Cisco CCIE Certification Still Relevant in today’s IT world
Knowledge is power today and this is why certifications and degrees play such an important role in job prospects and career advancement options. That said, not all certifications are created the same. But the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) has reigned as the networking industry’s most influential and knowledgeable certification for over two decades now. Cisco started this CCIE certification in 1993 and even today, you can find thousands of people around the world spending countless hours on it. At the same time, the IT industry has seen some major changes and upheavals in the last decade and the pace of advancements is increasing by the day. Given such a dynamic IT environment, is Cisco’s CCIE certification still relevant?
Let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of this certification before we decide on its relevance.
Advantages of CCIE certification
If so many people around the world are still spending thousands of dollars and studying hard to clear this exam, it obviously means they think this certification is worth their money and time! Here are some reasons why this certification continues to attract the likes of so many people.
Hiring managers expect it
Many hiring managers today believe that a CCIE certification makes you an expert in networking. And they are right too because this certification covers all aspects of the networking world and makes an individual a real expert in this field.
To give you an example, take the case of a Boston-based biotechnology company called Wave Life Sciences. When this company was getting ready for the commercial launch of its application, its network got a negative assessment and it had to be re-architected. The vice president of IT, Anthony Murabito, had only one requirement from potential networking experts who can fix this issue for him and that was CCIE certification.
This case study gives a glimpse into the prevalence of CCIE and the expectations of those in power.
There is no alternative
Though there has been a lot of debate on the relevance of CCIE certification, the truth is there is no alternative to it. There are a few networking certifications here and there, but none of it is as comprehensive as CCIE and more importantly, nothing can beat the reputation of Cisco.
Job openings
There is no doubt that a CCIE certification can lead to a fat paycheck and some of the best jobs in networking. But then, the reality is, you’re overqualified for most networking jobs because they don’t require such advanced knowledge!
This is truly a catch-22 situation. Though your career can get a big boost with this certification, you may not get the opportunity for this boost if you’re not in the right company.
Many times, you’ll be forced to take lesser-paying roles that don’t always need a CCIE certification and this can be quite frustrating.
Opportunities in emerging technologies
New technologies like IoT and blockchain are taking the world by storm and those with knowledge and skills in these technologies have excellent growth opportunities. Instead of going through the difficult grind of preparing for CCIE certification, many professionals believe they can earn the same amount of money, if not higher, and have great career opportunities when they focus on building their knowledge in these emerging technologies.
Also, we’re moving towards a more software-oriented and vendor-agnostic working environment and the relevance of CCIE in such scenarios may be limited.
Thus, these are some of the downsides of this certification.
So, is Cisco’s CCIE certification still relevant?
Now that you understand the pros and cons of CCIE certification, it’s time to decide if this certification is relevant and is worth your time, effort, and money.
Well, the truth is, there is no straight answer to this question and it completely depends on your career, situation, and expectations. Here are some scenarios where CCIE certification will be relevant for you.
If you’re going to be interacting with Cisco devices in the future, there is no other certification other than CCIE that will give you a high standing and reputation within your organization.
When you want to improve your career prospects and earning potential within the networking industry and are ready to relocate to new cities or even countries to get your dream job.
You’re starting off your career in networking and want to specialize in Cisco’s products.
When you want to show the world you’re dedicated and have everything it takes to be successful in a networking job. In this sense, CCIE is seen as a reflection of your personality and grit.
If you want to be an expert in networking, there is no better certification than CCIE.
Companies and hiring managers still expect CCIE and consider you to be an expert if you have this certification.
While this is not an exhaustive list, it goes to show that CCIE certifications are relevant only for some people and may not be as universally applicable as they were about a decade ago.
Also, the relevance of this certification is a personal decision that can differ from individual to individual and sometimes, even from situation to situation. So, ultimately, you’re the best judge when it comes to deciding whether you should take this certification or not. We hope the above advantages and disadvantages help you to make an informed decision.
Let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of this certification before we decide on its relevance.
Advantages of CCIE certification
If so many people around the world are still spending thousands of dollars and studying hard to clear this exam, it obviously means they think this certification is worth their money and time! Here are some reasons why this certification continues to attract the likes of so many people.
Hiring managers expect it
Many hiring managers today believe that a CCIE certification makes you an expert in networking. And they are right too because this certification covers all aspects of the networking world and makes an individual a real expert in this field.
To give you an example, take the case of a Boston-based biotechnology company called Wave Life Sciences. When this company was getting ready for the commercial launch of its application, its network got a negative assessment and it had to be re-architected. The vice president of IT, Anthony Murabito, had only one requirement from potential networking experts who can fix this issue for him and that was CCIE certification.
This case study gives a glimpse into the prevalence of CCIE and the expectations of those in power.
There is no alternative
Though there has been a lot of debate on the relevance of CCIE certification, the truth is there is no alternative to it. There are a few networking certifications here and there, but none of it is as comprehensive as CCIE and more importantly, nothing can beat the reputation of Cisco.
Job openings
There is no doubt that a CCIE certification can lead to a fat paycheck and some of the best jobs in networking. But then, the reality is, you’re overqualified for most networking jobs because they don’t require such advanced knowledge!
This is truly a catch-22 situation. Though your career can get a big boost with this certification, you may not get the opportunity for this boost if you’re not in the right company.
Many times, you’ll be forced to take lesser-paying roles that don’t always need a CCIE certification and this can be quite frustrating.
Opportunities in emerging technologies
New technologies like IoT and blockchain are taking the world by storm and those with knowledge and skills in these technologies have excellent growth opportunities. Instead of going through the difficult grind of preparing for CCIE certification, many professionals believe they can earn the same amount of money, if not higher, and have great career opportunities when they focus on building their knowledge in these emerging technologies.
Also, we’re moving towards a more software-oriented and vendor-agnostic working environment and the relevance of CCIE in such scenarios may be limited.
Thus, these are some of the downsides of this certification.
So, is Cisco’s CCIE certification still relevant?
Now that you understand the pros and cons of CCIE certification, it’s time to decide if this certification is relevant and is worth your time, effort, and money.
Well, the truth is, there is no straight answer to this question and it completely depends on your career, situation, and expectations. Here are some scenarios where CCIE certification will be relevant for you.
If you’re going to be interacting with Cisco devices in the future, there is no other certification other than CCIE that will give you a high standing and reputation within your organization.
When you want to improve your career prospects and earning potential within the networking industry and are ready to relocate to new cities or even countries to get your dream job.
You’re starting off your career in networking and want to specialize in Cisco’s products.
When you want to show the world you’re dedicated and have everything it takes to be successful in a networking job. In this sense, CCIE is seen as a reflection of your personality and grit.
If you want to be an expert in networking, there is no better certification than CCIE.
Companies and hiring managers still expect CCIE and consider you to be an expert if you have this certification.
While this is not an exhaustive list, it goes to show that CCIE certifications are relevant only for some people and may not be as universally applicable as they were about a decade ago.
Also, the relevance of this certification is a personal decision that can differ from individual to individual and sometimes, even from situation to situation. So, ultimately, you’re the best judge when it comes to deciding whether you should take this certification or not. We hope the above advantages and disadvantages help you to make an informed decision.
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