Are you, like me, finding yourself caught in the constant whirlwind of evolving technology trends? It seems like every day there's something new to learn, and just when you think you're getting a handle on it, the game changes again. If you're nodding along, you're not alone.
When I first started my career as a Network Engineer, I felt pretty confident after earning my CCNP. I thought I knew everything there was to know about OSPF, EIGRP, and the like. I mean, those are the building blocks of our skills, right? But oh boy, was I in for a surprise. You step away from working with OSPF for a few months, and suddenly you're left scratching your head, trying to recall the difference between E1 and E2 routes.
I remember a time when I believed that my CCNP badge shielded me from the simplest of routing questions. If I couldn't answer, wouldn't it be embarrassing? Wouldn't people start to question my qualifications? Wouldn't they wonder how I even managed to get certified in the first place? But as my career progressed, I realized that this mentality was more of a roadblock than anything else.
The truth is, in an industry as dynamic as ours, it's impossible to know everything - and that's okay. I've learned to say "I don't know."
The Pressure to Know Everything
When you've been working in this field for a few years, it's quite natural to wonder, "Shouldn't I know everything by now?" However, it's essential to realize that knowing everything is not only unrealistic but also unnecessary.