IMHO, it is certainly worth it to continue on your path. This economic condition will not last forever. Sooner or later solid technical people will again be in demand. Maybe not like it was during the boom, but for sure an environment where well-trained, decent people will easily be able to find jobs. I think deep down inside you know this to be true. Keep going, and if you need more encouragement, I do not doubt that this list is full of some very good individuals who can give it.
Good hunting! -Joe -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of adrian jones Sent: Friday, November 22, 2002 6:53 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: OT: Is it worth it to pursue CCIE R&S and CCIE Security Hi Everyone, My CCIE R&S lab is scheduled for December 2002 and Security is scheduled for January 2003. As the exam is approaching fast, I am beginning to wonder whether it is worth it to pursue the certification for several reasons. Let me explain 1) I just graduate with a Master degree in Computer Engineering at a university in the East Coast. I've been in the networking field for the past 20 months. I am currently working for a fortune 500 company as a network engineer. The pay is OK; however, the company is looking to downsize within the next couple of months. I think I will be out of work in the next couple of months. I've been looking for work for the past three months. At the moment, the job market is not that great and I've been having problem finding work. Last week I get an a job offer as an Oracle 9i DBA (I learn Oracle9i when I have free time and manage to get certified in 9i). I don't hate Oracle but networking is my first choice. If I can't find anything within the next few weeks, I would have no choice but to accept this position (it pays the bill). I know two colleagues that I am working with. They both have CCIEs (in the 5xxx #) and both are having problem finding work. None of them have been able to land new jobs for the past four months. They told me that the market is "flooded" with networking people and it is definitely an "employers" market. Both of these guys have at least 10 years of networking experience and it amazes me that they are having problem find work. To make the matter worse, even my own brother is a CCIE and he also is having problem find work. Granted that he only has two years of networking experience. Nevertheless, he has been looking for work for the past 5 months and no job offer. He is telling me the same thing that the market is "saturated" with networking folks. He has to compete with many qualified "unemployed" folks out there. That makes me question myself whether if it is worth it to pursue the CCIE R&S and CCIE Security given the market condition. These guys have years of experiences and "certified" and are without jobs. I would have virtually no chance with people like them even if I am CCIE certified. They are certified too. I know that it is too late to cancel the lab; however, this is just my personal feeling. I am wondering if anyone out there is feeling the same way. I would like to hear your take on this. Thanks. Adrian --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now Message Posted at: http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7&i=57913&t=57913 -------------------------------------------------- FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
