Original subtitles

>> I started training for CBT Nuggets in 2003.

As I looked back, I go, "Wow, it's a lot of years.

It's a decade of my life."

And yet, it doesn't feel that way.

It's going so fast and I feel just the same as I did back then.

So I guess it's just it's time goes faster and faster, right?

So, over the years, I get a lot of questions, you know, in the Cisco world like, you know,

how do I-- of course, you know, how do I configure something and something

but one of the common questions I get is well, how do I get started in the world of Cisco?

How do I get a job in the world of Cisco?

How do I get started in the field of technology meaning that all these kind of things,

and I put together a lot of-- I guess I could call them canned answers.

I mean they're like thoughts in my mind if this is, you know,

this is the best advice I could give you but then, I've had a number of people

that say, "Well, how did you get started?"

And I think well, it's nothing like my canned answers.

It's nothing like the best advice I can give.

I just kind of, how did I get here?

I don't know.

So I thought what I would do is put together a nugget that is my journey

into the Cisco certification world.

And it's a little weird to do, it's almost like Jeremy raw, and you know, it's like--

it's kind of weird to do a nugget like this because it's--

I don't usually like getting into the personal side of things but it's

like to do something like this I had to.

It would be weird to just say, "Oh, there are I am in Cisco without giving you any background."

So let me draw a line on this chart-- right there.

Y2K. Year 2000 is when I got into Cisco.

Before then, let me give you the flyby of Jeremy before that world.

Technology has always been an interest to me.

From the minute my dad brought home a Timex Sinclair computer from a conference.

He got it free for going to this conference.

So like, "Oh, here's a free computer."

I mean you actually hook up a cassette tape player like an audio cassette

and that was how you played your programs to this.

And so, he was interested in computers and he ended up buying a Commodore Amiga 1000

which was-- you know, that computer is way out of it's time.

So he got into this world of BBSs with,

I think he start with a 1200 baud modem and I just watched him.

He's my dad.

I'm not trying to figure out what he's doing and I'm watching like this is pretty cool.

You dial up, you know, all these people.

It's like a thing of BBSs, bulletin board system is the internet before there was one.

And so, he was dialing up all these different places and trading files and leaving messages,

and I'm like, "Oh, this is great."

So, I as his son get into that, I'm dialing up and my dream was to run my own.

So eventually my parents both me a 9600 baud practical peripherals external LCD display,

it was crazy.

It's one of the most amazing purchases ever modem.

And they got me a phone line and there I was, you know, receiving calls.

I run my own BBS.

So I always had this technology bent.

And so when I looked for a job, I naturally gravitated to technology.

And so, I guess before I even made this chart, I was at department stores selling computers.

Thinking I knew a lot more than I did, but who could tell me different back then.

You know, I was ignorant.

And the-- and so, I'm selling computers eventually landed a company called MicroH.

And MicroH, they were actually contracted by Apple and Compaq.

You know, at Compaq is no more, they're gone.

Apple, I mean, you guys know who Apple is, but I think of Apple

as like these mountains of technology, you know.

They used to be massive.

It's like, you know, every school that you went to, Apple computer is everywhere, every job,

and you know, Apple was the computer.

And then, you know, somewhere, I don't know why or how, but they just went down hill quick.

I mean to the point of like nobody wants an Apple and all that.

So, right here, you know, that's where the iPad came out and kind

of resurrected the company and all that saga.

So I was right here, right in the middle of that mountain and my job initially,

there was a take a credit cared numbers.

When Apple was one of the first companies that charge for tech support, so people would call

and I was the guy who said, "Well, before you can speak to a technician,

let me get your credit card number."

So I got yelled at a lot.

And while people are yelling, I was looking at the Apple computer and trying to figure it out

and playing with them like I can do this.

And they have all this training manuals at MicroH that I could use to learn.

And so before long, they promoted me out of credit card into real tech support.

And so I began were a lot of you began which is on the phone.

So you know, taking tech support calls, telling people to reimage their computers ahead,

you know, no business reimaging their computer.

I just didn't know the answer.

So anyway, all the side notes beside.

At the same time, I'm going to college for a computer science degree.

Why? Because that's all anybody told me.

Every time I talk to a counselor at the college campus, I talked to anybody, and there like,

"Oh well, if you want to do anything real in the technology world, you got to be a programmer."

And oh, my word, if I would have only known, you know, there was other field,

and I know a lot of people out there just don't know that there are other things

than computer programming because I hated it.

I would go to the classes, I had no relevance for it, you know, okay,

this and if then, while, loop, huh, why?

Okay. Variable X, why-- like it just-- I didn't see the point.

There was no real world application.

This was before there are really was a common internet that everybody connected to.

So I'm just like okay, why would I want to do it?

Like it just didn't make sense, I didn't care about it.

The-- so I didn't well at it.

So, three years into the degree, finals week began a series of misfortunate events in my life

to where I was in a motorcycle accident.

Followed by a high speed car accident, the month following.

So essentially, left me brain damaged and I laughed, but I seriously and unable

to complete the computer science degree.

So after three years I stopped, and after much rehab and miracles, et cetera in my life,

I ended back at MicroH now working on an assembly line.

Building computers and that was one of the things is we would build them.

We would put windows and T on them.

Ship them off to a company.

So the company would just have to unbox them and it would be ready for their system.

And so, I show up to work one day and some goes, "Oh, Jeremy, you're supposed to be in class."

And I go, "Oh, where?"

They go across the street.

Okay. So I run across the street and there I walk into my first MCSC class.

Now looking back wasn't supposed to be there, it was actually the schedule

that my department but not me that should go there.

And there was actually two classes along in the track.

So it's way above my head, but I'm sitting there in this class watching this instructor

who is talking about users, and groups, and global, and local, and domains.

And I'm like, "Oh, my word."

I'd never even knew this side of the technology field existed.

Like this is interesting to me.

It was over my head, but boy, was it interesting.

And I was just like men, and I realized as I'm sitting or watching this guy rustle

and dazzle me with domains and trust and all those stuff that Microsoft had.

I'm sitting there and the chair just going "I bet, I bet that guy never forgets."

I bet he never forgets all the stuff he's talking but he's talking about all the time.

And so, you know, it's like, sneak peak into Jeremy's motivation to get into teaching.

I didn't want to forget.

You know, I really didn't have much--

like previous experience or anything like that was just I bet you he doesn't forget anything.

So I get back and then like I can't believe you didn't tell us.

You weren't supposed to be at that class and we're never sending you

to anther class, and it was just not good.

And I didn't know.

I did just said, "Go to class."

So, no more funding for the company to take classes so I started buying them myself.

I said, "Well, this is so interesting.

I want to start going into these classes."

So I've start buying these classes.

And so, I'm going to the training company one day.

And now, you're wondering how or how-- I'm getting there.

This is-- you just want that the raw Jeremy of how I got

into technology 'cause I will tell you, I've heard more stories

that are just whacked out like this.

This is how it happened.

I walked into the training company to take a certification exam.

I still remember, it was the 688 exam Microsoft TCPIP.

I had no idea about submitting and all that back then but I was ready for the test.

And so, I was waiting for the test to begin, you know, waiting for the test.

And I talked to the receptionist, and I said,

what does it take to get a job teaching at a company like this?

And the receptionist like then she goes, "Oh, you know what?

We're actually looking for trainers.

And she said, "Let me call the manager."

And I'm like-- you know, I'm like backing out.

And so, she calls the manager.

Manager comes in and he goes "Oh so I hear you want to be a trainer?"

And I said, "Well, I was just curious, what does it take?

I mean, how do you"-- and he goes, "I tell you what.

I tell you what.

You pass this exam" because by then my seat had freed up and I was going in for the exam,

he goes, "You pass this exam, you're hired."

I'm not kidding.

So I'm like, "Huh?

What?" and I can feel some of the back details.

So I go in to take this test, shaking, not only because the normal testers,

but this is like a job interview.

I'm going to take this test and I pass, and I come out, and he goes "Well, you're hired."

And so, now, let me fill in some of the back details.

You're like, "This is crazy."

It is. I found later that this company does this all time.

They hire anybody and they throw them in front of a room, and if the person survives

and does well great, otherwise, you're fired.

That's pretty much the game.

So he goes well, you're first class is going to be in a couple of weeks.

You're going to be teaching US West technicians about this up

and coming technologies called DSL, and how to install in network card, and he said, "Well,

here's the book that we've created to do this."

So go and study that you're be ready to teach.

So I'm like oh my words.

So I'm thinking, okay, I got to prepare and all this [inaudible].

So, you know, I end up in front

of a room sweating not ever doing really any public speaking before.

Looking at the second hand on the clock as the people are going through their introductions

and saying to myself, if the minute hand reaches the ten, you know, I had this mark

and I still feel this way, I am walking out of this room

and I never stepping foot in the classroom again.

So, long story, short, someone ask me a question and another person ask me a question,

and it was literally questions, it's how I taught my first class.

Teaching these US West technicians, and thus, there I was.

So, I left US West technician support and start teaching Microsoft and then move into Novell

And then fill in, you know, this is blah, blah, blah, you know, years in the Microsoft world,

you know, got into consulting, moved between various training companies.

All these kind of stuffs Y2K, I'm Microsoft certified system engineer for Windows NT

in 2000, and certified Novell engineer for NetWare 4

and NetWare 5 and I want to try something new.

So, I talked to a company called KnowledgeNet who contacted me.

They're looking for trainers for this new eLearning concept and KnowledgeNet is no more.

But back then, it was like if you had a .Com in your name like millions of dollars,

and their like hey, you hire on for us, we'll give you tons of stock options.

You'll be reached and all that.

Tat didn't work.

But I say, "Well, I tell you want.

If I'm going to come teach, I really want to get into the world of Cisco."

So they said "Great, come on, come on over."

And so I came over and they say, "Okay,

you're going to start setting Cisco," get your CCIE exam.

So I'm studying CCIE.

Back then, you know, in the year 2000, the CCNA was nothing,

I mean it was just a series of multiple choice questions.

It was one exam, it wasn't two.

And I was good at reading books and be able to recite information.

That was a talent of mine.

And so, I was able to pass the exam within a month of hiring

at KnowledgeNet and knew nothing.

I could pass the exam but really if you ask me to configure device from scratch, I'll be like.

I can change the host name, you know, it was very, very sketchy.

And so, the month after, they go, "Okay, you got your CCNA.

Why don't you get your CCNP?"

So I got the entire CCNP in a month.

And now, that-- when I tell people that, they're like, "Man, you're so smart."

No, I'm not.

Its-- back then, you could have done it too.

If you were paid study, if you were given 40 hours a week to study and you have the caliber

of exam-- I guarantee, you'll be just fine passing those exams.

So, so the month after that, you know, they're ramping up.

I'm starting to teach a few classes but they go, "Okay.

Well, we've got some extra funds."

This was before the crash of the .Com companies.

And they said, "We have some extra funds.

Why don't you go take your CCIE?"

And so me thinking, you know, the CCIE is just like all the rest.

I said, "Okay, sure.

Well, okay."

And then, they're like,"Okay, we'll get your plane ticket."

And I was like, huh, plane tickets?

That's-- you can see my underline, absolute failure.

I was okay.

Well, I think-- okay.

There's a qualification exam.

I passed the qualification exam.

Again, multiple choice, you know, read the book, pass the exam.

End up sitting in San Jose.

Walking into my first CCIE exam, looking at the rack of equipment

and going "Wow" I've never seen one of those before.

That's a first on [inaudible], you're not meant to be there.

And just open the book, you know, they're like.

Okay. Begin, click, click, you know, the timer is started and I open the book

and I'm just like and this is I am no way.

And so, it was literally eight hours of just playing

around on Cisco devices I've never touch before.

You know, of course, flying out, I'm having the whole time like maybe I passed,

maybe somehow I script by, man, you know, get home, dismal failure.

So I take a year of life and all this time, I'm starting to get into the Cisco world,

teaching all the CCNA and CNNP classes and really, I mean really getting it out now.

I'm really starting to understand and filling a lot of the gaps by doing it,

by having to create scenarios, you know, build.

Starting to consult a little bit for people that are standing up networks and really,

I mean really starting to get it.

So I've got a year of teaching, studying, consulting between attempt one and two.

So I scheduled the exam the second time.

Fly out to Cisco, take the exam, just feel awesome going through it.

I'm like okay, I've got it.

It makes sense.

Okay. Got it.

Okay. Great.

Finish the exam early.

I finish the CCIE, you know, probably about half an hour early, you know.

And then I'm looking, I'm like okay, well now is my chance to go

through and I guess test some things.

And I'm feeling good.

So I get out the exam.

I'm calling family and friends.

I'm like "Oh, thank you so much."

I know I passed, you know, obviously, I don't know until I get home.

And they post my school reports.

So, it's one of those nights and [inaudible] I'll always remember I woke up literally at four

in the morning-- the next morning just staring at the ceiling and I was like I wonder

if they have my score report posted.

So I came in to the office and pull up the school report online,

and the CCIE in all its confidential ways doesn't tell you a thing.

I just logged in social security, I mean, you failed.

I'm like, what?

You know, F5, F5, you know, by then my wife has snuck in behind me

and she's like "What are you doing up?"

And I say, "I totally failed."

I don't understand and that's why I'm saying I'm confused.

I still to this day I'm like I don't get it.

I don't understand.

And so, I'm like, you know, F5, refresh.

I'm trying to understand why and I'm like this.

There has to be a mistake.

And so, I called Cisco the next day and I'm like, I know there has to be-- I know I passed.

And they say, "Well, I tell you what."

There-- I can't even remember how much it was but they're like.

It's like something like 200 dollars.

Like tell you want, we will regrade your exam by hand for an extra 200 dollars.

I'm like, done.

As I put the credit card number on the line, graded by hand.

They comeback an hour later and they're like "I'm sorry, you still fail

but your score went up by like 20 points."

I'm like "What?"

You know, by then I'm like conspiracy, they are just after my money.

And then, you know, oh men, it was a bad time of my life.

I'm like, you know, I said, "Forget Cisco, I'm done with this, you know."

Okay. So after all, that settles down.

I'm like, okay, I did not spend a year of my life studying this,

trying to get this, just to give up now.

I was like I don't know why I didn't pass.

This has been miserable but I've got to try it again.

So, a month later literally with no studying at all, I did, I think some practice exams,

you know, like practice labs, but really, no real studying,

a month later I go, take the exam.

This time it's very wise not to call anybody until you know you pass.

And I get out and same feeling, I still feel good but I don't call anybody.

I fly home and by time I had flown home back to Arizona, I logged in

and they are like success, you pass.

You've got your CCIE.

And you know, there is-- I can't even tell you the feeling, I mean,

people are like, oh men, were you thrilled?

No, I was just exhausted.

I was-- it was like-- it was like running a marathon and you reached the end.

You're like I am done [inaudible] and you just hit the ground.

You're like, you're happy, you finish, you know that you're going to be talking about this

in a couple of weeks, but men, right now, you're just hurt.

And so that was the success of CCIE.

So, and I shouldn't say, you know, between attempt two and attempt three, in that month,

it's looks like more than a month because of the spread, but nonetheless,

I'm beginning teaching-- writing books.

So Pearson who's a big giant publishing company got my name

from actually a book I had created years ago.

Microsoft ISA Server 2000, I wrote that back in 1998.

And so, they got my name from there and I start--

at that point, I started writing some exam cram books.

And Pearson being the giant company that they are, does exam cram, they do Cisco press,

I mean there's a lot of publishing [inaudible].

So that's where I started-- I started writing books.

Again, all of this-- so, you know, as I'm trying to put all these pieces together actual hand.

I don't want to go there yet.

Let me put that thought at the end.

Let me finish this journey.

So, I began writing books, started after CCIE, you know,

started getting into the other technologies like voice and security.

Back then it was called the CCVP and CCSP certifications.

I got into those but there is just a huge demand and still is for voice over IP.

So that's where I start getting a specialized and renewed my CCIE certification

by passing the CCIE voice written.

Now, this-- I have-- I've had people out there like I heard you're like a nine times CCIE.

I only have my CCIE currently today in routing switching.

People ask me all the time if I'm going to get another CCIE in voice

or security and I would say, "Maybe, maybe.

If I really see a need for it, maybe."

But I mean back-- I mean this point right here was I'm married.

No kids. Now I have four children and more to come.

So it's like when I started thinking about a CCIM like wow, I can't just go in my closet

for hours, and hours, and hours at the time to study.

It would be much more difficult.

So I really have to see a need for that but, you know, I have enough in voice and security

that I'm like, I feel totally comfortable.

And when you get one CCIE, I mean you really--

I would say the biggest thing the CCIE gives you is a lot of confidence.

I mean you really feel like not only do I have a good understanding

of whatever topic I've got my CCIE in, but you lose the fear of new stuff.

You're kind of like, I've gone into so many new things now that I know I can figure it out.

And I just need some time, and I need to, you know, play around with it.

So, around 2004, I got into Cisco consulting and that was

where I went full-time Cisco consulting.

I mean that was what I did and just got, you know what, I still don't get this.

My brother is our big gamers and they used to be--

I don't know if this phrase is still around but down the shooter games.

They're like, "Oh, men, you got poned," you know, and I was like, what's that mean?

That's not even a real word.

And they're like that means you got, you know, destroyed, like they own you,

like why don't you just say you got owned but nonetheless [inaudible].

So I got into Cisco consulting and got poned into where, you know, I--

that's where I was like, oh men, you know what?

Just understanding the configuration of things is not all you need.

You need to understand things like notification and outage windows and, oh yeah,

don't type that during the business day.

And I mean, just-- the amount of ignorant mistakes I made in 2004 is absurd.

So, wow, you know, talking about having a real world drop in the pond at that point.

So I started blog at the same time, 2004, called CiscoBlog.

And I don't know why I put that u, it's just I get a fun story now,

but run that for four years, I think in 2008 or '09.

Cisco contacted me and said, "You can't use that domain name anymore."

And I said, "Why not?"

You know, because by then it's actually it was in the tens of thousand, actually,

hundreds of thousands of hits every week just a lot and I had this little Google ads

and those things can make some money.

And I was actually making a descent income off of CiscoBlog and I'm like just off that,

you know, people that click the ads.

And I was like well you can't take that away.

And they go actually, did you know

in the certification agreement, you know, like clause B 59A6.

They're like you cannot use any Cisco trademark without authorization

or else we'll strip all your certifications from you.

And I said, oh, so if I keep using CiscoBlog, you're going take all my certifications?

And they're like, yes.

And I was well, there's the end of that.

So, I posted on the website, I said, you know, well, you know, it's been fun.

Thanks, and Cisco is taking the site from me, but you know, thanks.

I didn't say anything derogatory but men, the flurry that I cost and I ended up going

on for Cisco's Facebook page like I can believe you guys are doing it.

And so now, Cisco legal contacted me initially

but then Cisco customer relations contacted me later that, oh what can we do?

And I was like, I don't know.

How about let me keep CiscoBlog.com?

And they're like, well we can't do-- I mean, again, let me boil the long story short.

I found out later that I guess there was some other company that was using Cisco

in their name selling illegal or kind of like third like knock off Cisco equipment.

Like, you know, RAM that was not authorized but they had Cisco

in the names so it looks like Cisco.

So they got busted, and they said, "Well, wait a sec, that guy is doing it at CiscoBlog.com.

So, I was kind like shrapnel.

Like CiscoBlog died because of the explosive of shrapnel

on whatever website got nailed originally by Cisco for doing all kinds of fragile and stuff.

But nonetheless, I got a free t-shirt and now my blog is called tekcert, T-E-K-C-E-R-T dot com.

And I do that with another guy named Adam who's just a great guy.

So it's kind of like-- and there it is.

What's next?

I don't know.

I started a company three years ago called SchoolDesk and simply EasyIT that it's kind

of like it does IT outsourcing and things like that.

And so, where do I go?

I love training.

I know I'm always going to do it and I just--

whatever interesting technology is there, that's where I'll go.

But the future is always so fuzzy.

So it's hard for me to even fathom that, but let me go back to a point

that I was going to make just a few minutes ago.

And that is, what can you take away from this?

I've laid my life of technology out before you.

What can you grab from it?

One thing that I've seen is that when you are in a position,

there is no replacing just a genuine joy, enthusiasm,

passion for what you're doing and it's contagious.

And people will realize, wow, you're really here for something more than just a paycheck.

I mean, now, if someone were to go come here and be like, you know,

down to this old Jeremy doing tech support and say, Jeremy would you do this for free?

I would laugh.

I would say no.

What are you thinking?

You're crazy.

Absolutely no.

Why would I do that?

Because back then, it was just the paycheck.

I was going and [inaudible] doing tech support and I don't really care so much.

I just had to show up at this time and left at this time.

But now if somebody ask me, they would say, would you do this for me?

I mean, it's a loaded question but kind of, I do it right now.

I mean, I come home, there's weekends where I'm like, you know what?

I just want to reVLAN my house.

So I want to move my IT room over there because that'd be cool.

You know, it's like this-- I want to setup a new little NAS drive and put all my stuff in there

and replicate that to-- I mean, it's just, it's really interesting.

It's intriguing to me.

And so, when you have that interest and when you're really excited about it,

you'll be in a meeting and, you know, they'll be like, well, you know,

what do you think about that-- I mean even if you're not in a technology related job, you can,

you know, come to the management and you'll be like, hey, I've got some ideas for the website.

I think, you know, da, da, da, da or you know, how you go routing--

maybe we could setup like a redundant internet connection.

Do you think that'll be good?

I mean, if you're really excited and you're really enthusiastic about it,

and you're-- I mean, they may shoot you down.

They maybe like absolutely not.

That's crazy but they'll at least get the fact that man,

this guy really-- he's really interested in this.

He's really excited about it.

I wonder, you know, he's here for a little bit more and that will carry you a long way.

Now obviously, if it's a genuine, it's like-- well, I was thinking, you know,

trying to get shown up on the radar and things like that, but anyway.

So, second thing.

In my career, I think almost every job I've had has come from some relationship I've had,

you know, maybe the first couple was from a newspaper ad, but after that it was like,

I know a guy who knows a guy, who said, you know, such and such and such.

So, never undervalue relationships and the doors that they can open.

I mean it's not like you're in relationships to open doors, but wow, you know,

as you gain relationships in your career with coworkers,

with management, with things like that.

I mean, a lot of times you will see, you know, a manager leaves and goes to another company,

and he's like "Hey, you know, come over, you know,

this is great, and those doors are now open."

So, huge thing there.

Finally, I have seen a lot of doors open for people through internships.

So where they come to a company and they're like, you know what?

I don't have anything going on right now, but I tell you what, I will absolutely come here,

you know, maybe it's after hours, maybe it's from one to four on Tuesdays, Thursdays,

maybe when it's whenever, and I just want to work for free, you know.

I will recable something.

I'll go install some equipment, you know, I'll do some grant work, whatever.

I just want to gain some experience and gain a reference,

you know, and if you do a really good job.

If you actually show up when you say you're going to show up and doing a great job, I mean,

you walk away, I would say, at least with a name and number to where you go to another place.

And they're like, oh yeah, that guy is awesome.

You'd be crazy, I would say at best.

I've seen so many times where somebody interns at a company.

They're like, hey, I'm just here to volunteer and I'll just help out in the evenings

and weekends, and stuff like that.

And before long, that company is like wow, that person has become

so valuable, like we can't lose them.

We've got to hire them and again doors open that were not previously--

I've seen people intern on weekends for a year.

They're like, "They would have their normal job day to day."

I'm telling you one guy in particular and he literally volunteered every weekend

for a year just to come in and do whatever.

He would just, you know, recable some stuff, reimage some computers, do that kind of thing.

And everybody got to know him so well.

It was like people would think you work there, and you didn't even work there,

but the company was like, "Well, this is a no-brainer."

We are absolutely hiring this guy.

Now the guy is extremely successfully in the technology field.

So, again, just some weird thoughts I'm having based of on where I've come from.

I hope that you can grab something from this and use it to advance your career especially

if you're just getting your foot in the door in the world of technology.

All right.

Well, I hope this has been informative and I'd like to thank you for viewing.