|
Home > Archive > CCNP > July 2002 > Value of a CCNP
You are viewing an archived Text-only version of the thread.
To view this thread in it's original format and/or if you want to reply to
this thread please [click here]
|
|
|
| just wanted to share with you, something which i received on Nov 29, 2000 more than a year and a half........dont know how far its true today.
dont mean to start a debate about the current market situation and stuff but something to read......
---------------------------------------
Understanding the Value of the CCNP
There are two ways to appreciate the value of the CCNP. One is to look at it
in terms of other certifications at the same level. In this frame of
reference, the CCNP is at the top of its category, both in terms of earning
power and marketplace demand, along with other premier mid-range networking
certifications like the Certified NetAnalyst and the Nortel certifications.
But in this category, the CCNP has the edge of name recognition, since none
of the other certifications mentioned are as well-known or as highly
sought-after.
Another way to appreciate the value of the CCNP is in terms of the
importance of its subject matter. Given that Cisco dominates the switch and
router markets, Cisco knowledge is quite important to those who seek work as
networking and Internet infrastructure specialists. Here again, the CCNP is
considered a useful and valuable credential from that perspective as well.
CCNP Benefits
From an individual's perspective, obtaining a CCNP opens the doors to a
variety of possible job roles. Cisco lists the following job categories as
typical for individuals who obtain a CCNP:
1. Senior network engineer
2. Senior network design engineer
3. Senior network consultant or analyst
4. Major account representative
5. Senior sales representative for Cisco Channel Partner
6. Premier, Silver Channel Partner Staff
These are all senior-level technical and sales professional positions that
typically pay $60K per year and up in most US locations (depending on
market, location, and actual job requirements).
Companies benefit by placing CCNPs on staff in several ways as well:
1. Because of initial and ongoing certification requirements (CCNP's must
recertify every 3 years to maintain current credentials), companies can be
sure that CCNP's have mastered and demonstrated competence on current
technical and troubleshooting skills necessary to install, configure,
manage, and maintain Cisco-based network infrastructures.
2. Likewise, employing CCNPs on staff opens doors for elite levels of
participation in key Cisco sales channels and support programs (Cisco
Channel Partner, Silver Channel Parter, major account status).
Industry Perception of the CCNP
By aggressively seeking to protect the value of its certifications Cisco
just recently introduced its periodic recertification requirements so that
its credentials retain their value over time--Cisco is actively seeking to
protect and promote the value of its certifications. Consequently, the
perception of the value of all Cisco certifications, including CCNP, is
quite strong. Given the size of the Cisco sales and support channels alone,
there is strong demand for CCNPs to meet minimum staffing requirements.
Likewise, the widespread use of Cisco routers, switches, and other
infrastructure components at service providers and medium to large companies
and organizations also creates a strong appetite for CCNP-certified
individuals. Although it's not uncommon to take 12-15 months to complete
this certification, the apparent rewards make the effort worthwhile.
----------------------------------
feels good or just ok ??? | |
|
| I think that the CCNP is a highly regarded cert. As a matter of fact, that's the next one I am going for  | |
|
| hey freak, one curious question...if some1 asked u how many certs u have,
do u know how many certs u hold, or u have to count them everytime 
goodluck for the CCNP | |
|
| lol
I have no idea, so I guess I would have to count 'em. However, I would probably tell that person that at the end of the day, I only know two things for sure:
1. I know many people with far more certs than I hold.
2. As long as I can do it in the real world, the only interest I have in certs is their impact on my paycheck | |
| akarklins 2002-07-18, 9:28 am |
| Hello,
I think that a little positive within this desert of negative news is needed.
There are two sides to the coin, being a CCNP may over qualify you for other opportunities. A CCNP is needed at a higher level and it general more respected. The general state of IT spending is down, but it will rebound. It will still be a while but everything runs in cycles.
When the rebounding occurs I would rather be someone with more qualifications rather than less.
The more certs people get the higher the table goes for everyone. It raises our standards to excel to succeed.
Javed, well put keep up the good work!! | |
| chodan 2002-07-21, 4:28 pm |
| I`ve noticed a trend that I kind of like because of my back ground.
I see many job listings in Kentucky where I live for specific job titles but when you read the job requirements you will find that they want someone with divirse expierience.
Not just a network engineer but someone with some IIS or Linux expierience or someone who knows bind too, or has expierience with PBX`s.
They evidently can pick and choose who they hire now and why hire a guy who can only do Cisco when they can probably find someone who can do Cisco and a whole lot more.
If you are like me and have had a lot of different work responsibilities then it is a good environment to be in.  | |
|
| nowadays, all the jobs want you to know everything, i mean from cisco to juniper to nortel to microsoft and i wonder whether they r at all logical. thats a bit too much to ask for all from 1 candidate.
but, atleast they dont ask for some1 who can make coffee for the boss or clean the office windows....
ok the point i want to make is some companies look for ccnp's in particular but the other stuff can come as an extra advantage, even knowing a foreign language for that matter. | |
| oimasuen 2002-07-22, 1:55 pm |
| This all sounds very interesting, but the thing is I've been a CCNP since december 2001 and my paycheck for the year is probably what u guys earn in a week or a day. It's that bad over here and most employers tend to get really scared when I tell them I'm CCNP. So I've resulted to saying I just have some win2k experience and I know cisco devices. This month I made a resolve to take on Oracle, maybe I will have more luck there u know cos I've been very hungry since I paid for my last exam CIT. Any suggestions guys. | |
| chodan 2002-07-22, 2:25 pm |
| quote:
Originally posted by oimasuen
This all sounds very interesting, but the thing is I've been a CCNP since december 2001 and my paycheck for the year is probably what u guys earn in a week or a day.
Not all Americans earn 6 figure salaries.
I know I don`t.
Probably better than the average Nigerian but I have some way to go also.
I don`t live in a metropolitain area. | |
|
| comparing salary without taking into account of local cost of living is useless.
even across the united states, from west coast silicon valley to east coast new york city, you would see a huge dip in the salary inbetween... possibly a little spike in the texas area...
hell... in the *in & out burger* joint here right across the overpass from cisco they are paying 10 bucks an hour to flip burgers... I am sure that's a pretty decent entry level helpdesk pay anywhere else in the world.
I was shocked a few years back when I went to texas, houston area... their high rise apartment/condo is like 300bucks/month for a studio iwth a great view of the whole city. these single house my friend owns is like 80k. ... rent here for studio apartment is like 1k+ and one bedroom easily 1.5ish... so ... drool if you must at all these high paying job but 1/3 is gone to tax, 1/3 to housing and you are left with a handful of dollars to buy starbucks each morning.
as long as you live comparitvely well in the region you are in, you are well paid. | |
| mikeghet 2002-07-22, 6:09 pm |
| I do helpdesk for a university here and only get ten bucks. The in and out here pay 8.50 and hour. must be good burgers :-) As far as I know Texas is one of the best palces to live based on
col(cost of living)/income. I have a ccna almost half of a bachleors degree, and two years of decent experience and make only $3.50 more than my 16 year old brother that is a cashier at a mexican fast food restraunt. god how embarrasing :-) Oh yeah and he gets a discount of of the food :-( Maybe he will get me a job if I get canned. All this is not going to stop me from getting a degree or ccnp or anything else. I gues the law of supply and demand comes in effect. I agree the original thread brings some light to this forum but the fact of the matter is hardly anyone who posts here says they have a good job. It may be that the remaingin people with jobs don't have enough time to post twenty times a day, but who knows. | |
| oimasuen 2002-07-23, 1:46 pm |
| This news could discourage even an elephant from taking a walk in the morning. But hey I've already started taking a path in IT and I won't stop till I can make somethin' out of it. 10 bucks an hour, wow, sounds like heaven to me cos like I said that could be a weeks pay over here and the cost of living here is not good with the inflation rate galloping away every day. I will survive, I know I will stay alive. I've got a b.eng in electronics and nobody seems to notice that, so I got to pad it up with oracle and microsoft now since cisco seems to scary for employers to handle. |
|
|
|
|