And there I used to be. A fly on the wall, captured by this net of knowledge—captivated by their tales of CCIE certification success. It had been three lengthy years since Cisco Reside’s final occasion in Europe, and I used to be lucky sufficient to be in Amsterdam to expertise it in individual. It was a lot to soak up.
I scanned the Studying and Certifications house, from the Certification Lounge to the displays animated by demos of Cisco Modeling Labs, to the Cisco U. Theater—once I noticed them. My gaze had turned to the nook of the theater, the place I observed three girls talking with Par Merat, the vp of Cisco Studying & Certifications.
Regardless of the thrill of energetic chatter and shuffling footsteps that surrounded them, Par was dialed into their dialog. I watched as she leaned in, listening intently as one of many girls spoke. I couldn’t get there quick sufficient. As I approached, lastly inside earshot, I might hear Par’s phrases as she addressed the ladies.
“It is laborious. I’ve such admiration for you.”
Beside Par was Snezana Mitrovic, Marisol Palmero, and Elena Pudge, sharing their private Cisco certification experiences. And of all Cisco certifications—all three had been CCIE certification holders. Incomes a CCIE certification is such a invaluable asset for IT networking professionals. It’s additionally a reminder of the laborious work and dedication that goes into acquiring it. Whereas listening to those three girls inform their tales, I used to be awed by them and the work they put into their CCIE certification journeys.
Contained in the circle of CCIE certification success
Par turned to the group and requested how the CCIE certification has impacted their IT careers. A hands-on chief, Par is consistently motivated by the urge for food for studying within the tech business. Par upholds the significance of neighborhood and is impressed by the incredible success tales she has seen firsthand.
“They actually don’t count on a lady to have this certification,” Snezana mentioned, referring to the final response she’d skilled over her 13 years as a CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure certification holder. “Having a CCIE certification brings respect from folks,” she continued, including that it’s particularly gratifying as a lady in IT. “To not convey gender into the image!” she laughed as she turned to Marisol, her colleague, mentor, and 23-year lively CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure certification (previously CCIE Routing and Switching).
Marisol took her cue. “However, we are bringing gender into the image,” Marisol mentioned, noting the numerous occasions she had heard the response, ‘Oh, she actually does know what she is speaking about,’ from others upon studying of her Knowledgeable-level Cisco certification.
‘Oh, she actually does know what she’s speaking about.’
If you’re questioning why this explicit situation captured my consideration within the first place, it’s unlucky however easy. Tech is understood for its fast innovation and cutting-edge options. It’s not identified for its overwhelming inhabitants of ladies, nonetheless. Quite the opposite, girls make up lower than a 3rd of the worldwide tech workforce.* (That type of illustration carries over to Cisco Reside, therefore, my curiosity.)
Ladies at present make up about 28% of the tech workforce. That may be a important enchancment from the early 2000s when solely 9 % comprised girls. There’s nonetheless work to be achieved, although; one other estimated 133 years to shut the financial gender hole, to be particular.**
Elena agreed with Marisol concerning the respect the CCIE certification instructions within the business. “As a lady within the IT world, having this qualification provides a form of gravitas to the expertise and years you place within the business.”
Par requested Elena if she felt her CCIE certification had been useful for her profession. “Positively—which is good to see,” Elena replied. “It’s acknowledged; it’s revered.”
Elena believes within the energy of IT certifications. She had began working towards CCNA and CCNP certifications earlier than her IT networking profession really started. Quickly sufficient, she earned the CCIE Collaboration certification.
Turning into a CCIE success story
In my expertise, few CCIE certification holders move the lab examination on their first try. In an ideal world, it’s a humbling expertise that motivates CCIE candidates to work even more durable on their second try. Once we face challenges, how we reply to them determines what we’re fabricated from. CCIE certifications don’t simply ‘occur.’ Getting Cisco Licensed on the Knowledgeable stage means you could move an 8-hour lab examination, a day many mirror on as essentially the most difficult of their profession.
If at first, you don’t succeed…
“I didn’t move my CCIE lab on the primary go,” Elena mentioned. “It took me two makes an attempt. In my case, I went again as quickly as I might.” Elena mentioned she didn’t take into account this transfer as failing; as a substitute, she was choosing up and getting on with it. She added that having expertise implementing the know-how she was thinking about helped her move the examination. “I couldn’t have discovered all of it off paper,” she mentioned.
“I additionally didn’t move the lab my first time; it took me three makes an attempt,” Snezana mentioned. “Each single time I failed, it was like, ‘I’m virtually there.’” I might really feel the stress in her voice between virtually and there. However she resolved that rigidity with, “Simply take time. Settle for it, breathe, after which follow. Giving up shouldn’t be an choice.”
Giving up shouldn’t be an choice
Snezana’s final remark resonated. Giving up shouldn’t be an choice. It doesn’t matter who you’re or the place you need to go. You’ve the ability to dictate your future—with laborious work and dedication. Cisco certification exams don’t care what you appear like, the place you’re from, or which gender you establish with. Your capability to show your abilities and information on an examination is all that issues on the planet of Cisco certifications. So, if you’re working in the direction of a CCIE certification (or any certification for that matter), by no means quit. Not till you get there. And whenever you do, don’t let it go.
Thanks for letting me share this glorious reminiscence with you. I’d love to listen to your ideas and experiences as nicely. Please be a part of me within the Ladies in Networking Neighborhood on the Cisco Studying Community, or publish your remark beneath.
Watch the inspiring dialog beneath:
They did it, now it’s your flip.
Assets
· Be a part of me at Cisco Reside Las Vegas, June 4–8, 2023. Register by Could 9, 2023, to avoid wasting in your attendee package deal. Be taught extra
· Uncover methods to keep lively Cisco certification standing by doing what you already do through the Persevering with Training Program.
· Discover how one can distinguish your self as the most effective of the most effective with Cisco Knowledgeable-level certifications.
· Put together on your lab examination with CCIE Apply Labs, out there in 4-hour blocks for US$50 per session.
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*The World Financial institution, 2023
**Ladies Tech Community, 2023
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