1. The Journey to Becoming a Cisco CCIE
Andy Wang – CCIE R&S #16623
Antonio Cunanan – CCIE R&S #16621

2. Why did we decide to go for the Cisco CCIE Routing & Switching Certification?
To become better engineers.
Immense challenge—test of mental strength.
Deep sense of personal achievement.
People with CCIEs are considered among the elite network engineers in the world. There are only 17,247 active CCIEs globally.
Possible promotions in the future.
Financial security—there are no poor CCIEs.

3. What did we do to get there?
Antonio Cunanan
Written Preparation
Cisco CCNA: 8 months
Cisco CCNP: 7 months (BSCI and the BCMSN)
CCIE written: 2 months
CCIE lab: 6 months

4. What did we do to get there?
Andy Wang
Cisco Certification Preparation
CCNA: 11 months (when in GCC)
CCNP: 10 months (when in LAN Switching)
CCIE written (twice): 8 months
Previous CCIE lab preparations on my own: lasted for around 3 months each time  ran out of steam!
Final successful CCIE lab preparation with my study buddy, Antonio: 6 months

5. CCIE Lab Preparation Lasted Three Months Monday through Friday
5 hours (7 p.m. to 1 a.m.)
Saturday and Sunday
13 hours (10 a.m. to 12 a.m.)
Annual leave for two weeks before first attempt
about 14 hours a day
Total time = 500+ hours

6. CCIE Lab Preparation Materials Used Documentation on Cisco.com
Need to know back to front! This is the only resource available in the exam!

7. Snapshots of the Journey

8. Snapshots of the Journey
Andrew and Antonio studied together every night
and weekend.

9. Snapshots of the Journey
The power of visualization
Andrew and Antonio wrote the CCIE numbers that they thought and hoped that they would get and posted them on the wall for inspiration.

10. Snapshots of the Journey
Studying through the cold winter months

11. Snapshots of the Journey
We want that CCIE!

12. Snapshots of the Journey
The Team: Antonio and his fiancée with Andrew and his partner

13. Snapshots of the Journey
Success! The celebration begins … and continues still!