w00t - CCNA

[Safir]

The best part - passed 640-802 based on merit and experience, no help from pass4sure, testking, etc

I've never felt very confident working with the equipment, so it does stroke my ego a little

Seriously contemplating moving on to the DA and NP, SP, or VP - guess i need to decide what I want to be when I grow up

[Evil Eye]

Congrats, bud!!! Yeah, now's the time when you make that next big decision... Do you want to be in the office designing the networks or out in the field making them work??? I have one of my guys who has his CCNA, CCNP, CCSP and is working on his CCIE. Alan (Rodslinger) knows him and has worked with him many times. It's all in what YOU want to do! Best of luck to you in this decision!

[Safir]

I will always be the install and configure type.

the way i see it it's more of a decision between "Specify, Design, Install, and Configure, or Install, Configure, and Maintain"

I'm really not big on the maintain part, hence looking towards the DA track.

My top goal is to get away from positions that require desktop support - I'm told i'm good at it, but i don't like doing it... I prefer real problem solving and technical work to fixing activesync problems all day.

I really just wish I didn't have to work SO hard to overcome the fact that I never got a degree (i suppose i could have just stayed in school 'eh?) Even with 9-10 years of networking experience, I have a hard time even getting a call, much less an interview for anythign better than an entry-level/helpdesk job

[Evil Eye]

I'm an IT manager, so I know exactly what you are talking about. The two things I'm looking for when hiring a seasoned network engineer is experience and aptitude. Certs and degrees help, certainly, but I would take someone who knows what they are doing and would do whatever it takes to help our team accomplish our goals over ANY cert ANY day!!!! Good luck in achieving your personal goals!

[Rodslinger]

CONGRATS!!! I actually used to enjoy studying for and taking the exams.
Yeah I know - I need a life.

I kept saying I was going to go for my CCNP but I just don't seem to have the time I need to put into it.

[robertcarmel]

Congrats MAN ... I got mine in August of 2006! Took the test in Delhi, India! It is NOT an easy test to pass. That is what makes the Cert worth money !!!! Go to CCNP, I have seen VERY little call for DA.

Actually if you go to A+ Certification | MCSE Training | MCSE Certification | CCNA | Network+ | CISSP and Security+ Training it will give you a ROI rating on certifications, and that may help you decide on what path to move forward with! Good luck where ever you decide to go. I am interested in CCNP, CISSP or CEH.

Do not be afraid to use the practicals for test preparation. These tests do not always represent "REAL WORLD" scenarios, but what the TESTOR wants you to know! They mainly test your ability to takes tests. I have quite a few learning disabilities, and find the testing materials a VITAL part of testing even though I have knowledge, the test give me a huge problem.

Passing without using practicals is an achievement!

Bob~!

[Evil Eye]

There is a lot of money in security right now, but most of it can be boring and monotonous... CISSP is probably best recognized but means squat in the "technical" realm. You might look at the SANS or GIAC organizations for more technical security certifications.

[robertcarmel]

Originally Posted by Rodslinger

CONGRATS!!! I actually used to enjoy studying for and taking the exams.
Yeah I know - I need a life.

I kept saying I was going to go for my CCNP but I just don't seem to have the time I need to put into it.

Alan,

GOOD !!!! I thought I was the ONLY one that way ...... Maybe we should start a NERD subchapter, and study group !!!

Bob~!

[robertcarmel]

Originally Posted by Evil Eye

There is a lot of money in security right now, but most of it can be boring and monotonous... CISSP is probably best recognized but means squat in the "technical" realm. You might look at the SANS or GIAC organizations for more technical security certifications.

I like technical, but I like money more Certs are nice, but you learn ; trial by fire once you get in the door. The cert just gets you there !!!

Bob~!

[Safir]

Originally Posted by robertcarmel

I like technical, but I like money more Certs are nice, but you learn ; trial by fire once you get in the door. The cert just gets you there !!!

Bob~!

Exactly - Noone would even call me back on my applications until I put MCSE:Security on my resume - then they started calling me without me needing to apply. That is how I got my current position.

I had 5-6 years Mirosoft AD experience on top of a few years of NDS at teh time but was unable to get an interview for anythign paying more than ~12/hr. At that time I attended an MCSE boot camp to get past the tests. I also took a CCNA course at that time but did not pass the test (i didn't have the previous experience to understand what was going on) I got a job and got some access to the equipment for a year, retook teh test and passed with no additional studying. The point is i've tried both ways (testking and personal knowledge) and it feels WAY better passing based on knowing the material and not just the answers.

As far as ROI on certifications, while I wouldn't turn down a job at twice my current rate, my actual goal is really not THAT much more than what I make (based upon information i've read, it's pretty much only what i SHOULD be making for what I do, but y'all know how that goes) so i'm more interested in moving towards things that interest me more than resetting activesync profiles when a salesperson screws up thier blackberry's calendar.


I have most certainly had my share of "trial by fire" situations.
1) learn NDS and ZEN on the job, with no help from the people who were supposed to be doing that ****.
2) We fired our "#1" network engineer and "#2" quit - had about a week to learn as much as possible about AD, SMS, and RIS as possible to take up portions of their duties (my title at the time was "PC technician," even after above NDS/ZEN experience with same employer)
3) First day at current position the ONLY system drive on the only domain controller suffered catastrophic failure. Of course nothing was documented, and I didnt' know it took out the SMTP filter with it.
4) second day, I show up early to try and fix the DC and find out both T1's are out. There wasn't even documentation or bills to let me know who our provider was to call and report the outage. I had a hell of a first week.