CCNA....finally!!!!!

Well, I retested the ICND 2 today and passed it!

That makes Security+ on August 1st, CCENT on October 10, and CCNA today. Too happy right now knowing I've reached my first goal. I'm going to possibly enroll at WGU to pursue a B.S. whilst working in the field and deciding to wait and do SSCP or start learning CCNA:Security. Call me crazy but I've got the "network buzz". I came home from the test center and started reading "Network Warrior" by O'Reilly. I'm a firefighter full time right now. I'm gonna pump my brakes on the certs a sec. Don't want to raise any questions when hiring managers see a page of certs but no experience lol. Thanks everyone who gave me advice and helped keep me motivated. Wasn't easy when I'm not in the field or in school for this to stay motivated.

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Comments

Roguetadhg

You don't need to put certifications on your resume! keep the networking buzz going

YFZblu

Congratulations!

gbdavidx

Roguetadhg wrote: »

You don't need to put certifications on your resume! keep the networking buzz going

you should if you don't have the real world experience, why would you say this?

jdballinger

Congrats on the pass!

YFZblu

gbdavidx wrote: »

you should if you don't have the real world experience, why would you say this?

Because the OP indicated that he/she does not want 'too many' certs. Im with Rogue if you're worried about having too many certs, you can just take some off of the resume if they are not relevant to the position.

Roguetadhg

gbdavidx wrote: »

you should if you don't have the real world experience, why would you say this?

I see certifications as a framework. Rather small framework. If you don't get to think outside the box, experience different areas - albiet other frameworks, or outside sources... you're in a very small spot.

I've heard and read over and over again that Frame-Relay is going out the door, migrating to other technologies. MPLS is the main player. That topic isn't really brought up until CCIE or the Service Provider track. Yes, you are introduced to it in CCNP but for all purposes it's more of a "Know it exists" type introduction. I've also heard of some of the problems of MPLS (which escape me for the life of me) while listening to people discussing the technology.

Going to another certification - CCNP-level will give him more knowledge. It'll introduce him to other ways of thinking - which CCNP makes you do. Believe me, CCNA is far far from "End-Game." That was painfully obivious when I cracked open the CCNA: Voice box!

Summary: I'm not saying for him to not look for real-world experience. I'm just saying for him to "Not stop learning." I know all too well that once you "Stop" it's really hard to "Start". I've made tons of excuses - Life, Money, time, Games (Diablo 3, Skyrim, Borderlands 2,...). Just like going back to school... Everyone says "I'll go back to school later". My parents did. My friends parents do... they never have. Once you stop schooling yourself, it's really hard to get back to it and settle with Prime-Time TV.

I'm not saying Family Guy is bad. Because that's the only Prime-Time show that matters :P

Brandon1981

Contrats ffhopkins46!

I also failed ICND2 the first time I took it. What tripped you up? Just curious.

For me, the time issue was probably the biggest. That and not knowing the material well enough.

Ivanjam

@ffhopkins46 - congrats on the CCNA! - good to see another career changer hitting those exams out the ballpark!

ffhopkins46

brandon1981 - You're right with me...the time. In fact, this time I had the LONGEST simlet as my last question smh. But I knew the material. I'd advise anyone to KNOW the material in and out. I spent hours a day learning to make up for lack of experience. It helped solidify the material because EVERYDAY I was immersed in Cisco. You gotta love it. No secret tips or anything....like Roguetadhg said, when you are learning a chapter, have your equipment or Packet Tracer there and implement what you learn as you go. Otherwise, five pages in you'll be like "....now what the f*@$ is frame relay again?" Lol

veritas_libertas

Congratulations!

Ltat42a

Nice job man, congrats!

neotesla

Congrats to fellow-CCNA!