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Hello all,

I'm a second line IT support specialist in a permanent job. I'm studying hard for my CCNA which I'm booking to take at the end of next month. I plan to get the exam and go contracting and completely turn my finances around

I've found myself on the slippery slope of credit cards- then taking out oans to clear them and eventually have landed in a situation where my debt repayments are crippling me and will continue to do so for at least another 2 years unless I do something drastic like win the lottery or……… more realistically improve my market worth and increase my income to the point where I'm making what people refer to as 'silly money'

I have to admit it does feel a bit strange being several thousand pounds in debt and browsing ebay and autotrader for convertible sports cars but it's really helping me focus on achieving my goal of becoming a CCNA, other motivational activities I'm using are searching jobsites for the kind of contracts/jobs I will be applying for in a few months time and calculating how much that will mean I will be bringing in, how quickly I will become debt free and most importantly how soon I can afford that car! (still not decided which one yet but I'm enjoying narrowing down the choices). This weekend I'm going to rewrite my CV as though I already had the qualification, as I've read on another post in this forum you should go into the exam knowing that you are already a CCNA- taking the exam is just making it official, that's very true.

I look forward to interacting with you all and wish everyone good luck on whatever exams you're preparing for- see you at Silverstone!!

 

Welcome to the forums Pete.

Be advised though that passing a cert does not automatically open up the doors to big bucks. For you though I hope it does!

 

Thanks for the welcome,

I don't expect to get big bucks immediately from getting the exam, I'm just egging myself on a bit by taking a sneak peek at the life I could be living as a method of self motivation to study hard and not lose the will while it's hot and sunny out there. Part of the course I'm doing emphasises heavily on study methods, motivation and focus.

I don't expect to get networking roles without enough experience either, I have 6 years of IT hardware/software support, a fair amount of patching, cabling and small/home 'business broadband router-firewall' setups but no hands on Cisco. I've never contracted either, I've been permie all the way although I've worked along side enough contractors and performed in my job just as well to make me think 'I could do that' but have been too timid to leave the comfort zone of permanent employment.

It's a big jump and I know I'm ready, I'm prepared to take on the lower paid helpdesk/1st line contracts and hopefully get into some roles where I can get some hands on on the job Cisco experience.

I know the 'silly money' process will be gradual but for the sake of focusing on my study and passing the exam while everyone else is outside drinking beer around a sizzling BBQ I'm keeping my mind focused by dangling carrots in front of my nose.

Now if I could just decide between the MR2 and the S2000.....

Did I mention I have a penchant for japanese cars?

 

Greetings, Pete01. Welcome to CF. Hope we can help you in your pursuits. I don't know that a CCNA all by itself will *ever* make you rich. It's not the easiest exam to pass (though opinions vary) but it is considered "entry level" as far as Cisco certs go. Eventually, if you want to continue a career in administrating Cisco networks, you'll probably want to move forward to a CCNP. There are also a variety of other certs that branch off from the CCNA so you could consider those as well. Whatever you decide, good luck on your career and paying off your debts.

 

Welcome aboard Pete - hope we can help

 

Greetings pete01

 

Welcome Pete. Good luck on your forthcoming CCNA exam. All the best. One day you will have a car and no debts!
Oh, I would go for the MR2 by the way

 

Whats your idea of 'silly money' mate?

 

Compared to what I'm on now I'd call 25-35 p/hour silly.

 

Hiya Pete, good to see you have found us all here @ CertForums!

Just wanted to wish you luck with your CCNA - I'm sure all will go well and the forum and more importantly(!!!) the members, from what I have seen, are really great support during your studies!!

Oh and well done for your positive look towards the future! A great motivation!

Sarah

P.S MR2!!!!