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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 Dwell’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 absorb.
I scanned the Studying and Certifications area, from the Certification Lounge to the screens 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 seen 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 may 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 have been CCIE certification holders. Incomes a CCIE certification is such a useful 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 trade. 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 girl to have this certification,” Snezana stated, referring to the overall 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 girl in IT. “To not deliver 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 stated, noting the various 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 specific state of affairs captured my consideration within the first place, it’s unlucky however easy. Tech is thought for its speedy innovation and cutting-edge options. It’s not identified for its overwhelming inhabitants of ladies, nevertheless. Quite the opposite, girls make up lower than a 3rd of the worldwide tech workforce.* (That type of illustration carries over to Cisco Dwell, therefore, my curiosity.)
Girls presently make up about 28% of the tech workforce. That could be a important enchancment from the early 2000s when solely 9 % comprised girls. There may be nonetheless work to be performed, although; one other estimated 133 years to shut the financial gender hole, to be particular.**
Elena agreed with Marisol relating to the respect the CCIE certification instructions within the trade. “As a girl within the IT world, having this qualification provides a form of gravitas to the expertise and years you set within the trade.”
Par requested Elena if she felt her CCIE certification had been useful for her profession. “Undoubtedly—which is sweet 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 actually started. Quickly sufficient, she earned the CCIE Collaboration certification.
Changing 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 tougher 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 replicate 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 stated. “It took me two makes an attempt. In my case, I went again as quickly as I may.” Elena stated she didn’t contemplate this transfer as failing; as an alternative, she was choosing up and getting on with it. She added that having expertise implementing the expertise she was keen on helped her move the examination. “I couldn’t have realized all of it off paper,” she stated.
“I additionally didn’t move the lab my first time; it took me three makes an attempt,” Snezana stated. “Each single time I failed, it was like, ‘I’m nearly there.’” I may really feel the stress in her voice between nearly and there. However she resolved that rigidity with, “Simply take time. Settle for it, breathe, after which observe. Giving up shouldn’t be an possibility.”
Giving up shouldn’t be an possibility
Snezana’s final remark resonated. Giving up shouldn’t be an possibility. It doesn’t matter who you might be or the place you wish to go. You will have the facility to dictate your future—with laborious work and dedication. Cisco certification exams don’t care what you appear to be, the place you might be from, or which gender you establish with. Your skill to show your expertise and information on an examination is all that issues on the planet of Cisco certifications. So, in case you are working in the direction of a CCIE certification (or any certification for that matter), by no means hand over. 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 part of me within the Girls in Networking Group on the Cisco Studying Community, or submit your remark beneath.
Watch the inspiring dialog beneath:
They did it, now it’s your flip.
Assets
· Be a part of me at Cisco Dwell Las Vegas, June 4–8, 2023. Register by Could 9, 2023, to save lots of in your attendee package deal. Study extra
· Uncover the best way to keep lively Cisco certification standing by doing what you already do through the Persevering with Schooling Program.
· Discover how one can distinguish your self as the perfect of the perfect with Cisco Knowledgeable-level certifications.
· Put together to your lab examination with CCIE Follow Labs, obtainable in 4-hour blocks for US$50 per session.
Be a part of the Cisco Studying Community right now free of charge.
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*The World Financial institution, 2023
**Girls Tech Community, 2023
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