In 2020, I joined Cisco contemporary out of school, which simply so came about to align with the inaugural yr of the Cisco DevNet certification observe. It was once the similar yr Cisco consolidated all of its CCNA certification tracks into one foundational certification. The CCNA was once (and nonetheless is) a part of our on a regular basis language, because of its immense recognition, but it surely was once the all-new DevNet era observe I discovered maximum intriguing.
Cisco DevNet certifications center of attention on integrating community infrastructure with device programs, automation, and programmability. DevNet certification savored each my style in device construction and networking. Little did I do know that match would go away this type of nice mark on my occupation.
Child steps into the DevNet international
On the time they had been introduced, there have been two certification ranges, Affiliate and Skilled, earlier than including the DevNet Skilled certification. I used to be concentrated on passing my DevNet Affiliate certification examination, 200-901 DEVASC, earlier than the top of my internship. Going throughout the blueprint was once overwhelming because of the huge quantity of Cisco applied sciences and the breadth of subjects indexed.
The reputable DevNet Affiliate path got here to my rescue. I went throughout the path two times and handed my examination in June 2020.
It was once certainly euphoric to reach my first reputable Cisco certification, making access into the DevNet Magnificence of 2020… but it surely left me in need of extra!
I hadn’t supposed to forestall with my DevNet Affiliate certification. My objective was once to development additional through acquiring the DevNet Skilled certification, which comes to passing two Skilled-level tests: the DevNet core and a focus examination. I saved the momentum going and began making ready for my DevNet core (350-901 DEVCOR) examination.
The DevNet Affiliate examination uncovered me to the checking out surroundings and the tough nature of the questions, however I used to be smartly mindful that the DEVCOR examination can be a tricky nut to crack and will require extra self-discipline and difficult paintings. Finishing the reputable path, in conjunction with a number of foundational classes on Cisco applied sciences, considerably boosted my self assurance.
I handed my DEVCOR in November 2021 and earned the Cisco Qualified DevNet Specialist – Core certification. Passing the DEVCOR examination marked an important milestone, particularly as it’s required for DevNet Skilled certification and is a prerequisite for the DevNet Skilled certification. (Ahead of taking a Cisco Skilled-level sensible examination, applicants want to cross the core examination in that era observe.)
DevOps: Specialised abilities to Specialist certification
DevNet opens up the automation and programmability nation-states, however wisdom of the underlying Cisco merchandise is basically essential in growing cutting edge answers. When I learned that, my center of attention shifted towards studying the nitty-gritty of Cisco merchandise, gear, and answers.
Because of DevOps’ sheer relevance within the technological international, I selected it as my specialization, taking the 300-910 DEVOPS examination to finish my DevNet Skilled focus requirement. In flip, passing that examination would additionally earn me a Cisco DevNet Specialist certification: the Cisco Qualified DevNet Specialist – DevOps certification.
Given the quick nature of the examination, the room for error was once marginally small. I maintained a scientific learn about plan and adopted 3 key methods:
- Learn the fabric a minimum of two times.
- Educate muscle reminiscence through doing a ton of hands-on workout routines.
- Revise the fabric continuously.
And finally, the long-awaited day arrived.
I sat down for my examination, feeling just a little worried, however I held onto my self-belief. Simply earlier than filing the closing query, I paused for a minute, considering of the way a ways I’ve come on this adventure and what a healthy studying revel in it’s been. I submitted my examination in anticipation and was once left numb after seeing a message pronouncing, “Congratulations…” That unknown way of thinking didn’t permit me to learn the message utterly. I felt immensely relieved to peer the entire exhausting paintings repay, attaining what I had lengthy dreamt of.
Token of Gratitude
They are saying, “If you end up surrounded through 5 clever folks, you turn out to be the 6th.” I’ve been over blessed to be surrounded through now not 5—however 5 hundred—clever folks within the Cisco Finding out & Certifications circle of relatives. I’m immensely thankful for the beef up and studying I’ve won from the leaders and engineers who impressed me to reach those feats.
Suggestions and Assets
After all, that will help you get began for your DevNet studying and certification adventure, listed here are my most sensible suggestions:
Get ready for DevNet Affiliate certification and earn 16 Cisco Proceeding Schooling credit totally free.
Working out Cisco Community Automation Necessities | DEVNAE Finding out Trail on Cisco U.
Increase the automation and community programmability wisdom to start out a occupation as an entry-level community automation engineer.
Join Cisco U. | Sign up for the Cisco Finding out Community.
Practice Cisco Finding out & Certifications
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