Won H Cho, CCIE #46689

It's been a long time coming for me to get my CCIE. It wasn't an easy task for sure. Since 2009, I started dreaming about even how to obtain CCNA for Routing Switching. I would never thought or guess I would even attempt CCIE ever! For me it was just trying to find a job and be satisfied. But when I started working in network environment, people were talking about this mythological CCIE guy what it supposed to be the greatest thing since the network comes to our world. Everyone at work were always admiring CCIE every job I had. So since then, I begin slowly pursing my CCIE journey one by one. To make the story short, by the time I reached CCNP, I wasn't satisfied with my certification. I felt like I know more then what the license has to offer and I felt like I was already qualified for CCIE but without CCIE license of course. One day I made a decision that I need full time commitment to focus on my CCIE, so I left my previous job in 2013 and I started studying for about 4 to 8 hours a day. I watched INE videos and all other resources that I could get my hands on. One time, I took private classes with a teacher who was a former CCIE. During days of my private studies, I met so many great, smart, talent people that even I still keep in touch with them. During my CCIE studies without a job in 2 years it was really miserable. I went through so many different emotions and depression that I wouldn't like to speak about. One time I had to question myself, is this really worth it? Somehow, I knew I came too far and risk so many things I felt like there's no going back now. So I decided to continue my education through all the resources I had and keep going. By the time I had my first attempt, I body had so many ache that I couldn't even image. It was so nerve racking that I couldn't get my emotions together. My eyes went blank for several occasions when I ran into few problems that I couldn't figure it out within 10 mins or more. I saw one of the candidates slam the keyboard and walk out during the lab exam. Undoubtedly, it was the hardest test I ever done in my life! At the end of the day, I thought I had a game plan all figured out but it did not go smooth at all. I wasn't sure if I wanted to try again after all the massive stress I had. Clearly, I had to go back to the drawing board and review everything that went wrong. I knew people weren't surprised that I failed since it was my first attempt. Thankfully, my wife and my mother were very supportive and they believed that I would make it. At the end, my second attempt was a lucky charm. I pray to the lord and to family that I would give back once I get a job and everything. I knew I had to brainstorm what went down and what I needed to review before I enter the lab again in second time. I had a perfect game plan in my head and executed well. Thank you INE!!