In 2020, I joined Cisco recent out of faculty, which simply so took place to align with the inaugural yr of the Cisco DevNet certification observe. It was once the similar yr Cisco consolidated all of its CCNA certification tracks into one foundational certification. The CCNA was once (and nonetheless is) a part of our on a regular basis language, because of its immense reputation, however it was once the all-new DevNet era observe I discovered maximum intriguing.
Cisco DevNet certifications center of attention on integrating community infrastructure with instrument packages, automation, and programmability. DevNet certification savored each my style in instrument building and networking. Little did I do know that match would depart one of these nice mark on my profession.
Child steps into the DevNet global
On the time they have been introduced, there have been two certification ranges, Affiliate and Skilled, prior to including the DevNet Professional certification. I used to be concentrated on passing my DevNet Affiliate certification examination, 200-901 DEVASC, prior to the top of my internship. Going during the blueprint was once overwhelming because of the huge quantity of Cisco applied sciences and the breadth of subjects indexed.
The reliable DevNet Affiliate direction got here to my rescue. I went during the direction two times and handed my examination in June 2020.
It was once certainly euphoric to succeed in my first reliable Cisco certification, making access into the DevNet Elegance of 2020… however it left me in need of extra!
I hadn’t meant to forestall with my DevNet Affiliate certification. My purpose was once to development additional by way of acquiring the DevNet Skilled certification, which comes to passing two Skilled-level assessments: the DevNet core and a focus examination. I stored the momentum going and began making ready for my DevNet core (350-901 DEVCOR) examination.
The DevNet Affiliate examination uncovered me to the trying out atmosphere and the tough nature of the questions, however I used to be smartly conscious that the DEVCOR examination can be a difficult nut to crack and will require extra self-discipline and tough paintings. Finishing the reliable direction, along side a number of foundational lessons on Cisco applied sciences, considerably boosted my self belief.
I handed my DEVCOR in November 2021 and earned the Cisco Qualified DevNet Specialist – Core certification. Passing the DEVCOR examination marked an important milestone, particularly as it’s required for DevNet Skilled certification and is a prerequisite for the DevNet Professional certification. (Earlier than taking a Cisco Professional-level sensible examination, applicants wish to cross the core examination in that era observe.)
DevOps: Specialised abilities to Specialist certification
DevNet opens up the automation and programmability geographical regions, however wisdom of the underlying Cisco merchandise is basically vital in developing cutting edge answers. When I discovered that, my center of attention shifted towards finding out the nitty-gritty of Cisco merchandise, gear, and answers.
Because of DevOps’ sheer relevance within the technological global, I selected it as my specialization, taking the 300-910 DEVOPS examination to finish my DevNet Skilled focus requirement. In flip, passing that examination would additionally earn me a Cisco DevNet Specialist certification: the Cisco Qualified DevNet Specialist – DevOps certification.
Given the quick nature of the examination, the room for error was once marginally small. I maintained a scientific find out about plan and adopted 3 key methods:
- Learn the fabric a minimum of two times.
- Teach muscle reminiscence by way of doing a ton of hands-on workout routines.
- Revise the fabric frequently.

And finally, the long-awaited day arrived.
I sat down for my examination, feeling a bit of apprehensive, however I held onto my self-belief. Simply prior to filing the final query, I paused for a minute, considering of ways a ways I’ve come on this adventure and what a healthy finding out revel in it’s been. I submitted my examination in anticipation and was once left numb after seeing a message announcing, “Congratulations…” That unknown mind-set didn’t permit me to learn the message totally. I felt immensely relieved to look the entire onerous paintings repay, reaching what I had lengthy dreamt of.
Token of Gratitude
They are saying, “When you’re surrounded by way of 5 clever other folks, you turn out to be the 6th.” I’ve been over blessed to be surrounded by way of no longer 5—however 5 hundred—clever other folks within the Cisco Studying & Certifications circle of relatives. I’m immensely thankful for the toughen and finding out I’ve won from the leaders and engineers who impressed me to succeed in those feats.
Suggestions and Assets
In the end, that will help you get began to your DevNet finding out and certification adventure, listed here are my most sensible suggestions:
Get ready for DevNet Affiliate certification and earn 16 Cisco Proceeding Training credit totally free.
Working out Cisco Community Automation Necessities | DEVNAE Studying Trail on Cisco U.
Increase the automation and community programmability wisdom to start a profession as an entry-level community automation engineer.
Join Cisco U. | Sign up for the Cisco Studying Community.
Apply Cisco Studying & Certifications
Twitter | Fb | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube
Use #CiscoU and #CiscoCert to sign up for the dialog.
Proportion: