When do you "arrive"... or do you?
f0rgiv3n
Connection OverlordMember Posts: 598 ■■■■□□□□□□
I'm getting to a point in my career/certifications that I think that I might be done for awhile. Once I get my CISSP, I have nothing left on my list that I really want. I will take that time to focus/learn and just in general keep up-to-date on the latest and greatest. I'll take courses on things that might not have certifications but are interesting and pertain to my job.
Sure, I will continually keep my certs active. I'll get another Cisco cert every couple years to keep it fresh and valid. I'll continually acquire the required CPE credits for CISSP. But after the CISSP, I'm going to get my MBA and call it done. (at least I think)
Anyone out there see a light at the end of the tunnel, or do you plan to continuously keep the turbo button pushed your entire career? Everyone has their own goals and definitions of "success". I'm curious, where do you draw the line? When you will "arrive"? What is your ultimate end-all-be-all goal?
Sure, I will continually keep my certs active. I'll get another Cisco cert every couple years to keep it fresh and valid. I'll continually acquire the required CPE credits for CISSP. But after the CISSP, I'm going to get my MBA and call it done. (at least I think)
Anyone out there see a light at the end of the tunnel, or do you plan to continuously keep the turbo button pushed your entire career? Everyone has their own goals and definitions of "success". I'm curious, where do you draw the line? When you will "arrive"? What is your ultimate end-all-be-all goal?
Comments
The majority are renewable through AMF and CPE which I think is the gold standard. Of course Cisco isn't but I don't think it'll be too difficult to renew with one of the exams to keep it fresh.
The CISSP, CISA, CISM ONLY because it seems to be the trifecta when it comes to security postings. Many sr engineer positions ask for one of the three, but what if you have all three. Yes, yes, then things get interesting. If I didn't see CISA and CISM so much, I would have been content with just the CISSP.
There will always be just one more certificate to be had, just one more test to take... Then it becomes just one more promotion, just another 10 grand added to your paycheck before you'll be content. No better time to be happy and content than right now- the truth is, you've already arrived.
"Simplify, then add lightness" -Colin Chapman
I think once I've obtained ISSAP, GCIH, CEH, CIPM, CBCP, GPEN, GXPN, OSCP, CCNA, CCNA+Security, CCNP+Security, I might consider taking a break.
Degreewise, still have 3/8th of a MBA to complete. Once that is done, see if I can convince my wife to support me on a second masters in information assurance. Otherwise, I'm done there.
Then I dunno. Become a IT Director/Sr. Director/VP somewhere, though I like my current job - it has good work life balance and salary, so I can't complain.
Maybe go for a CCIE:Security or PhD long term. I have yet to figure out my second job of financial investing. It's on my to-do list.
I think I'm motivated more now that I'm married and have a kid. I would be perfectly fine with making more (and honestly, I'm pretty happy with what I get now), though sadly I'll never make more than my wife unless I became a VP of a large corporation (aka she's in the medical field).
Heh, your "turbo button" reminded me of Wreck It Ralph. "You're not going turbo, are you?"
Gotta have the wife's buy-in first.
@op - it was interesting that you thought to end with the CISSP. For me, the first cert I ever did was the CISSP. And that was a beginning for me.
@GoodBishop - maybe once you reach that VP level, you may find youself wishing to be challenged to do more or something else. Why not - C-suite or start a business.
For me, I started to sit for certifications for a host of reasons. But I like them so I don't plan to stop. I also am happy where I am in my career but I know I can do more, so I will continue to raise to that next level, whatever that is....:)
I agree with it being about the journey, rather than the destination. It's okay to have long-term goals, but it's even better to keep making new ones as you reach or even approach what you already have. I do think there's a case for slowing down as you get older, but never stopping, no until you retire, at least.
Complete: 55/120 credits SPAN 201, LIT 100, ETHS 200, AP Lang, MATH 120, WRIT 231, ICS 140, MATH 215, ECON 202, ECON 201, ICS 141, MATH 210, LING 111, ICS 240
In progress: CLEP US GOV,
Next up: MATH 211, ECON 352, ICS 340
Just a side off comment - You are almost already there. You knock out the Computer Science degree I would consider you done.
Of course you may have another view, but I just can't see you having all those awesome certifications with great experience and then a nice CS degree needing that much more. Call me crazy, but that's just my thoughts.
Absolutely love that quote. That's life right there
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Complete: 55/120 credits SPAN 201, LIT 100, ETHS 200, AP Lang, MATH 120, WRIT 231, ICS 140, MATH 215, ECON 202, ECON 201, ICS 141, MATH 210, LING 111, ICS 240
In progress: CLEP US GOV,
Next up: MATH 211, ECON 352, ICS 340
One thing I meant to say is that I'm not stopping continuing education, NEVAH!!
Being 26, married and kids on the horizon (few years) my end goal has always been to be able to provide a stable income in a great job for my family. I figure once I finish the CISSP & MBA I'll be sitting pretty good for awhile. Any other certifications I would do because they are fun and not out of necessity (C|EH, OSCP, etc...).
I guess what I meant is that after the CISSP & MBA I will be transitioning to the next stage in my career. Instead of wondering "what's the next certification I can get behind my name", I'll be thinking more of "what's fun to me?". Up until now I've been holding down the turbo button, how fast can i get to my end-goal? Well, I've realized that I just need to enjoy the ride from here on. By taking that and applying it, it actually makes me feel a lot less stress. I set my own goals for myself and by stating "you don't have to be running at 110% all the time" I don't feel bad about taking a night off to start up a new hobby, or whatever.
Thanks for the insight to all your philosophies on continuing education, certifications, and life in general.
I view professional designations as being inherently different due to their focus on theory, knowledge and real-world experience and the requirement for ongoing professional development (CPEs) in order to maintain them. I really don't know if having the CISSP, CISM and CISA represents the end-game, per se.
I honestly feel that the day I stop learning and growing is when I become metabolically challenged (dead).
that's me prior to the "it dawned on me" part..... where is that from?
CWTS, then WireShark
I still have some freebee, Novell T-shirt I got after doing the Certified Netware Engineer....I totally thought I had arrived
Once you reach the level that your salary gives you a comfortable living arrangement, you are doing very well. I will always stay on top of new technology and certs, but for now I am in good shape.
J
Goals for 2019: CEH, and CND
Goals for 2019: CCNA or ECSA