Try to learn from your failures. Making errors isn't a problem, if you learn from them.

Senior network engineer

Christoph Neulinger

"Try to learn from your failures. Making errors isn't a problem, if you learn from them."

How it all began


One company, many careers

One company, many careers

I began my college education studying electrical engineering, with an emphasis on power systems engineering. However, once I discovered how much I enjoy working with computers, I set my sights on becoming a hardware developer.

One company, many careers

I still work at the same company where I began my career 24 years ago. In fact, I helped install our very first network! Network infrastructure was much simpler in those days. For example, I used to work with hubs that were far less complex the switches and routers we use today.

Today, my job focuses on designing networks for customers that meet their specific requirements. And although technology has changed immensely, this design principle stands the test of time: Keep the design simple and standardize as much as possible.

About Christoph

Certifications

CCNA
CCNP Enterprise
DevNet Associate

Location

Aachen, Germany

Hobbies

World traveler
In-line skating
Family time fan

What does having a Cisco Certification mean to you?

"Preparing for certification increased my knowledge and confidence, which ultimately translated to better work performance. As a result, I’ve received generous salary increases."

Cisco certifications have helped me perform better at work, since I build network designs that use Cisco technologies. Earning certification also inspired me to share my knowledge with the broader Cisco community as a Cisco Gateway Cybersecurity Ambassador.


Christoph Neulinger

What would you tell your younger self?

Prepare for change. Be ready to take chances. When opportunities arise, challenge yourself to try something new.

What would you tell a friend?

Cisco certifications don’t just make an impression during the hiring phase — they also give you leverage to negotiate a higher salary. If you’re not a native English speaker, make sure you read through each exam question carefully. Sometimes the wording can be tricky to understand!

Read more certification success stories

Jenny Guay

"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."

Network security analyst
CyberOps Associate

Mukul Manikandan

"The certification experience gave me a lot of the knowledge that I needed for the fundamentals that I didn’t get from my undergrad. The certifications took over and gave me all the necessary background I needed."

Automation engineer
CCNA, CCNP Enterprise, CCNA Security, DevNet Associate

Micheline Murphy

"I derive a great deal of pride from having these certs. Certifications are a box I can stand on in front of the room and be the expert. They help me to stand up with confidence and authority."

Consulting engineer
CCNA, CCNP Data Center,
CCNP Enterprise


Share your Cisco Certification Success Story

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!