"If you work hard, you can accomplish just about anything."
How it all began
A passion to learn, share and lead
I started my career as an engineer working on projects that involved the physical connectivity of networks. During times when the network was slow, I met senior engineers, who introduced me to advanced topics like Quality of Service and how this improved network performance. I thought that was so cool. I asked how I could become qualified to do this type of work. That’s when I was introduced to Cisco certifications.
A passion to learn, share and lead
My personal superpower is that I love to try new things. And I love to share the things I do with other people. It’s also a professional superpower because I love to talk about what I do with others. And that’s what a systems engineer does. I discuss technology with other people and try to understand my audience so I can communicate about the technology in a way that they’ll understand.
About Eloise
Certifications
CCNA
DevNet Associate
Location
London, England
Hobbies
Art lover
Reliable volunteer
Yoga enthusiast
What does having a Cisco Certification mean to you?
"I know people who don’t discover Cisco certifications until later in their careers, and certifications still profoundly changed their lives."
I used to think if I work hard and people can see my work, I’d be fine. Now I realize the power of having a Cisco certification.
Thanks to Cisco certifications, I have a great career and financial stability. I come from humble beginnings, but now, I can afford to travel, support my family, and do more for more people. These are all things I could never do before.
Eloise Koullapis
What would you tell your younger self?
If you’re giving it your all, that’s enough. Trust yourself and continue to move forward, having the patience to stay the course. If you’re working hard and have a direction, things will work out for you.
What would you tell a friend?
Being a network engineer is a great career. Do it! Don’t delay. Yes, it’s hard, but not impossible. Make sure to find a community that will provide support and help for you along the way. And don’t be shy about asking questions and reaching out to anyone you think can help you.
Eloise's journey
Career path
Current role
Network engineer
Network engineers primarily handle installing, configuring, and supporting firewalls to ensure network security.
The Cisco Certified DevNet Associate certification opens the door to a career in Network Automation. It covers implementation of basic network applications using Cisco platforms as a base, and automation across network, security, collaboration, and computing infrastructure.
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.
"The guidance I gained from earning the certification helped— in near real time—to determine what was happening on the job, when I became an SOC operator."
Has earning a Cisco certification positively changed your life or career, or both? Do you think your Cisco certification story would help encourage other people to earn their Cisco certification? If so, we want to talk to you!
