CCNA / CCNP / IT Certs are total GARBAGE (not worth it?)

[@Frissdas1207]

Something that A LOT of people over look with certs is that big companies WILL give you preferential treatment because they get vendor deals. I've heard several times over my decade in IT. "We need one of you to get (fill in the blank) cert or we'll lose our cisco gold membership" Certs 100% matter.

[@AlexGrayTech]

Yeah Cisco really pushes their Certs that way. Partners are interesting to me, have not looked into or know much about that space yet. Considering trying to go to an MSP type company that servers larger than medium businesses. I really liked my first companies, but they were just too small. Now I'm more hyper focused technology wise than I would like to be. Thanks for chipping in :D

[@Halking2002]

To add to this, completely true. I recently was hired for a company as a network engineer and found out about a month or two in that they were about to hire an internal that was at the help desk doing a lot of side projects for them. They told me that the certification (CCNA) was really what made the big difference. Now that I am several months in, work vs exam is really different. You really need to adapt to the different types of situations at the company that you just dont see on the exam, but I will say that the time and dedication I took to get the certs have for sure helped me at nudging me in the right directions. As far as finding a job I see the certifications as a way to open doors that might've been closed otherwise, such as my new job. I am working on my CCNP now, I passed the ENCOR and and planning on taking the ENARSI within the next few months. 100% worth it

[@dgilvani]

Keep going bro! Get the CCIE. You will make bank and lots of respect from peers. Nobody can fake the CCIE. Thanks for sharing

[@davidhendree8006]

I just landed a role as a Network Engineer (Level 1) a few weeks ago and start soon. I am now currently studying for my CCNA. I have experience as SOHO tech support for a consultant company but not real concrete network experience. I do have my CompTIA A+,N+,S+ . I definitely agree with the statement that having the certs help with HR, but real experience I feel is what really sticks In my opinion. Although the certs do help broaden my knowlege, understanding, and ability to learn... real experience in an operational environment is a different beast . Any advice for my first role as a network tech ?

[@damonaniton]

You touched on it well. Certifications give a potential employer a baseline for the knowledge you should have. And it checks the box for keyword searches. It doesnt say that a person does or does not know something, just what they should. It is up to you to properly articulate your knowledge and understanding in the interview. I tell people a cert gives you a structure for what to study. Exam blueprints are your friend. Even if you never get the cert you have learned something, hopefully.

[@kosmonautofficial296]

Haha great point on the chair and desk. I agree I think the ccnp has been very helpful for my career and when I got it I had little experience but with it I had a lot of opportunities to get experience. Going to be recerting with the ENCOR tomorrow!

[@AlexGrayTech]

Good luck hope you passed!

[@yesthejets3377]

factsssssss

[@carlossantana9006]

loved your perspective and insight. Well addressed points. Peace and progress.

[@Meddle_is_way_underated]

At the least - if people would just understand that a certification: "validates one's ability- to comprehend technical content, when presented in a timed-constrained, multiple-choice format," and get this ill-conceived, misplaced, and yet somehow overwhelmingly popular notion out of their heads - that CERTIFICATION=ENTITLEMENT,MONEY,JOB,etc... - I think a good portion of the negative portrayal of industry certifications would go away. That being said, the related Reddit forums would suddenly grind to a halt, but still... Totally agree with your P.O.V: They (certifications) will get you a ticket to the Ballpark, but don't guarantee shit as far as an "At Bat" is concerned - "Hitting" is solely left up to the individual.

[@AlexGrayTech]

Absolutely! Easy to get a chip on the shoulder when you get a certification but hopefully this might help someone considering them. I also think everything you said should be considered in the study phase and instead of rushing to get one expecting something, use it as a structured way to get exposure to topics. That’s actually why I was a fan of the comptia certs for beginners. They are just broad exposure to a lot of concepts. Whether or not they are worth the money or useful for getting any specific job is another debate but I like them solely for the exposure to a wide range of IT topics

[@TheRoadrunz]

@@AlexGrayTech hi , just curious what college degree(s) do you have ? I was wondering about whether having certain degrees in engineering for example would make the learning easier ... or more familiar ?

[@AlexGrayTech]

@@TheRoadrunz my degree is in information systems from a state college

[@pogo55555]

Marvelous. On point. Cert to get the conversation going, and charisma and common sense for the interview.

[@forextradealgorithm1386]

You had me in the first half mate😂 Good stuff though. Especially the advice from 5:59

[@AlexGrayTech]

😁 nice thanks for stopping by )

[@atishranjan2750]

Amazing video! Loved it. I'm working as a TAC engineer for Cisco in unified communications. But I'm more into core networking. I love the routing and switching part. Will go for the CCNP encor. Need to take out some time from work. I really need this! Thanks again for this great video.

[@AlexGrayTech]

TAC Brother, we stand united! hahaha keep pushing and peace to you :D

[@matthewbascom]

I think the certifications provide a baseline knowledge that prepares a person to effectively communicate about technology with their peers. I worked in one environment where someone wasn't held to the standard of getting a certification when it was required for other employees doing the same job. I found that the person without the cert was often effective while working alone, but they were not a team player, they were not effective at communicating their observations (often closing tickets without any notes about procedures or a resolution), their instructions were terrible, and they were missing fundamental knowledge about the technology. Ironically, management is still advancing that person. To me, it was a bad sign and contributed to my reason to quit that gig.

[@mnoble247]

I know a few organizations that will give you a $15K salary bump with your CCIE. You can't get it without completing the CCIE. CCNP and ACEP have certainly worked for me. Agree 100%. The cert helps get you the interview, experience and knowledge helps you get the job.

[@AlexGrayTech]

Cisco gives $10k bonus to anyone who gets it. Like just a bonus right there and they pay for it …. Haha

[@DallasFort1857]

Which is a better combo certification to work from home in IT? 1)CEH W/Splunk 2)CCNA W/CCNP or 3) CySA+ W/CEH

[@matthewsokolik5326]

Oscp/CCNA

[@Mark-un4fy]

I'm in IT for the last 30 years I had cert for Novel Microsoft no more certs for me experience is the KEY i hired and worked with fully Certified people but they had no clue could not patch a PC could not build a PC Could not Trouble shoot no clue on fibre runs no clue on server build no clue Util they physically done some cabling patching hep desk desktop support do a basic help-desk course work on a help-desk the desktop support install move fix desktops always ask the comms people if they need a hand installing new switches installing a data rack from scratch this is how you learn networking and you see first hand how its connected then decide if you want a CCNA cert Myself id study to be a oracle architect lots off bucks work any were start your own company contract out your services every bank financial institution uses Oracle in the world you cant g wrong

[@TheGrmany69]

Superb advice.

[@shawn4626]

Hey thanks for this insight are you going for any Juniper certifications or not needed?

[@rodney11ism]

I’m currently in the TCE Apprenticeship Program for Cisco. I have an interview next week. Any advice/tips?

[@chuky422]

i honestly started looking up the chair even tho i was here for the click and bait why the cert is garbage i mean if it was then why it landed you a job.

[@AlexGrayTech]

It’s not garbage, definitely can help in negotiations

[@kingz_1451]

@agraytech, I am in the midst of sitting to study for CCNA. Do you think it's necessary? Or, can I just focus on CCNP?

[@AlexGrayTech]

I would go for the new CCNA first. Take your time and don’t rush too hard so you don’t miss critical fundamentals. What’s your end goal? Career switch promotion job change etc?

[@kingz_1451]

@@AlexGrayTech , I worked in telecom, as a field technician, never completed it, so now is the time. So, you say no short cuts to CCNP. Got it! What do you think about careers in working with firewalls, or security? I got my AWS architect associate cert, I really don't want to focus on dealing with clients face to face. I prefer to get the work done and go ....

[@dexterpicardal4695]

Hi AGray. It appears that your website has an invalid or expired certificate as of this writing. Chrome/FireFox/Brave browsers were unable to load your site.

[@AlexGrayTech]

Thanks for the heads up. Something is wrong with my certbot script and it’s not auto renewing the certificate any more. Will look into it!

[@dexterpicardal4695]

@@AlexGrayTech Thanks a lot! I’ ve been looking for CCNP Review content and I found your channel. Great content!

[@AlexGrayTech]

@@dexterpicardal4695 thank you! Glad you enjoy. Keep going after it I’m sure you will achieve your goals and dreams :)

[@nahomgebeyhu7729]

Really good advice i had my ccna a few month ago and currently going on my ccnp with no experience this will definitely help

[@nnamanilota3973]

What materials did u use to pass the ccna? I plan to take it next year

[@RG-ux7ii]

@@nnamanilota3973The official cert guide, from Wendell Odom. Only do it if you want a job specifically as a network engineer, if not, I think it doesn't worth the time and money you will expend.

[@Upper_Moon1_Kokushibo]

@@RG-ux7ii Not quite right. You can literally get many starters IT jobs even high levels with your CCNA that includes IT Help Desk NOC Engineer Network Engineer / Administrator Technical Support Engineer System Administrator

[@gamera7206]

Do you think taking the ccna/ccnp will help me land interviews for tech sales jobs?

[@AlexGrayTech]

It’s definitely a positive but not required. It depends what you want to sell for what company

[@juancorona9887]

Any new videos coming out? Blessings bro.

[@AlexGrayTech]

I want to lol

[@chicks2516]

What is the best way to become a TAC engineer with a CCNA. I’m currently studying for ENCOR but I would like to get more experience as a NE and TAC would be great for that.

[@AlexGrayTech]

Just apply, they will take anyone. You might have to come in as a contractor right now though.

[@chicks2516]

@@AlexGrayTech what is the best link for Cisco TAC to apply. Thanks

[@michaellobue2674]

I have that same shirt. What is your opinion on maintaining the certs after you have gotten a job or role?

[@AlexGrayTech]

Try to keep getting new ones that renew the old is how I’m going to go about it I think. The hammering is coming!!

[@richardmutale7475]

Is this video about chairs?

[@AlexGrayTech]

Yeah it is did you buy it yet or are you still sitting in a sub par chair like a Neanderthal

[@googleuser1522]

Spends 2 minutes extolling the virtues of his new chair. But doesn’t show the chair?!

[@AlexGrayTech]

😂 I know man I’m sorry lol but if you check it out at the link they show it

[@KEgotKeyz4444]

bullsh!t its worth it!!!!!

[@gickomoto0613]

06:00 Thank you for your advise!

[@Hypocrisy.Allergic]

Unfortunately CCNP is an amazing cert. Yes unfortunately because it is incredibly difficult. Thousands of pages that u need to understand. I love this domain BUT sometimes i am questioning my decision.

[@samcolton943]

Studying for my ENCOR right now. Couldn't agree more. SO. MUCH. STUFF.

[@Hypocrisy.Allergic]

@@samcolton943 now i study Juniper as well, in 10 years maybe i will finish all the required Certs😂😂😂😂

[@samcolton943]

@@Hypocrisy.Allergic hah! It certainly feels like that, that's for sure. I'm hoping to sit for encor in maybe 2 months, get enarsi done after that, and then move onto other vendors:) I got my JNCIA a few years ago but I remember nothing from it so that's probably a good place to jump back in haha.

[@brooklyny2k1]

Dude! We never saw the chair!!! 🤣🤣🤣

[@AlexGrayTech]

It’s a good one you’ll have to trust me lol

[@tariqosman5811]

😃😃💯✊🤙

[@abdulfataiabdulrahman5565]

i get it now certs are important.

[@chicks2516]

Very thorough content. Thanks for the advice!

[@AlexGrayTech]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching my friend!!!

[@huangzeyong]

hello Agray

[@maicondoohn245]

Go for the CCIE and let we see your evolution!

[@tdang9528]

i thought you need to go to university and have a BE degree to be called an engineer

[@spread_em8383]

Negative, I made it without the degree.

[@d0giem]

It's just the name of the job, they don't have professional engineering designations. I have a B.Eng in electrical but enjoy the network side more

[@Triple_A_679]

You know what certs are real garbage? CompTIA certs.

[@JohnDoe-ou7br]

Orthodox?

[@AlexGrayTech]

Yep! Nice spot

[@summertyme5748]

0:42 stopped right here - while you babbled about your chair. Learn how to make a proper youtube video - don't ever make this kind of self indulgent click-bait ad video again.

[@AlexGrayTech]

Or what are you gonna do, internet police? 😂 stay mad