{"id":29019,"date":"2026-06-23T20:16:39","date_gmt":"2026-06-23T11:16:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aireviewirush.com\/?p=29019"},"modified":"2026-06-23T20:16:39","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T11:16:39","slug":"how-michelle-went-from-product-proprietor-to-community-engineer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aireviewirush.com\/?p=29019","title":{"rendered":"How Michelle Went from Product Proprietor to Community Engineer"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p><em>What does it take to pivot from a product administration position right into a full-time community engineering place?<\/em><\/p>\n<p>For <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/michelle-s-93a04819a\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Michelle Szklarska<\/a>, the reply was clear: earn the CCNA. Her journey proves the worth of Cisco\u2019s certification ecosystem and exhibits why the CCNA stays a premier networking credential. Michelle sat down with Study with Cisco\u2019s Patrick Gargano to inform her CCNA success story.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_53 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\" role=\"button\"><label for=\"item-6a3aa01595b5d\" ><span class=\"\"><span style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input aria-label=\"Toggle\" aria-label=\"item-6a3aa01595b5d\"  type=\"checkbox\" id=\"item-6a3aa01595b5d\"><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/aireviewirush.com\/?p=29019\/#Pivoting_from_product_proprietor_to_community_engineer\" title=\"Pivoting from product proprietor to community engineer\">Pivoting from product proprietor to community engineer<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/aireviewirush.com\/?p=29019\/#Why_the_CCNA_nonetheless_issues_for_community_engineers\" title=\"Why the CCNA nonetheless issues for community engineers\">Why the CCNA nonetheless issues for community engineers<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/aireviewirush.com\/?p=29019\/#The_problem_The_place_to_start\" title=\"The problem: The place to start\">The problem: The place to start<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/aireviewirush.com\/?p=29019\/#Research_useful_resource_1_CCNA_Prep\" title=\"Research useful resource 1: CCNA Prep\">Research useful resource 1: CCNA Prep<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/aireviewirush.com\/?p=29019\/#Research_useful_resource_2_Cisco_U\" title=\"Research useful resource 2: Cisco U.\">Research useful resource 2: Cisco U.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/aireviewirush.com\/?p=29019\/#The_CCNA_as_a_basis_for_CCNP_and_past\" title=\"The CCNA as a basis for CCNP and past\">The CCNA as a basis for CCNP and past<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/aireviewirush.com\/?p=29019\/#Key_takeaways_from_Michelle%E2%80%99s_CCNA_success_story\" title=\"Key takeaways from Michelle\u2019s CCNA success story\">Key takeaways from Michelle\u2019s CCNA success story<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/aireviewirush.com\/?p=29019\/#Prepared_to_begin_your_personal_CCNA_journey\" title=\"Prepared to begin your personal CCNA journey?\">Prepared to begin your personal CCNA journey?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3'><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/aireviewirush.com\/?p=29019\/#Your_CCNA_success_story_is_ready_Take_the_following_step_at_this_time\" title=\"Your CCNA success story is ready. Take the following step at this time:\">Your CCNA success story is ready. Take the following step at this time:<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pivoting_from_product_proprietor_to_community_engineer\"><\/span><strong>Pivoting from product proprietor to community engineer<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Earlier than incomes her CCNA, Michelle labored as a community and safety product proprietor. She needed a extra hands-on position. After passing her examination, she transitioned right into a full-time community engineer place. How?<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDue to the CCNA,\u201d Michelle stated merely, when requested what made the distinction.<\/p>\n<p>The CCNA did greater than validate her technical data\u2014it opened the door to a brand new profession path.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_the_CCNA_nonetheless_issues_for_community_engineers\"><\/span><strong>Why the CCNA nonetheless issues for community engineers<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In a world of cloud platforms and automation instruments, you may wonder if a foundational certification just like the CCNA continues to be value pursuing. Michelle\u2019s story proves that it completely is.<\/p>\n<p>The CCNA gives a complete, structured understanding of networking fundamentals, from IP addressing and routing protocols like OSPF to community safety ideas like AAA and entry lists, to important providers like DHCP and NAT. These aren\u2019t simply examination subjects; they&#8217;re the constructing blocks of real-world community engineering.<\/p>\n<p>For professionals pivoting their careers like Michelle, the CCNA serves as a reputable, industry-recognized sign to employers that you&#8217;ve got the foundational data wanted to function successfully. It bridges the hole between understanding <em>what<\/em> a community does and figuring out <em>how<\/em> to configure, handle, and troubleshoot one.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_problem_The_place_to_start\"><\/span><strong>The problem: The place to start<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Anybody who has downloaded the official CCNA examination subjects is aware of the sensation Michelle described: \u201cYou obtain the checklist of necessities, the subjects, and also you\u2019re like\u2014oh my gosh, the place to begin?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The CCNA curriculum is broad. Selecting the best research assets is important. Michelle didn\u2019t depend on a single supply; she constructed a various research toolkit to remain engaged, challenged, and ready.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Research_useful_resource_1_CCNA_Prep\"><\/span><strong>Research useful resource 1: CCNA Prep<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>One among Michelle\u2019s main assets was <strong>CCNA Prep<\/strong>, a free video collection accessible on the <strong>Cisco Studying Community<\/strong>, created by\u00a0 Patrick Gargano and Hank Preston at Study with Cisco.<\/p>\n<p>CCNA Prep stands out for its sensible, lab-focused strategy. As an alternative of simply explaining concept, every episode dives into actual configuration duties, strolling viewers by means of hands-on labs protecting:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>OSPF<\/li>\n<li>NAT<\/li>\n<li>Entry lists<\/li>\n<li>AAA<\/li>\n<li>DHCP troubleshooting<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The training continues after the video. Each CCNA Prep episode consists of:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A <strong>Cisco Modeling Labs<\/strong> (<strong>CML) lab file<\/strong> for these utilizing CML.<\/li>\n<li>A <strong>Cisco Packet Tracer model<\/strong> for wider accessibility.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Evaluate questions<\/strong> to strengthen the fabric.<\/li>\n<li>A <strong>downloadable PDF lab information<\/strong> to maintain as a reference.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Michelle highlighted the downloadable reference sheets as certainly one of her favourite options. \u201cOn the finish, you possibly can obtain a sheet of the data, and that was actually helpful.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>She additionally referred to as out the DHCP troubleshooting episode, noting an vital networking lesson: you study extra when one thing breaks.<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cYou truly study extra when one thing\u2019s damaged. It makes you determine the way it\u2019s speculated to be working.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>This philosophy drives CCNA Prep\u2019s strategy: transcend definitions and dive into the issues you\u2019ll truly encounter on the job.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Research_useful_resource_2_Cisco_U\"><\/span><strong>Research useful resource 2: Cisco U.<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Michelle additionally used Cisco U., Cisco\u2019s digital studying expertise, which provides a whole, structured CCNA Studying Path.<\/p>\n<p>The Cisco U. CCNA Studying Path, <em>Implementing and Administering Cisco Options<\/em>, gives:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Subject-by-topic protection of the complete CCNA curriculum<\/li>\n<li>Built-in labs to strengthen hands-on abilities<\/li>\n<li>Preparatory observe exams to check your data earlier than examination day<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For learners who need a guided surroundings, Cisco U. provides organized, progressive studying. It builds confidence for examination day with built-in observe checks that simulate the actual expertise.<\/p>\n<p>Combining the structured curriculum of Cisco U. with the hands-on, scenario-driven content material from CCNA Prep is a successful technique. The 2 assets complement one another\u2014one gives breadth of information, the opposite gives depth by means of software.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Enter to your likelihood to win the CCNA Studying Path without cost (ends: August 31, 2026) <a href=\"https:\/\/learnwith.cisco.com\/stayontrack?utm_campaign=stay-on-track&amp;utm_source=blog-cisco&amp;utm_medium=blog-ccna-success-story-michelle-szklarska\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Enter giveaway<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_CCNA_as_a_basis_for_CCNP_and_past\"><\/span><strong>The CCNA as a basis for CCNP and past<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Incomes the CCNA is a launchpad, not an endpoint. Michelle\u2019s dialog with Patrick Gargano made this clear.<\/p>\n<p>After incomes her CCNA, Michelle set her subsequent profession aim: the CCNP certification. The CCNP Enterprise monitor builds instantly on CCNA data, diving deeper into superior subjects lined in exams like ENCOR and ENARSI.<\/p>\n<p>This pure development is why the CCNA is structured the way in which it&#8217;s. The foundational ideas you study\u2014routing protocols, switching, safety, automation\u2014are the pillars that CCNP-level certifications increase upon. If you sort out the CCNP, you construct on a stable base.<\/p>\n<p>Cisco\u2019s studying group actively invests within the CCNA-to-CCNP journey. Patrick famous that future content material from the CCNA Prep crew will possible concentrate on bridging the hole from CCNA to CCNP, serving to learners transition with the identical sensible, lab-driven strategy.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cGetting somebody from CCNA to CCNP\u2014beginning to take a look at extra superior subjects which might be lined in ENCOR and ENARSI\u2014that\u2019s in all probability going to be the main focus.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>For Michelle and 1000&#8217;s of networking professionals, this roadmap gives a transparent path towards profession progress.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_takeaways_from_Michelle%E2%80%99s_CCNA_success_story\"><\/span><strong>Key takeaways from Michelle\u2019s CCNA success story<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Whether or not you&#8217;re model new to networking or trying to formalize abilities you constructed on the job, Michelle\u2019s story provides sensible classes:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Use a number of assets:<\/strong>\u00a0Mix structured studying (Cisco U.) with sensible, scenario-based content material (CCNA Prep).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Embrace troubleshooting:<\/strong>\u00a0Study what occurs when issues break to construct actual understanding.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The CCNA opens doorways:<\/strong>\u00a0For Michelle, it catalyzed a profession transition into community engineering.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Suppose past the CCNA:<\/strong>\u00a0The data you acquire prepares you for the CCNP and past.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Prepared_to_begin_your_personal_CCNA_journey\"><\/span><strong>Prepared to begin your personal CCNA journey?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If Michelle\u2019s story impressed you, discover how the assets beneath may also help you put together for the 200-301 CCNA v1.1 examination:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><b>CCNA Certification Information: <\/b>Jumpstart your studying journey with our free information.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Keep on monitor for CCNA success:<\/strong> Discover expert-curated assets, suggestions, and extra that will help you attain your CCNA cert aim.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Enter to win the CCNA Studying Path without cost<\/strong>. (Enter the giveaway by August 31, 2026.)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Your_CCNA_success_story_is_ready_Take_the_following_step_at_this_time\"><\/span><strong>Your CCNA success story is ready. Take the following step at this time:<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>1. <a style=\"cursor: pointer !important; user-select: none !important;\" href=\"https:\/\/mkto.cisco.com\/ccna-cert-guide.html?utm_campaign=ccna-cert-guide&amp;utm_source=blog-cisco&amp;utm_medium=blog-ccna-success-story-michelle-szklarska\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Free CCNA Cert Information<\/a> | 2. <a href=\"https:\/\/learnwith.cisco.com\/stayontrack?utm_campaign=stay-on-track&amp;utm_source=blog-cisco&amp;utm_medium=blog-ccna-success-story-michelle-szklarska\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Keep on monitor for examination success<\/a> | 3. <a href=\"https:\/\/learnwith.cisco.com\/stayontrack?utm_campaign=stay-on-track&amp;utm_source=blog-cisco&amp;utm_medium=blog-ccna-success-story-michelle-szklarska\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Enter giveaway<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><em>We\u2019d love to listen to about your CCNA certification journey. Depart a remark beneath to tell us once you plan to earn your CCNA certification. And in the event you\u2019re already a CCNA certification holder, inform us once you first obtained licensed!\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"BE1O7H60Kt\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.cisco.com\/learning\/ccna-the-foundation-that-built-my-it-career-can-be-yours-too\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CCNA: The muse that constructed my IT profession (will be yours, too)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe class=\"lazy lazy-hidden wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"\u201cCCNA: The foundation that built my IT career (can be yours, too)\u201d \u2014 Cisco Blogs\" data-lazy-type=\"iframe\" data-src=\"https:\/\/blogs.cisco.com\/learning\/ccna-the-foundation-that-built-my-it-career-can-be-yours-too\/embed#?secret=AwX61tpfaz#?secret=BE1O7H60Kt\" data-secret=\"BE1O7H60Kt\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><noscript><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"\u201cCCNA: The foundation that built my IT career (can be yours, too)\u201d \u2014 Cisco Blogs\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.cisco.com\/learning\/ccna-the-foundation-that-built-my-it-career-can-be-yours-too\/embed#?secret=AwX61tpfaz#?secret=BE1O7H60Kt\" data-secret=\"BE1O7H60Kt\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/noscript><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What does it take to pivot from a product administration position right into a full-time community engineering place? For Michelle Szklarska, the reply was clear: earn the CCNA. Her journey proves the worth of Cisco\u2019s certification ecosystem and exhibits why the CCNA stays a premier networking credential. Michelle sat down with Study with Cisco\u2019s Patrick [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":29021,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-29019","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-cloud-computing"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/aireviewirush.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29019","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/aireviewirush.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/aireviewirush.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aireviewirush.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aireviewirush.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=29019"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/aireviewirush.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29019\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29020,"href":"https:\/\/aireviewirush.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29019\/revisions\/29020"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aireviewirush.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/29021"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/aireviewirush.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=29019"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aireviewirush.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=29019"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aireviewirush.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=29019"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}