Talking about worldwide recognition and career importance, CCIE R&S always tops the list, and this has been swirling in the IT industry for years. This prestige certification from Cisco can be likened to a Ph.D. degree because of its vital value that turns a senior network administrator into a gem in the company. Being a senior network administrator is seriously a tough job; you make sure that the network system is on its peak condition every single day. Even a minimal lapse can take a toll on the company’s business.
With such vital job function, senior network administrators must arm themselves with an expert-level certification like the CCIE Routing & Switching or popularly known as the CCIE R&S. Let’s take a look at how this highly recommended credential aids every senior network administrator in their daily job.
It is offered by a world-recognized IT organization
To start, CCIE R&S is one of the many credible certifications offered by Cisco―a globally acknowledged IT leader that exists to create notably important tools and infrastructure products to help IT professionals and businesses. With such recognition, people who are furnished with this certification can assure that their work is also top-notch.
It is a premier expert-level certification
When it comes to the level of difficulty, CCIE R&S is undeniably not as easy as 123. This expert-level credential is strongly recommended for those with at least three to five years background with Cisco networking technologies. There are even myths that the certification exam is not passable because of its mindboggling written exam and tough practical lab exam. But with a proper amount of preparation and right study materials, you can definitely ace the test in no time. As a result, because of the extensive and valuable groundwork done to prepare for the exam, most senior network administrators will not have a hard time dealing with their daily tasks in designing, controlling, and troubleshooting different complex network setups.
The written exam fully expands your knowledge
The CCIE R&S certification is split into two exams― the written and the lab. 400-101 written exam itself is difficult, covering topics like Layer 2 & 3 technologies, infrastructure services, and evolving technology solutions. All the exam objectives are designed comprehensively to make sure that professional will be able to excellently handle challenging enterprise network issues and interpret functional necessities into particular configurations. And if you are a senior network administrator, it will be very helpful as you combat varying concerns in the department every day. Nowadays, one of the biggest apprehensions of companies is the upsurge of security threats that continue to lurk within the company’s success. Consequently, employers prioritize those with expanded and detailed knowledge about this, which can only be acquired by earning the CCIE R&S.
The lab exam polishes your practical skills
Adding up to its reputation as a tough certification exam, the CCIE R&S requires the completion of its strenuous yet beneficial lab exam. The lab exam, which is an 8-hour grueling, hands-on test, gives you a taste of what the real world is all about. Sometimes, written exams are not enough to equip you with the skills needed when you work for an organization. Practical application of knowledge is the best way to validate your skills, and this is made possible by the CCIE R&S lab exam. With this type of test, professionals like senior network administrators are given the chance to construct and troubleshoot a series of intricate networks, following a certain requirement. Moreover, the exam allows applicants to configure network devices such as hubs and the like so that their technical skills will be polished.
It cultivates leadership management
As a senior network administrator, you are expected to know everything and all the in-betweens. Efficient leadership skills, however, may not be that easy to gain, especially if you just are just furnished with a job title. Now, here comes the importance of passing the CCIE R&S certification. Accordingly, having an expert-level certification like R&S under your belt gives the notion that you are a credible and effective leader. Through this, members under your team will follow the standards set by the company and trail behind your rules so that everything will fall according to its perfect place. With that, the company will be on the right track, and so as your professional career.
It rewards a competitive salary rate
Let’s be practical. Having a good salary rate inspires you to work harder, right? With CCIE R&S, you are rewarded with a highly competitive remuneration that will surely make you do your daily tasks efficiently and effectively. Most CCIE-certified professionals are paid from $60,000 to $168,000, making it one of the highest-paid IT jobs in the world. So, if you want to get the rewards of high compensation and all-encompassing knowledge, then this Cisco certification is something to ponder on. But of course, earning such entails sacrifices, which cover time, effort, and money. The exam is quite expensive, priced at $315 for the written exam and $1,400 for the lab exam. Despite being one of the most expensive Cisco certifications, for sure you will enjoy the financial benefits afterward.
Conclusion
Clearly, the CCIE R&S benefits are not just limited to employment perks and earning potentials but also to your professional career in the long run. Whilst other certifications are easier and cheaper, some of these are not really relevant to your career as a senior network administrator. So, if you want something that will support you every step of the way, then no other expert-level certification can give you what CCIE R&S can provide. The real value of Cisco certifications relies on what you can do beyond those days of studying―it revolves around your professional career. Now, you make a choice that you’ll value for a lifetime.
