As a professional IT specialist, I’m Hank Preston, holding a Certified Cisco Network Associate (CCNA) credential. With a comprehensive grasp of Cisco technologies, I’m proudly certified as CCNP, CCIE, and DevNet skilled, yet it was the humble CCNA certification that sparked my career trajectory on August 8, 2004.
Twenty years ago, I found myself seated at a Prometric testing center, my heart racing with anticipation, palms dampened by nerves, as I prepared to take my first certification exam: the CCNA 640-801. As I click the “Finish Examination” button, a sense of anticipation washes over me as I await the results on the screen. I was once convinced of my failure; so many uncertainties left me unsure and uncertain. Did you carefully consider your decimal-to-binary conversion process and recall that the maximum number of hops for RIP-2 is indeed 15, not 16? It merely took around five seconds for the display to appear, yet it felt as though I was waiting for spanning-tree to converge after a root bridge failure – and not just any model of spanning-tree, either. As the display modified its appearance, I deliberately shut my gaze… Unnecessary insight wasn’t required. Still, I eventually lifted my lids to find myself presented with those outstanding remarks.
It was a tremendous feeling. . As a seasoned professional in the field of community engineering, I was well-prepared for my role. To further advance my professional pursuits, I leveraged my existing experience as a community engineer while the certification instilled greater confidence in my abilities. The certification validated my existing knowledge of networking fundamentals and earned me recognition from CISCO as a community engineer. The transaction was substantial in scale. Upon receiving the long-awaited certificate of my CCNA certification in the mail, I decided to commemorate this achievement by framing it and proudly displaying it on my wall.
Three years after that initial certification, my CCNA license was on the cusp of expiration – a marginally embarrassing revelation that I’ve decided to confront head-on. Specifically, September 29, 2007 marked the day my CCNA expired, prompting me to acknowledge this personal milestone. I still found it worthwhile to earn a CCNA certification. As it dawned on me I wasn’t working as a community engineer anymore, nope – what transpired was simply “life”. Having previously juggled graduate school with a full-time job while pursuing my master’s degree. I had to conduct a crucial task of reordering my priorities, which necessitated the intentional lapse of my CCNA certification. I had grown accustomed to feeling distressed, but a glimmer of hope emerged as I realized the possibility of redemption lay within my grasp again.
After re-certification, I took the plunge again – 722 days after my CCNA expired, exactly two years minus eight days, to be exact – and sat for the updated CCNA exam 640-802 in front of a computer, ready to take on the challenge once more. Over the intervening two years, Cisco had not only refreshed its CCNA certification but also transformed it into a more comprehensive program comprising two separate exams: INTRO and ICND, rather than a single test. Upon re-certifying, I felt more confident and thoroughly prepared for the single exam. However, I wasn’t entirely convinced. Though the initial jitters had subsided somewhat, by the time I finished, my self-assurance had significantly waned. I had previously been confident that I would be back on track in just a few days, ready to take another stab at things. However that didn’t occur. As I was once again confronted with those grand phrases:
As I departed with my certification in hand, feeling an overwhelming sense of satisfaction at having achieved CCNA licensure, I vowed never to let it lapse again. True to my word, I returned to a testing center less than a month later, successfully completing the CCNA Security exam. A mere thirty days after that, I was back again, this time taking and passing the CCNA Wireless examination with ease.
You may wonder? This inquiry is quite pertinent. Having previously spent several years as a community engineer, I felt compelled to advance my career. I aimed to collaborate with larger organizations across broader networks. With my grasp’s diploma in information programs already under my belt, I was particularly thrilled that job postings, recruiters, and managers were seeking individuals with practical skills to work on complex networks. Senior network engineer roles consistently listed Cisco certifications as “desired” or even “required,” and I had set my sights on landing one of these positions.
That’s when I initially secured my CCNA certification back in 2004, a milestone I revisited and rebuilt upon in 2009 with another successful completion of the program. The skills I developed during my CCNA studies proved instrumental in enabling me to grasp wireless networking, allowing me to augment my expertise with “wireless network engineer”. Without a solid understanding of the OSI model, IP addressing, and routing, I wouldn’t have been able to tackle security subjects like firewalls, VPNs, and intrusion prevention systems, ultimately leading to my CCSP certification in September 2010.
In September 2010, another significant event took place in my career. As a former Techniques Engineer at Cisco, I previously held a position. For several years, I had harbored a long-held aspiration to work at Cisco, a coveted opportunity that seemed just out of reach. As a former community engineer, I leveraged my expertise in collaboration with the Cisco team to drive innovative network solutions. During my career, I had yet to have the opportunity to interact extensively with many Cisco professionals; nonetheless, the individuals I had encountered had left an indelible impression on me, demonstrating remarkable expertise and knowledge. I was provided with a scenario to build upon. Interviewing with Cisco was an invaluable learning experience.
During discussions with my hiring manager, Eric Knipp, I recall reflecting on the essence of being a Cisco Systems Engineer (SE), highlighting the pivotal role that technical knowledge and skills play in this field. I also mentioned how his appreciation for my dedication to obtaining certifications further solidified my determination to excel as a Cisco engineer. When pursuing my CCNP Route/Switch certification (now known as CCNP Enterprise), he inquired if I had begun transitioning into a CCIE. As a holder of the CCIE Voice certification, he appreciated data, expertise, and certifications that validated both. I shared with him my aspiration to eventually become a CCIE. During subsequent conversations with various Cisco executives and engineering professionals, the knowledge I acquired through preparing for and passing my certification exams proved invaluable in addressing a wide range of technical interview questions. Engineers are invited to participate in a hands-on subnetting exercise on a whiteboard, where they will delve into the intricacies of spanning-tree protocol and explore how lightweight access points communicate with controllers.
Not having a license prevented me from getting the job, but it was my skills that ultimately secured the position. Without the invaluable guidance of Cisco Community Academy instructors and their lessons, which initially sparked my interest in networking and set me on the path to earning my CCNA certification, I would not have the career I have today. Without the numerous nights spent pouring over Cisco Press books authored by industry experts like Wendell Odom, Kevin Wallace, and Tim Szigeti, providing a solid foundation for my learning journey, my professional trajectory would be significantly different. And without countless hours invested in honing my skills on lab equipment scavenged from various sources, I would not have developed the practical abilities necessary to excel in my field.
While the notion of certifications has evolved alongside learning and skill-building strategies, they remain an indispensable component in every engineer’s arsenal of tools and value. I conducted a series of job searches to explore opportunities in community engineering roles. Among each individual’s listings, certifications are listed as required or most popular, and it becomes clear that the CCNA stands out above others. Twenty-six years on from its inception, the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification remains an industry benchmark and essential credential for entry-level network professionals.
It’s safe to say that I thoroughly appreciate the CCNA certification. Its enduring impact on engineers globally is undeniable, and I’m thrilled to assist emerging professionals in achieving their CCNA credentials.
I took my first community engineering course through the Cisco Community Academy, which is offered at my local community college. With the guidance of a skilled instructor, I learned to connect my initial router using a sturdy blue ribbon cable. In my final 12 months, I revisited a community academy classroom in the capacity of a certified Cisco network associate (CCNA) instructor. Crafting a solid foundation for the next generation of engineers to successfully launch their first project was an immensely fulfilling experience. While some skills I required learning after obtaining my CCNA may no longer be fundamental building blocks – RIP and HDLC connections being prime examples – a solid understanding of core principles such as subnetting, spanning-tree, and VLANs remains crucial to this day.
I’m thrilled to dive back into the basics this summer with the CCNA Prep program, updated for the latest CCNA v1.1 standards.
I’m thrilled to announce that alongside my colleague, a fellow teacher at the Cisco Community Academy, we’ve successfully launched “Season 1” of our CCNA Prep – Back to Fundamentals series to support community engineers in preparing for the CCNA exam. This primary season will delve into some of my favorite fundamental networking topics, including VLANs, Spanning-Tree Protocol, EtherChannel, and the basics of routing. The CCNA Prep program offers a complimentary registration option, allowing you to join us for interactive webinars that dive into CCNA exam topics, provide access to follow-up questions, and offer downloadable CML and PacketTracer files to work through exercises independently. .
Many of you reading this blog likely have your own CCNA stories. Please share them within the feedback beneath.
Are you currently pursuing certification in Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)? Listed below are several useful assets that you may find valuable.
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