CCNP without experience

Hi everyone,

I am currently pursuing an engineering degree in Electronics and Communication as well as studying for CCNP certification exam ( also CCNA certified, CCNP switch exam cleared). I am really very interested in computer networking and that is the reason what motivated me to pursue CCNP. I am also planning to pursue MCSE after getting certified in CCNP, just because I am eager to learn about it.

I wanted to ask that will these certifications matter to employers when I graduate? will the employers actually consider these certifications??..or they wont because these cerfications are meant for people who have experience in it.

Im just worried that my time and effort will go wasted because I have heard many people say that these certifications are for experienced.

Thanks a lot in advance

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Comments

Eildor

If you are a genuine CCNP, yes it should help. I wouldn't expect to get an experienced position, though. Most likely start from the bottom and have to work your way up.

instant000

If you're doing the due diligence to have the Engineering degree, then that should help you with some of the foundation knowledge. The one quirk about networking is that it evolves through the course of RFCs, and the truth is that vendors don't necessarily implement to the standard. So, it could be seen as a positive that you're trying to figure out how vendors implement the same things that you are studying in school.

As far as prospects, you'd definitely be ahead of your peers who didn't try to bridge the gap from academic to practical. Also, it will help you that you're not going to be less knowledgeable of how the servers actually work (they don't necessarily work in a predictable manner, either). If your networking knowledge is strong, the server stuff will be a lot easier to understand. Also, this would separate you from some who may know servers, but not networking, or who know networking, but not servers.

EDIT: Lacking experience will hurt initially, and you'll end up probably starting off lower, but given that you'll have your degree and CCNP, you should be able to move up. Keeping sharp is important. You should be able to get a junior admin gig.

Hope this helps.

surajprakash123

Yes..i do not expect an experienced position...but wht i think is that it will help me learn faster after getting an entry level job

instant000

Agreed.

You didn't really ask this, but I'll say it here anyway: Don't get hung up on staying in the same position, and waiting for a company to train you. You'll be better off training yourself, and moving on elsewhere.

Hope this helps.

surajprakash123

Yess..i definitely want to apply my academics knowledge and i was amused for the first time (while studying CCNA) how the algorithms i learnt in various courses implement in a practical way and that makes me very keen in bridging the gap between academics and its practical applications...

Thanks a lot for ur reply...it really helped

surajprakash123

I definitely do not want to get stuck at the same position...after working for a couple of years i am planning to get a masters degree in security sciences either from EC-council or SANS...

Thanks once agn for your reply

VAHokie56

Certainly will not hurt, that's for sure. I would not expect to step in a 100k plus engineer role however, just grab up a entry level spot and keep grinding. Sounds like you have a good work ethic I am sure you will have no problem, good luck!

joluis9

Don't get discouraged because of your lack of experience. I have a classmate that is CCNP R&S, and passed CCIE written. He got a 6-figure job overseas. He hadn't even touched a production mouse before. I am not saying it is easy, but it is not waste of time or anything like that. He didn't even finished school. He just left a few months ago.

Iristheangel

joluis9 wrote: »

Don't get discouraged because of your lack of experience. I have a classmate that is CCNP R&S, and passed CCIE written. He got a 6-figure job overseas. He hadn't even touched a production mouse before. I am not saying it is easy, but it is not waste of time or anything like that. He didn't even finished school. He just left a few months ago.

By overseas, are we talking about working for a contractor in the middle east? They tend to pay more due to the risk involved in working in certain areas.

powerfool

surajprakash123 wrote: »

I definitely do not want to get stuck at the same position...after working for a couple of years i am planning to get a masters degree in security sciences either from EC-council or SANS...

Thanks once agn for your reply

I know that this isn't your main concern, right now, but I would avoid both of the "masters degrees" that you mentioned. For starters, the are both only a set of certifications, and nothing more; while there is value in the certifications, that stands on its own. If they were like WGU or another program that used certifications to fulfill a subset of requirements, that would be another thing entirely. To get more specific, EC-council really doesn't have much respect, even for its certifications, so that lessens its value even further (I say this as an EC-council certification holder). Also, the SANS program, while comprised of many well-respected seminars and certifications, is very expensive ($45k)... that will pay for many VERY good programs at very well respected institutions.

If you have other reasons, then maybe its worth it... but that is just my opinion.

Best wishes.

inscom.brigade

A ccnp WILL,get you an interview! ,,,WILL, get you an interview, (repeat no error)
Your life experience will show at that time.
After many interviews you will learn what levels that you could shoot for. (you will know where you belong).
If you walk in and see, well this is way way over my head, too many people are depending on me and I am not sure, you will know.
Point is, do it get in, learn and move up. Nobody expects to to start at thetop. Get your CCNP

WiseWun

Some employers would be interested, others disappointed because of lack of experience especially with the CCNP. But this should not discourage you, get your certs and you would definitely stand out from the crowd. Often times, it's also what you do during the interview that gets you the job. I once applied for a position that I didn't qualify but the hiring manager liked my character and said I had potential so the company took me in and a few months later I was promoted.

I'm studying for ROUTE, what materials did you use for SWITCH?

MrBrian

My experience may help your situation because I was somewhat in the same boat as you.. (should I go for the CCNP while in school?)

I, however, did have some network administration experience while in the Air Force for 4 years. Then I decided to separate and pursue school full-time. While in school I achieved two AA degrees (one focused on networking, the other just a general transfer degree), and during this 3 year span I completed my CCNA and CCNP. I figured since I was in school full-time, and I knew networking was my long term career goal, I might as well overload and do the certs on the side. I actually put more focus into the certs! While grinding through the CCNP with books and my home lab it forced me to seek non-Cisco press books and other sources which helped everything click. I look at IT as being very complex, and I wanted to get really strong on the fundamentals. I relate it to becoming a doctor. They spend so much time in school learning before they're ever able to do surgery, but the enormous amount of schooling prepares them in the long run.. my point is that if you're intelligent and really spend time learning what you're reading, and not just blazing through books, then with persistence(lots) and labbing(lots), you will begin to understand. Once you start getting the hang of it, it'll make learning additional topics easier because it's all just a framework, and you'll be able to logically fit in different topics into this framework (basically into the OSI model), if that makes sense.

I did have some experience while in the Air Force. At that time I was half-heartedly studying for my CCNA while being around some routers and switches in our environment. We also had a lab at work and different co-workers would teach certain subjects every now and then. I was exposed to a lot, but I never really hammered out the CCNA.

Anyways, this story is pretty relevant now because I recently completed my AA and my CCNP and started job hunting. I got several calls from recruiters and applied directly to a lot of places as well. I got a few phone interviews, some I did well, some I didn't. After one they wanted to set up a face-to-face. I go and knock it out the park and now I have job as a NOC engineer. No, the pay is probably not "average" CCNP pay, but I in no way expected that. And it is not bad pay either. I know some friends with a Bachelor's in a different field and they're really struggling to find a job. And here I am with my AA landing an instant job. This position will really get my feet wet on a lot of topics and I'm really excited about it! It's going to be great experience! Now I'm continuing my studies because time waits for no one..

Just keep thinking of where you want to be in 3-5 years. It's sounds funny, but try to go imagine yourself in 5 years, and you could go back and talk to yourself right now. What would you say?

My thoughts are that if I continue overloading and learning, things will take care of themselves like dominoes. If I wait around and think about if I should start studying or not, then everything slows down. 6 months will go by and you'll still be wondering if you should start studying for the CCNP. Just know the path will be very tough. Things have been extremely tough for me so far, and I have a long way to go, but if it's easy everyone would do it. I've definitely reached certain plateau's in knowledge and it feels good. Do what you feel is right. It's never bad to continue learning to better your skill-set, just be real with your expectations.

surajprakash123

yesss....i am all set to grind...ready to face the challenges...thanks a lot for encouraging

surajprakash123

joluis9 wrote: »

Don't get discouraged because of your lack of experience. I have a classmate that is CCNP R&S, and passed CCIE written. He got a 6-figure job overseas. He hadn't even touched a production mouse before. I am not saying it is easy, but it is not waste of time or anything like that. He didn't even finished school. He just left a few months ago.

woowww...CCIE written even before graduating :O :O..thats really commendable...hats off to ur friend..and this boosts my energy studying CCNP

surajprakash123

powerfool wrote: »

I know that this isn't your main concern, right now, but I would avoid both of the "masters degrees" that you mentioned. For starters, the are both only a set of certifications, and nothing more; while there is value in the certifications, that stands on its own. If they were like WGU or another program that used certifications to fulfill a subset of requirements, that would be another thing entirely. To get more specific, EC-council really doesn't have much respect, even for its certifications, so that lessens its value even further (I say this as an EC-council certification holder). Also, the SANS program, while comprised of many well-respected seminars and certifications, is very expensive ($45k)... that will pay for many VERY good programs at very well respected institutions.

If you have other reasons, then maybe its worth it... but that is just my opinion.

Best wishes.

ohhh...then if EC council doesnot have a great value for its certifications, i shud rethink about it

Thanks a lott!!!

surajprakash123

inscom.brigade wrote: »

A ccnp WILL,get you an interview! ,,,WILL, get you an interview, (repeat no error)
Your life experience will show at that time.
After many interviews you will learn what levels that you could shoot for. (you will know where you belong).
If you walk in and see, well this is way way over my head, too many people are depending on me and I am not sure, you will know.
Point is, do it get in, learn and move up. Nobody expects to to start at thetop. Get your CCNP

yesss...i am up for the challengesss...on my way to get the CCNP...thanks

surajprakash123

WiseWun wrote: »

Some employers would be interested, others disappointed because of lack of experience especially with the CCNP. But this should not discourage you, get your certs and you would definitely stand out from the crowd. Often times, it's also what you do during the interview that gets you the job. I once applied for a position that I didn't qualify but the hiring manager liked my character and said I had potential so the company took me in and a few months later I was promoted.

I'm studying for ROUTE, what materials did you use for SWITCH?

woow...its pretty cool when u do not qualify for a particular job role and get hired because of ur character ..congratsss

Even i am studying for ROUTE exam

...planning to give it next month..

well for SWITCH, i used the cisco press book..and cisco's packet tracer..as well as Boson netsim's CD i got with the book which had practice questions in them...for ROUTE exam i am currently using all materials mentioned as well as GNS3

all the best for the exams

WiseWun

It was for a supervisory position but I was too technical and didn't have much of a leadership experience which is fine by me. I find the Cisco Press books to be too dull, good luck on your exams.

surajprakash123

WiseWun wrote: »

It was for a supervisory position but I was too technical and didn't have much of a leadership experience which is fine by me. I find the Cisco Press books to be too dull, good luck on your exams.

ohh..i forgot to mention CBT nuggets too, as well as INE videos...CBT is quite interesting ..watch it..its of great help..

I watched the videos of a particular topic then read the related chapters...they really helped

BoneSpur

I don't have near the certs u have, but I do have a degree and experience. Problem I ran into is being over qualified and the company knowing I would jump ship.

W Stewart

Any position that requires a CCNP is going to require experience. I've never seen an entry level CCNP job that requires no networking experience. That's not to say that you couldn't get an entry level networking job but you could get that now with a CCNA. If you were to apply for a job only requiring a CCNA and you had a CCNP, the potential employer is most likely going to ask some more advanced questions just to see how valid your CCNP is and they may not be text book questions that you learned on the test but more experienced based questions. I would just have to recommend that you tailor your resume to the requirements of a job and don't appear to be overqualified. No employer who knows what he's doing is going to decide he would rather have a CCNP to do a CCNAs job because a CCNA is going to be cheaper.

surajprakash123

Thanks everyone for ur valuable suggestions and encouragement...I got placed in a networking based MNC and was selected among 300 students in my batch for the job role as well as got the highest package among all

. The Certifications were the key factors that really helped me get this job..really happy and proud...thanks again to everyone for the encouragement

FloOz

Congrats!!

pert

W Stewart wrote: »

Any position that requires a CCNP is going to require experience. I've never seen an entry level CCNP job that requires no networking experience. That's not to say that you couldn't get an entry level networking job but you could get that now with a CCNA. If you were to apply for a job only requiring a CCNA and you had a CCNP, the potential employer is most likely going to ask some more advanced questions just to see how valid your CCNP is and they may not be text book questions that you learned on the test but more experienced based questions. I would just have to recommend that you tailor your resume to the requirements of a job and don't appear to be overqualified. No employer who knows what he's doing is going to decide he would rather have a CCNP to do a CCNAs job because a CCNA is going to be cheaper.

Disagree with everything in this post. People have some idea that CCNP involves some super expert knowledge of an experienced veteran. Total make believe that has nothing at all to do with reality. Any interviewer that's too dumb to understand that a guy with an NP fresh out of school doesn't have job experience is incompetent, and asking those sort of questions would be useless as you already know he can't answer them so what is the point of the question? Getting an NP out of school just means you're more competitive than all the other candidates out of school with an NA or no cert at all. It means you're hungrier for sure, and probably smarter. That's it. The reason it takes a lot of people years to get an NP is because they lack work ethic, willpower, time, ambition, or scholarship to study faster. Not because it's "supposed" to take years and if you somehow break this perceived notion you must be a cheater. There is an interview process for a reason, it's so you can find people great people at a cheaper rate by finding people who legitimately exceed the perceived norms, or on the flipside to screen people out who are the exact opposite.

If you can get a quadruple CCIE while still in school without cheating then go for it. There is nothing to worry about except offending people who can't and impressing people you want to work with or for.