Forward progress is good!
So, I started my new role as a sr network engineer at a large company about a month ago. Overall, things are going well. Today I mentioned to my lead I was planning to take my written in a few weeks. He quickly told me the company was paying...on monday I should have my test date, which looks to be in the first week of sept. $350..paid by the company, I could get used to this.
In addition to that, they're likely going to pay for the lab...a bootcamp would be niice, but I won't push my luck.
Finally, we have a brand new 'replica' CCIE rack (1841's, 3560's), which anyone in the company with a lab date will get 100% dedicated time to it for the last month before they test. This doesn't mean you'll get out of your job duties..but they'll let you access the equipment without fighting for time on it..which is nice.
It's actually looking like the stars are aligning this time.
Oh, and I ordered an 1841 + two 3550's to add to my collection today. HOPEFULLY by next month I'll have two more 1841's and finish my switches...
That's all. Pretty stoked. I have a feeling it's all going to happen quite fast. Shooting for a lab date anywhere from 7-10 months after I pass the written.
In addition to that, they're likely going to pay for the lab...a bootcamp would be niice, but I won't push my luck.
Finally, we have a brand new 'replica' CCIE rack (1841's, 3560's), which anyone in the company with a lab date will get 100% dedicated time to it for the last month before they test. This doesn't mean you'll get out of your job duties..but they'll let you access the equipment without fighting for time on it..which is nice.
It's actually looking like the stars are aligning this time.
Oh, and I ordered an 1841 + two 3550's to add to my collection today. HOPEFULLY by next month I'll have two more 1841's and finish my switches...
That's all. Pretty stoked. I have a feeling it's all going to happen quite fast. Shooting for a lab date anywhere from 7-10 months after I pass the written.
Comments
Congrats man! That sounds like you are with a great employer. Good luck on the written!
Hey..whatever gets you there. I've spent a chunk of change too..this is my second rack I'm building for my studies.
The perks of my job are great, BUT...I do put in my hours...and then some. Lots of working from home in the evenings, weekends, etc. But..the goal is to put the experience to work and hopefully come out on the other side with a CCIE.
Keep up the good work on the blog. I enjoyed reading it so far. If all goes well it seems we'll both be taking the lab within a few months of each other.
How many lab hours did you get in last time around. When do you think is a reasonable time to take the lab?
CCIE #37149
Nice! What's the new adventure?
CCIE #37149
Not that it means anything (since I never sat for the lab), I personally plan on putting in about 1,300 hours towards lab prep when it's all said and done. That will be over the course of about 11 months.
Last time I probably put in about 200 hours worth of labs..but that was almost 2 years ago. Once I pass the written it's full steam ahead. I'll probably end up taking vacation from work to either take a bootcamp before I sit the lab, or to just do labs all day long for a couple of weeks. We'll see. It really depends how I progress and where I am. If I'm not ready then I will simply reschedule.