Why I Respect CCIE’s…
When I set out on the journey to becoming a CCIE, I knew that it would be a tough and tremendous undertaking from a mental and technical standpoint. I had no idea, and thus never prepared myself for, it being such a strenuous emotional slap, punch, and kick in the face. Most of us that decide to pursue excellence via certifications do so because we not only want to advance in our career but also prove that we are the best according to standards set by an industry. In today’s climate, anyone can purchase supplements (which I DO NOT condone) that almost guarantee that you will pass any one of the Cisco Associate and Professional level certs, as well as, any one of the CCIE qualification exams. But it takes a special person to prepare for and pass the actual lab.
Let’s see, on my journey so far, almost a month in, I have been on an emotional roller coaster that I had no idea existed. No where on Cisco’s webpage did they mention that a candidate had to posess a high level of emotional fortitude in addition to the mental, technical, and maybe even physical strength that is needed to prepare for this exam, let alone pass. Yeah I know maybe somewhere in my mind I should have KNOWN that it would be such an emotional task, but guess what? Everyone that I have either personally known, or talked to have NEVER, not even ONE time said “Hey kid get your emotional makeup checked out before you start this”.
Those of us that like to solve problems and look forward to taking on and overcoming challenges usually don’t like to have a problem beat us. How many of you have stayed past your quitting time or came in early to attack a problem that was trying to show you up at work? I know this week alone I logged in from home during my off hours to check on a problem, I went in early and stayed late, and I even had terrible dreams of Unity, Exchange and MWI Resynch problems ganging up on me in an attempt to beat me to a pulp. You know what? I won, I fixed the problem. Hoo Rayyy for me right? WRONG, the CCIE is a different beast. Just when you think you have something whipped you turn the page and start on another section that not only kicks your butt but it undo’s what took you a lifetime to do previously.
Now add in the fact that you are taking away one of the only commodities that you can not replace, TIME, and the pressures begin to mount. I have to sacrifice time with my family which I try and convince myself that it’s them that I am doing this for. I work the Midnight shift, which means my family have to sleep all night without daddy, I barely sleep during the day (here comes the physical fatigue), I have committments to my community and church (so much for making the world a better place), and then I have a non-standard manmade test that is kicking my butt. It seems like my foundation is crumbling right in front of my eyes.
I am, was, and will always be a United States Marine, and I am as physically and mentally tough as they come, but this is beginning to be a bit much emotionally. It feels like my wife and I are losing our closeness, I feel so guilty when I tell my babies, daddy has to study I’ll play with you later and later doesn’t come, I feel like the more I think I know something the CCIE proves to me I know nothing. Ladies and gentlemen, this is hard. I have no other way to put it. Just down right hard. The CCIE not tests your technical expertise and your Tiger Woods mental toughness, but it tests your emotions. If we’re being honest with ourselves, let alone each other, how many of us have actually mastered the art of being an emotional expert?
Well to answer my original thought of “Why I Respect CCIE’s”, it is not just because they have proven to be some of the elite in their field, they can not only leap complex problems in a single bound, but most importantly because they have weathered the emotional storm and roller coaster and made it. They didn’t let it get the best of them. Even without digits, they won what to me is the toughest battle that we’re all fighting, the fight for their emotional dignity.
I am off to take a shower, think, pray, and probably like most days recently, cry.
