Should I go for my CCIE? *update--- I'm going for it!*

[Buddhist]

I've had about four months cisco experience now and have finished my ccna/ccda and three of the five exams needed to acheive ccnp/ccdp. I have already scheduled the last two for next week. (CID & CIT) I'm not going to be working until the end of august...so now here's my question...

should i go for the CCIE?

I understand this stuff quite well and i have plenty of time to monkey around on basic equipment (catalyst 1900,2900,5000 switches / 1000, 1700, 2500, 2600 and maybe 3600 routers) but none of the real super high end stuff. Although i suppose i could rent or buy online lab time if needed. (I also have a friend who has access to some hardcore stuff. 6500's, 8500's etc.) I realize the test is supposed to be super difficult as well as very expensive, but i can afford to retake the test if i have to. However, i've also heard you've got to wait upto six months if you fail before the second day of the hands on lab. (This would considerably set me back naturally.)

What do people think? Anyone acheived their CCIE out here on anandtech? Would it be possible for me to pass without having two years or a year of work experience? Any advice for me if you have passed your CCIE? Am i being preposterous for even considering the CCIE exam without lots of work experience? Any opinions, both positive and negative, of a constructive nature will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

*update*


I've decided to go for it!
I'm going to work at the same time however to see if i can get the necessary work experience.
The most motivating factor for me was this cisco number of CCIE's in the world

I plan to work in Japan so this would be fantastic.
Any advice further given would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

-M.T.O

 

[Tripleshot]

In a word, YES !

 

[Buddhist]

"In a word, YES !"

why yes though?

obviously yes for higher pay, more knowledge = good thing...but i'm wondering if i should do it now or later. I'm only 22, but i'm very ambitious as well as very eager to learn...and have all the time in the world right now to do so. (I graduated college one year early under the premise that the last year would be used for studying etc...thus have money saved for this purpose.)

-M.T.O

 

[TheOverlord]

if you have the time and equipment then by all means...never put off to tomorrow what you can do today...

 

[starwarsdad]

Do it! Experience will keep the job, but certification is going to get you past the hiring manager. I see over 200 resumes every day. Those little letters will help get you noticed, but do not forget the ones like BS/MS. Those are becoming more and more in demand as the talent pool grows.

 

[Buddhist]

*update*

I've decided to go for it!
I'm going to work at the same time however to see if i can get the necessary work experience.
The most motivating factor for me was this cisco number of CCIE's in the world

I plan to work in Japan so this would be fantastic.
Any advice further given would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
-M.T.O

 

Did you not just finish your ccna like a few days ago?
Did you get your ccda in like a few days?

 

[Buddhist]

I got my na like three weeks ago. (certificate arrived recently)
my ccdp is this week...and i know the stuff well. (90% avg test scores on over 600 questions)
my np will be done this week as well. (wednesday) and i know my stuff on that as well.

I should have passed the CCNA a long time ago...just slacked off on taking the test and actually began ccnp/ccdp prep before taking CCNA test.

hehe.
-M.T.O

 

Go for it!

But with out any working experience, your going to have a hard time.

 

[Buddhist]

"Go for it!

But with out any working experience, your going to have a hard time."

Amen to that.

But i'm lucky to have time and equipment to play on of my own.

My parents also have agreed to support me in the mean time. *extremely super thankful*

Although i'll probably get a simple networking job in which i could also get hands on experience from work while i study for this sucker.

-M.T.O