Just a thought
I have a question to ask and it has been on my mind for a while now. I remember a while back when people used to go straight for the CCIE and I was wondering if people still did it today? I have been reading around, and a lot of people have been talking about going through the CCNP route just to have something to show for studying it because everyone doesn't make it through as a CCIE. Is that the only real logic. Is it an unwritten rule against studying and mastering CCNP topics without taking the test and then study for the CCIE?
Reading: What ever is on my desk that day :study:
Comments
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I think some people just want to skip actually taking the exams. In Turgon's case, I believe his CCNP expired, so instead of going back and taking all the exams, he's just going to keep plugging away towards the CCIE. It's not like he doesn't have CCNP-level knowledge. I know someone else who is going directly for the CCIE: Security, so it happens.
1. What you will learn
2. The piece of paper
I was just thinking, I can put forth the effort to learn everything that is in those books. I'm not out just trying to go cert crazy. It's plenty of people out there that has certs and don't know much of anything. It's not like I'm not going to go through the learning. I just don't necessarily need the certs. I honestly think that I can be ready to take the written in a year but a lot of people on different sites were saying that it was time wasted if you don't have anything to show for it.
And that is a key thing for me. I plan on mastering the topics. I just don't want people to hit me with the attitude that I have to go through the CCNP just to get the paper. Nothing is wrong with those who have it and I hope that it's not coming off like I'm saying anything against it (the internet is pretty ambiguous...lol). I just always take a different approach to everything.
I have forgotten all about that...lol. *going to change that*
A big factor with me was the discrepancies that I've been hearing about with the new CCNP exams, well specifically SWITCH. I'm still on the wall about this. I will see what the next month or 2 bring, and see if my attitude changes. It still wouldn't hurt to try..lmbo.
Equipment: Cisco 360 program racks
This. The people I know who are going "straight" to the CCIE are people who already have years (maybe decades) of experience in networking. A CCNP really wouldn't do much for them. If you're just starting out, I think it would be foolish to skip over that. You're probably looking at around another year or two of study (or more) once you get to CCNP-level. Why wouldn't you want a CCNP that you could leverage into getting a better position where you could be working with more advanced technologies (and likely making more money)?
The company I work for is all about what you know and your work ethic and not necessarily your certs (even though they are a Cisco/Microsoft Partner..lol). It is plenty of people there in high places without a cert but they have the working knowledge. I just thought it would be cool to challenge myself without obtaining certs "per se." Even at the end of it, if I don't get the CCIE, it wouldn't be a problem getting my CCNP. Did any of that make sense? lol
Yea, I understand. However, you're looking at an endeavor that will take years. It's becoming increasing rare that people, especially those who are rapidly increasing their skill sets, stay with companies that long. What happens if you want/need to find another job or you get fired?
lol..seriously, I don't expect to really move from my current job, unless I get that Network Scientist job on base for $100 an hour..
But in case that does happen, at least I will have the knowledge and know how to get my CCNP if I feel like I just have to. Like I said, I haven't really made a concrete decision yet, but I'm really leaning towards the CCIE because..
1. The challenge
2. Just not in a major hurry for certs
3. Everybody thinks that I can't or won't finish..
But who knows how I will feel in 2011?
Back in the day there was only the CCIE so you headed in that direction and for a few years until the CCNA etc bedded in it pretty much stayed that way. There are still people who go straight for it and they do get their number. Arguably the biggest clincher is time to do the track properly. You have to have a lot of regular time at your disposal to get through the CCIE. A relatively easy going job can help there. If the time availability is hit and miss then it can make sense to shoot for the CCNA and CCNP so you have something to show for your efforts. Many are called for the CCIE but few are chosen. Down the track you want to have something to show for a couple of years of study grunt and the CCNP is very achieveable. Lots of people want to be a CCIE, just as lots of people want to be a millionaire, but not all get there and its an easy thing to say. At least you can come to the interview table with something tangible that helps the credibility
For every 50 people that pass the written perhaps only one or two go on to be numbered so its something to think about!
If you have the knowledge of a particular area and plan to pursue a career into that field it would be downright foolish not to add certifications to your name along the way. All it takes is some bad luck and then you can't even afford the exams anymore.
Take the tests when you can while you can, and you will find yourself much more reliable as an individual when it comes to your future. If I had a nickel for every individual I have talked to who worked at a gas station saying "I did X for Y years but never took the time to build up anything for my future..." I would have... probably 35 cents but you get my point.
Take the proper approach for your future. Not the approach for your job. They can be two very, very different things.
That's is what I was talking about earlier. Is a big part of why people are telling me to get the CCNP is to have something tangible just in case I get burnt out persuing my big picture goal? Not trying to turn this into a debate but that is the key point that I've always wanted to understand.
chmorin, I understand what you are saying completely about the bad luck but to be honest, I can't really afford to take any exam now.lol. If my job didn't have the material for me to check out, I wouldn't be reading. I gave up a lot to work in IT; a WHOLE LOT. Right now, I'm finding myself catching up financially and that is hard to do with a wife and 2 kids to take care of but I don't want to limit my learning and growing so I will continue reading and labbing (at the office). By the time I am caught up with everything, I will be at a crossroad; spend the $600 to obtain the CCNP or keep moving forward and work towards my CCIE. (we have a reimbursement system but they will pay for the lab upfront). I don't know if this kinds of clear things up from my perspective or not.. :-/
*********
Also, I believe that I am looking at the future instead of the job. When I came into IT, I said that I wanted to learn the ins and outs of Cisco. Not doing it because it is the big thing to do. This was a goal of mine before I stepped foot into the industy. Just kinda want yall to see where my head is...lmbo...
Take your time to get back on your fiscal feet. If that comes around and you are not CCIE take advantage of the reimbersment policy your company gives you and go make yourself worth more money. There is hardly a better practice for the CCIE written then taking other actual cisco tests. You can only benifit from it.
lol
CCNA Security | GSEC |GCFW | GCIH | GCIA
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http://twitter.com/paul_bosworth
Blog: http://www.infosiege.net/
*SWITCH Foundations
*ROUTE Foundations
*TSHOOT Foundations
*Routing TCP/IP Vol1
*Routing TCP/IP Vol2
*CCIE Exam Guide
And lab books I think we have
*SWITCH Lab book
*ROUTE Lab book
*TSHOOT Lab book
*INE Vol 3 & 4
*Will try to convince my employee to purchase The Foundation 2.0
I planned out a combination of studying and labbing up until I feel that I am comfortable enough to take the written then after the written is done, I will read specific topic books such as 642-642 exam guide, BGP, OSPF, MPLS & VPN, Deploying IPv6, and the field manuals while still labbing from INE and whatever labbooks we have a available.
Because I'm not trying to race the clock, I made a schedule that has perfect balance so I don't neglect my time with God and my family. So I have 20.5 hrs a week devoted to studying (10.5 reading and 10 labbing). I think approach works well for me. So I guess it's official..lol
Joey
CONGRATS Joey... good luck!! Take a look around the forums and the net... I've heard that the TSHOOT book wasn't worth the read!! I personally haven't read it so I can't agree or disagree, but that seems to be the consensus... Out of curiosity... which "Lab Books" are you referring to? Thanks!
-Peanut
-Mayor Cory Booker
Hmm..
On the one hand this seems kind of crazy as most true network engineer jobs are in the CCXP range of knowledge and by not getting that cert you may cert yourself out of the vast majority of jobs. It also seems a bit steep since the difference between CCNA and CCIE is huge, like HS diploma vs Masters/PhD huge.
On the other hand it would seem that you have a solid plan and you are focused. You have some balls and you have your family to support you. Hmm. Have you thought about doing the CCIP instead of CCNP. It has more exams than the current CCNP but it probably covers most of the R/S CCIE topics.
This is going to be an epic thread for a few reasons. I don't know anyone who went from CCNA to CCIE. I only know of one person who went to CCIE directly but he had 20 years of networking experience. I am very eager to see how this plays out. This thread will probably serve as a major motivation for not only Networkers but all TEers.
The lab books that came with each exam guide. I guess working for a partner has its perks; access to everything Cisco so I will use these lab guides for mastering the CCNP topics.
I haven't heard too much about TSHOOT but I heard that all of the Foundation books were better than the exam guides so i went that route.
I thought about the CCIP but I am actually focusing a lot on the CCIP material after I complete the written. The QoS, BGP, and MPLS are on my wish list. I didn't really understand how everything really comes together in the CCIE until I read the blueprint and started to realize that CCIP as well as the CCNP knowledge is important, and from I have read, security and a little telephony. I guess that's the beauty of this. I have 3 years to do this. (well, 2 years and 9 months..lol).
After praying about it and talking with my wife, my eyes are wide open. I see the goal at the end, it's just the middle that I have to really focus on. After adding up my estimated study time, in a year, I will have 546hrs reading and 520hrs labbing.
I hope people do get something out of my road to the CCIE; we set our own limitations and create our own "caps," but in actuality, if one person can achieve a status, we all can. If you really want your number, it's there for the taking.
CCNA Security | GSEC |GCFW | GCIH | GCIA
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http://twitter.com/paul_bosworth
Blog: http://www.infosiege.net/
Ugh I do that all the time, it sucks. "Boy I should really take some initiative to study for the CISSP this weekend... but I'd rather work on an abstract 80 page paper for SANS instead." I have an awful time staying focused which is why I load balance like three certs at a time.
CCNA Security | GSEC |GCFW | GCIH | GCIA
[email protected]
http://twitter.com/paul_bosworth
Blog: http://www.infosiege.net/