[confused] career path advice

CaptainL

To give you a little background I had the ccna certification last May 2013, there were times that I paused my review for CCNP routing(personal reasons and school obligations), now I'am graduated from college. After graduation I studied CCNP routing for a month. I came across with configuring BGP and some redistribution. but somehow I lost it. I'am now interested in web development so I stop my study in CCNP routing and I studied PHP for a month now. Now, I want to come back in networking, because I kinda lost in web development I don't have enough friends who can I talk with in programming. In networking I have a friends who can mentor me.

I know I am inconsistent with what field I should specialize. can you give me an advice which field has a great career path in terms growth, opportunity and salary? (yes we need money to sustain us)

In terms of knowledge. I'am more knowledgeable in networking compare into programming.

Please guide me. thank you!

gbdavidx

I would look for a job in the career field first then start your ccnp

CaptainL

so your saying just continue on my networking studies?

docrice

Both web development as well as infrastructure networking provide growth, opportunity, and pay, but there are many factors that must be considered such as your location, the number of positions available in that area, your willingness to relocate if necessary, and so on.

I think you need to answer a crucial question - what do you find enjoyable about these two paths? What's more important in your life - job satisfaction, sense of prestige (assuming there is such a thing in this field), the social support associated with each path, etc.? It sounds like you're unsure what drives you, and you're trying to make a critical decision without understanding your real motivations.

jthunderbird

Before continuing with any studies, get a job in the field first... Acheiving the CCNA is one thing... its is certainly an accomplishment, but is something that can be done with little experience before hand.

The CCNP, however... well you should be confused since you havent gotten to actually see Cisco equipment in action to fully grasp networking. Go apply and accept any networking related job... with a CCNA and a degree, you should be able to find an ok job as a network admin or network technician. Search careerbuilder or other sites for terms like "cisco" or "ccna" and you should see a ton of positions.

Bottom line is, the CCNP was not made for unexperienced people, period. Having taken and passed all 3 exams, I can tell you that experience you gain in an actual position will be more beneficial than any studying you can do for now.

Tyb

I would say we are all guilty of being distracted by different technologies, but at this point you should decide what you enjoy doing. If it is networking, as the others have said, look for a position that will give you experience to further you CCNP studies.

Chitownjedi

CaptainL wrote: »

To give you a little background I had the ccna certification last May 2013, there were times that I paused my review for CCNP routing(personal reasons and school obligations), now I'am graduated from college. After graduation I studied CCNP routing for a month. I came across with configuring BGP and some redistribution. but somehow I lost it. I'am now interested in web development so I stop my study in CCNP routing and I studied PHP for a month now. Now, I want to come back in networking, because I kinda lost in web development I don't have enough friends who can I talk with in programming. In networking I have a friends who can mentor me.

I know I am inconsistent with what field I should specialize. can you give me an advice which field has a great career path in terms growth, opportunity and salary? (yes we need money to sustain us)

In terms of knowledge. I'am more knowledgeable in networking compare into programming.

Please guide me. thank you!

Number 1. If you are interested in learning PHP then learn it.. you can't depend on other people to fuel your passions and your goals. That's a luxury. The most important thing you can do is rely on your own self determination/focus and push through any doubts and fears. There are communities out there for programmers.. forums such as this one where you can probably find a mentor and friends to chat with and ask questions about.

Number 2. Make sure you have a surefire reason for taking steps to do something so that you do easily get knocked off your path. If you didn't say to yourself "i want to do this, and I don't care how hard it may be.. " then you might want to stick to whatever it is you are doing until you are there.. flip-flopping can be a tremendous waste of time.

Number 3. You can theoretically do both. There is absolutely nothing wrong with learning PHP and still continuing down the CISCO line. Just prioritize which one is your primary focus and your secondary. If you go hard and one, and need a break.. maybe you can switch to the other for a little reprieve. However both would come in handy, gives you a little bit of a backup plan, and allows you to be more knowledgeable across more platforms, increasing you overall intelligence.

I have spent the last month learning webdesign, and am now focused on Javascript then will be Python.. then I am going back to Cisco line. DOn't feel that you have to stick with one. If you are torn... then learn both... obviously supporting yourself comes first, then develop a time frame, goals list, and make head way.