Who will enjoy Computer Networking I?
What are you passionate about? What would you do for free, regardless of whether someone paid you? 60% of students nationwide do not pursue careers in their major. So.... the most important question you can ask in the middle of your $200K stay at RPI is, "What do I have a burning desire to do?"
I love to solve complex puzzles; the more complex, the better. I started out solving complex puzzles at Yale where I majored in Philosophical Theology. "What is the meaning of life?" "Why is there suffering in the world?" "Does God exist?"
After a number of years I grew frustrated with these puzzles because they were so complex that it was not clear that there were solutions. I found an outlet for puzzle solving that was more achievable: networking. Networking is all about solving complex puzzles in a hands-on environment. There are few things more satisfying to me than to successfully complete a large demanding network configuration. If you draw a deep satisfaction from solving complex problems, then this is a course/career that you will enjoy.
What is Cisco Academy @RPI?
This course can simply be another course. Many of you are simply looking for a hands-on course to compliment your theory courses, and that is a great reason to take this course. However, Cisco Academy has become a lot more for many students here.
1. I help my students find jobs. Cisco called me this morning (January 13, 2009) indicating that they were specifically interested in hiring from RPI both full time and COOP students. Cisco had 47 offers out to students in the fall. The Career Fair in coming up in several weeks and Cisco, and many other Fortune 500 companies will be here recruiting. Many of the recruiters I know because they have hired my students in the past. Many of the people conducting the interviews are former students of mine. So I am happy to help you get the opportunity for a job. My top students make $80K a year. This fall we hit a new high at $83K.
2. Would you like to publish a book?
Two RPI undergrads wrote these four books with Chris Price and me. One of them will be used in this course. The other three books are used in Net II... and in the 800 top networking academies globally. "Come Change the World" Maybe you want to help me write my next book?
3. Would you like to help with my consulting work for Cisco?
A year ago several students helped me author the new Cisco CCNA Exploration 3 and 4 labs. These labs will be used in 172 countries. Did I mention this already..... "Come Change the World"
4. Do you like to play around with hardware?
We have over a million dollars of networking equipment in Amos Eaton. We frequently need help changing the physical configuration of the lab.
None of this is required in the course. But if you find that you LOVE networking, then why not? Alexander the Great was 21 years old when he lead the armies of Greece against the world. I think we do undergrads a great disservice by not asking you to do great things. If networking is, or becomes your passion, then let's do great things together.
FAQs
Non-Certification, Certification, or CCIE Track?
Non-Certification Track
1. "I just need a break from theory courses."
2. Practical, hands-on networking course.... with no desire to pursue a career as a network engineer.
3. Networking researchers who want to know what is currently being done in industry.
4. Software engineers who plan to write Operating Systems for network devices.
5. Hardware engineers who want to see how the hardware operates.
Certification Track
1. Might(?) want to pursue a career as a network engineer
2. Would like extra credentials for your resume
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http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/le3/learning_career_certifications_and_learning_paths_home.html
CCIE Track
You know you want to pursue a career as a network engineer. You want to be in the top 3% in the world. You are willing to work very hard to obtain your goal. Students who identify themselves in this track will be given extra assignments and meet individually with the Director. Ross Wolfson received his CCIE at RPI when he was 20 years old. He was the youngest CCIE in the world at the time.
How many hours a week does this course take? That depends upon how much you want to get out of it?
6 hours a week - Two, two hour labs per week. Two hours of reading. 30 hours of cramming for mid-term. 30 hours of cramming for the final. Not recommended but do-able.
12 hours a week - Two, two hour lectures per week. Two, two hour labs per week. Four hours of reading. 20 hours cramming for the mid-term. 20 hours cramming for the final. This is the recommended amount of time that you spend on the course.
18 hours a week - Some students become so passionate about networking that it becomes a club for them. They hang out at the labs and become voluntary TAs. They get the most out of the extraordinary amount of networking gear that we have. This option is totally voluntary... but fun :-)
Lab Tour
