1 MONTH IN! | Network Engineer Update!

Hey guys!!!! I am one month in as a Network engineer! Here is an update on how things are going!
CCNA Study material
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Video Series:
www.cbtnuggets....
CCNA Books:
www.amazon.com....
CCNA Practice Exams:
boson.com/prac....
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EQUIPMENT:
CAMERA:
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MIC:
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[@ejpomales]

Potato

[@ruvvier1509]

Just found your channel. Just got to say that I was lost during my college years, didn't know what I want...sad, depressed etc. etc.. Did 1 year in CC and didn't do well and took 1 year off due to COVID. I decided to return to school and IT degree/certs seems interesting because I had a few hands on experience on Computers and Servers. As a military brat, finding your channel I could relate to someone background and gave some inspirations and motivations in this field. Keep up with the content man!

[@steelsteez6118]

Appreciate your honesty man. Really really good and informational video. This kinda ties back to what I had mentioned in one of your previous videos about how in networking, job titles are sorta irrelevant and what you actually do and the money you make is the only thing that matters (and of course the people you work with are a huge component). Back when I started as an NOC technician all I wanted was that "engineer" in my title. I had no idea how little I knew about the industry. My current title is a senior network security engineer but I've held network admin titles and I've worked and met engineers/admins/techs with all titles. Some admins I've met that were clearly at an "architect" level but the company they worked for used "admin" in their payroll system so that's what they stuck with. I've also met senior network engineers that couldn't troubleshoot a basic port channel issue. It's all relative. I will never judge a network professional by their title until I've actually met them and have had a chance to work with them. I've made over 200k without the "engineer" title and I've made less than 100k WITH the engineer title in my earlier years. It's all sorta irrelevant. It's a baseline. As you continue to develop your skills and refine your craft and you become a very hot commodity you'll soon realize that it's all about the company and what you'll be doing in the role that'll dictate the salary and tech u get to work with. I don't care if my title is network janitor. If I'm making 200k as a network janitor I and I get to design and architect networks in aws, GCP, use infrastructure as code, troubleshoot Palo Altos, troubleshoot bgp, work with ISE, SD access, SD WAN, vxlan, lisp, python, and all the technology Im really passionate about I'm happy. Just keep refining your craft my dude and don't get too hung up on titles or tiers or whatever. People will soon start reaching out to you like crazy from big companies that require an engineer with a more refined and innovative skill set. And you're doing all the right things!

[@TheBuffNerd7539]

Thanks so much for sharing your experience. I really appreciate you taking the time to drop some jewels. I agree lol a 200k Network Janitor would be totally fine if I get to touch all of those different technologies 😂

[@SolarTTauri]

I'm going to screenshot this!

[@tierraanthony9075]

I love your content. I could tell you put a lot of work into it.

[@TheBuffNerd7539]

Thanks so much :D I miss you lady!!! We need to catch up one of these days!

[@tierraanthony9075]

@@TheBuffNerd7539 I miss you too! We definitely need to. Hit me up anytime.

[@NetworkBruh]

Great for you man!! I finally landed a job as a network engineer as well. I had a very similar path as you. Help Desk to NOC to Network Analyst/Admin to Network Engineer.

[@blackout7743]

Where did you start ?

[@Stoneface_]

Any update?

[@Stoneface_]

@@blackout7743 he said helpdesk

[@katr2771]

Great to hear your progression as a network engineer. inspired to reach my own goal

[@TheBuffNerd7539]

Stay fired up! And thanks for the support 😁. I’ll be seeing you at the top!

[@Niggro07]

Thanks for this content and true to the game explanation, I'm currently working on my CCNA to get to where you currently are. This is super inspiring for someone who is transitioning from a completely different profession. Big ups to you and all you do, I hope to see more of your content. Liked and subscribed.

[@KingJagan]

Good to see your journey. I have a CS degree, and currently working on my CCNA so I can land a network admin role.

[@lastsilverking]

Proud of you man, you're an inspiration for me!

[@TheBuffNerd7539]

I’m glad you enjoy the content! 😁👍🏾

[@aisampayo5849]

Don't stop these vids man, keep the great work. Defined & detailed videos like this preferred by Many others.

[@Janik2370]

This is so much well detailed information, thanks brother very inspiring to some of us still on the quest

[@TheBuffNerd7539]

Keep grinding!

[@robbyrooster]

I relate a lot to you man! I'm also into lifting, but at the same time a computer nerd. I'm currently working for an MSP and just recently got the Network+. Just found your CCNA video today since I'm starting to study for that. Another one of my goals is to get the Security+. You're inspiring! Good luck Brendan.

[@TheBuffNerd7539]

All the power to you Rob! I'll be seeing you at the top!

[@milesdyson5211]

NICE LAB ! I started off as a Network FE trained and certified by CISCO. My minimal requirements were CCT Data Center and Router and Switch. They are current along with my CCNA, CISSP, CompTIA Sec +. Working on my Network engineering degree. What I learned from all this is that Someone is ALWAYS one up. NO matter what you do or tell them LOL, Some BS you just have to get used too. Soo many facets of being a Network Engineer, including privileged or non-privilege access or your working with the NOC. or even troubleshooting Lots to know doing this!

[@ufcultimateshorts7115]

You doing a good job with this channel and keeping us motivated.

[@TheBuffNerd7539]

Thanks so much! I’m glad you enjoy the content!

[@christhedemocrat]

Greetings Brother I'm about to go to school to get my CCNA. I'm very green as it relates to IT work. I got a Scholarship Grant. Back in the day I took an A+ course at HCC. Hopefully I can get a good job. I make at least $25 as a Fire Alarm Technician (15 years in) Wish me luck. Thanks for the inspiration Greetings from Texas 💯

[@TheBuffNerd7539]

Best of luck! I am sure you will do amazing! Stay fired up!

[@jeremyrawls5896]

You are awesome! I have two interview for Networking and security admin. My story is similar to yours. You have given me confidence in passing the interview next week. Thanks!

[@Janik2370]

Good luck on the your CCNP study

[@summanzahid4351]

cant wait to see this channel grow, and you one of the best channel, all the very best.

[@TheBuffNerd7539]

I really really appreciate you saying that! I wouldn't be here if it weren't for supporters like yourself. :D Stay awesome!

[@fromthesouth83]

Good luck on the journey, man. Thankful for your content.

[@TheBuffNerd7539]

Thanks for tuning in! Just doing my best to give back.

[@josealmaraz8703]

Great content as usual !

[@tbringit]

Thank you for sharing your experience

[@TheBuffNerd7539]

I am glad you enjoy the content! :D

[@donTrizzy3]

Love this video very inspiring for me to get my certs and graduate soon!!! Are u able to make a day in the life video???

[@TeJourney]

I am information computer technology major and networking is not my thing. But I never been more thankful to pass a class.

[@TheBuffNerd7539]

Nice, All the power to you. I am sure the journey your on is going to be a fulfilling one!

[@mistaox]

The higher /wider the silo, the less you have to do....in some cases. It can lead to skills atrophy but the pay is always better.

[@TheBuffNerd7539]

I’m starting to believe that 100% 😓. Might pivot to cyber if this keeps up. Lol

[@damonaniton]

Odds are you will never see a physical device in your career ever again. The bigger the company/network the more likely you will never ever see the actual equipment.

[@xfatherjx]

That is not true. I work for a huge multi billion dollar international company as a CCNP , I see a physical device everyday in data centers, network rooms and scc cabinets.

[@EtheralConsciousness]

Your videos are great insight.

[@TheBuffNerd7539]

Glad you enjoy the content! :)

[@Surya-ky6zv]

Very helpful video for beginners

[@TheBuffNerd7539]

Glad it was helpful!

[@305MACHO]

Thanks for your story man.

[@TheBuffNerd7539]

Thank you for the support

[@allenthomas2660]

Hey man love the video! Quick question. Had a network engineer do you need to know coding? Like is there a lot of programming involved or is it mostly hardware ?

[@amen652]

Thank you so much man. Your series help a lot. I'm currently in a help desk job and want to get a sys admin job. Studying for my A+ and Network + right now. Quick question, as a network engineer, do you program a bit?

[@TheBuffNerd7539]

My role specifically does not call for it however, knowing how to write scripts is a very valuable skill that would come in handy when it comes to network automation and development.

[@EventMediaHQ1]

Is it me or do many people say you resemble a young Wesley Snipes? love ur content thank you

[@TheBuffNerd7539]

I’ve been told this before 😆. Especially when in the military.

[@miginus3435]

Love your videos! What tips would you give someone who is currently an intern NOC Analyst I (one more month until the intern title gets dropped) who really wants to get out of it asap? This is my only professional IT experience, but I don't like being the help desk/point of contact person. I would love to actually be working on servers, routers, configs, etc. I'm working towards my CCNA but if you could give other tips I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

[@TheBuffNerd7539]

One thing I did while I was a desktop support intern was ask my mentors if i could shadow different teams like the Network Engineer and Infosec. I also ask to get a tour of their data center which was in an entirely different building. Doing this helped me meet some amazing dudes and also score some free lab equipment to. If your unable to do that then I would suggest trying to land some internships with these major enterprise companies. Internships that will get you in the presence of some engineers.

[@HughJass-jv2lt]

There's a difference between working on "servers", And working on network equipment. So at a minimum... you need to somewhat narrow your area of focus.

[@girlwithpearls]

This video was very informative. Can I still get into tech with no military or degree? I am about to study for the A+

[@gastonhitw720]

hi bro, i'm a 22 years old fresh graduate in network engineering, i don't have any experience in it or computing, cuz at the time i didn't knew what i wanted to do with my life, i found the love for networking, but as i said, i don't have job experience in it, what should i do? do i have to apply for whatever it job even if there is no networking mentioned in their requirements? cuz in my country there are very few job options in networking a and cybersecurity that require no experience, thx in advance!

[@GeorgeG472]

Man I'm about to grow my hair out!

[@TheBuffNerd7539]

DO IT! lol It's hell of a journey!

[@Reason_over_Dogma]

Thanks for sharing your story. In Addition for studying for labs and certs, what else did you do to learn the skills required, like for example scripting? I want to learn automation in preparation for being network admin.

[@gabrielatkinson2931]

Just found your channel. Subscribed! What did you do in the military? What branch? I'm a curious fellow veteran. Good luck with CCNP!

[@TheBuffNerd7539]

Thanks for the support! I talk about all of those points in this video! Check it out! kzbin.info/www/bejne/iaareaKirZtnY5Y

[@dillondues4794]

If you had to advise your peeps wanting to go DoD, what certs would ya tell them to get?

[@TheBuffNerd7539]

The Sec+ is the baseline cert that you need in order to obtain almost any IT job on the Government side. I mention this in my video talking about switching to the government sector. You should check it out for more info! 🤘🏾

[@TheBuffNerd7539]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qaubko2Ma8yshpI

[@dillondues4794]

@@TheBuffNerd7539 besides indeed would you recommend any other websites more specific to people with clearances like say clearancejobs or usajobs.gov?

[@marcusc3338]

Hey man i been watching your videos and am currently in accounting but have been looking into becoming a network engineer. Having some trouble on what path i should take, but would you recommend just self study for certs to get into the industry? Would that be enought? Where would i study if that's the route I want to take? Do you know of any non-self study environments aside for school that would be good for cert prep/skill learning? thanks in advance if you respond, keep up the good content. Interesting to see how you career is developing and unfolding

[@TheBuffNerd7539]

One sec let me grab all that information for you.

[@TheBuffNerd7539]

Your best bet for getyour foot in the door is getting an entry level cert like the CompTIA A+. This will almost guarentee you land a good helpdesk or desktop role. Some sites that are good to check out for studying are: www.cbtnuggets.com/home w3.testout.com/ www.linkedin.com/learning/me Testout helped me get the A+. They really broke thing down when it came to understanding the objectives.

[@marcusc3338]

@@TheBuffNerd7539 Thank you so much for the information, good luck on your network engineering as well. Will update you when get my certs!

[@j.j.4335]

What's the pay like? Thanks

[@tierraanthony9075]

I’m trying to go to the private sector.

[@TheBuffNerd7539]

What is your degree in again? I may be able to point you in the right direction when it comes to gett into the G sector.

[@tierraanthony9075]

@@TheBuffNerd7539 computer science

[@TheBuffNerd7539]

@@tierraanthony9075 you need the Sec+ if you wanna a position on the G side. Is that cert in your curriculum?

[@The--J0ker]

Like the content. Subscribed Can you do a video on the salary is it good to start with and the future of networking engineering some people it will be dead in the next few years is that right ?

[@TheBuffNerd7539]

will work on that next!

[@xSeiryu]

I just finally broke into the industry… I lost my job to covid and thought the time off work would have been the best time to get certs. I crammed A+,Net+ and the CCNA into a 4 month window of time passed and hold all of them now… I landed a role as a Technical Specialist and I’ve already started on my CCNP because I want to grow and get into an network admin or sys admin position and eventually make it to be a network engineer… how long should I expect to be in help desk before I could make the jump? I assumed when I pass the CCNP I would stand a higher chance of moving up within my company. But I appreciate the videos they’re great extremely inspirational!

[@TheBuffNerd7539]

Give it a year. Then start trying to get some bites. With a CCNP I guarentee you'll find some.

[@xSeiryu]

@@TheBuffNerd7539 Thank you for the response and the advice!

[@deezoflexmo8529]

In 4 months wtf 🐐

[@xSeiryu]

@@deezoflexmo8529 I was on a mission I had a very small window of time to work with so I had to do what I needed to do.

[@deezoflexmo8529]

@@xSeiryu Just Glad you did it gave me motivation

[@TheParasite95]

Congrats on the job!! Did you use any testing sites to study like boson? I landed a job with the DoD but was denied because they needed someone with a secret security clearance to start in 2 weeks but it would take 2 weeks - 2 months for my clearance to come in but I’m still studying and looking for a network position!!

[@TheBuffNerd7539]

Yeah unfortunately those clearances are the make or break sometimes :/ Keep an eye out though because some positions are more accepting than others. They will let you work while your clearance processes. Don't quit! Stay fired up!!!!

[@TheParasite95]

@@TheBuffNerd7539 I’m still looking, I’m taking a volunteer role as network admin creating and setting up a network for a community center so I’ll use my studying to set up wireless, and security. Trying to taking the test this year too. I’m using my anger to put it to good use and better myself.

[@TheBuffNerd7539]

@@TheParasite95 That's a genius idea! That hands on experience will definitely be something to speak to during interviews. Will definitely get you cool points when job searching.

[@TheParasite95]

@@TheBuffNerd7539 💪🏾appreciate it

[@donavinh4176]

Can you show us how your typical workdays go?

[@TheBuffNerd7539]

Unfortunately that’s a little difficult lol because I work in a secure location on a military base. I’m trying to think of a way to do so without saying anything potentially damning. 😅

[@donavinh4176]

@@TheBuffNerd7539 Maybe you could word it differently or change the scenario so its like the same concept but not giving away any sensitive information.

[@lionelkanyowa]

Hey bro congratulations on the new role. So I booked my exam for August 20th. It's quite overwhelming because I work 40hrs per week but taking 12 credit undergrad courses. Any advice on how to keep focused and stay on top of things? Thank you.

[@TheBuffNerd7539]

That's alot to handle. One thing I will say is when you do have the chance. Relax and take some time to breath. Watch a movie or 2! Unplug and reflect. That will doing you alot of good and help you recharge so that you can keep firing on all cylinders!

[@lionelkanyowa]

@@TheBuffNerd7539 Thank you I appreciate that advice. I try to give my self fridays to watch a show or movie. Right now I'm all about Loki!! Are you Into Networking?

[@polo4941]

Did you ever go through with it?

[@lionelkanyowa]

@@polo4941 No I ended up taking a different direction. I am now learning Software Engineering via Launch School.

[@jeevan9041]

What are all the issues you have been deal with when you are network administrator... I'm a fresher in networking field 😊..

[@TheBuffNerd7539]

I have a video talking about the things I dealt with as an admin. lol check it out. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bYiYYXeJhNmgprs

[@trayjobe6995]

Im a 19 year old computer technician finishing my degree in Computer Networking. I am currently studying for the CCNA. I am determined to pass it before I graduate and move to TX. I just love cisco equipment. I have yet to schedule the exam though. I still have my last 2 semesters of Netacad at college that I am going to use to practice before the exam. I'll be scared to take the test though honestly. It feels like alot of information. Im not necessarily a "noob" I have configured switches, routers, etc. I still always feel there is ALOT to learn. So my main focus these last couple months are studying for the CCNA. Really want it in the next 6 months before I job search in TX? You have any study tips or how you practiced the exam? I have been told to if I get it try for a noc position, or jr network admin or something similiar. I just want to hear some advice from you.

[@TheBuffNerd7539]

I agree going for a position in a NOC. Desktop tech is a good place to start as well to get familiar with the IT tiers and hierarchy. Get the Boson EXMAX practice exams. Best practice exams you can use to get on the same channel and the actual exam.

[@selfmadepayday]

Did you have to get a security clearance to land the job?

[@TheBuffNerd7539]

I was able to land the job because I had one that I obtained while in the military. I didn’t want it to go to waste which is one of the reasons why I decided to work in the government sector

[@robertfletcher2648]

This guy is turning me into a NERD$$$!!!

[@jbeatsonthetrack6044]

are you still in that role?

[@keiths878]

Comment

[@TheBuffNerd7539]

Yes, Comment.

[@thecomputercook8009]

Tomato

[@TheBuffNerd7539]

lmao