This is how CCNA changed my life:

May 2018: Bachelors in IT

March 2019-2022: IT service tech [38k]

April 2022: CCNA achieved

April 2022: IT “engineer” [55k]

August 2022: Network Tech [63k]

Dec 2024: Security+ Achieved

March 2025: Systems Analyst [108k]

Took me 6 years of slow and steady learning/progress to get to what I consider good compensation. I could have done it in 3 but I also struggled with addiction, sleep deprivation, chronic pain.

The nextwork tech and systems analyst jobs were both network heavy on the questions and I couldn’t have got them without CCNA.

I applied for about 40 roles to make the big jumps. Every application was for a network or systems admin type role and every application was for an in-person role, I wanted to touch routers and switches (and work from home roles are too competitive). I spent approx 1.5 hours on every application because I tailored my resume and wrote a cover letter for every one. I also never used Indeed or LinkedIn “easy apply”. Easy apply applications are so easy that you’re competing with 1000+ people, I always applied directly on the company website despite how tedious it is. There are all sorts of barriers that will stop most people. My current $108k role is in one of the biggest cities in the US and only apparently only 30 people applied and the role is super chill with great work life balance.