?

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Node Man

jasonwall1212 wrote: »

How do you guys go about on retaining the knowledge you gained from one cert once you start studying for another one. for example: studying for CCNA for 6 months and then start studying for the MTA/MCSA cert(which takes around 6-8 months) How would you go about keeping your CCNA skills while learning server skills?

I make a point to use the skills. I try to implement as much stuff as possible at work, the rest i try to do on my lab at home. Yes a lot does slip by.

DatabaseHead

This is the reason why I do very few certifications, they have to align with my career goals and current. If not I don't bother, I prefer learning to be organic. If I have to force feed something it means I am off path.

blatini

Honestly I tried picking up Network Warrior after my CCNA and it was a snoozer. I tend to just browse forums of certs I have and see if I can figure out the answer to problems people are having. If not I do some research to refresh myself on the topic. Admittedly though I only do this maybe 2 times a month because I generally enjoy this forum more and don't spend too much time on here.

beads

jasonwall1212 wrote: »

How do you guys go about on retaining the knowledge you gained from one cert once you start studying for another one. for example: studying for CCNA for 6 months and then start studying for the MTA/MCSA cert(which takes around 6-8 months) How would you go about keeping your CCNA skills while learning server skills?

We're in a use it or loose it kind of field. Its just human physiology to retain useful information and slowly forget that which is not important to our hunter/gathering mindset. From practice comes power.

- b/eads

thomas_

I accept that some of the knowledge is going to fade away and the longer I don't use it the more it's going to fade. That being said, I know that I can pick a lot of it right back up with a little refresh or if my daily job requires it. Other things I don't think I'll ever forget such as how to make a network cable, the 7 layers of the OSI model, and subnetting.

JoJoCal19

I agree with b/eads. There's so many technical details and technologies in our field and it's very difficult to retain stuff that you do not use, let alone think of, on a regular basis. I definitely think it's helpful to have refreshers every once in a while.