I had worked as a network engineer for only a year with only a degree in Engineering and I became somewhat good in handling the Windows servers as well as the Network switches and Routers,but something was missing...something quite important...the hunger to be better than the best !!
I got a kick in the month of June (nope, not literally ;) and I dont drink either lol ! )
I realised there was so much for me to do and this was the right time to start.
I read about various Cisco Certifications and I decided I need to go for it.
It wasnt just about earning more $$$ but also about having more knowledge.
June-2010
CCNA cleared with 949 ! (Basics about Networking)
Phew! I finally got over my fear and passed the CCNA. It was a cakewalk cuz I had a subject on Networking basics in the last year of my Engineering.
I was happy but my hunger for more certification grew more than ever.I was restless and I told my friends that I planned to go for other certifications.
They thought I went mad but they werent CCNA so I didnt expect them to understand the adrenaline flowing through me.I had a terrible experience learning from those stupid coaching institutes(Money-minting academies actually) but it taught me to not be dependent on others to teach, Thanks to the Internet, I found a lot of resources to clear my doubts from various forums.
I sat and pondered what next ? Imagine an archer aiming for Gold in Olympics with his eyes only set on the target....the targets are the minor goals and the Gold is the Success !!
Since my school days, I had always been amazed by Hackers, they actually know the system and about its working too well and they are geniuses in their own way...so I decided to go for Network Security.
Sept-2010
CCNA Security cleared with 988 ! (Intro to ASDM and Basic Security)
Yay! well nothing major but exams still give me nightmares :P
I now have 2 Cisco certis. to my credit and it feels quite good.
I studied videos and had prepared for this all by myself.
Before my CCNA Security, I had a job offer at a company which did System Audits and they offered me the monotonous profile of doing audits...well they got a heart attack, when they heard my expected salary: 400$ i.e 20,000 INR, the reason: 4 yr. experienced employees were paid that much, I was surprised and I had the urge to run away from their office.Thankfully, They hired someone else and I heaved a sigh of relief !
Oct-2010
CCSP-SNRS cleared with 988 ! (Security on Routers and Switches)
Wow ! My journey to CCSP has begun in full swing. I need to clear 3 more exams to be a CCSP.
I still have the uneasiness in my belly (nope! its not the food, my mom cooks well :P ) to be much more than this...I finally gave this exam after a lot of delay, which I compensated later.
Nov-2010
CCSP-SNAF cleared with 966 ! (Basics about ASA Firewall)
Yes! I heard that I am unofficially a CCSP in the IT World as I passed 2 off 4 CCSP papers.
But I would soon be giving the other two exams soon!
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