CCNA this weekend!

2011 is already starting off to be a pretty big year.  I'll be a dad in April.  I'm starting a new job in a couple weeks.  I'm starting a bachelor's degree program in March to finally get that monkey off my back.  Lots of big changes, but they're all for the better.

Toward the end of 2010, I started really focusing on my career, and began actually putting the effort into studying for an passing certifications.  A long time ago, I decided I wanted to be a MCSE.  I took one test (70-270 for my client exam), got bored with all the studying and said there was no way I was doing 7 more exams, and decided I didn't care.  I didn't need a cert to verify my knowledge, I thought.

Oh, how finding out you're going to be a father changes your perspective on things.  I knew one thing - I needed to provide for my new family as best I can, and my inability to focus, pursue a goal, and see it through was a major problem.  I had a lot of potential, and I wasn't living up to it.  I was lazy, and that needed to change.

Long story short, from August through November, I managed to become a VMWare Certified Professional and wrap up the MCSA, then pick up Security+ on a whim when I found out CompTIA was going to make it renew every three years cert this year.  I began studying for CCNA in November, and had batted around the idea of doing it between Christmas and New Year's since I was off work, but the holiday break derailed my final round of studying.  So I'm doing it this weekend.

I might be overconfident, but I really am not intimidated by this one - I think I've got a solid background in the subject matter, and I've had some good study materials (thank you Todd Lammle and GNS3).  Everyone says how tough it is, but I've heard that before about MS 70-291, aka "The Beast" and was pretty underwhelmed.  I guess we'll find out on Sunday, eh?







So this blog is going to follow my certification and education adventures.  I'm planning on trying to finish the MCSE in March or April (before the baby gets here is my goal), so we'll see how that goes.