A Pakastani CCIE
Commentary : Anon
Dear Eman,
As promised, i am sending you my experience that i have faced after doing CCIE. You can publish this article if you like.
It was the last 15 minutes of 8 hours lab, before the proctor announced that all of the work should be saved. I was almost frozen, my back was aching, eyes were closing but my mind was restless. I was still thinking if something is left or needs to be rechecked. Finally the time was over, and I went out of the lab, stressed and tired, with all sorts of confusing questions in my mind, whether I have made any mistake.
After reaching home I took shower and lay on the bed, just because I had no sleep since last 22 hours, but I failed to sleep. Every question and every configuration I did, was roaming in my mind again and again. I finally slept very late that night and then raise the sun of new morning, 22nd May 2009. I opened logged into Cisco, with a feeling; what will I do if I fail?
There was only one answer, I will break from inside. All of the sleepless nights, energy consumed, financial investment and reason for having no social life for over a year were at risk and suddenly the page displayed my CCIE #. I couldn’t believe it; I shouted with jubilation, I was feeling so light that if I can fly. I received countless greetings from friends, family and from people who never know me by this day. That was the most memorable day of my life.
It was the start of June 2009; I started remaking my resume, and started sending it to different companies with hope that I will get a full reward. I got couple of quick responses from small companies in UAE, trying to get me attracted with a package they offer to CCNPs, but fortunately I refused.
Days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months, I kept applying in many channel partners throughout many regions in the world but it all turned out useless. Some were preferring locals, some had visa problems, some were offering very low package and some were only willing to pay for my CCIE number
These days many of the IT professional in my country, pursuing their careers in Cisco certifications, are changing their mind after witnessing what has happened to me and few others after achieving the career heights in Cisco certification. No one wants to hire us, as we are not affordable. We are unwanted working in the same companies, on same positions and even on the same wage. Neither our companies recognize our skills nor do they want to award us on our achievements. We are hardworking and skillful people, but we have become victims of the so called recession. We are open to relocation but there is no rescue launched by Cisco to get us employed in Pakistan or some other region.
It’s been 7 months now, a new year has begun. When I look back to last year, I don’t want to remember anything other than this achievement. I want to forget all the pain and frustration I have faced in last 7 months from friends, relatives, my office colleagues and management. I still believe that hard work always pays off. That’s why I am still searching, still practicing; implementing what I learned in my CCIE to make my companies’ network much better than it was before.
I see my CCIE shield every day which reminds me of what I am. I promise to myself, that I will not accept any offer which will damage the worth of CCIEs in the market, nor will I sell my ID to anyone out in the market. I will not let my CCIE expire and I will go for the next one as soon as I get an opportunity and finance. Doing CCIE was my choice and I will bear with it.