What's a good one after CCNP?

[NettableWalker]

I'm bored.

I finished my CCNP 4 months ago, I learnt a huge amount of very interesting stuff and now i want to pick up another pile of textbooks and start again.

I've looked at the job market and it seems that CCNP jobs don't pay huge amounts these days. So i could stay where i am for a while longer and get some more certifications .....

What is a good one to study after a CCNP? what will further enhance my employability?

CCSP? CCIP? obviously CCIE is still the ultmiate goal but i feel it's a while away yet.

what have you all done since CCNP?

CCNP

 

[rmcp2k]

you're saying ccnp paying $90,000 plus is not enought? I don't know what you're saying the market is not good for ccnp. If you have your ccnp with no cisco experience then offcourse it will be hard to find a job. cetification without experience is just a piece of paper worth nothing.

 

[Belushi]

If CCIE is your ultimate goal (Routing and switching CCIE that is), then by all means go for the CCIP. The BGP and QOS materials are a must for any CCIE candidate as they are both covered HEAVILY on the CCIE R&S. Supposedly they will be changing the test soon by adding MPLS which once again backs my claim of going for the CCIP.

 

[NettableWalker]

Thanks Belushi,

I reckon CCIP will be the one, i want to know more about
ISP type stuff and that is the area i would most want to work in- furthest from end users

Rmcp2k: CCNP's only get £35000 in UK at the moment, that would be a pay cut for me, yes i have lots of experience.

I'll look into when they are going to change and wait for the new syllabus.

Thanks guys.

Ray

CCNP

 

[helpdeskdan]

90,000?! Most of the CCNP jobs I've seen advertised are looking for much, much less than that. I'm not saying it isn't impossible, but you'd have to have some years of very good experience. And, I second your opinion on paper without experience. (I could claim what we can attribute that to, but I don't want to bring it up) Add a degree to it and it still isn't worth much, though quite a few these days seem to want a BS.

Bored already, NettableWalker? Lol! I think I'm going to look into studying the new CCNP material, myself - big changes. Then again, CCIP? Looks interesting....

 

[NettableWalker]

Hi Helpdeskdan,

I've got hold of the course notes for the new CCNP track, it looks like they completely overhauled the syllabus. I almost wish I was doing my CCNP this year instead.

Loads of wireless, MPLS, QoS, Voice etc, no ISDN! I've already begun reading through it as a primer on MPLS.

Have a look at this site for "finding" stuff:

http://piratebay.org

Do you know any good resources for CCIP subjects?

CCNP

 

[lerdalt]

For resources on the CCIP subjects, I've heard good reviews of Wendell Odem's QoS book. I haven't picked it up yet myself, but did see it in the book store once, and skimmed it a bit. It was probably one of the better ciscopress books I've looked at for a long time.

I'm fortuneate enough that my company has worked out a deal with Thomson NetG, and I get to start the QoS class online today.

The BGP and MPLS courses, I haven't really found much yet out there. The ciscopress website has a nice list of recommended study material for every exam, but I have not managed to get my hands on anything yet. There was a short blurb in the BCMSN book for MPLS, and I plan on re-reading that section as well as the sections on BGP prior to starting to read anything else more indepth on the subjects.

I'm wanting to get my hands on a copy of the Routing TCP/IP books. Specifically volume 2 because it covers BGP. Just haven't wanted to fork over the money for it yet. Check book is still hurting from all the test attempts last year.

 

[NettableWalker]

Hi lerdalt,

Thanks for those tips.

For the CCNP routing and BGP stuff go to that link in my previous post and type in "Cisco" or "CCNP", there are some good titles there including the entire new CCNP track texts. very useful....

Are you doing the CCIP then?

 

[lerdalt]

Kind of tackling both the CCIP and CCVP together. Have the opportunity to take the CCVP courses, but not 100% I'll do it this year or not. I want to get the CCIP and maybe sit for the R&S written exam next fall/winter.

 

[helpdeskdan]

Best of luck to you both! Keep us informed of your progress.