As someone studying their first CCIE (RS), I sometimes find these kind of 
discussions disheartening. They come up every now and again, and the opinions 
seem vary anywhere between 'a good interview tool' and 'less than worthless'.
It took me a long time to get started in certifications once I began working in 
IT, because I questioned why I needed a piece of paper to prove what I 
knew.After I've started, I realised that following a certification track isn't 
perfect, but it gives (at least to me) the structure to cover areas of 
knowledge that you might not if you were doing 100% on the job training or some 
other methods. It gives you something to aim for, and helps with motivation and 
setting goals.
Does a certification mean that you are an expert? No. Does it mean you are 
devoid of skill? No. All it means is that the person has studied the 
curriculum, and passed the tests.No more, no less.
Now from what I understand of the CCIE lab exam (which I haven't attempted 
yet), it is a practical exam and you need to know your stuff to pass. I'm sure 
people think up ways to cheat and devalue it, that's bound to happen. I've sat 
on both sides of the interview table, and I've had plenty of both certified an 
uncertified people come through that don't know their stuff.I've also had 
plenty of both certified and uncertified people who have been great.
When I see someone who has a certification, and they can follow it up with 
actual skills, it indicates they have a certain level of dedication to 
improving themselves and their education. (In my experience it takes more time 
to study a certification track than to learn just what you need to get a job 
done.)


Just my 2c...

Cheers,Josh

                                          

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