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Blog: CCIE:R&S…Done…Now What?
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Its been a month since I got my digits and boy has it been a good one. For all you guys still slogging it out studying, believe me when I say its worth every second. I’ve had quite a lot of substantial opportunities come knocking and it looks like a couple of them might be bearing fruit soon. I’ll keep you guys posted.
After doing what anybody passing their CCIE does (killing brain cells with beer), I had time to reflect on what has been an awesome year so far. I’ve had emails from all around the world, calls from family and friends congratulating me. But you wouldn’t believe how many emails, and conversations I’ve had that contained the question “What are your plans next? Now what?”
Its really weird. After the initial celebrations had gone, the reality of it all dawned. Now what? When I was studying, I had a clear goal, a direction, something that I could throw my all at. I was challenged. I’d never been challenged like that before. It was liberating when I passed because I’d proved to myself I could do it. This could get addicting. :) So I’ve decided to get back to studying again.
I’m doing another CCIE. :)
Which one? I started emailing and talking to a few people about it. Some people thought I was crazy to start so soon, but most of the people that know me weren’t surprised. I initially thought about doing CCIE:Service Provider because it has the most overlap with CCIE:R&S. But I don’t think it would benefit me as much as the others unless I was working for an ISP (any takers?). I thought about CCIE:Security. I teach quite a lot of security classes so I have a lot more experience with Cisco’s security products than say Voice. But CCIE:Voice would give me the most opportunity to learn. It would be a real challenge……
I’m doing Voice. :)
Now the decision about how to start preparing. I had used IPexpert and Internetwork Expert’s materials for my R&S. I used IPexpert’s material at the start of my R&S prep and it was great, towards the end I switched to Internetwork Expert’s materials. I’m a big believer in using more than one preparation workbook because you get to see different ways of wording questions, different topologies etc.
I shot an email to one of the guys that I sat my lab with, Choon. He had just passed his voice lab, making him one of the few people in the world with 4(!) CCIE’s. I asked him for advice. He had used IPexpert material for his preparation and it came highly recommended.
I headed on over to the IPexpert website and had a look at their offerings. My CCIE:Voice Blended Learning Solution from IPexpert is on its way! This little bundle looks very cool, it has three workbooks and comes with video tutorials, a video on demand and an audio bootcamp. The proctor labs website says their R&S labs are automatically graded (which would make every lab a mock lab!), but no word yet on when the voice lab automatic grading stuff will be done.
I’ve also ordered all the books from the CCIE Voice booklist. I’m dreading looking at my credit card bill this month, but I’m a big believer in investing in your education. Its worked for me so far! Its been a while since I did my CCVP so I’ll have to refresh.
I’ll be blogging my way through the whole process, writing tutorials and commentary about all the labs along the way. This really helped when I was doing my CCIE:R&S, so I’m going to keep doing that. Stay tuned…. :)
This is kinda exciting. Is it weird that I am looking forward to the sacrifice and hard work again? I guess I am a sucker for punishment!
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[...] Arden Packeer is a Glutton for Punishment Filed under: CCIE Blogs, Cisco, Cisco Certification — cciepursuit @ 9:37 pm Tags: CCIE, CCIE Blogs, Certification, Cisco, Cisco Certification Arden recently passed his CCIE lab exam (he and Ethan both passed on their first attempts). He’s been celebrating and getting offers in the month since he passed the lab. I think that he had one too many beers because after torturing himself to attain the R&S CCIE, he’s now pursuing the Voice CCIE. [...]
Arden - You are def an inspiration along with Ethan and a few other bloggers. I was excited to see that you passed your R&S lab at first try. I am still working toward my R&S and my goal is to move to voice after i pass. I think voice is a great field and compliments R&S very well. Goodluck and I will follow your voice blog as well to get an idea on what I am setting myself up for :)