Technology is addicting. Once you get started, it’s hard to stop! Some people simply use that as their reason to pursue multiple CCIE certification. The question is, however, what do multiple CCIEs bring? Why do it?
Having four CCIEs myself and working on my fifth, I’ve often been asked that question. It really isn’t about money. Whether working for a company or as an independent consultant, the market is the market. If a CCIE can bill at $150 an hour in the marketplace, having four CCIE doesn’t mean I can bill at $600 an hour. (Though, that would be nice!)
However, having multiple CCIE certifications does have its benefits. It allows you to work in more areas, which can provide some variety from week to week. Multiple CCIE also increases your chances of finding a contract or job because you have two or three times as many things you can do compared to other candidates.
It’s a way to set yourself apart from others. As I’m sure you’ve all noticed, this is a tough job market—for both contracts and full-time employment. What makes you different from all of the other people bidding on a project or applying for a job? What can you bring to the table?
There are 12,004 active CCIE in the world (plus 1,361 inactive ones). So, once you pass an exam, you’ve become one of those 12,000 jobseekers. On the other hand, if you were to get a second CCIE you would be one out of 541 special people to hold two CCIE titles.
If you were to pass a third CCIE, you would be one of only 81 people in the entire world who have three or more CCIE certification. Only 12 people have four or more CCIE. Only three people have five or more. You see how it works? In a tough economic climate, it’s all about making yourself stand out from the crowd.
In my case, going for more certifications prevents me from becoming bored more than anything. I like variety! And I just love this stuff too much. There should probably be some kind of networkers anonymous group for tech addicts like me. But like I said before, it’s all about being different. How different are you?