Quote:
Originally Posted by Mikeboyii  50pence:
I can't comment on the A+ side of the house, but I'm a network security guy so I can comment on that area a little. As someone mentioned earlier experience will count for more than anything, but sparing that you have a few options. If you're going for the quick buck CCVP/CCIE:Voice is the way to go; most UC guys in major markets pull down a fantastic salary with only a year or so of experience, and it seems to cap off at around 10 years. If you're looking for the long haul CCIE:R&S/CCIE:Security/CISSP is the way to go, you'll start lower on the pay scale, but as you accrue experience you see an extremely large jump after about 5 years, and it seems to just continue. Good security folks are very hard to find, and even harder to keep.
I'm currently sitting on my cissp, ccie R&S and security, I didn't want the ccies but to meet partner classification levels for cisco, you have to have x number of CCIEs on staff; so they're great for a resume to get a first job, but after that, it's a bit iffy. I personally put very little stock in CCIEs anymore; if you get it oversees the test is a HELL of a lot easier, and there are quite a few cases of people cheating. |
VoIP is mad monies. But the CCIE Voice test is hardest lab, with Service Provider being the easiest. The CCVP is a pretty intense cert in comparison to the CCNP as well, so it's definitely one of the tougher paths to travel - but also one of the most rewarding.
And yeah, the labs in foreign countries aren't as airtight as they are in the US, but most companies aren't afraid to go "Hey, well, this guy took his test in the US, so he's most likely legit".