I'd say over the long run, both are lucrative aspects of networking, but I feel that VoIP may be a better choice. First off, Cisco has staked it's future growth on the next-gen converged networks of voice, video, etc. The plain old data market is not completely saturated, but it's getting there. If voice dosen't work out, they wont be able to grow as rapidly as they have in the past (unless optical takes off again). So what's good for the goose is surely good for the gander. Voice has a huge growth potential, and there are numerous studies showing the market growing by leaps and bounds over the next 3 -5 years. I'm not saying that plain data isn't a big business, cause it is, but it's not growing by leaps and bounds like it used to.
Secondly, with voice such a new skill, the playing field is completely leveled, even against most CCIE's. I attend many classes at Cisco, and hang there in the labs once a week, and I've seen plenty of SE's and CCIE's just clueless (even TAC) about voice. And even if they're not clueless, they have been studying just as long as everyone else. So in terms of skills, you have a shot to be one of the leading people. The number of CCIE's is getting bigger all the time, and there will be a point where they aren't as valuable. Face it, when they were super-valuable, it was because networking was such an in demand skill, just as voice will be. It's all supply and demand. I'm not saying CCIE's aren't still valuable, but their worth is declining. (On a side note, new technologies are pretty cool, and you get to meet the cream of the crop working on it. I got to meet Wendel Odom last week and had the distinct pleasure of having him give a lecture on QOS (important skill in new networks)! Where else could you meet such distinguished people? Certainly not in a ICND class or even a CCIE bootccamp). Also, last week at Cisco in MA, there was a pretty big showcase to all the local business big wigs about the future of VoIP and AVVID, so the buzz is out there and businesses are noticing. Our sales people are swamped with VoIP related stuff. One guy told me on of his contacts who own's a business was golfing with a buddy when they began talking about VoIP. The business guy didn't even know what VoIP was or what it did, but he had to have it he was saying. I feel that converged data networks are the future, and will be a ubiquitous as e-mail is today. Security is good also, but it's hard to educate people that they need a secure network, so it's harder to get a sale in for that stuff. But what do I know, I'm not biased or anything ""Nat Heidler"" wrote in message [EMAIL PROTECTED]">news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]... > De-lurk mode >on > Hello, looking for some career pathing advice. I am currently pursuing CCNP > but looking to specialize. It seems to me that the two hot paths right now > are VoIP/AVVID and Security/SAFE. > > To get blunt, which one of these specializations is going to be more in > demand/pay more in the long run? I like both technologies, but what really > brings this post is a price list I saw recently from a VAR in Kansas City. > They were charging around $150 for security stuff, but for phone stuff it > was $225 and up. > > I like both technologies, but am not sure which is going to be the better > road to take. Would appreciate any input on this matter. > > Nat Message Posted at: http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7&i=26957&t=26918 -------------------------------------------------- FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
