So I'm going for it (Dedicated Career Changer Intro Thread)

Hi Everyone,

My name is Azret and I am a drowned out/sour Real Estate Professional from New York City and I have finally decided to kick the bucket and go into an entirely different (but familiar) field and try and get his CCIE Security by 2012. As for dedication, I just received my A+ without a hitch last week and currently waiting for the CompTIA welcome kit. I hope to be an active forum contributor and a big help to those beginners as I go through my self-study.

I am currently a Remote Technician for a franchise company out here to get some experience, because it seems that the IT job market in New York is who you know (there are no job postings that are worth applying for or they have extremely high experience requirements for Help Desk) and not what you apply to. Anyway I am sure this thread is of typical fanfare and I don't expect a lot of replies, but, I am here and I am willing and hope to some day meet a CCIE in New York City who can give me advice as to where to begin.

I am excited.

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Comments

impelse

Welcome to the forum, you just got A+ now go for Network+ and later for CCNA, you have a lot of materias with those just to begin.

GT-Rob

Azret wrote: »

Hi Everyone,

My name is Azret and I am a drowned out/sour Real Estate Professional from New York City and I have finally decided to kick the bucket and go into an entirely different (but familiar) field and try and get his CCIE Security by 2012. As for dedication, I just received my A+ without a hitch last week and currently waiting for the CompTIA welcome kit. I hope to be an active forum contributor and a big help to those beginners as I go through my self-study.

I am currently a Remote Technician for a franchise company out here to get some experience, because it seems that the IT job market in New York is who you know (there are no job postings that are worth applying for or they have extremely high experience requirements for Help Desk) and not what you apply to. Anyway I am sure this thread is of typical fanfare and I don't expect a lot of replies, but, I am here and I am willing and hope to some day meet a CCIE in New York City who can give me advice as to where to begin.

I am excited.

Experience is worth a lot in this field and this day in age. Concentrate at getting some more related work on your resume (even if its best buy or tech support). Certs alone will not open the doors you want.

RouteThisWay

Good luck man!

It's good to have that passion and initial burst of dedication.

The biggest thing is getting initial experience to couple with certifications/degree. Experience is king. And to see that you have taken a position doing remote support, etc is fantastic. Already well on your way.

Network+ is good, I didn't find it too challenging at all. I might even say that if you do have a little bit of experience with networks (ip configs, cabling, etc) and understand the basics... you may want to skip on to CCENT/CCNA if that is the path you want to take.

That being said, I myself chose to get the Net+ anyway. At the time, when I thought I was going to take some MS certs (and I still might in the future), A+/Net+ counted as an elective. Not sure if that still applies.

But you seem to have a great start and great motivation to take it further

Good luck in your endeavors and hope it all works out for you. Keep up updated and look forward to seeing you active on TE!

Aldur

Welcome to the forums!

It sounds like you have some good determination going on there. Good luck with your studies, it sounds like you're on the right path.

Azret

impelse wrote: »

Welcome to the forum, you just got A+ now go for Network+ and later for CCNA, you have a lot of materias with those just to begin.

Thanks for the advice, I initially thought to do this and I just might because I could use it as a pre-requisite for some MS certs and because it would be a quick cert for me. I am familiar with lots of IP configurations and some subnetting.

As for the others, yes I understand experience is key, and that is why I took an end user support position for a small company just for awhile. I am looking for some volunteer opportunities at some local non profits just to have something to add to my resume. I am willing to work for free for awhile at this point. The end will justify the means.

Luckily I have always had familiarity around computers, basic repair, SOHO networks, network printing, and all of that jazz. The deeper technical stuff only needs to be learned. I expect to be a CCIE by the age of 25, I don't want to do anything less or anything else.

As for the other replies, thanks and I hope to see/hear more from you on the forums.

stlsmoore

Azret wrote: »

Thanks for the advice, I initially thought to do this and I just might because I could use it as a pre-requisite for some MS certs and because it would be a quick cert for me. I am familiar with lots of IP configurations and some subnetting.

As for the others, yes I understand experience is key, and that is why I took an end user support position for a small company just for awhile. I am looking for some volunteer opportunities at some local non profits just to have something to add to my resume. I am willing to work for free for awhile at this point. The end will justify the means.

Luckily I have always had familiarity around computers, basic repair, SOHO networks, network printing, and all of that jazz. The deeper technical stuff only needs to be learned. I expect to be a CCIE by the age of 25, I don't want to do anything less or anything else.

As for the other replies, thanks and I hope to see/hear more from you on the forums.

Nice man, seems you know your way around a network at least some what, trust me skip the Network+. Start with the CCNA and go from there!

Azret

stlsmoore wrote: »

Nice man, seems you know your way around a network at least some what, trust me skip the Network+. Start with the CCNA and go from there!

From the looks of it the CCENT would be a Network+ regardless, so what would be the point?

Did you take the one test or two test route? How long did it take?

RouteThisWay

Azret wrote: »

From the looks of it the CCENT would be a Network+ regardless, so what would be the point?

Did you take the one test or two test route? How long did it take?

Alot of the first chapters of the ICND1 Cisco Press book are Net+ rehash. Talks about cabling, LAN/WAN, etc.

General consensus is take the 2 exam route. It breaks it down for you, giving you less to study all at once. However, there are some who have taken it in one shot.

Pass ICND1(640-822), you get CCENT. Pass ICND2(640-816), get CCNA.
Or you take it in one shot (640-802), you get the CCNA.

CCNA just became so big, that Cisco decided to split it up to make it a little bit more manageable.

Me? Working on the 2 exam route.

mikej412

Welcome to the TechExam.Net forums!!

Sounds like you've got a good plan. You're getting experience and gaining knowledge and skills -- and the resume candy (certifications) to go with it.

You've got nothing to lose applying for those "kitchen sink" positions -- if it's a job that you could possibly do and think will help advance your new IT career. A good NOC position would beat a helpdesk position if you're going the Cisco route -- and maybe even give you some work time to study.

Azret

mikej412 wrote: »

Welcome to the TechExam.Net forums!!

Sounds like you've got a good plan. You're getting experience and gaining knowledge and skills -- and the resume candy (certifications) to go with it.

You've got nothing to lose applying for those "kitchen sink" positions -- if it's a job that you could possibly do and think will help advance your new IT career. A good NOC position would beat a helpdesk position if you're going the Cisco route -- and maybe even give you some work time to study.

Thanks for the advice.

On another note, HOLY MOLY look at those certs, you must speak in IOS.

Sanis4life

Hate to be a downer, but am I the only one that thinks going from A+ to CCIE:Security in two years is...a bit of a stretch?

Don't want to discourage you, but you also have to have realistic expectations.

mikej412

Sanis4life wrote: »

am I the only one that thinks going from A+ to CCIE:Security in two years is...a bit of a stretch

It could be a bit optimistic -- but they did say "try."

And it's more like almost 3 years with if they take until the end of 2012.

As they gain more knowledge and IT work experience they can adjust their plan (and goals) as needed. The CCIE makes a great target (or goal) -- and getting past the CCENT and CCNA will be good reality checks along the way. They'll have time for a gut check before heading into the CCSP level Cisco Security stuff....

Azret

mikej412 wrote: »

It could be a bit optimistic -- but they did say "try." And it's more like almost 3 years with if they take until the end of 2012.

As they gain more knowledge and IT work experience they can adjust their plan (and goals) as needed. The CCIE makes a great target (or goal) -- and getting past the CCENT and CCNA will be good reality checks along the way. They'll have time for a gut check before heading into the CCSP level Cisco Security stuff....

That's the beauty of self study, you learn at your own pace. I am pretty sure I am gonna get kicked down a couple of times but I have a lot of short term goals in mind and those will keep me on some sort of time target. 2-3 Years for a CCIE doesn't seem like a hard thing to do if you are going from one step to the next in continuous order as the knowledge stays fresh. I might burn out, but after 4 and a half years of college with a degree I can throw in the shredder, I have to be dedicated.

RouteThisWay

Azret wrote: »

I have a lot of short term goals in mind and those will keep me on some sort of time target.

That's the ticket right there. Setting smaller, attainable goals to achieve the overall goal.

One thing though. In my opinion, and what has been told to me here, someone of the CCIE level should also possess a very large amount of work experience to back up their credential. Most companies that hire with that requirement are going to expect someone with years of working knowledge. As with any skill, you can read about it all you want... but until you actually do it in a work environment, you really don't know alot.

I just think an employer may have some reservations of filling a senior expert(CCIE) level position, with someone who has very little work experience. I believe Cisco themselves even list on their website they recommend all CCIE candidates have 5 years of Cisco-related work experience.

Not trying to shoot you down here at all, I think if you possess the aptitude and desire to get your CCIE in 2-3 years, you could probably do it. Just don't expect everyone to come beating down your door with just a cert, and no production/real-world experience. A cert shows a potential employer you should know the material. Work experience shows that you do know the material. Alot of companies won't gamble a high paying senior level job to someone who should.

Just giving you advice that has been given here a number of times before

RobertKaucher

Azret wrote: »

That's the beauty of self study, you learn at your own pace. I am pretty sure I am gonna get kicked down a couple of times but I have a lot of short term goals in mind and those will keep me on some sort of time target. 2-3 Years for a CCIE doesn't seem like a hard thing to do if you are going from one step to the next in continuous order as the knowledge stays fresh. I might burn out, but after 4 and a half years of college with a degree I can throw in the shredder, I have to be dedicated.

The issue as I see it is that the credential with very little experience will simply hold you back. The time you would invest into achieving a credential so far above your experience level would be better invested in gaining hands on experience though a combination of work, volunteering, and participation in professional organizations.

I would honestly suggest that you slow down. Get your CCNA and find a job that will give you some level of access to Cisco equipment. You may need to do some systems work at the same time. Once you are able to begin working with Cisco equipment then start working on specialization (like CCNA Voice) and then your CCNP.

With very little to no experience, higher certifications will only hold you back professionally. Lay the foundation, do the work, and only then begin to shoot higher. Going for your CCIE within 2 to 3 years would be the professional equivalent of attempting to run a marathon while you are still learning to walk.

Azret

RobertKaucher wrote: »

The issue as I see it is that the credential with very little experience will simply hold you back. The time you would invest into achieving a credential so far above your experience level would be better invested in gaining hands on experience though a combination of work, volunteering, and participation in professional organizations.

I would honestly suggest that you slow down. Get your CCNA and find a job that will give you some level of access to Cisco equipment. You may need to do some systems work at the same time. Once you are able to begin working with Cisco equipment then start working on specialization (like CCNA Voice) and then your CCNP.

With very little to no experience, higher certifications will only hold you back professionally. Lay the foundation, do the work, and only then begin to shoot higher. Going for your CCIE within 2 to 3 years would be the professional equivalent of attempting to run a marathon while you are still learning to walk.

Thanks for the heads up, its a bit of a bummer that the job market in NYC for IT is a bunch of web/programming positions, and the limited help desk positions are advertised by recruiters and tech recruiters that state insane "x years of experience" requirements like 2-3 years for a help desk technician? Like really? I would love to find an NOC or ISP position out here to work on Cisco gear, but as time progresses I am sure these positions will come available or I will have to relocate to one which I am not looking forward to.

As I said I would be going the gradual route, and continue studying along the way. Optimally I wouldn't want to pay for the certifications alone. I am setting money away for the ultimate goal by buying a CCIE kit but this is all relative as to how many snags I hit along the way.

As for getting certified without the experience, the same holds true in Real Estate. Even if I become a paper CCIE, I will eventually come up to the standard required in work experience 4-6 years down the line. Working in IT would be a life long career for me. I am not looking for the money, I love everything in and out about computers and networking, I just initially chose a different route because of where I was.

I am only 23, time is on my side, if it takes awhile so be it. Small goals first.

PS: I just finished watching all of The IT Crowd Robert, I thought it was genius!