I recently passed the CIT exam to become a CCNP. It was a long process and by
far the most challenging certification I ever completed. I studied on average
2-6 hours a day for over 9 months and now have a lot of making up to do for
neglecting my family. It cost me a lot of money compared to my MCSE, most of
it due to equipment and courses. I spent $700 on books alone. I read books
from all the big names like Sybex, Mc Graw Hill, Exam Cram and Cisco Press. I
read at least 3 books for each exam, some books I read twice.
With that all said there is one really important thing I have learned through
my certification process. You will not make 70 grand a year just for getting
your MCSE. You will not get 90 grand a year just for your CCNP. And I doubt
you will get $120 grand a year when you get your CCIE. Somewhere around half
of this is realistic for the MCSE or CCNP. The only possible things that will
get you close this amount of money is an added college degree, many years of
experience or living somewhere that the cost of living is double compared to
the rest of the country. Sorry if this ruins your dreams of getting rich
quick, but is better someone told you before you spend the time and money.
I started and finished the CCNP track knowing these salary surveys were a
fairytale. I only expected to gain knowledge, respect and a moderate raise in
pay. I am glad I went through with it because it has considerably raised my
understanding of the network world.
Benjamin Harden
MCSE, CNA, CCNP
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