RE: OT: CCIE != PhD

 Having a PhD from top school in US, working as a professor now and also
CCIEx2, I must say that I disagreee with teh following (I don't have CCAr) >
Associates (2 years) - CCxA *
> Bachelors (4 years) - CCxP *
> Masters (6 years) - CCIE *
> PhD (8+ years) - CCAr
You can say that the intellectual requirement for CCIE is similar to a second
year in university. I would place CCxP and CCxA in Gr12 math or one course in
first year level. However I must admit that the time/stress requirement for
CCIE lab exam is more demanding than Bachelor/Masters/PhD. (the closest
comparison is final exam for bachelor - there is not much time-crunching
stress for graduate level) This is just my first hand experience. You are
welcome to disagree if you have also been through all these. > From:
niedentj_at_hotmail.com
> To: ccielab_at_groupstudy.com
> Subject: OT: CCIE != PhD
> Date: Fri, 2 Mar 2012 20:46:42 -0800
>
> I usually don't speak out about this stuff however I have noticed way too
many people comparing the CCIE to the PhD and quite frankly I find that an
absurd comparison. Anyone who has worked on their Masters and PhD can attest
to the rigor that is required for the PhD as well as the process involved and
final goals. If you look at the CCIE it is a test that encompasses:
>
> - A CISCO specific technology line
> - Each test set has a fixed set of possible exams that are updated and
swapped time to time to avoid cheating
> - Only requires configuration and troubleshooting - again, heavy Cisco
specific focus
> - Graded by a system, confirmed by a human
> - 8 hours to prove that you have absorbed enough knowledge to configure
things the Cisco way
>
>
> The PhD is not this at all, in fact the PhD's main goal is for the student
to learn enough about their area of interest so they can build a thesis, go
out and scientifically research it and then DEFEND it and add to the body of
human knowledge. While we all spend thousands of dollars, hundreds if not
thousands of hours in labs / working and hours weekly responding to GS, with
the CCIE we are not creating anything new for the body of human knowledge. I
don't say this lightly as I know the vendors work hard on their materials
however if you look at two of them side by side you will see many of the same
configurations as that's the way Cisco programmed the IOS parser to handle the
magic.
>
> There are key milestones in the PhD process / journey including:
>
> - Research classes
> - Academic writing classes
> - Colloquia
> - Comps
> - Thesis Research
> - Thesis Dissertation
> - Thesis Defense
>
> Keep in mind that most universities have a 2 times and then out policy -
thus meaning if you fail your comps or defense twice, you are out. You have
just spent 10's of thousands of dollars and years on your thesis and education
and failed.
>
> In comparison, Cisco allows you to take the CCIE over and over and over and
requires no original contribution to the field of
networking/security/voice/SP, etc. This is just to gain revenue and ensure
Cisco skilled workers in IT worldwide.
>
> As I see it, the closest thing to a PhD Cisco has now is the CCAr. While
Cisco's path to making and expanding this program has been rather lengthy and
slow, I do hope that they continue to push it. The Ar cannot be accomplished
by just any testking and requires a defense. In addition it requires an
initial response to questions, similar to comps, and they MUST be acceptable
before moving on to the panel phase.
>
> So here's how I see it:
>
> Associates (2 years) - CCxA *
> Bachelors (4 years) - CCxP *
> Masters (6 years) - CCIE *
> PhD (8+ years) - CCAr
>
> Good luck in your studies!
>
> Travis
>
>
> Blogs and organic groups at http://www.ccie.net
>
> _______________________________________________________________________
> Subscription information may be found at:
> http://www.groupstudy.com/list/CCIELab.html

Blogs and organic groups at http://www.ccie.net
Received on Sat Mar 03 2012 - 06:53:10 ART