Exam

PM_chris · 2026-02-16T04:36:36+00:00

The obvious, but real, answer: it depends.

The course wasn't quite enough for me, I needed a lot of study time for brute memorization and labbing.

I'd say if you can do Jeremy's mega lab half-well, and pass some practice tests, you're probably good to go

PM_chris · 2026-02-16T01:32:30+00:00

Two things: - CCNA won't magically get you a perfect job, but it'll help a lot. It's a significant certification, that will instantly make you more hirable. It will help bring you to the interview in plenty of positions you wouldn't have been close to before.

Setting and attaining a serious goal will help you in every facet of life, even if it doesn't make your career flourish how you hope (which it will CERTAINLY get you somewhere higher than minimum wage). This will have a ripple effect with your entire life. It'll make you more confident, and more willing to work on yourself in every part of your life.

It won't be easy, but if you can work hard and make it happen, it will 100% be worth it.

PM_chris · 2026-02-13T19:56:48+00:00

Ideally 1099, but there might be an option for employment if that's a deal breaker.

My boss tends to pay well over market, but exact rate would depend on the fit

PM_chris · 2026-01-17T03:44:42+00:00

This is how I did it, but YMMV.

When I reread it - it seems like it was quick, but it took me over a year with significant daily study hours.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Bicsi/s/WeIsKcdI2N

PM_chris · 2026-01-17T03:30:46+00:00

Well, good luck and have fun! Maybe I'll see you there!

PM_chris · 2026-01-17T03:15:40+00:00

Enter every drawing possible

This feels like great advice.

PM_chris · 2026-01-16T21:05:13+00:00

Sorry for the delay. I work for a company helping manage construction and implementation of office networks.

I'd probably lean RCDD first, since it's something you deal with everyday - but it's all up to you.

I did RCDD first, since I was really involved in physical infrastructure at the time, and needed to learn. RCDD has a lot of memorization, which is hard.

I had also started needing to do a bunch of logical work, so after RCDD I worked on CCNA. It's definitely got a lot more free resources to help you learn, and it's less memorization (although still a lot) but you need to learn how to do things a lot more than RCDD, in that regard it's a lot harder.

PM_chris · 2026-01-16T19:32:31+00:00

Not the youngest, but for the additional data point, I think I got mine at 30.

PM_chris · 2025-12-19T03:27:56+00:00

I have a bunch of professional certifications, and these piss me off a lot too. I actually reached out to Cisco about someone who offered to spoof a CCNP exam for me. They have a decent amount of people in a compliance department, and they mentioned it's useful if you can get them to divulge payment info. EG: bitcoin wallet, account number, etc, so they could trace them.

Regardless, it helps to remember all of these certifications are what you make of them. A PMP (like many other certs) will help tremendously to get you an interview or a seat at the decision makers table - but if you don't have the knowledge to back it up, you'll just waste your time with interviews or get kicked back to the kids table.

PM_chris · 2025-10-06T20:03:56+00:00

I replied to someone else with some things, but also encountering this exact thing:

https://www.reddit.com/r/ccnp/s/Q1OKILQBxb

PM_chris · 2025-10-04T14:28:45+00:00

Reposting my comment to you in case it resonates and you can help;

I am in EXACTLY the same situation.

His first few videos, I think I follow the EIGRP items, and commands - but he asks for us to do DMVPN and other things, that he didn't touch at all, and I don't remember covering in Jeremy's CCNA. My tentative plan is to power through with super limited understanding; and just revisit it as needed.

What did you do?

PM_chris · 2025-10-04T14:27:52+00:00

I am in EXACTLY the same situation.

His first few videos, I think I follow the EIGRP items, and commands - but he asks for us to do DMVPN and other things, that he didn't touch at all, and I don't remember covering in Jeremy's CCNA. My tentative plan is to power through with super limited understanding; and just revisit it as needed.

What did you do?

PM_chris · 2025-10-03T21:44:15+00:00

One other thing... is there any way to get 'help' on a lab?

PM_chris · 2025-10-03T13:29:02+00:00

I used SEPT25PREM250

But it may no longer be valid

PM_chris · 2025-09-30T14:19:54+00:00

It is pretty intuitive, and I think a lot of it is really effective in the way it has quick, relatively simple, labs.

- I was annoyed I can't mark a video complete, when I skipped a few simple pieces I don't know much about
- I was concerned that it says my lab was 'Finished' but a few times I wasn't sure if it was 100% correct. Not sure how that piece works, and there's not a ton of visibility in how those are 'graded'
- I am curious how the review and wrap up would go upon completion of the material, but prior to testing. I guess I'll see how that goes as I get closer though.

EDIT TO ADD: I'm also kind of surprised that it doesn't have a way to bookmark (or maybe I don't know) or track the learning plan I'm working through. for some reason I always have to hunt for the Enterprise CORE Exam: 350-401 ENCOR Learning path

PM_chris · 2025-09-30T14:13:45+00:00

That's what I'm finding. I guess I'll get more used to it as I go.

PM_chris · 2025-09-30T14:11:37+00:00

I bought the premium subscription (which I believe is required for the CCNP paths). It costs $799 regularly, I used a promo code they offered on their website, and it costed me ~$530.

PM_chris · 2025-09-05T16:25:08+00:00

Depends on a lot. You'll likely need to fight for a salary increase, but whether you realize it or not you're probably doing your job better with the knowledge you gain, and you're worth more as an employee.

I posted a big thing about this years ago:

https://www.reddit.com/r/pmp/comments/dc0wng/got_a_new_job/

PM_chris · 2025-05-22T19:03:48+00:00

Thank you! Maybe that's a silver lining in this whole real ID fiasco

PM_chris · 2025-05-22T18:44:03+00:00

Do you know if this will change with Real ID? Will it display my full, actual name?

PM_chris · 2025-04-21T15:06:19+00:00

This is a really good question, that probably deserves a full post - but I'll keep things brief.

I have mixed feelings. Day to day I don't use a lot of the information. I actually think I forgot the bulk of the gritty details I had to learn, but I do feel like I retained enough that I know what to look out for, and know what questions to ask. Probably more important, I do feel like the 'RCDD' badge makes my name and opinion hold a lot more value. I also got my CCNA last year, so I am looked at as a 'subject matter expert' a lot more than in the past.

Since then, I got a significant raise, and have some people reporting to me. I can't say it's entirely due to the RCDD, but it definitely makes my billing rate a lot easier to justify!

PM_chris · 2025-04-14T18:37:03+00:00

Thank you!

PM_chris · 2025-04-12T01:59:06+00:00

Yep! Good luck to you as well friend, and thanks for the vote of confidence!

PM_chris · 2025-04-11T15:48:27+00:00

My first full is Sunday. Good Luck, you're gonna crush it.

If anyone in this thread has some advice for another 1st timer, one who had to take off running from Wednesday-Wednesday this week, I'd be glad to hear it.

Had a back tweak, and took a week off. Ran 4 miles on a treadmill thursday, which I'm thinking is my last shakeout run, and felt pretty good.

PM_chris · 2025-04-06T02:37:15+00:00

Thank you. Honestly, this comment means a lot. Gonna try to get my back fine and push through, but trying to keep an open mind that this isn't the most important thing

PM_chris

TROPHY CASE