Is Going Straight for CCIE After College or for less experienced people a Smart Move?

If you’re a fresher stepping out of college with dreams of becoming a top-tier network engineer, chances are you've come across the prestigious Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) certification. It sounds powerful. It looks shiny on a résumé. And yes, it’s one of the highest-level certifications Cisco offers. But the big question is:

Should you go for CCIE right after college or with just very less experience in the domain?

Honestly... maybe not.

While it sounds like a bold and impressive move on paper, the reality can be a little more complicated — and sometimes even disappointing. Let’s break this down logically.

Why Jumping Straight into CCIE Might Not Be the Right Move

1. Lack of Real-World Experience Hurts Your Case Certifications are great, but experience is better — especially for recruiters. The CCIE is designed for professionals who already have a solid grasp of routing, switching, enterprise networking, and years of hands-on troubleshooting under their belts. If you don’t have that yet, even a CCIE certification might not make you job-ready.

It’s like trying to become a Formula 1 driver when you’ve just learned to ride a bicycle. The gap is too wide. Even if you manage to pass the exam, your lack of practical exposure will become obvious during interviews and on the job.

2. Recruiters Prioritize Skills Over Titles Recruiters don’t just want to see "CCIE" on your resume. They want proof that you can solve real-world networking issues, work with teams, manage devices, and troubleshoot under pressure. They are often more impressed with a candidate who has: - Strong fundamentals (like CCNA or CCNP) - Internship or project experience - Practical lab knowledge - Good communication and troubleshooting ability

3. Certifications Aren’t a Shortcut to Success It’s tempting to believe that a big certification can fast-track your career. And while it can help in the long run, using it as a shortcut to skip foundational learning is risky. Networking is a layered domain — and every layer matters.

A better approach? Build your networking journey step by step.

What Should You Focus On Instead?

In a recent video, I have broken this down as briefly as possible!

What You Should Do Instead Rather than investing ₹2-3 lakhs (Training + Certification) in a CCIE certification as a fresher, start with the CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate). It gives you a robust foundation and makes you job-ready. Pair it with real-time lab practice, maybe some freelancing or internship projects, and start small. From there, you can build up to CCNP and eventually CCIE — but this time with real purpose and confidence.

Start learning Python, CCNA Automation, Ansible, Terraform, CCNP DevNet, PaloAlto, Nexus, ACI, Firewalls, BGP, OSPF, MPLS, QOS and more..

If you're a fresher, or even someone looking to switch to a networking career, we’re opening the next CCNA (200-301) training batch at PyNet Labs starting 26th July 2025(usually 1 batch per month)

Timings: - 1 PM IST / 3:30 AM EST - Live instructor-led classes - Lab access + support + community learning - Beginner-friendly, career-oriented structure

For experienced engineers we also have CCIE Enterprise and CCIE Automation/DevNet Expert batches available.

This course is built to help you build a strong networking foundation and start applying for real jobs right after completing your training. No fluff, no shortcuts — just smart, guided learning.

Final Thought: “Why Not Me?”

Ask yourself this: if you're stuck, not getting interview calls, or unsure where to start, what’s missing? Is it a flashy certification? Or is it clear direction, strong fundamentals, and practical skills?

Don’t let 2025 end with you still wondering: “Why not me?” Let’s connect and get you started on the right path to becoming a successful network engineer.

For more information about the CCNA training program, feel free to contact Mr. Nitish at +91-9773537502 or drop us a message at https://wa.link/gi161y

We’re happy to help guide you, whether you're just beginning or looking to upskill.

Let’s build your career the right way.

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