The Certification Paradox: Why It's Easier to Pass CCNA and Harder to Break Into Network Engineering

The Comment That Started This

I posted on LinkedIn about my certification journey - how it took me three attempts to pass CCNA between 2007 and 2012, and then two tries to pass the ROUTE exam for my CCNP in 2015. Just being honest about the struggle.

Someone responded with a comment that's been stuck in my head:

"Back in 2012, we didn't have the learning resources that we have available now. CBT Nuggets, Network Chuck, Jeremy's IT Lab, Udemy etc. We had Cisco Press and Packet Tracer... I'm currently preparing for the CCNA, but I'm caught in this middle ground where I can't make the leap just yet from Network Support to Network Engineer... Requirements weren't as broad or as in-depth 15-20 years ago as they are today. Certifications can help, but it doesn't guarantee anything."

This comment crystallized something I've been noticing:

The resources to learn networking are better than ever. Passing certifications is more achievable than ever. But breaking into actual network engineering roles is harder than it's been in 25 years.

There's a paradox here that's worth unpacking.

Because if you're stuck in a Network Support role with a CCNA wondering why you can't break into engineering, it's not because you're not working hard enough or because you're not qualified.

The system changed. And nobody's really talking about it.

Let me share what I've seen over 25 years in this industry, what's different now, and what it means for people trying to build networking careers today.

My Journey: When CCNA Actually Opened Doors

A bit of context about my background:

I've been in IT for almost 25 years, always been a network guy. Hyper-focused on Cisco and Cisco certifications especially early on. That focus has been the through-line of my career.

The CCNA Struggle (2007-2012)

First attempt: Failed. Not even close.

Second attempt: Failed. Closer, but still not there.

Third attempt (2012): Passed. Finally.

Five years. Three attempts. One certification.

What I had to work with:

• Cisco Press books (dense, dry, comprehensive)

• Packet Tracer (when it worked)

• Maybe CBT Nuggets if you could afford the subscription

• A few scattered forums

• Trial and error in physical labs when I could get access

That was essentially it.

No YouTube tutorials, no Jeremy's IT Lab, no Network Chuck making networking concepts engaging and accessible. There were rockstars like Keith Barker and David Bomball, and Anthony Sequera, but generally, they were behind paywalls with big video training companies - at the time, we were all broke! No Discord communities where you could get help at 2 AM. No AI tutors to explain concepts differently when the book didn't make sense, and I still have scars about buying refurbished Cisco gear on eBay, only to get it, and it didn’t boot or had a previous config on it, and I couldn’t wipe it.

Learning was harder. Resources were limited. Passing was genuinely difficult.

What Happened After I Passed

Within 6 months of getting my CCNA, I had better job opportunities.

Not amazing opportunities - I wasn't suddenly a senior engineer, but real network engineering work, projects, design exposure, and learning from experienced engineers.

The CCNA was a signal:

"This person is serious about networking. They learned the fundamentals. They can probably handle junior engineering work."

It opened doors.

The CCNP Journey (2015)

When CCNP consisted of three separate exams: ROUTE, SWITCH, and TSHOOT.

SWITCH: Passed first attempt.

TSHOOT: Passed first attempt.

ROUTE: Failed first attempt. Passed the second attempt.

When I got CCNP, the doors didn't just open - they blew wide open.

Opportunities I couldn't have gotten without it. Respect from senior engineers, consideration for roles I wouldn't have been interviewed for.

CCNP meant something significant in 2015.

It meant you understood routing and switching at depth. You could design networks, you could troubleshoot complex issues, you were a legitimate network engineer, not just someone who could configure basic connectivity.

That certification changed my career trajectory.

What's Different Today: The Resource Explosion

Fast forward to 2026.

If I were starting today, preparing for CCNA, my experience would be completely different:

The Learning Resources Available Now

Video Training:

• CBT Nuggets (polished, comprehensive)

• INE.com (I personally use this today for certs)

• Jeremy's IT Lab (free, excellent, focused on CCNA)

• Network Chuck (engaging, makes concepts click)

• Countless YouTube channels

• Udemy courses for $15

Lab Options:

• EVE-NG (full network simulation, free)

• GNS3 (industry standard, free)

• CML Personal (Cisco's official platform, affordable)

• Packet Tracer (much better than the 2007 version)

• Cloud-based labs (no hardware needed)

Community Support:

• Reddit communities (r/ccna, r/networking)

• Discord servers dedicated to CCNA prep

• Study groups

• Active forums - Shoutout to my guy, The Bearded IT Dad, for his IT Career Accelerator Program

• Real-time help available

Study Tools:

• Anki flashcard decks

• Practice exam platforms

• Lab workbooks

• Study plans and roadmaps

• NotebookLM

• AI tutors that can explain concepts differently

The comparison isn't even close.

Someone preparing for CCNA today has resources I couldn't have imagined in 2007.

The Result: More People Passing, Passing Faster

This is genuinely good.

Better resources mean:

• More people can learn networking

• Learning is more accessible

• Passing doesn't require multiple attempts

• People master the material more efficiently

The barrier to entry for networking knowledge has dropped significantly.

Someone can go from zero networking knowledge to passing CCNA in 3-6 months with focused study and these resources.

When I started, that timeline was 1-2 years minimum for most people.

This democratization of knowledge is progress.

But it's created an unintended consequence that's breaking the career path into a networking-only path.

The changing landscape of network engineering education and career paths connects to The Talent Pipeline AI Is Destroying - multiple forces are reshaping how people enter this field.

The Paradox: Easier to Learn, Harder to Break In

Here's the paradox that the LinkedIn comment captured:

2012 (My Experience):

Learning:

• Limited resources

• Genuinely difficult to prepare

• Often required multiple attempts

• Took years to pass

Job Market:

• CCNA was a meaningful differentiator

• Passing CCNA = you're serious about networking

• Could get junior network engineer roles with CCNA + some support experience

• Clear progression: Support → Junior Engineer → Engineer → Senior

Result: Harder to learn, easier to break in

2026 (Today's Reality):

Learning:

• Abundant resources

• Much easier to prepare effectively

• Many pass the first attempt

• Can study and pass in months

Job Market:

• CCNA is baseline expectation

• Everyone has CCNA (or can get it relatively easily)

• Can't get junior engineer roles with just CCNA

• Broken progression: Support roles being eliminated, entry-level roles require years of experience

Result: Easier to learn, harder to break in

This is the certification paradox.

When Everyone Has CCNA, Nobody Has CCNA

The fundamental problem:

When learning resources make certification more accessible, more people get certified. When more people are certified, the certification becomes less of a differentiator.

It's basic supply and demand applied to credentials.

The Job Posting Evolution

2012 job posting:

"Junior Network Engineer"

• Requirements: CCNA, 1-2 years experience in IT/networking

• Responsibilities: Implement configurations, troubleshoot issues, assist senior engineers

• Will train on advanced topics

Typical applicant pool: 20 people, maybe 5 with CCNA

CCNA made you stand out.

2026 job posting:

"Network Engineer" (they don't call it junior anymore)

• Requirements:

  • CCNA required (minimum)

  • CCNP or equivalent preferred

  • 3-5 years hands-on experience

  • Python/Ansible automation experience

  • Cloud networking (AWS/Azure)

  • SD-WAN experience

  • Familiarity with containerization

• Responsibilities: Independent design and implementation, automation, troubleshooting complex issues

Typical applicant pool: 200 people, 150 with CCNA

CCNA doesn't differentiate anyone.

The Inflation Effect

This is credential inflation, exactly like degree inflation:

1970s: High school diploma → middle-class job

1990s: Bachelor's degree → middle-class job

2010s: Bachelor's + internships + skills → middle-class job

2020s: Bachelor's + experience + certifications + demonstrated skills + network → entry to middle-class job

Each generation needs more credentials to reach the same starting point.

For networking:

2005: CCNA → Junior engineer role

2015: CCNA + 2 years support → Junior engineer role

2026: CCNA + CCNP + automation skills + cloud experience + 3-5 years → Engineer role (not even junior)

The bar keeps rising.

Why This Is Happening

It's not malicious. It's market forces:

Supply side:

• Better resources = more people certified

• Online learning = more accessible

• Bootcamps producing CCNA holders

• Career changers entering networking

• More certified applicants per job

Demand side:

• Fewer general "network engineer" jobs

• More specialized roles (cloud, automation, SD-WAN)

• Companies want specialized skills, not just fundamentals

• Outsourcing of general networking work

• AI/automation reducing need for entry-level work

Result:

Employers can ask for more because supply of certified candidates exceeds available positions.

When you have 150 CCNA holders applying for one job, you add more requirements to filter them.

CCNA becomes the minimum to be considered, not the qualification that gets you the job.

The Experience Paradox: Entry-Level Jobs Require Experience

Here's the cruel irony:

Job posting: "Junior Network Engineer"

Requirements: 3-5 years experience

Wait, what?

The Impossible Catch-22

To get network engineering experience, you need a network engineering job.

To get a network engineering job, you need network engineering experience.

How do you break in?

The old answer: Start in Network Support / NOC, learn on the job, transition to engineering after 1-2 years.

The new problem: That path is breaking down.

Why Network Support Doesn't Lead to Network Engineer Anymore

What Network Support used to be:

The good version (2005-2015):

• Exposure to wide range of network issues

• Hands-on troubleshooting with guidance from engineers

• Learning by doing (shadowing engineers, assisting on projects)

• Mentorship from senior engineers on the team

• Natural progression: demonstrate competence → promoted to junior engineer

This was the entry ramp to networking careers.

What Network Support is today:

The reality (2020-2026):

• Highly scripted, following runbooks

• Limited actual troubleshooting (escalate anything complex)

• Outsourced to MSPs or offshore teams

• Being replaced by AI (see: my previous posts on AI destroying the talent pipeline)

• Dead-end role with no progression path

• Remaining support roles are more like call center work than network engineering

The skills you develop in support today don't translate to engineering work.

And employers know this:

"Network Support experience" ≠ "Network Engineering experience"

Even 5 years in support doesn't count as "3-5 years network engineering experience" on job postings.

You're stuck.

The Alternative Paths Have Closed Too

Used to work:

MSP path: Work at managed service provider, get exposure to many environments, transition to enterprise network engineer

Now: MSPs are also automating, outsourcing, and specializing. Entry-level roles there are disappearing too.

Internal transfer: Get hired in IT support, transfer to networking internally

Now: Companies have separate support orgs (often outsourced). Internal transfers are rare.

Contractor path: Contract roles to build experience

Now: Contract roles want experienced people too. They don't take chances on entry-level.

The paths that used to work are narrowing or closing.

The Market Shift: From Generalist to Specialist

There's a deeper market shift happening that's changing what "network engineer" means:

The 2012 Job Market

Typical network engineer role:

• Routing and switching (Cisco, maybe Juniper)

• Some firewall work

• VPN implementation

• General infrastructure troubleshooting

• Design and implementation of enterprise networks

Skills needed:

• Deep understanding of routing protocols

• Switch configuration and VLANs

• WAN technologies

• Basic security concepts

CCNA taught these fundamentals. CCNP demonstrated mastery.

There were lots of these generalist roles.

Every enterprise needed network engineers. Hospitals, universities, manufacturers, retailers, financial services - all had internal network teams doing similar work.

The 2026 Job Market

"Network Engineer" has fragmented into specialties:

Cloud Network Engineer:

• AWS/Azure/GCP networking

• Software-defined networking in cloud

• Hybrid cloud connectivity

• Infrastructure as Code

• Different from traditional networking

Network Automation Engineer:

• Python scripting

• Ansible/Terraform

• CI/CD pipelines for network configs

• Git version control

• More software engineering than traditional networking

SD-WAN Engineer:

• Specific vendor platforms (Viptela, Meraki, VeloCloud)

• Cloud-managed networking

• Application-aware routing

• Different paradigm from traditional WAN

Data Center Network Engineer:

• Spine-leaf architectures

• EVPN-VXLAN

• Overlay networking

• Automation at scale

• Specialized, not general enterprise networking

Security Network Engineer:

• Firewall architecture

• Zero trust networking

• Micro-segmentation

• Security + networking hybrid

Fewer general "network engineer" roles. More specialized positions requiring specific tech stacks.

What This Means for CCNA

CCNA teaches traditional networking fundamentals:

• Routing protocols (OSPF, EIGRP, BGP basics)

• Switching and VLANs

• Traditional WAN technologies

• IPv4/IPv6

• Network services (DHCP, DNS, NAT)

These fundamentals still matter. You need them for any networking specialty.

But CCNA alone doesn't prepare you for:

• Cloud networking (different abstractions)

• Network automation (programming required)

• SD-WAN (vendor-specific, cloud-managed)

• Modern data center (overlay technologies, automation)

CCNA is necessary foundation but not sufficient for specialized roles.

The market shifted from "we need network engineers who know routing and switching" to "we need cloud network engineers who know routing/switching AND AWS networking AND Terraform AND Python."

CCNA became table stakes, not the full qualification.

The Network Support Trap: Stuck in the Middle

This is where the LinkedIn comment hit hardest:

"I'm caught in this middle ground where I can't make the leap just yet from Network Support to Network Engineer."

This is incredibly common and frustrating, and often not about the individual's capability.

The Trap Mechanics

You're in Network Support. You:

• Have your CCNA (or working toward it)

• Understand networking fundamentals

• Want to do actual network engineering work

• Can't get a network engineer job

Why you can't break out:

Reason 1: Support experience doesn't count

Job postings want "network engineering experience." Your support work doesn't qualify, even if you've been troubleshooting network issues for years.

Reason 2: Can't learn engineering skills in support

Support work is:

• Following scripts

• Ticket resolution

• Escalating complex issues

• Customer service

Engineering work is:

• Design decisions

• Implementation planning

• Complex troubleshooting

• Architecture

You can't develop engineering skills in a support role because you're not doing engineering work.

Reason 3: Support roles being eliminated

AI and automation are replacing entry-level support (see my previous post on the talent pipeline crisis). The roles that exist are dead-end positions, not development opportunities.

Reason 4: Hiring managers don't see the connection

"I see you have 3 years in network support and your CCNA. That's great but we need someone with network engineering experience."

But how do I get engineering experience if nobody will hire me for an engineering role?

"Not my problem to solve."

You're trapped.

Why This Trap Didn't Exist Before

2005-2015: The support-to-engineer path worked

Why it worked then:

Network support was real learning:

• You actually troubleshot issues

• Senior engineers mentored you

• You participated in projects

• Learned by osmosis

Internal promotion was common:

• Companies developed talent internally

• Demonstrate competence in support → promoted to junior engineer

• Investment in people development

Market had more entry points:

• More generalist roles

• More willingness to hire potential over experience

• Smaller applicant pools

2020-2026: The path is broken

Why it doesn't work now:

Support is commodified:

• Scripted, not learning-focused

• Outsourced or automated

• No mentorship

• No development path

Companies don't develop talent:

• Hire experienced people externally

• No internal promotion paths

• Support and engineering are separate orgs

Market is specialized:

• Fewer generalist roles

• Higher experience requirements

• Massive applicant pools (can be choosy)

The bridge that used to connect support to engineering has collapsed.

And people are stuck on the wrong side.

It's Not You. It's the System.

If you're stuck in network support with your CCNA wondering what you're doing wrong:

You're not doing anything wrong.

The system changed around you.

What Changed (Summary)

1. Certification became commodified

When everyone has CCNA, CCNA doesn't differentiate anyone.

2. Job requirements inflated

Entry-level roles now require years of experience + multiple skills beyond fundamentals.

3. Traditional entry paths closed

Support → Engineer progression broke down. Support roles being eliminated or outsourced.

4. Market specialized

Fewer generalist roles. More demand for specific tech stacks that CCNA doesn't cover.

5. Experience paradox intensified

Can't get experience without a job, can't get a job without experience, and traditional ways to get experience disappeared.

This Is Harder for Your Generation

I want to be very clear about this:

This is not a "kids today have it easy" situation.

It's the opposite.

Your generation has:

• Better learning resources

• More technical knowledge coming out of school/bootcamps

• More certifications

• Equal or greater work ethic

But you're facing:

• Higher barriers to entry

• Fewer entry-level opportunities

• Broken traditional paths

• Credential inflation requiring more for the same starting point

• Competition from massive applicant pools

It's objectively harder to break into network engineering today than it was 15-20 years ago.

The resources to learn are better. The opportunity to apply that learning is worse.

This isn't failure on your part. It's systemic market shift.

What Actually Works Today: Practical Strategies

Given this reality, what can you actually do?

I can't fix the system but I can share what I'm seeing work for people who successfully break through:

Strategy 1: Build a Portfolio That Demonstrates Capability

The problem: No engineering experience on resume

The solution: Demonstrate engineering capability outside of job experience

What this looks like:

GitHub repository with:

• Network automation scripts (Python, Ansible)

• Infrastructure as Code examples (Terraform)

• Documentation of home lab projects

• Contributions to open-source networking tools

Home lab projects that show:

• Complex topology implementation (not just basic CCNA lab)

• Automation of network tasks

• Integration with cloud platforms

• Real-world problem solving

Blog or documentation showing:

• Technical writing ability

• Deep dives on networking concepts

• Troubleshooting methodologies

• Project walkthroughs

Why this works:

You're showing "I can do the work" even though you haven't done it professionally yet.

Hiring managers looking for potential over experience will notice this.

Strategy 2: Specialize Earlier Than Previous Generations Had To

The problem: Generalist CCNA skills don't match specialized job requirements

The solution: Pick a specialty and go deep

Specialization options:

Cloud networking:

• AWS Certified Advanced Networking

• Azure networking certifications

• Build labs showing cloud network design

• Learn Terraform/CloudFormation

Network automation:

• Learn Python deeply (not just scripts)

• Master Ansible for network automation

• Understand CI/CD concepts

• Contribute to automation projects

Security networking:

• Security+ or similar

• Firewall configuration (Palo Alto, Fortinet, Cisco)

• Zero-trust networking concepts

• Security architecture

SD-WAN:

• Specific vendor training (Viptela/Catalyst, Meraki, VeloCloud)

• Cloud-managed networking

• Application-aware routing

Why this works:

Specialized roles have fewer qualified applicants. CCNA + deep specialty can get you in where CCNA alone can't.

Yes, this is different from the generalist path previous generations took. The market changed.

Strategy 3: Alternative Entry Points

The problem: Traditional support → engineer path is broken

The solution: Find entry points that still work

Paths that can work:

MSPs (Managed Service Providers):

• More willing to hire less experienced people

• Get exposure to diverse environments

• Build experience faster (many clients vs. one internal network)

• Can transition to enterprise after 1-2 years

Yes, MSPs are also changing, but they're still better entry points than enterprise support roles.

Vendor roles:

• TAC (Technical Assistance Center) positions

• Sales engineer roles (pre-sales technical)

• Professional services

• These value certifications more than enterprise hiring does

Contract/consulting:

• Short-term contracts sometimes more willing to take chances

• Build diverse experience quickly

• Can lead to permanent roles

Internal company transfers:

• Get hired in different IT role at company

• Build relationships

• Transfer to networking internally when opportunity arises

• Easier to transfer within company than get hired externally

Cloud operations roles:

• Entry point to cloud networking

• Cloud platforms need networking knowledge

• Can transition from cloud ops to cloud network engineer

Strategy 4: Network the Human Way

The problem: Applying to job postings goes into black hole

The solution: Relationships matter more than applications

What this means:

Local user groups:

• Attend US NUG (usnug.com) or regional groups

• Meet working network engineers

• Learn what's actually happening in the field

• Get referrals (this matters more than you think)

Online communities:

• Participate in Reddit, Discord communities

• Help others, build reputation

• Make connections

• Opportunities come through relationships

Mentorship programs:

• Seek formal or informal mentors

• Learn from their path

• Get guidance on your approach

• Potential job leads

Alumni networks:

• If you went to college/bootcamp, leverage alumni

• People help people from their school

Why this works:

Most jobs are filled through networks, not job postings.

Getting a referral from someone internal gets your resume actually reviewed instead of filtered by ATS.

This feels less meritocratic. But it's reality.

Strategy 5: Consider Geographic Flexibility

The harsh reality from the LinkedIn comment:

"Given how sparse and specialized the job market is here, I'm preparing to launch the next step in my career elsewhere, out of state."

Some markets are much harder than others.

If you're in a small market:

• Fewer network engineering roles

• More competition for available roles

• Limited companies with networking teams

• Harder to break in locally

Larger tech markets:

• More opportunities

• More companies with network teams

• More entry points

• More networking communities

Remote work:

• Some companies hire remote junior engineers

• Expands your market beyond local

• Requires discipline and self-direction

Relocation might be necessary to break in. That's not fair, but it's reality for some markets.

Strategy 6: Bridge Roles Between Support and Engineering

The problem: Direct support → engineer jump is too big

The solution: Find intermediate roles

Bridge positions:

Network Operations (NetOps):

• Between support and engineering

• More hands-on than support

• Less design than engineering

• Can lead to engineering

Junior automation roles:

• Easier entry than pure engineering

• Teaches valuable automation skills

• Can transition to network automation engineer

Implementation specialist:

• Project-based implementation

• Hands-on work

• Builds experience

• Can lead to engineering

These aren't always advertised. Sometimes you negotiate your way into them.

What Experienced Engineers and Managers Can Do

If you're established in your networking career, you have a role to play:

Create Opportunities for Entry

What I'm trying to do as a manager:

Hire for potential, train for skills:

• Not every role needs 5 years experience

• CCNA + hunger to learn + demonstrated initiative can be enough

• Give people their first chance

Create mentorship opportunities:

• Pair junior people with senior engineers

• Actual mentorship, not just proximity

• Develop people deliberately

Build progression paths:

• Support → operations → engineering

• Create stepping stones, not giant leaps

• Promote from within when possible

Value demonstrated capability over resume:

• Look at portfolios and projects

• Care about what they can do, not just what they've done professionally

Be the Person Who Gave You Your First Chance

Someone gave you your first opportunity.

Someone took a chance on you when you didn't have all the experience listed on the job posting.

Be that person for someone else.

The industry needs this.

If everyone only hires experienced people, where does the next generation of experienced people come from?

The Industry Conversation We Need

This isn't just about individuals navigating a tough market.

There are systemic issues that need addressing:

For Certification Bodies (Cisco, etc.)

Questions to consider:

• Are certifications measuring the right things for today's market?

• Should there be experience-based validation, not just knowledge tests?

• How do we differentiate between "passed the exam" and "can do the work"?

• What's the role of certifications when everyone can pass them with better resources?

I don't have answers but these questions matter.

For Employers

Reality check needed:

Your job postings:

• "Entry-level: 3-5 years experience required" is contradictory

• Are your requirements realistic or wish lists?

• Are you creating your own talent shortage with unrealistic expectations?

Your hiring practices:

• If you only hire experienced people, where do experienced people come from?

• Are you investing in talent development or just poaching from competitors?

• Can you create apprenticeship/mentorship programs?

Your organizational structure:

• Did you outsource all support roles and wonder why you have no internal talent pipeline?

• Are you creating progression paths or dead-end positions?

For Educational Institutions

Questions to address:

• Are bootcamps and programs preparing people for actual market needs?

• Is CCNA curriculum sufficient for today's job market?

• Should programs include automation, cloud, specialization from the start?

• How do we create pathways from education to employment?

The Bigger Picture

This is connected to the broader talent pipeline crisis I've written about before:

AI is eliminating entry-level support roles (destroying the traditional path)

Job requirements are inflating (raising barriers to entry)

Certification is commodified (removing differentiators)

Organizations aren't developing talent internally (eliminating progression paths)

The result:

An industry heading toward a talent crisis in 5-10 years when senior engineers retire and there's no one developed to replace them.

Because we made it too hard for the next generation to break in.

The Bottom Line: It's Harder, and That's Not Your Fault

Here's what I want people struggling to break into network engineering to understand:

If you're stuck in network support with your CCNA, unable to get an engineering role, it's not because:

• You're not working hard enough

• You're not smart enough

• Certifications are "easier now" so you're not as qualified

• You chose the wrong career

It's because the system changed:

What made it easier to learn (abundant resources) made credentials less valuable (everyone has them).

What used to be the entry path (support → engineer) broke down (support roles eliminated/outsourced).

What used to be straightforward requirements (CCNA + 1-2 years) became unrealistic demands (CCNA + CCNP + automation + cloud + 3-5 years for "entry-level").

You're navigating a harder path than I did with different barriers.

When I struggled with CCNA:

• Resources were limited (my barrier)

• But the certification opened doors once I passed (my reward)

When you prepare for CCNA:

• Resources are abundant (your advantage)

• But the certification is table stakes, not a door-opener (your barrier)

Different challenges. Yours aren't easier - they're different.

Acknowledgment that this is hard and not your fault.

Practical strategies that can work in today's market.

Call for systemic change from those with power to change it.

If you're trying to break into network engineering right now:

Keep going. You're not failing. The game changed. Adapt your strategy, use the tactics that work today, and know that your struggle is real and valid.

And for those of us established in the field:

We have a responsibility to create opportunities for the next generation. To be the person who gave us our first chance. To fix the broken pathways instead of just complaining about "lack of qualified candidates."

Because if we don't, we're creating the talent crisis we'll be dealing with in 10 years.

And we'll have only ourselves to blame.

📧 Navigating your network engineering career in a challenging market? Subscribe to my monthly newsletter for practical perspectives on career development, breaking into engineering roles, and building skills that matter in today's market. Real talk, no BS. First Tuesday of every month. Sign up here

What's your certification and career journey been like? Are you experiencing this barrier between support and engineering? For experienced engineers: how did you break in, and are you creating opportunities for others? Share your story in the comments or connect with me on LinkedIn - this conversation affects all of us.

Disclaimer:The views and experiences shared in this blog are based on 25 years in the network engineering field and patterns observed across the industry. They do not represent any specific company, educational program, or individual's experience. Career paths and job markets vary significantly by region, specialty, and individual circumstances.