What is it like to have CCNP
Hello everyone
I'm new to this forum and I was hoping to get my answer to a question that I been so long wondering about. I recently have finished preparing for CCNA exam and I am ready to take my test and enter the Cisco world. The question I have is what is it like to have CCNP? How is the job demand and how are the working conditions? Does having CCNP certifications allows you to also work from home or would it be a 9 to 5 office hour?
I've been wondering for so long about this and would very much appreciate if my friends in CCNP and other experienced cisco degrees could share.
I'm new to this forum and I was hoping to get my answer to a question that I been so long wondering about. I recently have finished preparing for CCNA exam and I am ready to take my test and enter the Cisco world. The question I have is what is it like to have CCNP? How is the job demand and how are the working conditions? Does having CCNP certifications allows you to also work from home or would it be a 9 to 5 office hour?
I've been wondering for so long about this and would very much appreciate if my friends in CCNP and other experienced cisco degrees could share.
Comments
You might as well have asked how long is a piece of string. You could have a unqualified person doing the exact same job as a CCNP and at the same time another CCNP might be on the dole sitting at home on his or her arse.
All it will give you is a chance to show you are dedicated but doesnt mean you're 100% set in a networking career at all.
You have to have all the right conditions to fall into place to get a foot in the door still, and like everyone said, many factors contribute to this.
Living in a big city will mean more jobs specific to networking you can apply for, who you currently work for, experience, do you have good referees
CCNP ROUTE - passed 20/3/12
CCNP SWITCH - passed 25/10/12
CCNP TSHOOT - passed 11/12/12
That's all well and good, but then that means I am senior, and expected to pick everything up quickly. Thankfully I am the type of person that is able to do so, but at the end of the day - it is all down to one person - you.
My ultimate career goal: To climb to the top of the computer network industry food chain.
"Winning means you're willing to go longer, work harder, and give more than anyone else." - Vince Lombardi
I'm going to keep labbing occasionally and keep the cert strong that way when a big project or troubleshooting issue comes up I can try and help. I'm only Tier 1 for now which I'm fine with. Out of most the other current Tier 1's some have CCNA and the others don't. So I think once I've been there awhile I'd have a good chance for promotion in house. I hope, because this jobs pretty chill and badass so far.
CCIE, Pretty much. So use your imagination for CCNP
Being serious, It really depends on the person. A great CCNA is better than a grumpy old CCNP who isn't willing to learn/update improve (as we have at our work).
Nothing changed as far as getting the cert, I don't have my certs on my business cards or email signature. Now during the process of getting my CCNP I noticed changes. I was able to sit in meetings and have a lot more say and input into the design of the wan as I had a pretty strong graps on BGP, and OSPF during my studies. Even before I finished my CCNP I was getting harder and harder assignments that the people that showed up with me at the same time were not getting. That was the change.
Money stuff
Depends on what type of company you are working for. When I got my CCNP I didn't get a raise, but the next company gave me a huge raise. At that same company once I got my CCNP V they didn't give me a raise, but the next company did. So you see where i"m going with it. At my current employer I have it in my offer letter for a raise when X cert is achieved.
CUCM SRND 9x/10, UCCX SRND 10x, QOS SRND, SIP Trunking Guide, anything contact center related
Did it automatically get me a promotion? Nope, we are a small IT shop and I am at the top of the ladder anyway.
Did it get me a raise? Not yet. Though we don't do raises mid fiscal year here anyway.
In spite of that I still say go for it. Climb that mountain.
Dude, Nicely said.