Money is helpful, but the only power I want is some power over my own destiny, which is asking quite a lot as it is.
With the CCIE, it sometimes possible to find a job that involves studying network technologies, experimenting with cool equipment in the lab, teaching other folks what you have learned, consulting with folks about network issues, doing some installation work, some troubleshooting work, and talking to prospective customers about neat cutting edge network security devices. It is pretty fun work, and most of the time (in my company, anyway) it involves considerably less stress and pressure than some of the more high-flying corporate jobs that nrf is thinking of. I am not saying that this is the experience of anyone else, but it is my life now. I love it, and learning what I needed to learn to pass the CCIE lab made it possible. Tom Larus ""nrf"" wrote in message [EMAIL PROTECTED]">news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]... > ""Howard C. Berkowitz"" wrote in message > [EMAIL PROTECTED]">news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]... > > > > I think an agenda is emerging here, nrf. This thread seemed, at least > > >> to me, to deal with the merits of academia, certification, or > > >> combinations to move into technical jobs. > > > > > >I completely disagree with the insinuation that I have solely been > moving > > >the discussion in any direction. If anything, I am only moving where > others > > >are taking me. People want to invoke things like ethics and happiness > > >(which as far as I can tell had nothing to do with the initial argument) > > >into the argument, and I am only too happy to oblige. But I don't see > you > > >jumping all over them - why not? I too thought we were just talking > > >about degrees vs. certs, but other people want to go to other places. > > > > Because, offhand, I have only seen you bringing up the issue of > > people bringing up general management and tying it to power and > > money. Tradeoffs in the technical area of the value of certifications > > vs. academic training, especially early in one's career, seemed to be > > the scope of the original discussion. To the best of my knowledge, > > this list has never emphasized how to use technical skills to > > springboard into general management. > > Ah, but I think that my point is best made by emphasizing one of the more > important virtues of the degree - that it can serve as a springboard into > general management and/or into other aspects of business besides technology. > I believe you cannot fairly assess the value of the degree without bringing > in this specific point. It's like asking somebody what the value of a > diamond ring is - without the diamond. > > And why do I harp on power and money? Simple. Let's be brutally honest > here. Why are most people even interested in the CCIE at all? Although > nobody wants to say it, we all know the truth. Most people are interested > in the CCIE because it might increase their power and/or earning potential. > We all know that's the truth. Now - don't get me wrong - I didn't say all > people. And I also didn't say that those were the only reasons people do > it. But we would be most naive to believe that money and power didn't have > a lot to do with it. To my detractors who probably want to jump down my > throat for saying so - I would just say that you know in your heart that > it's true - that money and power have a lot to do with the interest in the > CCIE program. > > So if that's the real and honest battlefield that I'm fighting on, I don't > think it at all inappropriate to apply the same criteria to the degree as > well. You're looking at the CCIE because of (to be honest) money and power? > Well, the degree can also bring you money and power, just in a different > way. For example the degree can help you get into high management, which > brings with it, money and power. Message Posted at: http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7&i=60325&t=60325 -------------------------------------------------- FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
