CCIE vs Masters

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by umucin2014, Nov 18, 2013.

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  1. umucin2014

    umucin2014 New Member

    I am a CCNP with 6 years experience in network engineering. 13 years in IT.

    I am approaching completion of my bachelor's in computer networking and security at umuc.

    Now I am faced with the decision of going for my CCIE or my masters.

    I want to stay on the technical side of the business. If SANS was accredited, I would strongly consider their cyber security masters program.

    What are your thoughts?
     
  2. instant000

    instant000 Member

    You said that you want to stay on the technical side.

    Less than 50,000 people in the world have EVER attained CCIE.

    In 2009, 260,000 men earned a Masters and 397,000 females earned a Masters degree (in the United States).
    That's according to this table: http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2012/tables/12s0299.xls

    If you want to be more competitive within your field, then CCIE would make more sense. (This is coming from a Masters degree holder who is currently studying for CCIE.)

    If you think this is weird, who would you want to make a technical networking decision:
    the 7-8 years in networking and 14-15 years of overall exp, combined with one of these two:
    (a) CCIE, BSc
    (b) CCNP, MSc

    In my opinion, candidate (a) one is way more impressive.

    Consider that CCIE is 1/50,000 in the WORLD (over 20 years of the program existing)
    While a Masters would be 1/657,000 in the United States (that particular year ... and that's based on 2009 numbers).

    If your field is Networking, CCIE makes way more sense, if you want to be the best.

    I advise you to go to techexams.net, if you're serious about this. (Be careful, there is a variant on the name that is a site of ill-repute. Just make sure you choose techexams.NET)

    Hope this helps.
     
  3. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!

    I agree with instant000, CCIE is more valuable than a Master degree. In information Security, CISSP is also more valuable than a Master degree. CCIE is cheaper, but harder and more practical than theory.
     
  4. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    CCIE without a doubt.
     
  5. Phdtobe

    Phdtobe Well-Known Member

  6. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    They are all IT except #1-
    1. PMP: Project Management Professional - $105,750

    Here is the CCIE which was left off this "report"
    CCIE R&S: Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert Routing & Switching $125,800
    2013 IT Skills and Salary Report
     
  7. RFValve

    RFValve Well-Known Member


    Cisco certifications have better ROI but also have limited life span. They are only good for 3 years while a master's is for life.
    Also, certification's demand change over time. Who cares about a MCSE nowadays? This certification cost me tears and 8 exams but in a matter of 5 years, it lost complete value.
    I got 4 IT certifications and all lost value in less than 10 years.
     
  8. cnarvaez

    cnarvaez New Member

    I have a 15 yrs experience in IT and a CCIE Voice, getting that cert was a good investment in term of career and monetary return. Now I am starting t see more limited growing opportunities in the technical area. So, I am decided of enrolling in a Master degree in IT Management, in that way uplift my chances of having career progression in the next level that would be the management arena, that on top of the technical background that I already have.
    Then I might recommend you: Technical CCIE+Experience and once you adquire enough background and want a move to a management role, then go for the Master degree.
     

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