When you’re deciding whether to give up or get into something, always remember that you can do anything if you have to or if you really want to. My mom wrote down that sentence for me when I was six years old. I’ve lived by it ever since.

Senior security consultant and automation specialist

Mira Eilenstein

"When you’re deciding whether to give up or get into something, always remember that you can do anything if you have to or if you really want to. My mom wrote down that sentence for me when I was six years old. I’ve lived by it ever since."

How it all began


Dive into learning and never give up

Dive into learning and never give up

My interest in computers and IT began with a 286 computer that was a gift from my uncle. I enjoyed just playing with that computer - learning commands and what would break it. So, I decided, “Why not study business informatics?” I was told that as a woman in computer science, I wouldn't survive the next semester. My choice: Would I give up or should I dive into it? I decided to dive in. At the time, I interned for retail company, working on their system for remote employees. When my task was finished, they allowed me to build my own lab with their old equipment. Back then, not every company had a firewall and everything was unencrypted, so I was able to hijack sessions and figure out passwords. It fascinated me, and I learned the countermeasures. That’s what made me want to go into IT security. I started out learning everything from books and the Internet.

Dive into learning and never give up

I'm like a sponge when it comes to learning new things. In the past five years, I earned four Cisco certifications. I had test anxiety, but I chose to not give up because I knew that getting certified would help me establish credibility. I decided to take the CCNA Security exam before I started the job I have now - but I had to confess that I failed that exam because I couldn’t remember anything. Still, I chose to keep diving in. Four weeks later, I passed CCNA Security. Next, I passed CyberOps Associate. Later, I wanted to become a member of the DevNet Associate class of 2020. Over eight weeks, we learned together and on the last day I passed that exam. I also did some exams for Check Point firewalls, while studying for the CCNP Security Core exam. Last year, I passed the exam for Agile Learning Coach. Now, I’m supporting my colleagues who are also nervous before exams. I hope that my certification journey inspires my colleagues to do the same.

About Mira

Certifications

CCNA
CyberOps Associate
DevNet Associate
CCNP Security

Location

Darmstadt, Germany

Hobbies

Cycling
Children’s reading program
Volunteer
Cycling without age volunteer

What does having a Cisco Certification mean to you?

"Cisco certifications are food for my brain. Cisco is known to have difficult exams. I could pass an exam from some unknown vendor, but it wouldn't help me. Plus, just having a Cisco certification opens doors."

Getting the certification was also necessary for my confidence because it's still hard being a woman in a male-dominated field. It also gives me credibility with customers. I got the exam. I got the certification. I know what I’m doing. Then, during the night when I get a call that the firewall is down, I can fix the problem, and everything is OK. Plus, the higher the certificates I have, the more interesting the projects.


Mira Eilenstein

What would you tell your younger self?

Never ever give up. Never. Ever. And, don't let anyone talk you down. If anyone laughs and tells you that you can’t do something, just do it. You can do everything.

What would you tell a friend?

There are no shortcuts. Even if you find a shortcut, you shouldn’t take it. When you get a call in the middle of the night and someone asks you a question that was not in your exam, you can’t depend on a colleague. If you learn the basics, you can answer the question yourself.

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

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

Kevin Brown

People always want to know who they're talking to. They want to know if you’re qualified. Certifications give you instant credibility.

CyberOps analyst
CCNA, CyberOps Associate


Share your Cisco Certification Success Story

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