Most people consult the classified section of the newspaper or browse online job postings when they're looking for work. But nineteen-year-old Cisco Networking Academy graduate Adam Frederick opted for a different approach. When the NIMDA virus was attacking computers all over the world, this young Kentuckian took his information technology and networking skills door-to-door, offering to clean up companies' servers. Home Federal Bank of Middlesborough, Kentucky accepted his offer, and Frederick has worked there ever since as a network engineer.
"The NIMDA virus attack got me a job," Frederick says with a smile. "There were a hundred PCs in the bank, and we returned 95% of them to working condition. The bank's management was impressed. The rest is history." Frederick's job involves revamping, redesigning, and maintaining the bank's network, managing the infrastructure, and ensuring that available bandwidth is optimally utilized. In addition, Frederick is involved in a project to deploy voice-over-IP (VoIP) technology throughout the organization. He is also in charge of security, a crucial responsibility that has prompted him to pursue the new Security Specialist certification track within the Cisco Networking Academy Program.
If Frederick's job-seeking
technique shows creativity and initiative, the same can be said of his
Cisco Networking Academy experience. Upon graduation from Bell County
High School, he had completed the first two semesters of the Cisco Certified
Network Associate (CCNA) curriculum. Rather than finishing the program
in the standard classroom environment, Frederick decided to tackle the
remaining courses on his own.
He purchased some Cisco Press books and established a self-study routine. He also bought some routers from an Internet site, creating a small lab in which he could get the practical experience that is so integral to the Academy curriculum. "The hands-on part is extremely critical," Frederick emphasizes. "Getting a certification is not the most important part. What's really important is the knowledge and expertise one gains through the hands-on training, and that's what the Cisco curriculum provides."
Frederick passed his CCNA certification exam in a single attempt. He went on to achieve Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) certification within seven months, and his current goal is to pursue Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) certification. Frederick's Academy instructor Charles Pettey of the Bell County Academy is pleased with the achievements of his highly motivated student. "There is no question that Cisco offers a great curriculum, and Adam has shown tremendous initiative in taking advantage of it," he says.
A passion for networking
Stephen Hudson, Vice President Implementation Manager at Home Federal Bank, is delighted to have Frederick on his staff. "Anything we need him to do, he's right on top of it," he says. "He does a great job dealing with all of our networking and server-related issues, and he also helps with some of our software support. Adam has a real passion for his work. He knows the routers and switches inside out-it seems to come naturally to him."
Adam Frederick is a true Cisco Networking Academy success story. From a fast-food job to a year in college to his current network engineering position at Home Federal Bank, Frederick's journey has been an ongoing process of self-discovery. "Every single day at work, I use the skills and knowledge I acquired through the Academy program," he concludes. "If I ever think of going into management, I will consider college. But I love engineering, and that's what I want to stick with for now."
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