Study Tactics – Session 2 (with Deirra Footman)
"When I first started, I was highlighting and writing down everything" "As I’ve taken Cisco exams you learn what to pay attention to."
In today’s interview, I had the opportunity of speaking to Deirra Footman, popularly known as CCIEby30. Deirra is from Baltimore, USA. She is one of the amazing women I first found in the Network Engineering community, with over 10 years of experience in designing, implementing, and managing Cisco infrastructures, she proves that it’s possible for other women to embark on this niche.
She runs an IT blog called CCIEby30.
I had the opportunity of asking her some intimate questions about how she studies for a certification.
While studying a new technology or certification, what learning tactics do you use?
Deirra: I start with downloading the exam blueprint and use that to build my study plan. I use the official certification guide and a video course either from CBT Nuggets or INE.
For Cisco certs, I use Quizlet to create practice tests based on the chapter questions. I solidify my knowledge by completing labs.
Awesome!
For subjects I’m familiar with and actively working on, I’ll give myself 3-4 months of study time.
– 12 weeks of studying & labbing
Practice tests
– 2 – 4 weeks of review depending on the results of the practice exams.For everything else, 6 months.
That’s interesting.
What is your approach to creating practice tests for yourself?
I just use Cisco provided ones.
Oh! What about for non-Cisco certs, do you use also use the one provided by the vendor, or you create yours?
Vendors if available. If not, you can usually find some on Udemy.
Alright. What is your approach to labbing concepts?
I use the CCNP Command Guide.
I try to build out the examples in cert guide and then use the INE or CBT Labs.
I lab on the weekends.
Nice!
So, how do you study for more than one cert?
So, that’s new territory for me. So far, my process has been 3 days focused on my CCNP and then 2 days focused on my Sec+. Weekends are reserved for labbing and revising notes.
That’s interesting.
What is your choice of mixture when studying for multiple certs? Do you prefer certs which has concepts that are related in some ways?
They need to be related to me. Otherwise, I’m not going to retain information. Or it has to be something I’m working on at work.
I have not tried studying something unrelated.
I think it makes a lot of sense for it to be related.
Are you much of a note taker while studying?
Big note taker!
Highlights in multiple colors, and handwritten notes.
As you grow in your certification journey, do you find your notes reduce in size or just the same?
It’s less than when I first started because as I’ve taken Cisco exams you learn what to pay attention to.
Hmmm
While taking other vendor certification, how would you describe your journey to learning new commands?
When I first started, I was highlighting and writing down everything.
So, for non-Cisco vendors, I make flashcards if I can’t find a decent command reference guide.
Alright.
This will be all, Deirra! I’m so glad you agreed to have this conversation with me today!
No problem!
For any questions, you can find Deirra on Twitter @ccieby30