I think it is one of those certs that people go, "Wow, how hard was that". That is, if the person has any clue about IT. All the cert does is allow a potential employer some idea of what you can do. By passing the CCIE you show that you understand Cisco products, you can think/reason quickly and you are able to learn. Remember no matter how smart (or dumb) a CCIE is, they don't know everything.
Since, you have only been in networking for 20 months, which might be the reason for low pay even with the masters. But, if you have been in IT for longer you probably are underpaid. This is a bad time for IT because every hiring manager is hearing that there is glut of IT workers out there. That also could be why you can't find a job. Personally, I think a lot of the fat has been cut in companies that hired too many people to begin.with (ex. The Lotus Notes guy that won't do any other task then Notes). Or it could be that you don't live near a major city that needs your skills. I think next year IT managers will realize they need smart people that will work after they trim all of the fat. Also, remember that to make more money you generally need to move to a different company. Why do you think you will be out of work? Also, your friends might not be looking in the right places. My job was never listed in any paper or website. It was only listed to a staffing company that was a respected company and they don't take money for there service. The company that hired me paid them. The CCIE is the best cert out there. Because of recognition and the work involved getting it. It shows that you are capable of understanding difficult concepts. If you decide to stay in IT it won't hurt to have it on your resume. ----- Original Message ----- From: "adrian jones" To: ; Sent: Friday, November 22, 2002 9:52 PM Subject: OT: Is it worth it to pursue CCIE R&S and CCIE Security > Hi Everyone, > > My CCIE R&S lab is scheduled for December 2002 and Security is scheduled > > for January 2003. As the exam is approaching fast, I am beginning to wonder > > whether it is worth it to pursue the certification for several reasons. Let me > > explain > > 1) I just graduate with a Master degree in Computer Engineering at a > > university in the East Coast. I've been in the networking field for the past > > 20 months. I am currently working for a fortune 500 company as a > > network engineer. The pay is OK; however, the company is looking > > to downsize within the next couple of months. I think I will be > > out of work in the next couple of months. I've been looking for work > > for the past three months. At the moment, the job market is not that great > > and I've been having problem finding work. Last week I get an a job > > offer as an Oracle 9i DBA (I learn Oracle9i when I have free time and > > manage to get certified in 9i). I don't hate Oracle but networking is > > my first choice. If I can't find anything within the next few weeks, I > > would have no choice but to accept this position (it pays the bill). > > I know two colleagues that I am working with. They both have CCIEs > > (in the 5xxx #) and both are having problem finding work. None of them > > have been able to land new jobs for the past four months. They told > > me that the market is "flooded" with networking people and it is > > definitely an "employers" market. Both of these guys have at least > > 10 years of networking experience and it amazes me that they are > > having problem find work. > > > > To make the matter worse, even my own brother is a CCIE and he > > also is having problem find work. Granted that he only has two years > > of networking experience. Nevertheless, he has been looking for > > work for the past 5 months and no job offer. He is telling me the same > > thing that the market is "saturated" with networking folks. He has to > > compete with many qualified "unemployed" folks out there. > > > > That makes me question myself whether if it is worth it to pursue > > the CCIE R&S and CCIE Security given the market condition. These > > guys have years of experiences and "certified" and are without jobs. > > I would have virtually no chance with people like them even if I am > > CCIE certified. They are certified too. > > > > I know that it is too late to cancel the lab; however, this is just my > > personal feeling. I am wondering if anyone out there is feeling the > > same way. I would like to hear your take on this. > > > > Thanks. > > Adrian > > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > Do you Yahoo!? > Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now Message Posted at: http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7&i=57923&t=57923 -------------------------------------------------- FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
