Was Re: Where is Bruce Caslow ECP1 Class? [7:36501]

2002-02-26 Thread John Neiberger

I'm curious about the feelings others have toward this sort of class,
especially considering the current job market.  A couple of years ago if
you had CCIE on your resume you were almost sure to get an outrageous
salary with bonues and other killer benefits.  This more than offset the
cost of taking these sorts of classes.

In the current market, I've heard that if you have a job position that
requires a CCIE you'll get ten applications!  With the HUGE numbers of
unemployed engineers--of course, depending on where you live--it is no
longer a 'sure thing' that you'll even be able to find a job, let alone
get those huge salaries that made everyone salivate.

So, if you had to pay for something like this out of your own pocket,
do you think it's worth it?  Do you think a one-week class that costs
over $4,000 will pay off more in the long run than spending a fraction
of that on a few more routers and some books and then putting in an
extra month or two of practice and study?

Here in Denver the market REALLY sucks right now.  Even if I pass the
lab the chances of me moving to a different company--and therefore
getting a better salary--are slim to none and Slim might have just left
town.  

I guess what I'm getting at is this:  do you think these types of
companies are pricing themselves right out of the market based on demand
figures from a couple of years ago?  Or, do they seem to be operating on
the premise that as long as there are people willing to pay exorbitant
prices, they'll charge sky-high prices.

What are your thoughts?

John



 Rob Webber  2/26/02 10:21:23 AM 
Now called RS-NMC-1 (Routing and Switching Net Master Class)

Rob.

Will K.  wrote in message
[EMAIL PROTECTED]">news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]...
 Does anyone know where information about this class can be found?
Thanks.




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Re: Was Re: Where is Bruce Caslow ECP1 Class? [7:36501]

2002-02-26 Thread Chuck

Take a lesson from the financial markets. Call this an investment in the
future. The best time to buy stocks is when they are low. (
duhh )

The best time to educate and improve yourself is when the market is slow.
Now is the time to invest in yourself - training, experience, whatever you
can get.

the market is starting to come back. it's hard to tell, but this is because
jobs are a trailing indicator. Companies will delay new hiring until they
are certain the market is recovering. The economy is indeed recovering as we
speak, according to the leading indicators. This will not be reflected in
the current job market. We may not see the job market improve for several
more months. But I can tell you, I'm seeing a lot more in terms of customer
activity than I was seeing six months ago. Or three months ago, for that
matter. the biggies are VoIP and VPN, but there is a good share of
infrastructure upgrade. Without the idiots from defunct places like M1
mucking up the dialogue, customers are getting better advice IMHO, and are
seeing the value of investing now.

I suspect the real question here is whether or not there is value to being a
CCIE as opposed to some other certification, or expertise in networking in
general. We could debate this point until doomsday and never come up with a
definitive conclusion. IMHO the skills acquired during the CCIE Lab prep
process are valuable. The cert itself may or may not be of value to a
particular employer.

My own opinion - always invest in yourself. Invest in the skills that will
keep you challenged and keep you employed.

Chuck


John Neiberger  wrote in message
[EMAIL PROTECTED]">news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]...
 I'm curious about the feelings others have toward this sort of class,
 especially considering the current job market.  A couple of years ago if
 you had CCIE on your resume you were almost sure to get an outrageous
 salary with bonues and other killer benefits.  This more than offset the
 cost of taking these sorts of classes.

 In the current market, I've heard that if you have a job position that
 requires a CCIE you'll get ten applications!  With the HUGE numbers of
 unemployed engineers--of course, depending on where you live--it is no
 longer a 'sure thing' that you'll even be able to find a job, let alone
 get those huge salaries that made everyone salivate.

 So, if you had to pay for something like this out of your own pocket,
 do you think it's worth it?  Do you think a one-week class that costs
 over $4,000 will pay off more in the long run than spending a fraction
 of that on a few more routers and some books and then putting in an
 extra month or two of practice and study?

 Here in Denver the market REALLY sucks right now.  Even if I pass the
 lab the chances of me moving to a different company--and therefore
 getting a better salary--are slim to none and Slim might have just left
 town.

 I guess what I'm getting at is this:  do you think these types of
 companies are pricing themselves right out of the market based on demand
 figures from a couple of years ago?  Or, do they seem to be operating on
 the premise that as long as there are people willing to pay exorbitant
 prices, they'll charge sky-high prices.

 What are your thoughts?

 John



  Rob Webber  2/26/02 10:21:23 AM 
 Now called RS-NMC-1 (Routing and Switching Net Master Class)

 Rob.

 Will K.  wrote in message
 [EMAIL PROTECTED]">news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]...
  Does anyone know where information about this class can be found?
 Thanks.




Message Posted at:
http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7i=36522t=36501
--
FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html
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Re: Was Re: Where is Bruce Caslow ECP1 Class? [7:36501]

2002-02-26 Thread James Haynes

Chuck,

Well said. I believe you are your own business and should treat yourself as
such. The perfect time to increase your value (if you can afford it) is
during a slow market. You will be able to ride the wave when things do turn
around.



--
James Haynes
Network Architect
Cendant IT
A+,MCSE,CCNA,CCDA,CCNP,CCDP,
CQS-SNA/IPSS

Chuck  wrote in message
[EMAIL PROTECTED]">news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]...
 Take a lesson from the financial markets. Call this an investment in the
 future. The best time to buy stocks is when they are low. (
 duhh )

 The best time to educate and improve yourself is when the market is slow.
 Now is the time to invest in yourself - training, experience, whatever you
 can get.

 the market is starting to come back. it's hard to tell, but this is
because
 jobs are a trailing indicator. Companies will delay new hiring until they
 are certain the market is recovering. The economy is indeed recovering as
we
 speak, according to the leading indicators. This will not be reflected in
 the current job market. We may not see the job market improve for several
 more months. But I can tell you, I'm seeing a lot more in terms of
customer
 activity than I was seeing six months ago. Or three months ago, for that
 matter. the biggies are VoIP and VPN, but there is a good share of
 infrastructure upgrade. Without the idiots from defunct places like M1
 mucking up the dialogue, customers are getting better advice IMHO, and are
 seeing the value of investing now.

 I suspect the real question here is whether or not there is value to being
a
 CCIE as opposed to some other certification, or expertise in networking in
 general. We could debate this point until doomsday and never come up with
a
 definitive conclusion. IMHO the skills acquired during the CCIE Lab prep
 process are valuable. The cert itself may or may not be of value to a
 particular employer.

 My own opinion - always invest in yourself. Invest in the skills that will
 keep you challenged and keep you employed.

 Chuck


 John Neiberger  wrote in message
 [EMAIL PROTECTED]">news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]...
  I'm curious about the feelings others have toward this sort of class,
  especially considering the current job market.  A couple of years ago if
  you had CCIE on your resume you were almost sure to get an outrageous
  salary with bonues and other killer benefits.  This more than offset the
  cost of taking these sorts of classes.
 
  In the current market, I've heard that if you have a job position that
  requires a CCIE you'll get ten applications!  With the HUGE numbers of
  unemployed engineers--of course, depending on where you live--it is no
  longer a 'sure thing' that you'll even be able to find a job, let alone
  get those huge salaries that made everyone salivate.
 
  So, if you had to pay for something like this out of your own pocket,
  do you think it's worth it?  Do you think a one-week class that costs
  over $4,000 will pay off more in the long run than spending a fraction
  of that on a few more routers and some books and then putting in an
  extra month or two of practice and study?
 
  Here in Denver the market REALLY sucks right now.  Even if I pass the
  lab the chances of me moving to a different company--and therefore
  getting a better salary--are slim to none and Slim might have just left
  town.
 
  I guess what I'm getting at is this:  do you think these types of
  companies are pricing themselves right out of the market based on demand
  figures from a couple of years ago?  Or, do they seem to be operating on
  the premise that as long as there are people willing to pay exorbitant
  prices, they'll charge sky-high prices.
 
  What are your thoughts?
 
  John
 
 
 
   Rob Webber  2/26/02 10:21:23 AM 
  Now called RS-NMC-1 (Routing and Switching Net Master Class)
 
  Rob.
 
  Will K.  wrote in message
  [EMAIL PROTECTED]">news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]...
   Does anyone know where information about this class can be found?
  Thanks.




Message Posted at:
http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7i=36526t=36501
--
FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html
Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]



Re: Was Re: Where is Bruce Caslow ECP1 Class? [7:36501]

2002-02-26 Thread John Neiberger

I agree, and the key words there are 'if you can afford it.'  Some of
these types of classes come out to almost $1,000/day!  And while I agree
that the instruction you get is incredibly valuable, it has to be
justified.  If you can afford to pay it out of pocket without going into
debt, great.  I'd bet most people aren't willing to fork over $4,000 in
cash so they'll put it on a card.

Many people want the CCIE certification because it increases their
marketability and the likelihood of a really excellent salary, and
that's why they're willing to shell out huge bucks to get it.  But if
the financial rewards are less likely, is it worth it to fork out this
much cash on a single class?

Just a thought.  There's no doubt in my mind that if I had the cash I'd
take of one these courses in a heartbeat.  However, with a mortgage, two
cars, two dogs and a kid on the way, my wife would kill me if I even
suggested that we go into debt an additional $4,000 on *top* of all the
money I've spent on books, practice labs, and routers.

Like I said, just a thought.  It seems they're pricing is based on
demand figures from two years ago.  Then again, they wouldn't be
charging that much if people weren't paying it!

In hindsight, I guess I don't really have a point and I'm babbling. 
:-)

John

 James Haynes  2/26/02 12:19:07 PM 
Chuck,

Well said. I believe you are your own business and should treat
yourself as
such. The perfect time to increase your value (if you can afford it)
is
during a slow market. You will be able to ride the wave when things do
turn
around.



--
James Haynes
Network Architect
Cendant IT
A+,MCSE,CCNA,CCDA,CCNP,CCDP,
CQS-SNA/IPSS

Chuck  wrote in message
[EMAIL PROTECTED]">news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]...
 Take a lesson from the financial markets. Call this an investment in
the
 future. The best time to buy stocks is when they are low. (
 duhh )

 The best time to educate and improve yourself is when the market is
slow.
 Now is the time to invest in yourself - training, experience,
whatever you
 can get.

 the market is starting to come back. it's hard to tell, but this is
because
 jobs are a trailing indicator. Companies will delay new hiring until
they
 are certain the market is recovering. The economy is indeed
recovering as
we
 speak, according to the leading indicators. This will not be
reflected in
 the current job market. We may not see the job market improve for
several
 more months. But I can tell you, I'm seeing a lot more in terms of
customer
 activity than I was seeing six months ago. Or three months ago, for
that
 matter. the biggies are VoIP and VPN, but there is a good share of
 infrastructure upgrade. Without the idiots from defunct places like
M1
 mucking up the dialogue, customers are getting better advice IMHO,
and are
 seeing the value of investing now.

 I suspect the real question here is whether or not there is value to
being
a
 CCIE as opposed to some other certification, or expertise in
networking in
 general. We could debate this point until doomsday and never come up
with
a
 definitive conclusion. IMHO the skills acquired during the CCIE Lab
prep
 process are valuable. The cert itself may or may not be of value to
a
 particular employer.

 My own opinion - always invest in yourself. Invest in the skills that
will
 keep you challenged and keep you employed.

 Chuck


 John Neiberger  wrote in message
 [EMAIL PROTECTED]">news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]...
  I'm curious about the feelings others have toward this sort of
class,
  especially considering the current job market.  A couple of years
ago if
  you had CCIE on your resume you were almost sure to get an
outrageous
  salary with bonues and other killer benefits.  This more than
offset the
  cost of taking these sorts of classes.
 
  In the current market, I've heard that if you have a job position
that
  requires a CCIE you'll get ten applications!  With the HUGE numbers
of
  unemployed engineers--of course, depending on where you live--it is
no
  longer a 'sure thing' that you'll even be able to find a job, let
alone
  get those huge salaries that made everyone salivate.
 
  So, if you had to pay for something like this out of your own
pocket,
  do you think it's worth it?  Do you think a one-week class that
costs
  over $4,000 will pay off more in the long run than spending a
fraction
  of that on a few more routers and some books and then putting in
an
  extra month or two of practice and study?
 
  Here in Denver the market REALLY sucks right now.  Even if I pass
the
  lab the chances of me moving to a different company--and therefore
  getting a better salary--are slim to none and Slim might have just
left
  town.
 
  I guess what I'm getting at is this:  do you think these types of
  companies are pricing themselves right out of the market based on
demand
  figures from a couple of years ago?  Or, do they seem to be
operating on
  the premise that as long as there are people willing to pay
exorbitant
  prices, they'll