Configuration Engineer

Ben Harting

"I decided to make a career change when I was twenty-four. I chose to pursue Cisco Certifications because I knew it would put me in the best position to start a career in networking."

Configuration Engineer

Ben Harting

"I decided to make a career change when I was twenty-four. I chose to pursue Cisco Certifications because I knew it would put me in the best position to start a career in networking."

Configuration Engineer

Ben Harting

"I decided to make a career change when I was twenty-four. I chose to pursue Cisco Certifications because I knew it would put me in the best position to start a career in networking."

About Ben

Certifications

CCNA

Location

Columbus, OH

Hobbies

Reading
Hiking
Learning new tech

How it all began

My dad is a systems administrator, so I grew up around computers. Just watching him tinker with them was cool. However, when I went to college, I earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy. Next, I got a teaching credential, then taught elementary school for a few years. But when I turned 24, I decided I wanted a career change. So, I picked up a book on TCP/IP networking, started studying it, and realized that I really enjoyed it. My dad wasn’t into networking that much, so I didn’t know much about it, and got into it more organically. I considered pursuing Cisco Certifications right away since the idea of learning about networking led straight to these credentials. I took a networking class at a local community college, then obtained my Cisco CCNA Certification.

Certifications can improve your ability to do your job

I enjoy system administration, I’ve gained communications skills, and I’ve learned tech skills, in Microsoft active directory systems, administration, and networking virtualization. General troubleshooting is a big part of my job, too. Most importantly, I’ve gained the flexibility to work around difficulties and learn new technologies. Just being able to keep up with the constant change in technologies is incredibly valuable.

What does having a Cisco Certification mean to you?

“I’ve gained more knowledge and different skill sets. I’ve opened myself up for more opportunities. And it’s a validation of me and what I’ve learned.”

The biggest challenge was where to start, there where a lot of options. A lot of them involved going back to school or spending a lot of money. CCNA was the most cost-effective, and it would put me in the best position to start a career. Cisco is a leader in that. I took a bootcamp course at the local community college that lasted 8 weeks in total.

I was already in my job in IT in tier 1 support, help desk and the CCNA Certification was a catalyst for my first promotion as a second tier support security.

Explore certifications

“I’ve gained more knowledge and different skill sets. I’ve opened myself up for more opportunities. And it’s a validation of me and what I’ve learned.”

I was already in my job in IT in tier 1 support, help desk and the CCNA Certification was a catalyst for my first promotion as a second tier support security.

Explore certifications

What would you tell your younger self?

“Definitely try different things and go all in on whatever interests you the most.”

What would you tell a friend?

“I’d tell them to go for it. It will open up a lot of opportunities for them. They’ll have all the knowledge they need to go forward in their career.”

Ben's career path

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Learn more about careers in IT engineering

Configuration Engineers work on systems and network administration.

Configuration Engineer

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IT Help Desk Support

Primary School Educator

Ben’s certification path

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CCNA

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification is the first step toward a career in IT Networking. The CCNA exam covers networking fundamentals, IP services, security fundamentals, automation and programmability.