Professional Milestones 2018

It has been three months since Cisco Live 2018. I have been remarkably busy between then and now. Work life has been taking its priority and that is good. I am showing great self-improvement and I am continuing towards my goals. I have hit several milestones during this time.

July was a steady month for me. Between the July Fourth Holiday and work I have been focused on studying for my certifications. I spent a majority of my free time reading the Cisco Press Official Certification Guide for CCDA in addition to watching video resources. Cisco has good resources that I used to obtain additional study information.

I found myself continuing study for the CCDA in my free time throughout August. On August 16, I was advised to take a certification exam from The SIP School. A colleague of mine said that I am a knowledgeable individual and I should have no issues with the exam. After some deliberation, I decided to take the exam.

Within an hour, I passed the test on the first try. I successfully passed and obtained the SSCA Sip Certification. The test was hard but not too difficult. I relied on VoIP training I had while going through my Bachelor’s degree. Needless to say, I am proud that I was persuaded to take certification exam and within an hour I passed. This makes my second certification I obtained this year.

The second half of August I spent my spare time working on a cosplay for a convention. I built a cosplay prop with electronics. The prop I made was a talking umbrella. I bought the supplies from Adafruit and did some soldering. It was the first time in a long time that I had to do some fine soldering. Overall the prop and costume came out good and I had a great time at the convention.

In September, I continued to study in my free time. I scheduled the CCDA exam for my birthday and that gave me extra incentive to study.  On the 17^th I went to the exam center and signed in. Within thirty minutes I was completed with the exam. I read each question and answer carefully. Next, I ruled out any of the answers I knew were wrong. From there I reread the question and chose the answer that I felt was right and moved on.

That strategy worked for mean I passed the exam with a higher score than when I took the exam without any preparation. I am proud of myself. The hard work studying in my free time paid off. I have now earned my third certification this year.

This year I have obtained my MEF-CECP certification, SSCA SIP, and the CCDA. I call that a great accomplishment. At this moment I have set my goals on studying and taking the JNCIA-JUNOS exam by the end of the year to become JNCIA Certified. I know I have it in me and I think this will make me more rounded.

In summary, the past 3 months have gone by fast and I have accomplished a lot professionally. I plan on working harder to reach the career goals I have set.  Its not going to be easy, but I acknowledge that I have it in me to do it. As I have mentioned many times in the past, setting goals with a good end date is a great way of pushing yourself in achieving it. When you stumble or hit a road block, continue. Sometimes you need to adjust your plans. However, that is fine. You just need acknowledge it and move on.

I have made many of those adjustments. It is life. Just keep working. Never give up. If you keep that mind set you can achieve your goals. I have kept to this and I know I am doing the best I can. I hope this advice helps those who read this blog.