Cisco skills shortage is baloney, expert says

Brad Reese recently appeared as a guest for a Network World chat. Brad operates BradReese.Com, a portal that matches Cisco professionals with jobs and refurbished equipment. He also writes the extremely popular Brad Reese blog for Network World's Cisco Subnet site. Reese hotly contends that no job shortage exists for Cisco professionals and has evidence that some behind-the-scenes funny business takes place that actually keeps Cisco pros from finding new jobs. Brad also offered some sure-fire methods for any network pro to find employment nirvana.

Brad_Reese: Hi everyone.

Moderator-Julie: While we are waiting for questions to come in, here's a pre-submitted question: Do employers really understand the difference between a qualified network design engineer or architect and a CCIE? Some people have both, but many are not good engineers.

Brad_Reese: I think employers understand what they need, but it is rare for one person to possess aptitude in both requirements. Being able to translate business requirements into technology is what Cisco itself is constantly trying to master. So how can a single person be expected to do it? A jack of all trades and master of none so to speak (like yours truly!).

joey: How is the industry implementing Cisco network access control? What is your opinion for the future of Cisco NAC in the data center or enterprise?

Brad_Reese: Most experts have told me that Cisco has been a failure in NAC, do you agree?

servergirl: I have been working in networking for a couple of years now. But my role and company IT structure limits me to local LAN technologies. I do not have the opportunity to get hands-on experience with WAN or firewall technologies. As I look at job opportunities online, pretty much every posting requires good experience with everything under the sun. So even though I have gotten my foot in the door of networking, I still feel stuck. How do I overcome the experience requirements gap? (FYI, I do have my CCNA, and am currently working on my CCNP.)

Brad_Reese: This question is my cup of tea indeed. Upload your CV/Resume to BradReese.com and clearly state on your CV the technologies that you are interested in pursuing and whether you will relocate to pursue job opportunities that match your interest. Don't be shy about letting prospective employers know where your technology interests are at heart.

greenie: What do you recommend for a MCSE and MCSA person that has the CCNA and wants to move into more Cisco certification. What will be best area to study to give me a leg up for future jobs? I am presently studying for the CCNP.

Brad_Reese: Pick the technology area that interests you the most. If VoIP bores you then don't pursue it. Don't chase money. The money will chase you if you're very good at what you do. So when a technology area is becoming "hot" look into it. But if the technology bores you and/or does not get you excited, don't pursue it. Stick to what gets your blood boiling, to what makes you excited about getting up everyday!

doordie: Brad, I'm curious. Have you noticed any trends in the resumes posted on BradReese.com? By trends, I mean the types of skills people bring to the table or the types of goals/jobs they're looking to find, as well as demographics -- age, etc.

Brad_Reese: Doordie, I see that worldwide Cisco Certs RULE! Cisco Certified Network Engineers need to let the world know that YOU are available and what your career goals are. That way employers will CONTACT YOU. Most of the trend that yours truly is seeing is that Cisco Certified Network Engineers are looking for new challenges. And unfortunately, Cisco is trying to keep those individuals with their current employers and NOT facilitating new opportunities for those engineers with other Cisco channel partners or even Cisco customers!

jrensink78: Are you seeing a current Cisco skills shortage in the industry as some have mentioned? How do you see the 5-10 year future of the networking job industry shaping up?

Brad_Reese: No, I see Cisco manufacturing the "image" that there is a skills shortage!

Bobcert: On the subject of shortage of skills (or not), we are seeing lots of open opportunities in the market not being filled. In your opinion what is the reason? Is it not because there is not enough qualified professionals out there?

Brad_Reese: Bobcert, Cisco makes it impossible for highly qualified Cisco Certified Network Engineers to "jump" to another Cisco channel partner!

CP3: Why is Cisco saying there is a talent shortage?

Brad_Reese: CP3, Because Cisco is artificially restricting the movement of Certified Professionals between Cisco channel partners.

NetSavvy: Actually I believe it is widely reported that the demand for networking skills outstrips the supply worldwide. Do you believe that this is true?

Brad_Reese: NetSavvy, Cisco is widely reporting the shortage. Is it real when Cisco itself is NOT doing what it can to facilitate opportunities for engineers unhappy at a current Cisco channel partner and want a new opportunity? Cisco is protecting the "bad" employment policies of its channel partners and penalizing the "good" policies of other channel partners by NOT facilitating the movement of certified engineers among channel partners.

doordie: So, can we expect to see some sort of backlash to Cisco's support of its channel partner's bad employment policies -- and how that impedes people from moving from one job to the next? Or, is this more of the same -- with people taking it because Cisco IS networking?

Brad_Reese: Doordie, yours truly had a Cisco Gold Partner ask me to REMOVE a resume/CV of one of its employees without that employee's consent. Yours truly REFUSED. Would Cisco refuse such a request from a gold partner? Doubt it!

doordie: I don't get it. Why does Cisco care whether a CCNE moves from one employer to the next?

Brad_Reese: Usually a pay increase is involved too. Guess when your channel partners are "margin challenged," Cisco feels the next pocket to pick are those of Cisco Certified Network Engineers. Yours truly has stated numerous times that this a DANGEROUS GAME that Cisco is playing!