CCIE - Realistic Expectations

Author

Realistic Expectations

Oldemoldy

2001-08-28, 9:20 pm

Ok folks. The economy is sluggish, layoffs are rampant, and network administrators are a dime a dozen.

I have an MCSE, earned after 4 years of on and off again hard study, and I've just started studying for my CCNA. I think any MCSE worth his salt should also earn a CCNA.

My question is this: How realistic are the 100K+ salaries which are commonly mentioned for CCIE's?

Isn't the economy affecting these salaries too?

Looking through the CCNA book is getting me excited. Looks like neat stuff!

Olde

darthfeces

2001-08-28, 9:31 pm

no ,
ccie is still sought after
only 7500 + in the world !!!!!!!

its's everything below that is starting to
suffer. i met a cne who used to make 70k and
got laid of and was begging for a job on the bus
!!!!! go as far as you can !!! as fast as you can
my company has promised me the the 10k to
get ccie training but made it clear i will
not make 100-120k ok .. fine but in the long runn
i'll still win.

MadChef

2001-08-29, 5:11 am

It's very realistic if you have the technical skills, experience and project management skills to back it up.
It's also worth mentioning that you'll make that same kind of money if you have those skills even if you don't have your CCIE.

MadChef

Retired-Mod

2001-08-30, 6:57 pm

MC, you are in a very select group that will remain in demand, but many of the others here as you can tell by the posts are not in the same pool. I haven't tested the waters, nor do I have any immediate plans to do so, but I suspect those with limited experience are going to find the well a tad dry at this time.

I make way under the published averages for salaries (not that I believe they are particularily accurate) but I love the experience and atmosphere that is avaiable on my half of our network world (our duties are basically split between two coasts).

It is highly likely that I'll dip my toe in the job market prior to my Lab attempt, just to see how warm them waters are just because I am burdening the full cost of my Lab training. I'm in the Wash DC area, so I expect a relatively warm reception, though I ain't likely to move yet.

Sorry for dribbling on...

Yankee

traceroute

2001-08-30, 7:55 pm

I agree with all of these folks, especially MadChef. It kind of all depends. I like working locally and spending time with my family so If I were CCIE, I probably would not get the 100k. Instead, my situation allows me to work 4 - 10 hour days a week as a network engineer for low 70s and 10 to 15 hours on the side the other days for small service providers, getting them out of holes in "WAN" situations with all kinds of equipment and designing LANS/WANS when they need it for 50.00 (makes me irresistable)an hour (slow economy means lots of side work, cant afford full timers). The math on that is not bad, the wife can stay home, bills are paid and no CCIE (yet). Although I sling the logos when advertising to the small providers, its the experience that has been the biggest blessing. Good luck with the CCNA and it is definetely neat stuff!

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