Re: Am I over my head guys? [7:69746]
B Rudy 5/29/03 2:41:29 AM Hey guys, I just got an offer to become a 2nd senior network engineer for this company in Orange Country. Great News i know!! Dilemma: I am a CCNP but have no local Area Nework Experience. Going to be workin with Catalyst 6500 switches. Also i have about 2 yrs working with cisco equipment, however, dont feel i am ready for a senior title and duties. Also working with cisco routers. What do you guys think i should do? 1. Take the job and see how it works out? Maybe mess up their network and look real dumb and unknowledgable on some troubleshooting. risked getting fired? 2. Let the job go, and watch a great opp float away? 3. Keep the existing job i have working with cisco equipment and technology? p.s. This job is a senior position, so meaning senior pay. very positive aspect, and a great company going places. over 4000 employees. Your output is greatly appreciated. Really need some advice. Thanx Yowza! Two-years Cisco experience, CCNP, and no real-world experience on LANs gets you a *senior* position?? What's the name of this company? I feel a move to Orange County coming on... :-) Seriously, you must have shown the skills they were requiring of a senior-level person in their organization, and every organization has different guidelines. Heck, I don't even qualify to be a senior person in our company yet! That's related to time in the department, though. Still, you seem to be a little worried that they might expect more from a senior person than you're ready to deliver. Take an honest assessment of your capabilities and if you're still worried, start studying your tail off right now. You know we're always here to help when we can. Show some confidence and be willing to continually learn as much as possible as quickly as possible; be thorough and conscientious; be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. (Hopefully someone will get that joke, ) Dive in head first and work your tail off and you should have a great chance at succeeding. If they've offered the job, take it and run with it. Regards, John Message Posted at: http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7i=69979t=69746 -- FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
RE: Am I over my head guys? [7:69746]
I just want to thank every single one of you who have replied to this thread. After careful consideration and reading your thoughts and discussing with friends and family I have decided to take the position. For the past 3 days i have been brushing up on Switching Technoligies and getting back to being hardcore. I am going to prove to these guys they made the right decision. Once again thank you to all of my fellow Cisco Colleagues, Best wishes to you all. I will keep you all posted on my progress and work environment. Thanks again. :) Message Posted at: http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7i=69948t=69746 -- FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: Am I over my head guys? [7:69746]
My first Network Administrator job came to me when the current Network Administrator was fired for lying about his certs, and I was the most experienced (relative term) person there. At the time, I was way over my head, but it all worked out fine since there are always resources to tap, people to call, manuals to read and, perhaps most importantly, technical support to call. If you're a quick learner, as it appears, I'm sure you'll do fine. Oh, and in my current position, I had relatively little Cisco experience, managing a network with 6506, 4006, 3500 series switches, wireless, etc, much of it for the first time. And, like some of the other folks, I am looking for challenges all the time. GOOD LUCK! Robert B Rudy wrote in message news:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Hey guys, I just got an offer to become a 2nd senior network engineer for this company in Orange Country. Great News i know!! Dilemma: I am a CCNP but have no local Area Nework Experience. Going to be workin with Catalyst 6500 switches. Also i have about 2 yrs working with cisco equipment, however, dont feel i am ready for a senior title and duties. Also working with cisco routers. What do you guys think i should do? 1. Take the job and see how it works out? Maybe mess up their network and look real dumb and unknowledgable on some troubleshooting. risked getting fired? 2. Let the job go, and watch a great opp float away? 3. Keep the existing job i have working with cisco equipment and technology? p.s. This job is a senior position, so meaning senior pay. very positive aspect, and a great company going places. over 4000 employees. Your output is greatly appreciated. Really need some advice. Thanx Message Posted at: http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7i=69763t=69746 -- FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: Am I over my head guys? [7:69746]
When I left my last job (one that I liked) for this one, my boss gave me a nice poster. It is a picture of a basketball court and to the bottom it says: You will always miss 100% of the shots you don't take... I believe that statement says it all. Good Luck and I hope it all works out for you. Don Hickey --- [This E-mail scanned for viruses by Declude Virus] Message Posted at: http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7i=69761t=69746 -- FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: Am I over my head guys? [7:69746]
Sounds like you should go for it. But if you turn it down, let me know, I'll take it, as I _am_ a senior engineer, whose looking for work (laid off from Lucent). Jason. B Rudy wrote in message news:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Hey guys, I just got an offer to become a 2nd senior network engineer for this company in Orange Country. Great News i know!! Dilemma: I am a CCNP but have no local Area Nework Experience. Going to be workin with Catalyst 6500 switches. Also i have about 2 yrs working with cisco equipment, however, dont feel i am ready for a senior title and duties. Also working with cisco routers. What do you guys think i should do? 1. Take the job and see how it works out? Maybe mess up their network and look real dumb and unknowledgable on some troubleshooting. risked getting fired? 2. Let the job go, and watch a great opp float away? 3. Keep the existing job i have working with cisco equipment and technology? p.s. This job is a senior position, so meaning senior pay. very positive aspect, and a great company going places. over 4000 employees. Your output is greatly appreciated. Really need some advice. Thanx Message Posted at: http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7i=69767t=69746 -- FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: Am I over my head guys? [7:69746]
B Rudy 5/29/03 2:41:29 AM Hey guys, I just got an offer to become a 2nd senior network engineer for this company in Orange Country. Great News i know!! Dilemma: I am a CCNP but have no local Area Nework Experience. Going to be workin with Catalyst 6500 switches. Also i have about 2 yrs working with cisco equipment, however, dont feel i am ready for a senior title and duties. Also working with cisco routers. What do you guys think i should do? 1. Take the job and see how it works out? Maybe mess up their network and look real dumb and unknowledgable on some troubleshooting. risked getting fired? 2. Let the job go, and watch a great opp float away? 3. Keep the existing job i have working with cisco equipment and technology? p.s. This job is a senior position, so meaning senior pay. very positive aspect, and a great company going places. over 4000 employees. Your output is greatly appreciated. Really need some advice. Thanx Yowza! Two-years Cisco experience, CCNP, and no real-world experience on LANs gets you a *senior* position?? What's the name of this company? I feel a move to Orange County coming on... :-) Seriously, you must have shown the skills they were requiring of a senior-level person in their organization, and every organization has different guidelines. Heck, I don't even qualify to be a senior person in our company yet! That's related to time in the department, though. Still, you seem to be a little worried that they might expect more from a senior person than you're ready to deliver. Take an honest assessment of your capabilities and if you're still worried, start studying your tail off right now. You know we're always here to help when we can. Show some confidence and be willing to continually learn as much as possible as quickly as possible; be thorough and conscientious; be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. (Hopefully someone will get that joke, ) Dive in head first and work your tail off and you should have a great chance at succeeding. If they've offered the job, take it and run with it. Regards, John Message Posted at: http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7i=69770t=69746 -- FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: Am I over my head guys? [7:69746]
Every job I've ever had has been that way! Of course you don't know it now, but spend whatever time is necessary to get yourself there as quickly as possible, and you'll be fine. On Thu, 2003-05-29 at 00:52, B Rudy wrote: Hey guys, I just got an offer to become a 2nd senior network engineer for this company in Orange Country. Great News i know!! Dilemma: I am a CCNP but have no local Area Nework Experience. Going to be workin with Catalyst 6500 switches. Also i have about 2 yrs working with cisco equipment, however, dont feel i am ready for a senior title and duties. Also working with cisco routers. What do you guys think i should do? 1. Take the job and see how it works out? Maybe mess up their network and look real dumb and unknowledgable on some troubleshooting. risked getting fired? 2. Let the job go, and watch a great opp float away? 3. Keep the existing job i have working with cisco equipment and technology? p.s. This job is a senior position, so meaning senior pay. very positive aspect, and a great company going places. over 4000 employees. Your output is greatly appreciated. Really need some advice. Thanx Message Posted at: http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7i=69783t=69746 -- FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: Am I over my head guys? [7:69746]
I believe that is a Gretzky quote.. Brian - Original Message - From: netman To: Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2003 6:10 AM Subject: Re: Am I over my head guys? [7:69746] When I left my last job (one that I liked) for this one, my boss gave me a nice poster. It is a picture of a basketball court and to the bottom it says: You will always miss 100% of the shots you don't take... I believe that statement says it all. Good Luck and I hope it all works out for you. Don Hickey --- [This E-mail scanned for viruses by Declude Virus] Message Posted at: http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7i=69782t=69746 -- FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
RE: Am I over my head guys? [7:69746]
You cant win if you don't play!!! I thought I was in the same boat when I came to cisco, And I have been here 3 years... If you don't try, you wont know where you fit And you have the best support team in the world on this list... Larry Letterman Cisco Systems -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of netman Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2003 6:11 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Am I over my head guys? [7:69746] When I left my last job (one that I liked) for this one, my boss gave me a nice poster. It is a picture of a basketball court and to the bottom it says: You will always miss 100% of the shots you don't take... I believe that statement says it all. Good Luck and I hope it all works out for you. Don Hickey --- [This E-mail scanned for viruses by Declude Virus] Message Posted at: http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7i=69795t=69746 -- FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
RE: Am I over my head guys? [7:69746]
B Rudy wrote: Hey guys, I just got an offer to become a 2nd senior network engineer for this company in Orange Country. Great News i know!! Dilemma: I am a CCNP but have no local Area Nework Experience. Going to be workin with Catalyst 6500 switches. Also i have about 2 yrs working with cisco equipment, however, dont feel i am ready for a senior title and duties. Also working with cisco routers. What do you guys think i should do? 1. Take the job and see how it works out? Maybe mess up their network and look real dumb and unknowledgable on some troubleshooting. risked getting fired? You have to look dumb to grow. Don't worry about what others think of you anyway. It's not something you can control. Work hard and you'll prove yourself even if you do make mistakes at first. 2. Let the job go, and watch a great opp float away? Are you kidding? Don't let the opportunity float away. The only reason I could think of for not taking it is if you know that you have personal reasons (family, hobby, etc.) that are going to mean you can't give this job your full attention, and I mean full. You'll probably be working more than 40 hours a week to start. You asked the guys for their perspective, but I'm sure you don't mind a gal's perspective either. ;-) To be honest, I'm surprised to see a guy expressing a lack of confidence. That's so rare. :-) We gals are eaten up by it and we express it more than we should in the workplace, I think. I see it as a very healthy sign that you were able to express it (at least to us). On the job, I would recommend that you don't express your lack of confidence too explicitly, though, but do ask for help when you need it or you won't learn. And don't worry if you look dumb for a while. It will take time, but pretty soon you will have credibility with your co-workers because you're going to work hard and do a great job, I predict! Good luck and congratulations! Priscilla 3. Keep the existing job i have working with cisco equipment and technology? p.s. This job is a senior position, so meaning senior pay. very positive aspect, and a great company going places. over 4000 employees. Your output is greatly appreciated. Really need some advice. Thanx Message Posted at: http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7i=69794t=69746 -- FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
RE: Am I over my head guys? [7:69746]
Here's my two cents. I am assuming you interviewed for this position. Probably in person. There are two possibilities. 1) You misrepresented yourself and made them think you have greater skills than you do ( and this would be stupid because if you get a job that you just aren't prepared for you definately will bomb.) 2) You were forthright and they were impressed with the total package of YOU your experience, your communication skills, maturity, ethics, displayed ability to learn and adapt, etc. my guess is it's somewhere in the neighborhood of option #2. If it is, and it really is a good company, they will expect a bit of adjustment.(please them and make it a short adjustment). Good Luck, David Message Posted at: http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7i=69802t=69746 -- FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: Am I over my head guys? [7:69746]
At 07:52 AM 5/29/2003 +, B Rudy wrote: Hey guys, I just got an offer to become a 2nd senior network engineer for this company in Orange Country. Great News i know!! Dilemma: I am a CCNP but have no local Area Nework Experience. Going to be workin with Catalyst 6500 switches. Also i have about 2 yrs working with cisco equipment, however, dont feel i am ready for a senior title and duties. Also working with cisco routers. What do you guys think i should do? 1. Take the job and see how it works out? Maybe mess up their network and look real dumb and unknowledgable on some troubleshooting. risked getting fired? 2. Let the job go, and watch a great opp float away? 3. Keep the existing job i have working with cisco equipment and technology? I get through most days very much like a duck; calm in appearance, but scrambling like crazy underneath to keep things afloat. This is not a bad thing really, it just means that you may have to do a bit more research here and there. At the end of the day, so long as you don't misrepresent yourself, or answer questions when you aren't sure of the correct answer, you'll do fine. One of the best ways to advance and really push yourself is to drop in well over your head and see if you can't swim up :-) Drowning is a great motivator! You obviously care about getting it done right, and will likely put the time it to make up for any lack of experience you think you may have. You'll do fine I expect. Pete p.s. This job is a senior position, so meaning senior pay. very positive aspect, and a great company going places. over 4000 employees. Your output is greatly appreciated. Really need some advice. Thanx Message Posted at: http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7i=69811t=69746 -- FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
RE: Am I over my head guys? [7:69746]
Look as long as you didn't BS in the interview or resume, they should know what to expect. If you talk the talk, can you walk the walk, they must think so, if you've got 2 years of actual work experience you have more than me ( I only have my study experience adn home lab) . I'd say, go for it. I know I don't learn from doing every thing right. The best learned lessons, are sometimes, goofs, but you've got an edge, cause you already know how to use cisco.com and groupstudy to get feedback about issues, problems and others experiences. Ask for help when you need it, learn from the new environment and bring what you learned from the past to the new, see which has better processes to get things done, use what you need, volunteer for the new projects and keep those skills growing, then look back and say holy, years have past, I've learned a ton (what to do, what not to do) and move up or on. Yes you might be in over your head, but if you don't challange yourself how will you grow. Best of luck and look foreward to hearing how your doing... Say since you're a Sr Networking Engineer now, when will you get your CCIE? Mark Hayes wrote: Man, you sound like me. I don't have a job offer though. Either you lack confidence or you know your own limitations. Odds are it's a confidence issue. Go for the job and enjoy it! Mark -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2003 2:52 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Am I over my head guys? [7:69746] Hey guys, I just got an offer to become a 2nd senior network engineer for this company in Orange Country. Great News i know!! Dilemma: I am a CCNP but have no local Area Nework Experience. Going to be workin with Catalyst 6500 switches. Also i have about 2 yrs working with cisco equipment, however, dont feel i am ready for a senior title and duties. Also working with cisco routers. What do you guys think i should do? 1. Take the job and see how it works out? Maybe mess up their network and look real dumb and unknowledgable on some troubleshooting. risked getting fired? 2. Let the job go, and watch a great opp float away? 3. Keep the existing job i have working with cisco equipment and technology? p.s. This job is a senior position, so meaning senior pay. very positive aspect, and a great company going places. over 4000 employees. Your output is greatly appreciated. Really need some advice. Thanx Do you Yahoo!? Free online calendar with sync to Outlook(TM). Message Posted at: http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7i=69812t=69746 -- FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
RE: Am I over my head guys? [7:69746]
-Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of John Neiberger Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2003 9:36 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Am I over my head guys? [7:69746] B Rudy 5/29/03 2:41:29 AM Hey guys, I just got an offer to become a 2nd senior network engineer for this company in Orange Country. Great News i know!! Dilemma: I am a CCNP but have no local Area Nework Experience. Going to be workin with Catalyst 6500 switches. Also i have about 2 yrs working with cisco equipment, however, dont feel i am ready for a senior title and duties. Also working with cisco routers. What do you guys think i should do? 1. Take the job and see how it works out? Maybe mess up their network and look real dumb and unknowledgable on some troubleshooting. risked getting fired? 2. Let the job go, and watch a great opp float away? 3. Keep the existing job i have working with cisco equipment and technology? p.s. This job is a senior position, so meaning senior pay. very positive aspect, and a great company going places. over 4000 employees. Your output is greatly appreciated. Really need some advice. Thanx Yowza! Two-years Cisco experience, CCNP, and no real-world experience on LANs gets you a *senior* position?? What's the name of this company? I feel a move to Orange County coming on... :-) Seriously, you must have shown the skills they were requiring of a senior-level person in their organization, and every organization has different guidelines. Heck, I don't even qualify to be a senior person in our company yet! That's related to time in the department, though. Still, you seem to be a little worried that they might expect more from a senior person than you're ready to deliver. Take an honest assessment of your capabilities and if you're still worried, start studying your tail off right now. You know we're always here to help when we can. Show some confidence and be willing to continually learn as much as possible as quickly as possible; be thorough and conscientious; be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. (Hopefully someone will get that joke, ) And don't forget to always Be prepared. (I was a Boy Scout too.) If you have a good enough grasp of things to get the CCNP then you should do fine. Every new job is a learning experience. At least mine have been. If you passed BCMSN then you tested on the 5000. It uses the CatOS like the 6500. In my experience anyone with enough integrity to worry about doing their job correctly usually goes above and beyond. It's the folks that just look at the money or the title or just flat don't think things thru that fail. You obviously think things through. If you've weighed all of the options re: long term prospects at this company, who you'll be working with/for benefits, working conditions, etc and it all looks good and the only thing that's holding you back is confidence in your own ability, IMHO, take it. I felt the exact same way after the first networking job I was offered. I didn't think there was anyway in he** I should accept it and told my prospective boss that. She sought me out as she had heard about my work ethic. I told her I work hard and study a lot but don't know what she needed me to know. Her response was I'd rather have someone that's hungry and willing to learn like you then someone who knows everything. There's lots of resources available to fill in whatever gaps you may have in your knowledge for someone willing to use them and you are. I can teach you whatever facts you don't know but I can't give you the drive to work hard and do the job correctly. She was right. And she didn't ever have to teach me anything. I always found some way to get whatever info I didn't have at my immediate grasp and I still do. I suspect she could have been talking about you too. Good luck in whatever you chose. Dive in head first and work your tail off and you should have a great chance at succeeding. If they've offered the job, take it and run with it. Regards, John Message Posted at: http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7i=69827t=69746 -- FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: Am I over my head guys? [7:69746]
At 6:57 PM + 5/29/03, Peter van Oene wrote: I get through most days very much like a duck; calm in appearance, but scrambling like crazy underneath to keep things afloat. Peter, you are causing metaphors to loop in the network of my brain. When I was a Boy Scout practicing silent movement for my First Class test, I used to practice on a flock of ducks at the local pond. My test of success was to crawl (usually through the mud and less desirable things) until I could goose a duck. A goosed duck is _not_ calm. On the other hand, one of my mantras comes from the emergency instructions at the Marriott conference center in Lisle or Naperville, IL: In case of emergency, remain clam. Now, an alternative metaphor is the swan, which looks even more calm and elegant, but will REALLY get you with the beak if you irritate it. This is not a bad thing really, it just means that you may have to do a bit more research here and there. At the end of the day, so long as you don't misrepresent yourself, or answer questions when you aren't sure of the correct answer, you'll do fine. It's funny. Early in my career, I'd go for jobs where I felt confident that I could learn what I needed as I went along. Now, my jobs tend to be things where a basic assumption is that I'll have to do research -- sometimes searching for things, and sometimes true lab research where there's no particular answer. At the moment, I'm doing as much medical informatics as routing switching, and the research has to include both networking and medicine. It's interesting to jump back and forth, and even have cross-fertilization. Message Posted at: http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7i=69839t=69746 -- FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
RE: Am I over my head guys? [7:69746]
I think it really depends on others around you and the team environment... I applied for and took a job that required a CCNA/CCNP + MCSE certification. I have mostly worked for network shops that used *NIX verses NT, however I had a taken all of the 4.0 courses back in the day. I knew I wasn't an MS guru, but knew how to get around the OS fairly well. Once the few network tasks were finished the job became 80% MS administration. Even though I had felt comfortable with my MS skills, quickly realized it wasn't up to par for a large enterprise shop. What took place wasn't my ability to learn new skills, but the lack of teamwork from others around me. It was cutthroat. Any little mistake or even a hesitation would be brought to others attention. Quickly I was discredited from any effort I made and soon I wasn't brought into new projects that became available. Since then I have been more conservative in describing my skill set. I never want to be put into a similar situation again. Not only was it a daily struggle, but completely toasted my confidence as an engineer...something that I never had a problem with in the past. -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Howard C. Berkowitz Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2003 7:53 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Am I over my head guys? [7:69746] At 6:57 PM + 5/29/03, Peter van Oene wrote: I get through most days very much like a duck; calm in appearance, but scrambling like crazy underneath to keep things afloat. Peter, you are causing metaphors to loop in the network of my brain. When I was a Boy Scout practicing silent movement for my First Class test, I used to practice on a flock of ducks at the local pond. My test of success was to crawl (usually through the mud and less desirable things) until I could goose a duck. A goosed duck is _not_ calm. On the other hand, one of my mantras comes from the emergency instructions at the Marriott conference center in Lisle or Naperville, IL: In case of emergency, remain clam. Now, an alternative metaphor is the swan, which looks even more calm and elegant, but will REALLY get you with the beak if you irritate it. This is not a bad thing really, it just means that you may have to do a bit more research here and there. At the end of the day, so long as you don't misrepresent yourself, or answer questions when you aren't sure of the correct answer, you'll do fine. It's funny. Early in my career, I'd go for jobs where I felt confident that I could learn what I needed as I went along. Now, my jobs tend to be things where a basic assumption is that I'll have to do research -- sometimes searching for things, and sometimes true lab research where there's no particular answer. At the moment, I'm doing as much medical informatics as routing switching, and the research has to include both networking and medicine. It's interesting to jump back and forth, and even have cross-fertilization. Message Posted at: http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7i=69845t=69746 -- FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
RE: Am I over my head guys? [7:69746]
This sounds like me prior to my current position, Senior Consultant. I had been working at ISP's for 3 years. Had never worked on a LAN only on WAN's, had never seen a 6500, heck had never really seen any of the equipment I had been working on remotely for 3 years. The job I had just come from was a nocling. To some it is the lowest of lows. To me, I saw it as a very good learning opportunity. The Senior Consultants job was offered to me. I gasped!!! Several times. Asked a few friends should I do this or not. They said I would be foolish not to. There advice to me is the same most here have given to you here. They would not have offered you the position if they did not feel you could fill the shoes. They feel you would fit in with the team, grow with the company, and learn from your experiences, past and present. Just remember that not everyone knows everything. Each person has their own strengths and weaknesses and everyone learns from everyone else. Take Pete's advice, look calm on the outside and spin your wheels on the inside. Each of us has probably done the same. (late nites reading and researching the answers) Have a stiff drink, smile and accept the offer. Good luck!! Kim Graham Message Posted at: http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7i=69861t=69746 -- FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
RE: Am I over my head guys? [7:69746]
Hi, Go for it and do whatever it takes to succeed! If one goes only for the best, one finds it. Good Luck! Message Posted at: http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7i=69749t=69746 -- FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
RE: Am I over my head guys? [7:69746]
Man, you sound like me. I don't have a job offer though. Either you lack confidence or you know your own limitations. Odds are it's a confidence issue. Go for the job and enjoy it! Mark -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2003 2:52 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Am I over my head guys? [7:69746] Hey guys, I just got an offer to become a 2nd senior network engineer for this company in Orange Country. Great News i know!! Dilemma: I am a CCNP but have no local Area Nework Experience. Going to be workin with Catalyst 6500 switches. Also i have about 2 yrs working with cisco equipment, however, dont feel i am ready for a senior title and duties. Also working with cisco routers. What do you guys think i should do? 1. Take the job and see how it works out? Maybe mess up their network and look real dumb and unknowledgable on some troubleshooting. risked getting fired? 2. Let the job go, and watch a great opp float away? 3. Keep the existing job i have working with cisco equipment and technology? p.s. This job is a senior position, so meaning senior pay. very positive aspect, and a great company going places. over 4000 employees. Your output is greatly appreciated. Really need some advice. Thanx Message Posted at: http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7i=69748t=69746 -- FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
RE: Am I over my head guys? [7:69746]
I will be interested to see the answers of others to this too. My guess is many will tell you to 'go for it'. I'm in a similar position in that I am beginning to get the offer of interviews for senior(ish) roles and am a CCNP with minimal 'real' experience so am a little nervous about being 'found out' as a fraud. Yet in my current position I felt exactly the same way when I joined this company, I had just obtained my MCSE and was joining this company with 20 offices nationwide and I was nervous of being overwhelmed. Within 2 months I was bored again. Another question is did you 'lie' to secure the position? Because if you didn't (or at least didn't stretch the truth too much) then you have nothing to worry about, you will grow into the position as I'm sure your prospective employers fell you will after interviewing you. The insecurities you are voicing sound only natural but life has losers, winners, and those that just muddle on in mediocrity. Now I'm not saying there is anything dramatically wrong with mediocrity if you are the 'comfortable' type but I think the winners in life have a 'go for it' mentality and the rest of us, well we just don't. I need to apply a little more of this logic to myself as well!! Message Posted at: http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7i=69747t=69746 -- FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
RE: Am I over my head guys? [7:69746]
personally, if you've got the offer, someone thinks you can do it. For my first networking position, I was deemed to be the cisco 'expert' as I had read a Cisco book on TCP/IP, but at that stage I hadn't even seen a router/switch! Look at it from the point of view, that you are going into an existing position and things are *working* at the minute, giving you time to pick up on what you don't know/think you know. Once you've found your feet on the existing setup, you should be able to use any CCNP experience to take things further. You been working 2 years on the kit, so you know that the concepts tend to be the same, but specifics depending upon the situation will change - this is the bit that needs the knowledge! Also, it's not going to be a challenge if you knew how to do everything!! just my $0.02 Keith -Original Message- From: B Rudy [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: 29 May 2003 08:52 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Am I over my head guys? [7:69746] Hey guys, I just got an offer to become a 2nd senior network engineer for this company in Orange Country. Great News i know!! Dilemma: I am a CCNP but have no local Area Nework Experience. Going to be workin with Catalyst 6500 switches. Also i have about 2 yrs working with cisco equipment, however, dont feel i am ready for a senior title and duties. Also working with cisco routers. What do you guys think i should do? 1. Take the job and see how it works out? Maybe mess up their network and look real dumb and unknowledgable on some troubleshooting. risked getting fired? 2. Let the job go, and watch a great opp float away? 3. Keep the existing job i have working with cisco equipment and technology? p.s. This job is a senior position, so meaning senior pay. very positive aspect, and a great company going places. over 4000 employees. Your output is greatly appreciated. Really need some advice. Thanx Message Posted at: http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7i=69750t=69746 -- FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: Am I over my head guys? [7:69746]
go for it Deal with it heheheheh Your be fine Ian - Original Message - From: B Rudy To: Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2003 8:52 AM Subject: Am I over my head guys? [7:69746] Hey guys, I just got an offer to become a 2nd senior network engineer for this company in Orange Country. Great News i know!! Dilemma: I am a CCNP but have no local Area Nework Experience. Going to be workin with Catalyst 6500 switches. Also i have about 2 yrs working with cisco equipment, however, dont feel i am ready for a senior title and duties. Also working with cisco routers. What do you guys think i should do? 1. Take the job and see how it works out? Maybe mess up their network and look real dumb and unknowledgable on some troubleshooting. risked getting fired? 2. Let the job go, and watch a great opp float away? 3. Keep the existing job i have working with cisco equipment and technology? p.s. This job is a senior position, so meaning senior pay. very positive aspect, and a great company going places. over 4000 employees. Your output is greatly appreciated. Really need some advice. Thanx Message Posted at: http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7i=69751t=69746 -- FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
RE: Am I over my head guys? [7:69746]
To be at the CCNP level you must have already shown some skills with LANs - Support and switching exams. This sounds like it may be a good thing. If you have experience for 2 years as you say, then it should be OK. Maybe they can let you in on what they are doing on the LAN - VLANs, etc. Ever played with CatOS before. Maybe the first thing you should do is convert the 6500 to IOS and then they are just like routers!!! Remember that TAC is just a call away - sounds like this job is a good opportunity so go for it. Andrew -Original Message- From: B Rudy [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: 29 May 2003 09:52 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Am I over my head guys? [7:69746] Hey guys, I just got an offer to become a 2nd senior network engineer for this company in Orange Country. Great News i know!! Dilemma: I am a CCNP but have no local Area Nework Experience. Going to be workin with Catalyst 6500 switches. Also i have about 2 yrs working with cisco equipment, however, dont feel i am ready for a senior title and duties. Also working with cisco routers. What do you guys think i should do? 1. Take the job and see how it works out? Maybe mess up their network and look real dumb and unknowledgable on some troubleshooting. risked getting fired? 2. Let the job go, and watch a great opp float away? 3. Keep the existing job i have working with cisco equipment and technology? p.s. This job is a senior position, so meaning senior pay. very positive aspect, and a great company going places. over 4000 employees. Your output is greatly appreciated. Really need some advice. Thanx Message Posted at: http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7i=69752t=69746 -- FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
RE: Am I over my head guys? [7:69746]
I would definitely say go for it ... thre isn't much to basic or even intermediate LAN switching and IO am sure you will be able to cope. Just have confidence in yourself, and while you are getting used to the environment, just be very throughtful about each command you enter. I still often open up kedit (notepad) and do a dry config before implementing on a live system. Go through each command and think about what the consequences are. Good luck B Rudy wrote: Hey guys, I just got an offer to become a 2nd senior network engineer for this company in Orange Country. Great News i know!! Dilemma: I am a CCNP but have no local Area Nework Experience. Going to be workin with Catalyst 6500 switches. Also i have about 2 yrs working with cisco equipment, however, dont feel i am ready for a senior title and duties. Also working with cisco routers. What do you guys think i should do? 1. Take the job and see how it works out? Maybe mess up their network and look real dumb and unknowledgable on some troubleshooting. risked getting fired? 2. Let the job go, and watch a great opp float away? 3. Keep the existing job i have working with cisco equipment and technology? p.s. This job is a senior position, so meaning senior pay. very positive aspect, and a great company going places. over 4000 employees. Your output is greatly appreciated. Really need some advice. Thanx Message Posted at: http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7i=69754t=69746 -- FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]