In 2020, I joined Cisco contemporary out of faculty, which simply so occurred to align with the inaugural yr of the Cisco DevNet certification monitor. It was the identical yr Cisco consolidated all of its CCNA certification tracks into one foundational certification. The CCNA was (and nonetheless is) a part of our on a regular basis language, because of its immense reputation, nevertheless it was the all-new DevNet expertise monitor I discovered most intriguing.

Cisco DevNet certifications give attention to integrating community infrastructure with software program purposes, automation, and programmability. DevNet certification savored each my style in software program improvement and networking. Little did I do know that occasion would go away such an ideal mark on my profession.

Child steps into the DevNet world

On the time they have been introduced, there have been two certification ranges, Affiliate and Skilled, earlier than including the DevNet Knowledgeable certification. I used to be focusing on passing my DevNet Affiliate certification examination, 200-901 DEVASC, earlier than the tip of my internship. Going by the blueprint was overwhelming because of the huge quantity of Cisco applied sciences and the breadth of subjects listed.

The official DevNet Affiliate course got here to my rescue. I went by the course twice and handed my examination in June 2020.

It was certainly euphoric to attain my first official Cisco certification, making entry into the DevNet Class of 2020… nevertheless it left me wanting extra!

I hadn’t meant to cease with my DevNet Affiliate certification. My purpose was to progress additional by acquiring the DevNet Skilled certification, which entails passing two Skilled-level exams: 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 testing atmosphere and the difficult nature of the questions, however I used to be nicely conscious that the DEVCOR examination could be a troublesome nut to crack and would require extra self-discipline and laborious work. Finishing the official course, together with a number of foundational programs on Cisco applied sciences, considerably boosted my confidence.

I handed my DEVCOR in November 2021 and earned the Cisco Licensed DevNet Specialist – Core certification. Passing the DEVCOR examination marked a major milestone, particularly as a result of it’s required for DevNet Skilled certification and is a prerequisite for the DevNet Knowledgeable certification. (Earlier than taking a Cisco Knowledgeable-level sensible examination, candidates must cross the core examination in that expertise monitor.)

DevOps: Specialised abilities to Specialist certification

DevNet opens up the automation and programmability realms, however data of the underlying Cisco merchandise is essentially essential in creating progressive options. As soon as I noticed that, my focus shifted towards studying the nitty-gritty of Cisco merchandise, instruments, and options.

As a result of DevOps’ sheer relevance within the technological world, 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 Licensed DevNet Specialist – DevOps certification.

Given the quick nature of the examination, the room for error was marginally small. I maintained a scientific examine plan and adopted three key methods:

1. Learn the fabric not less than twice.
2. Practice muscle reminiscence by doing a ton of hands-on workout routines.
3. Revise the fabric repeatedly.

And eventually, the long-awaited day arrived.

I sat down for my examination, feeling a bit nervous, however I held onto my self-belief. Simply earlier than submitting the final query, I paused for a minute, considering of how far I’ve come on this journey and what a healthful studying expertise it has been. I submitted my examination in anticipation and was left numb after seeing a message saying, “Congratulations…” That unknown frame of mind didn’t enable me to learn the message fully. I felt immensely relieved to see all of the laborious work repay, reaching what I had lengthy dreamt of.

Token of Gratitude

They are saying, “When you find yourself surrounded by 5 clever folks, you turn out to be the sixth.” I’ve been over blessed to be surrounded by not 5—however 5 hundred—clever folks within the Cisco Studying & Certifications household. I’m immensely grateful for the assist and studying I’ve obtained from the leaders and engineers who impressed me to attain these feats.

Lastly, that will help you began in your DevNet studying and certification journey, listed here are my prime suggestions:

Put together for DevNet Affiliate certification and earn 16 Cisco Persevering with Schooling credit at no cost.

Understanding Cisco Community Automation Necessities | DEVNAE Studying Path on Cisco U.

Develop the automation and community programmability data to start a profession as an entry-level community automation engineer.

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