You are correct. For most people, I think acquiring a PhD is more resources and time consumed than becoming a CCIE. Now, not to belittle the CCIE, it is still probably one of the hardest lab examinations in the IT field. However, all in all, for most people, seems like the PhD would be harder. The issues on the CCIE, ultimately is all in the router, all within Cisco's website. There is no rocket science. Such a finite state of material to study cannot possibly compare to the type of research of data for a PhD. While the thinking level during the exam can be complex, does not compare to some of the things I ran into in college. It is more speed oriented and "have you tried all the combinations" and do you know the "common gotchas."
Sorry guys, I cut a bit out on everyone's responses to stay more focused. While I do not have a PhD, just from reading it and seeing others go for it, and realizing how many YEARS it takes to get it, I agree, acquiring a PhD is probably much harder than acquiring the CCIE. On average, a fairly bright guy can get the CCIE within a year. If even more motivated, probably a few months (ignoring other priorities and issues). Try that with a PhD. > Much like John mentions, comparing the two is like comparing apples > and oranges. The material covered in each area is very different. A > PhD is much more theory oriented and there's a lot more of the "why" > types > of thinking. > I don't have a CCIE, so can't say for sure, but here's my take on doing > the exams up to and including the CCIE written. Everyone gets the list > of > books to read, and if you know the information in these references, > you'll > pass the tests. Note that with commercial study guides, practice labs, > practice tests, and courses geared specifically to pass these tests, > there's > plenty of external help available to help make it through the CCIE > written. > As far as I know, as long as your willing to pay, you can take the tests > over and > over again until you pass. This aspect is not true when working on a > PhD. > John Neiberger wrote: > > > > MS- or PhD-level coursework is more difficult than what you'll run into > > studying for the CCIE, but they don't really cover the same subject > > matter so it's really apples and oranges. > > So, my opinion? You're compairing apples to oranges, but an MS or PhD > > is tougher than CCIE if you're going to a reputable school. > > > > Regards, > > John > > > > >>> "Black Jack" 12/18/02 12:05:01 PM >>> > > I suppose a CCIE is sort of a Ph.D. of networking. Studying for and > > taking > > the written is the equivalent of coursework, then doing hands-on to > > prepare > > for the lab is like research for your dissertation, the the lab test > > represents the oral exam. But I wouldn't stretch the analogy too far. > > For > > one thing the quality and difficulty of computer science graduate > > schools > > varies greatly. Just getting into one of the top programs is probably > > harder > > than CCIE. And for another the two programs don't really test the same > > skills, do they? (Though they surely overlap) > > > > Mic shoeps wrote: > > > > > > Hello > > > > > > I've been arguing with a collegue of mine which one would be > > > tougher to achieve. I told him that it would be much more > > > harder to have a computer science or a networking degree (you > > > have to take the GRE and complete 2 or 3 years of school works) > > > than a CCIE, but my collegue think other wise. He literally > > > believes that having a CCIE is equivalent of having a Ph.d in > > > Networking. I'd like to hear your thought. [EMAIL PROTECTED] -Carroll Kong Message Posted at: http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7&i=60021&t=59481 -------------------------------------------------- FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
