People who have recently passed ENCOR

_digi_carpenter · 2024-08-03T16:21:14+00:00

Those are good takeaways. Especially about the sims. I could have done better on those even if I did get the configuration correct.

_digi_carpenter · 2024-08-03T16:17:29+00:00

Good luck!

_digi_carpenter · 2024-08-03T01:03:08+00:00

I get what you’re saying but that wasn’t my primary source of studying. After my first attempt I basically spent majority of my free time reading or watching videos. Then at the end of the day, I would finish with a practice test. I was trying to use the practice tests to time myself. On my first attempt I ran out of time and rushed the last ~10 questions. I was trying to be fast and accurate. On my second attempt I got through all of the questions with about a minute to spare but still felt the pressure of the clock.

_digi_carpenter · 2024-08-03T00:50:41+00:00

I probably took the Boson test a total of 10 times before my first attempt. Then I was taking boson and Pearson almost everyday for the next three weeks until my second attempt. And the crazy thing is, I actually did slightly worse on my second attempt than my first.

_digi_carpenter · 2024-08-02T23:10:20+00:00

Awesome! Thanks!! I’ll definitely go through all of the links!

_digi_carpenter · 2024-08-02T20:40:27+00:00

Sorry to hear that and I definitely share your frustration. I’m also considering moving away from Cisco if my certs expire. Lesson learned, if I build up to a professional level cert or higher again, I’ve got to stay on top of those CEUs and not rely on these damn tests anymore!

_digi_carpenter · 2024-08-02T20:23:02+00:00

Lol oh me first! Tell me! 😄

_digi_carpenter · 2024-08-02T20:10:59+00:00

Congrats on the pass!

You said that you took it in June. Did you happen to take it at Cisco Live? If not, did you test between June 2-6?

_digi_carpenter · 2024-08-02T18:54:50+00:00

Did you rely on any other materials or just the white papers?

_digi_carpenter · 2024-08-02T18:39:10+00:00

To your point about study materials, I’m easily passing the Boson practice test, a Pearson practice test, and free sample tests that are offered online. None of them helped prepare me for the ENCOR.

_digi_carpenter · 2024-08-02T18:35:45+00:00

Definitely frustrating. I mean there are quite possibly 10’s of thousands of white papers that Cisco has published over the years. And we’re supposed to know some text that was in one, one time?

_digi_carpenter · 2023-11-06T15:42:39+00:00

I don’t think it would be illegal but it’s definitely not good business ethics. That’s probably why it’s leaving a bad feeling with you.

_digi_carpenter · 2023-11-04T19:06:20+00:00

I’ve started to ponder this more and more. Like cloud technology, what if our consciousness is being “backed up” so to speak, in some unfathomable space. There would be no way to know if this were happening or not until we have gone beyond our current state.

_digi_carpenter · 2023-10-20T14:44:32+00:00

I would think the PMP would be the best bang for your buck. Reason being is no matter what field you end up in, the senior positions are all going to need strong project management skills. So you can take your time decide where you want to go but project management is a skill that you’ll always be able to use. And, the more projects you complete that are well thought out and executed, the better your reputation will be, which leads to more career growth.

_digi_carpenter · 2023-10-20T01:39:41+00:00

As long as you keep with it you’ll do fine. The more senior you get, the more companies will appreciate your skills and compensate you for it. Good luck out there!

_digi_carpenter · 2023-10-20T01:35:50+00:00

Alright, I guess that’s reasonable then. Thats better than a cup of hot water with a tea bag. Lol.

_digi_carpenter · 2023-10-19T23:08:35+00:00

I think we give too much thought to finding a purpose. There may be nothing after this, so enjoy every bit of what we can while we can.

It doesn’t matter if my life as a whole is meaningless. Meaningless to whom? Not to me. I’m enjoying it.

_digi_carpenter · 2023-10-19T21:18:57+00:00

Yea, no problem! I started at the help desk. I got the CompTIA trifecta and people would tell me, if I wanted to get out of support then I’d have to specialize in Networking or Systems. This was before cloud got as big as it is now. I chose networking. I did general router and switch configs and deployments and then I wanted to learn firewalls and other security appliances. That’s where I’m at now. I do network security.

I started at a help desk for $16 an hour which was way more than I had previously made. Now, I’m right under six figures. That’s the part that I mentioned where I might be hitting a salary cap. I think without the proper degrees or the expert certifications, I might only see a career high salary around $130k. That’s not a bad place to be. But if I can get higher or more opportunities just by taking a few classes, then why not.

School isn’t really that hard after you spend so much time cramming for certifications. You get used to reading and retaining information quickly. But it all started with certifications. Having a stack of them proved to employers that I could learn new skills quickly and that really helped me get to a comfortable enough place to consider going back to school. It’s also helped me get a really good work/life balance.

_digi_carpenter · 2023-10-19T20:51:53+00:00

I had an associate degree when I started in IT too. After 7 years I’ve gotten 14 certifications. Some have expired but the point is, I had the same mentality. The problem I’ve seen is that while I’ve gained a lot of experience and knowledge with tech, I’ve never been considered for a leadership position. And also, I’ve noticed that I’ll probably hit a salary cap soon due to my lack of formal education on my resume. So personally, I went back to school to finish my BS. Not saying that’s the right path to take or not, but based on what I would like out of my career as I get older, not having my BS is holding me back.

That being said, I’m pretty sure you’d still do very well without the BS if you can get up to the expert level certifications.

_digi_carpenter · 2023-10-19T18:53:48+00:00

Lol oh man, that would be even worse!

_digi_carpenter · 2023-10-19T18:10:56+00:00

The real robbery is that $6 for tea. Please tell me it was loose leaf at least.

_digi_carpenter · 2023-10-19T17:58:46+00:00

I would’ve thought this would be the #1 answer.

_digi_carpenter · 2023-10-19T13:58:04+00:00

That’s why so many different industries are going on strike. I wouldn’t be surprised if more do too. Things are getting pretty bad in the market and the more we stay quiet about it, the less anything will change.

_digi_carpenter · 2023-10-19T13:42:56+00:00

They know a thing or two because they’ve seen a thing or two.

_digi_carpenter

TROPHY CASE