From: Darby Weaver (darbyweaver@yahoo.com)
Date: Thu Apr 26 2007 - 10:49:51 ART
Gregory,
No offense but people yelling at me would not stress
me out.
Stress for me was something like watching a person (a
friend no less) getting a heart massage and dying then
and there on the spot while I had a front row seat.
Stress is responding to a situation and finding a man
caught in between the jaws of a steel string door by
the head and watching the nerves of the body writhe in
pain. Removing the man was no easy feat either. His
head resembled a flattend pancake. He took three days
to die as I recall.
Stress is responding to an emergency and dutifully
going into a stairwell while hearing explosions and
noticing on the wall in front of you - "DANGER -
Munitions - Salt-Water Activated". While you have a
hose and the man behind you is has a sprinkler to
shower you with.
So tell me Gregory, having a bunch of people yell at
you really bother you that badly...
Wouldn't bother me...
Not today, not tomorrow, and not any time next week...
And if the net should go down... Let them watch.
The last time I was in a similar situation, and every
VP and Board Member was running around looking useless
and concerned and tempers were flairing over some
30,000 people standing in the July heat of Florida
during a network outage on the 4th of July...
Tempers were flaring...
My response was simple. It did not concern me one
bit. The fact is no amount of "additional stress" was
gonna get the problem done any sooner.
So I told my Director quite frankly "I do not care if
God were here, this problem would not get resolved any
faster" after he tried to explain the situation in
terms of people waiting, revenue potentially lost, and
execs running around on his coat tails.
And you know I meant it.
There was that time when I suffered a steam burn from
below my pecs to just below my lips and everything in
between was melted and looked like wax. Painful
indeed, but was I stressed, no not really.
Neither the time that I had to watch as my wrist was
slowly slit. Didn't stress me a bit. Didn't hurt as
bad either for that matter. I bled heavily, but I did
survive.
Another one Gregory, I did not get stressed the time I
got stabbed with a coke bottle. Didn't loose my cool
too badly when my leg was broken in a fight once once,
in fact I didn't even show my attackers the slightest
once of care when they wedged my leg on the concrete
and broke it a second time, and you know what when I
got to the hopsital and they pricked my leg below the
knee after using local anethesia, and took a hand
drill and started drilling, I do not recall being too
visibly stressed either. In fact one of the males
nurses, was watching me closely ans asked if I wanted
something to chew on and I declined. The next thing
he asked me was "How can you watch?" and I told him "I
do this kinda thing all the time."
And Gregory, I've never flinched even when at gunpoint
in point blank range. Never.
So tell me exactly, how bad is the stress they make
you feel...
They could not stress me that badly, I was trained
very well for the worse of it. Not in this life or
the next.
Tell me another about stress.
--- Gregory Gombas <ggombas@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hey Darby and gang,
>
> No offense, but I don't think you know what stress
> is...
>
> Have you ever worked for a financial company?
>
> I love it when a herd of managers comes rumbling
> down the hall
> whenever a site goes down and then they would stand
> behind you (not
> helping one bit) screaming until you get it back up.
> Then they look
> for someone's head because they lost millions of
> dollars for the site
> being down for 6 minutes.
>
> And oh yeah you can't even blink at a network device
> until the weekend
> (often wee into the midnight hours).
>
> Unfortunately if you want to make decent money in
> this town financial
> is the only option.
>
> Maybe I should move down south...
>
>
>
>
>
> On 4/25/07, Darby Weaver <darbyweaver@yahoo.com>
> wrote:
> > I'm working my weekends, evenings, wee hours
> beyond
> > midnight sometimes, and did I forget to mention
> > holidays...
> >
> > And I travel a bit as required.
> >
> > What would I be losing exactly?
> >
> > Got the CC*P and a little experience - not as much
> as
> > some here...
> >
> > The biggest network I worked on only had like
> twenty
> > something Cat6009-6513's... and a couple thousand
> > Cisco devices.
> >
> > Most networks I serve now probably have ~100 or so
> > switches, routers, and other devices combined...
> >
> > Hmmm....
> >
> > So...
> >
> > The good thing is I bought my house before the
> prices
> > in Orlando skyrocketed. So it is worth about 2.5
> times
> > what I paid for it and my salary is relatively
> good
> > for the economy in which I live.
> >
> > I do own nicer vehicles (I'm not driving a lambo
> or
> > ferrarri).
> >
> > My benefits, if I actually ever start using all
> them,
> > are great too... actually competitive.
> >
> > Work will always be... well work.
> >
> > However, I live by the saying "If you love what
> you do
> > you'll never work a day in your life..."
> >
> > So for me my hobby is also my job.
> >
> > AS far as stress level, I work hard to enusure I
> am
> > not stressed that much. I do get tired due to a
> lack
> > of sleep at times but that's it.
> >
> > But I will concede salary surveys never seem to
> take
> > that into consideration at all.
> >
> > How many CCIE's truly get the luxury of a 9-5 job
> > anyway? And have a job that is not a little
> stressful?
> >
> > Even our beloved and notable vendors are up
> burning
> > midnight oil mostly every single night. I know
> since
> > we either chat a bit or toss emails.
> >
> > But hey, do not think I'm mad or upset about this
> type
> > of work - I rather enjoy it. It is what I chose
> to do
> > and I like to think I had a few pretty decent
> choices
> > to choose from.
> >
> > So...
> >
> > Ooops - off the soap box - gotta go home and dive
> into
> > my racks - well actually I'll probably just dive
> in
> > from the office.
> >
> > Did I mention I only work 3.1 miles from home
> these
> > days and I have virtually no traffic... and since
> I
> > can see the I-4 Parking Lot from my leisurely
> drive -
> > I actually get a daily reminder of what my drive
> was
> > like for the past 5 years or so before...
> >
> > So... till something better comes along...
> >
> > Later guys
> >
> > Again sorry to bother with another chapter...
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --- "Larry Letterman (lletterm)"
> <lletterm@cisco.com>
> > wrote:
> >
> > > I'll stay in Texas and have my weekends...:)
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Gregory Gombas [mailto:ggombas@gmail.com]
> > > Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2007 3:05 PM
> > > To: Larry Letterman (lletterm)
> > > Cc: CCIE 19999; Scott Thornton; Leigh Harrison;
> Tony
> > > Schaffran;
> > > jslauer@hotmail.com; Darby Weaver; Michael Zuo;
> > > ccielab@groupstudy.com
> > > Subject: Re: OT: CCIE salary surveys
> > >
> > > You guys are missing two critical elements from
> your
> > > calculations:
> > > 1. Stress level
> > > 2. Weekends/Evening work
> > >
> > > Here in the NYC area even with a CCIE if you
> plan on
> > > making 120k you can
> > > kiss your weekends goodbye.
> > > And don't expect to work 9-5 either....
> > >
> > > On 4/25/07, Larry Letterman (lletterm)
> > > <lletterm@cisco.com> wrote:
> > > > An ale or a beer...they have it in the USA
> > > also..without the high cost
> > >
> > > > of London..
> > > >
> > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > From: nobody@groupstudy.com
> > > [mailto:nobody@groupstudy.com] On Behalf
> > > > Of CCIE 19999
> > > > Sent: Tuesday, April 24, 2007 9:54 PM
> > > > To: 'Scott Thornton'; 'Leigh Harrison'
> > > > Cc: 'Tony Schaffran'; jslauer@hotmail.com;
> 'Darby
> > > Weaver'; 'Michael
> > > > Zuo'; ccielab@groupstudy.com
> > > > Subject: RE: OT: CCIE salary surveys
> > > >
> > > > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boddingtons
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > From: nobody@groupstudy.com
> > > [mailto:nobody@groupstudy.com] On Behalf
> > > > Of Scott Thornton
> > > > Sent: Wednesday, 25 April 2007 12:38 PM
> > > > To: Leigh Harrison
> > > > Cc: Tony Schaffran; jslauer@hotmail.com; Darby
> > > Weaver; Michael Zuo;
> > > > ccielab@groupstudy.com
> > > > Subject: Re: OT: CCIE salary surveys
> > > >
> > > > Boddington? Not familiar with that one...
> > > >
> > > > On 4/24/07, Leigh Harrison
> <ccileigh@gmail.com>
> > > wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > You guys are getting done!!
> > > > >
> > > > > Come and work in London $150k+ all the bits
> and
> > > bobs:-
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
>
http://www.cwjobs.co.uk/JobSearch/JobDetails.aspx?JobId=29392149&Keywo
> > > > rd
> > > > s=cc
> > > > ie
> > > > >
> > > > > AND!! There's all the fish and chips you can
> eat
> > > and all the
> > > > > Boddingtons you can drink!!
> > > > >
> > > > > LH
> > > > > #15331
> > > > >
> > > > > Tony Schaffran wrote:
> > > > > > Yes. Not a very high demand for CCIE's in
> the
> > > North Dakota area.
> > > > > > You
> > > > > would
> > > > > > be lucky to fetch $60K
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Tony Schaffran
> > > > > > Network Analyst
> > > > > > CCIE #11071
> > > > > > CCNP, CCNA, CCDA,
> > > > > > NNCDS, NNCSS, CNE, MCSE
> > > > > >
> > > > > > www.cconlinelabs.com
> > > > > > Your #1 choice for online Cisco rack
> rentals.
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > > > From: nobody@groupstudy.com
> > > [mailto:nobody@groupstudy.com] On
> > > > > > Behalf
> > > >
> > > > > > Of jslauer@hotmail.com
> > > > > > Sent: Tuesday, April 24, 2007 3:13 AM
> > > > > > To: Darby Weaver; Michael Zuo;
> > > ccielab@groupstudy.com
> > > > > > Subject: Re: OT: CCIE salary surveys
> > > > > >
> > > > > > your hypothesis is correct in the D.C.
> area,
> > > but that's if you
> > > > > > have a high-level security clearance and
> are
> > > willing to work for a
> > > > contractor.
> > > > > If
> > > > > > you want something stable, then you wont
> make
> > > as much.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Remember, the places where the salaries
> are
> > > high like this have a
> > > > > > very
> > > > > high
> > > > > > cost of living.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Josh
> > > > > >
> > > > > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > > > From: "Darby Weaver"
> <darbyweaver@yahoo.com>
> > > > > > To: "Michael Zuo" <mzuo@ixiacom.com>;
> > > <ccielab@groupstudy.com>
> > > > > > Sent: Tuesday, April 24, 2007 1:13 AM
> > > > > > Subject: Re: OT: CCIE salary surveys
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >> Salary's vary.
> > > > > >>
> > > > > >> I've had friends in the Cali area making
> in
> > > the 60k+ for the CCNA
> > >
> > > > > >> to CCNP level.
> > > > > >>
> > > > > >> I've had class-mates claiming up to 110k
> > > incomes at the CCNP
> > > > > >> level
> > > > > >> - of course they were earning their CCIE
> and
> > > were fast-tracking.
> > > > > >>
> > > > > >> So 120-130k is not unnatural, but I would
> > > venture that seasoned
> > > > > >> CCIE's are doing better in California.
> > > > > >>
> > > > > >> However, I had several counterparts at
> NBC
> > > and GE and I do not
> > > > > >> recall them saying (or the job postings)
> > > looking like they paid a
> > >
> > > > > >> lot more than my Southeastern wages for
> the
> > > same or similar job
> > > > > >> description.
> > > > > >>
> > > > > >> Same for my counterparts at 30 Rock in
> New
> > > York - it seems that
> > > > > >> around 90k or so was the base starting
> point,
> > > followed with nice
> > > > > >> raises and bonuses.
> > > > > >>
> > > > > >> Now maybe for the highest level positions
> but
> > > who is counting.
> > > > > >>
> > > > > >> I'm in Orlando and if one does not mind
> the
> > > travel the ranges I
> > > > > >> am routinely offered are in the 80-120k
> range
> > > > > >> +/- some form of bonus paackage for the
> CCNP
> > > level
> > > > > >> with experience. For the record, I have
> been
> > > asked to consider
> > > > > >> greater than 120k - so this is not out of
> the
> > > question either
> > > > > >> even for a CCNP - I'm sure the position
> would
> > > have easily
> > > > > >> preferred a CCIE.
> > > > > >>
> > > > > >> The travel and near-CCIE level positions
> are
> > > in the 110-120k +
> > > > > >> bonus range here in my neck of the woods,
> but
> > > for all I know the
> > > > > >> rates can get better for full CCIE's. - I
> > > would expect it, some
> > > > > >> of my current peers speak of 135k+ rates,
> but
> > > I have not seen
> > > > > >> this yet
> > > >
> > > > > >> myself - but I am not yet a CCIE either.
> > > > > >>
> > > > > >> I've heard people in the Washington and
> New
> > > York areas are well
> > > > > >> paid for their services.
> > > > > >>
> > > > > >> I've heard that 200k+ in the Washington
> > > D.C./Virgina area are not
> > >
> > > > > >> uncommon.
> > > > > >>
> > > > > >> I guess it comes down to one's ability to
> > > bargain and how one
> > > > > >> present's oneself.
> > > > > >>
> > > > > >> And recall, some positions simply only
> pay
> > > whatever it is the
> > > > > >> company pays for the job role.
> > > > > >>
> > > > > >> I've also heard that pre-sales engineers
> can
> > > do quite well
> > > > > >> especially in education and government
> > > accounts.
> > > > > >>
> > > > > >> Expect that salary survey are very
> general in
> > > nature.
> > > > > >>
> > > > > >> I recall when they used to say I was
> > > underpaid and now it seems
> > > > > >> according to them I am overpaid.
> > > > > >>
> > > > > >> It's strange and it is a statistic.
> > > > > >>
> > > > > >> Best thing to do, is to figure out what
> it
> > > costs you to live,
> > > > > >> throw
> > > >
> > > > > >> in whatever else you need like benefits,
> > > vacation, retirement,
> > > > > >> training, etc. and go for that number +/-
> > > however much you will
> > > > > >> need to be where you need to be
> financially.
> > > > > >>
> > > > > >> Good luck!
> > > > > >>
> > > > > >> Sorry for the long and boring email.
> > > > > >>
> > > > > >>
> > > > > >>
> > > > > >> --- Michael Zuo <mzuo@ixiacom.com> wrote:
> > > > > >>
> > > > > >>
> > > > > >>> Hi Group,
> > > > > >>>
> > > > > >>>
> > > > > >>>
> > > > > >>> I have did a little research online: it
> > > looks like the average
> > > > > >>> salary for CCIE's in California with a
> few
> > > years of experience
> > > > > >>> is around 120 to 130K range according to
> > > various surveys such as
> > >
> > > > > >>> Cert
> > > >
> > > > > >>> Mag. Does anyone know how accurate are
> the
> > > survey numbers from
> > > > > >>> personal experience?
> > > > > >>>
> > > > > >>>
> > > > > >>>
> > > > > >>> I apologize for being off topic, this
> group
> > > seems to be the best
> > >
> > > > > >>> place to ask this question :-)
> > > > > >>>
> > > > > >>>
> > > > > >>>
> > > > > >>>
> > > > > >>>
> > > > > >>> Michael Zuo
> > > > > >>>
> > > > > >>> CCIE #17800
> > > > > >>>
> > > > > >>>
> > > > > >>>
> > > > > >>
> > >
> >
>
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.4 : Tue May 01 2007 - 08:28:38 ART