tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343197402212910157.post3171620567013361344..comments2013-03-26T20:08:53.211-04:00Comments on Jeremy Filliben - Pristine Packets CCDE Training: Career Advice From a Networking VeteranJeremy Fillibenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07558728700926286196noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343197402212910157.post-31394869585328177942009-08-12T16:09:33.566-04:002009-08-12T16:09:33.566-04:00David,
Those are great points, especially about w...David,<br /><br />Those are great points, especially about writing books. In 2000 I sat down to write "Optical Networking Fundamentals" for Cisco Press. After three chapters, I had to give up. Quality of life issues got in the way. I still regret not finishing.<br /><br />I agree it may be possible to find a company that can grow your compensation to meet your personal growth, but they are rare in my experience. If you find that you work for such a company, don't leave!<br /><br />I may be oversimplifying things with my advice. My point of view, especially with regards to being willing to change employers, is that high-potential/high-achieving engineers are chronically underpaid in their early careers. Most companies can't keep pace with individuals in this phase of their careers.<br /><br />You are absolutely right about the non-tech skills. We've all known CCIE-level and better engineers who weren't worth anything near market value because their soft skills were, umm, lacking polish. It seems in some cases, you either have those skills or you don't. If I were building a development plan for a junior engineer, I would have them focus their study efforts on the technical skills. Soft skills can/should be learned via life experience, especially if you have the right role models and/or mentors.<br /><br />Thank you for the feedback!<br /><br />JeremyJeremy Fillibenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07558728700926286196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343197402212910157.post-72512920009479867362009-08-11T00:24:18.578-04:002009-08-11T00:24:18.578-04:00Thanks for the advice. Hope you post more about yo...Thanks for the advice. Hope you post more about your experiences as a networking veteran. Your blog will serve as a guide to us who are in our quest for the Cisco Certifications.Petehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09046761556209656313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343197402212910157.post-77754246357515958442009-08-10T12:16:56.136-04:002009-08-10T12:16:56.136-04:00Now, that's an inciteful post!!!!!
I started o...Now, that's an inciteful post!!!!!<br />I started out my career pretty much the same way. I worked towards getting some certs in the early days.....MCP, N+ and CCNA while still in University. <br /><br />Now more than ever before, I realise that I don;t know ENOUGH.....yes I'm a CCIE, but believe me, I know I don't know enough ;-) :-) <br /><br />I've started to go thru Cisco SRNDs and Admin guides all over again! <br />I guess the learning NEVER stops!!!! :D :D :D <br /><br />PS: Plan to be in Vegas for next Cisco Live.....so would look out for you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343197402212910157.post-63729303856936833042009-08-10T12:12:13.389-04:002009-08-10T12:12:13.389-04:00I'm definitely with you on the "immerse y...I'm definitely with you on the "immerse yourself in the subject matter" advice for someone starting out. My CCIE study plan back in the mid-1990's was to read the entire doc set and force myself to understand not just what every command and option did, but why someone might think they needed it. In some ways that seems harder today because of the sheer size of IOS, but the lab was much broader in those days, and that brought its own challenges. I really struggled with some of the SNA stuff that was outside my normal experience, for example.<br /><br />One place we might differ is on the need to change companies as you move up the salary ladder. This might be because I live in the consulting world, where pay-for-performance is the norm.<br /><br />I'd agree that changing employers should be considered, and yes, it's hard for companies to deal with high-performers, but when the atmosphere is a good one, it's a mistake to be in a rush to chase the money. I'd advise someone to prove their value with their quality of work, detail-orientation, work ethic, and ability to see the bigger picture and apply soft skills -- and not to assume that their certification can make up for lacking any of these. Certs are a plus, not the end-all goal. Also, don't assume that you can't get the salary you need where you are ... be honest about what you're looking for, and if it makes sense it may well be an option. No employer wants to lose a high performer. I've gotten raises of over 50% without changing jobs more than once in my consulting life as I went from a tech to a good engineer to a CCIE.<br /><br />One other tip: if you aspire to write any books, it's a lot easier before you have kids, and establishes some level of instant credibility beyond what a certification can.David Yarashushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13972528644858092585noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343197402212910157.post-44275929218061823392009-08-10T11:50:25.054-04:002009-08-10T11:50:25.054-04:00Jason,
Thank you for the feedback. I'm plann...Jason,<br /><br />Thank you for the feedback. I'm planning to do another post soon comparing Corporate and Consulting jobs. They're quite different in terms of opportunity and experience, in ways that aren't necessarily obvious.<br /><br />JeremyJeremy Fillibenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07558728700926286196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343197402212910157.post-52132207847687653382009-08-10T11:36:37.736-04:002009-08-10T11:36:37.736-04:00Thanks for the insight. I'm currently persuing...Thanks for the insight. I'm currently persuing a networking career also. Planning on going for my CCNP and CCDA next yr.<br /><br />Keep posting advise like this. Very helpful.Jason Harryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14582233106917782212noreply@blogger.com