CCIE or MBA

I've been googling a couple of days now about CCIE vs Masters and MBA. I've read several websites and their justifications.

My question is which one is more valuable?

I understand that I'm comparing apples and orange here but I have to decide sooner or later which one to pursue. I understand that:

MBA - you need to get into a well known Univ. to be more marketable. However, its unsure that you will get hired as soon as you graduate. Also, you will have student loan.

CCIE - you need to do hard work and sacrifice your life to get this. However, what will happen to CCIE if Cisco goes down? I understand that Cisco is hard to beat but HP and Juniper are around the corner. History shows that nothing stays on top. Its scary.

I'm just torn on which to get. Which is more promising in the future? Which one is more secure? I need to know what's your opinion about this?

thanks

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Comments

jamesleecoleman

Both sounds like good options so why not go for both of them?

mikej412

NOC-Ninja wrote: »

My question is which one is more valuable?

Probably the one that you're better at -- and hopefully would enjoy more.

ChooseLife

MBA would hold more value for managerial positions, while CCIE would be beneficial if you want to stay in the Cisco world and go deeper...

Slowhand

The way I look at it, you have three basic options:

You can decide now that you want to only do one or the other, and begin figuring out how to finance the endeavor and how much of yourself you want to invest in the pursuit. The nice thing here is that once you're done with one, you can always change your mind and go after the other as well. The downside is, it might be a little more difficult to work up the ambition to do the second path after you've finished the first if you didn't set both as definite goals to begin with.

You can work on the MBA now, spend the necessary years it takes to work your way through school, and then pursue the CCIE while you're out in the business world and working. The benefit here is that you'll already have a heavy-hitting credential to allow you the money and resources for proper study-material and lab equipment, and you'll probably have paid off a good chunk of your student loans by the time you're ready for the lab exam. The downside is that you will have those loans, and you'll be getting back into the world of networking a few years down the road, so you might have both forgotten a thing or two and be seeing brand new technologies and standards that you weren't able to follow along with when they were first coming out.

Then again, you could always start working on the CCIE now and use that as your stepping-stone to pay for college. I'm assuming you're working at the moment, so hopefully you're not paying for the exams and equipment out of pocket, and you'll be able to work out some kind of raise/promotion structure for getting CCIE certified. If you're not working, or you're going to need to switch jobs to get the most out of your newfound knowledge, then this process might take a little longer. Either way you slice it, you'd be looking at at least a year or two, (at the very best,) of rock-solid study and lab-time to first land the CCIE cert, then probably another year or two of working to save up the cash you'd need to minimize the amount of debt you're looking at for grad-school.

No matter which way you decide to go, you're looking at a significant amount of time, money, and effort that will need to be spent. If you decide to pursue the CCIE, the MBA, or both, it's going to be an investment in your future and your career, so don't weigh things like finances or the amount of time you spend on these things as absolute deal-breakers. So you might spend a couple of years buying lab-equipment, you might spend a few years living modestly and paying off student loans. . . what does that compare to the future beyond those years if you've got an MBA degree and/or a CCIE certification to help you do the kind of work you want to be doing?

Good luck with your studies, whichever path you decide to take.

powerfool

I am a proponent of doing it all. Presently, I am working on an MS in Cybersecurity Policy. However, I intend to complete the CCIE Security written exam by the end of the calendar year. I will graduate from my current program by the end of the Summer of 2012, and hopefully I will have my CCIE Security lab completed sometime before then or just afterwards. Then, within a year of completing my first MS, I intend to begin my MBA at a well known school.

They serve different purposes... both can be extremely valuable. In any event, if you are concerned with the cost, I would look for a job that will A) offer reimbursement for both,

support your efforts during , and C) perhaps even reward you at completion. I won't have 100% reimbursement of my MS or MBA, but they are going to be flexible with my schedule and 75% of my MS will be covered, whereas only about 25% of my MBA will be covered (but that is because I am going to an expensive school by my choice).

nel

i really think it boils down to what you intend to do in future life. If you intend on going for a senior management type role then a MBA would be very useful indeed. Most places ive seen requires the additional experiance on top of the MBA. However, if your going to stay a techie i would recommend a route of Masters/CCIE. Either way, i would only go for one type of masters in my opinion whether that be an MBA or something else like a Msc. I dont see the huge benefit of doing multiple masters degrees. You also have to weigh up time, money and the effort that goes into each aswell as all three are very time consuming and so forth. Besides, if you dont do one now it doesnt mean you cant have a crack at it later in life.

Good luck

phantasm

At first I was going to say CCIE and MBA. But it comes down to what you want out of your career and what you have to put into it. If you want to stay on the tech side of things then obviously the CCIE is the route to go. If managerial functions apeal more to you (like the work hours) then go MBA. Of course in the end you could do both and see where that lands you.

nhpr

This is just anecdotal evidence, so it shouldn't be given a great deal of weight, but there are plenty of people complaining about how they can't get jobs with their MBA/everyone has an MBA/MBAs are worthless/etc. Have you ever heard anyone complaining about how their CCIE is worthless?

A CCIE is specialization. It puts you into a niche which few others could even find, let alone get into. A CCIE, even assuming it doesn't offer as many options as an MBA, will let you go much deeper.

Of course, this is just how I see it and it may or may not correlate well with reality.

shodown

MBA has a shelf life of 8 years the degree itself never goes away, but if you haven't done anything with it by then nobody is going to hire you for it

CCIE has 2 years then you have to recert.

Shelf life varies, if you stay active you can prob always get a job with a partner somewhere even if your skills diminished.

Also things to consider what are your goals? If you want to be a manager MBA looks better than CCIE. Do you want to be a Network Architect CCIE looks better than MBA. They are two different 2 tools to have in the tool bag. Both have there cost and time to put in.

Megadeth4168

Not to sound repetitive or anything, but I agree with many of the posts on here that question your career goals.

Do you want to head into a management role or continue an in-depth technical role?

Honestly, either way you go should be rewarding. Good luck!

NOC-Ninja

I think Im curious of which one is secure for my future.

Im working for NOC right now so I know what happens in and out. I also see what my manager deals with. I know I can drive a team. I used to drive multiple projects and a team at my old job.

I forgot to say last night that my job is going to pay for my MBA but I wont be able to get into the "best" school since I'm working full time. Im going to end up getting a degree online since its convenient. Its tough to be driving 2hrs back and forth just to get to school after working 8-9hrs. Im not even going to add the evening implementation/maitenance that happens once in awhile.

Am I going to find a job pertaining to my degree when I graduate MBA online? What do you guys think? Its not like I can tell my boss, "Give me your job since I finally have my MBA Degree"

Furthermore, my job will pay for CCIE but it wont pay for my lab at home (switches, routers, server) until I passed. From what I heard the home lab will cost around $10,000.

UnixGuy

CCIE with the right experience is a better bet IMHO.

You can work your way with the CCIE, you get into Team Lead/ Architect/PM positions later. Then you can do MBA later if you feel it's necessary...but right now I'd focus on Cisco technical knowledge/CCIE if I were you

NOC-Ninja wrote: »

I think Im curious of which one is secure for my future.

Im working for NOC right now so I know what happens in and out. I also see what my manager deals with. I know I can drive a team. I used to drive multiple projects and a team at my old job.

I forgot to say last night that my job is going to pay for my MBA but I wont be able to get into the "best" school since I'm working full time. Im going to end up getting a degree online since its convenient. Its tough to be driving 2hrs back and forth just to get to school after working 8-9hrs. Im not even going to add the evening implementation/maitenance that happens once in awhile.

Am I going to find a job pertaining to my degree when I graduate MBA online? What do you guys think? Its not like I can tell my boss, "Give me your job since I finally have my MBA Degree"

Furthermore, my job will pay for CCIE but it wont pay for my lab at home (switches, routers, server) until I passed. From what I heard the home lab will cost around $10,000.

aldous

NOC-Ninja wrote: »

Furthermore, my job will pay for CCIE but it wont pay for my lab at home (switches, routers, server) until I passed. From what I heard the home lab will cost around $10,000.

nope i did mine for around 1000 GBP from ebay using 5x 2611(128/32)xm's 1x 3660 (128/32)2 x 3550-24's 2x 3550 - 48's , 2 x2610's (and a 4000 sereis as frs that went bang)and a cyclades 32 port console server. that set up did everything apart from mpls and was suitable for cisco 360 and ine topologies .

i then upgraded it for around 750 GBP with 3 x 1841's and a 2801 to make it a bit more future proof as i will be pursuing security and might be pushed to voice.

from what i've seen of ebay america you should get these similar price even a bit cheaper

as for mba vs ccie its simple mba=management ccie=technical which side do you want to sit on

blargoe

Do what makes you happy. If you chase after one because you might be able to squeeze out a little more income, but hate what you're doing, what's the point?

powerfool

Another consideration in regards to an MBA is the school. As has been discussed, there are tons of people with an MBA and they cannot find work. Well, I am sure a great number of them went to a school that was not ranked at all, probably didn't require a GMAT for admission, and has weak accreditation. When it comes to an MBA, you should go to the very best school that you have the opportunity to attend (this factors in geography, cost, time, etc).

NOC-Ninja

Thanks guys. I know what to do now. Im going for CCIE R&S.

NOC-Ninja

aldous wrote: »

nope i did mine for around 1000 GBP from ebay using 5x 2611(128/32)xm's 1x 3660 (128/32)2 x 3550-24's 2x 3550 - 48's , 2 x2610's (and a 4000 sereis as frs that went bang)and a cyclades 32 port console server. that set up did everything apart from mpls and was suitable for cisco 360 and ine topologies .

i then upgraded it for around 750 GBP with 3 x 1841's and a 2801 to make it a bit more future proof as i will be pursuing security and might be pushed to voice.

from what i've seen of ebay america you should get these similar price even a bit cheaper

as for mba vs ccie its simple mba=management ccie=technical which side do you want to sit on

According to CCIE blueprint
https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/docs/DOC-5249

1841 series routers - IOS 12.4(T) – Advanced Enterprise Services
3825 series routers - IOS 12.4(T) – Advanced Enterprise Services
Catalyst 3560 Series switches running IOS version 12.2 - Advanced IP Services

I think thats more than 1k or are you trying to tell me just install the IOS version 12.2 & 12.4 into the cheaper routers and switches?

chrisone

NOC-Ninja wrote: »

I've been googling a couple of days now about CCIE vs Masters and MBA. I've read several websites and their justifications.

My question is which one is more valuable?

I understand that I'm comparing apples and orange here but I have to decide sooner or later which one to pursue. I understand that:

MBA - you need to get into a well known Univ. to be more marketable. However, its unsure that you will get hired as soon as you graduate. Also, you will have student loan.

CCIE - you need to do hard work and sacrifice your life to get this. However, what will happen to CCIE if Cisco goes down? I understand that Cisco is hard to beat but HP and Juniper are around the corner. History shows that nothing stays on top. Its scary.

I'm just torn on which to get. Which is more promising in the future? Which one is more secure? I need to know what's your opinion about this?

thanks

Without being philosophical , its pretty easy to dissect the two. There are millions and millions of MBA's, there are only 15 to 20 thousand CCIE's on the planet!

aldous

NOC-Ninja wrote: »

According to CCIE blueprint
https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/docs/DOC-5249
1841 series routers - IOS 12.4(T) – Advanced Enterprise Services

3825 series routers - IOS 12.4(T) – Advanced Enterprise Services

Catalyst 3560 Series switches running IOS version 12.2 - Advanced IP Services

I think thats more than 1k or are you trying to tell me just install the IOS version 12.2 & 12.4 into the cheaper routers and switches?

the 26xxXM's can run 12.4 and have 95% of the features you would need to pass the CCIE with the only thing missing being MPLS. the 3550's providing they are running EMI image can do a similar amount but wont do private vlans and some of the Cat QoS of the 3560's. i also dont think they do IPV6 (not sure without going and powering one on) but in 360 at least i have not come across a need

so it bubbles down to full INE/360 spec rack at 7-10k
or 95% at around 1000-1500 and use rack rental to fill in the gaps. a third option is too emulate the routers and buy the switches but i have no experience with that.

BTW i chose 2611xm's as they were a good deal at the time but if you can get your hands on 3725's for a decent price get them as they can do MPLS.

the ine spec is here:How To Build A CCIE Rack | INE and it was a slightly older version of that which i used when building my rack last year but i've been using it for 360. (if its built to INE it will do 360 but not vice versa as r5 needs 4xserial etc)

ccnaomkar

chrisone wrote: »

Without being philosophical , its pretty easy to dissect the two. There are millions and millions of MBA's, there are only 15 to 20 thousand CCIE's on the planet!

instant000

I like chrisone's post