A Career is Born
September 20, 2011 
9 Comments
| Not every experience reveals its true value until later on in our lives.When Linda Schønningsen was studying Communication Technology at Bergen University College, she had the opportunity to take a Cisco CCNA course as part of the second year of her Bachelor’s degree.
“We were lucky to have the opportunity to take the course,” she says, “even though I didn’t realize then the impact the course would have on our future.”  m absolutely sure that without the Networking Academy I wouldn’t be where I am today. Linda Schønningsen,Network Consultant Engineer for Atea AS, Norway Schønningsen and her fellow students found the classes fulfilling, interesting – and demanding. As the course went on, it had a strong influence on the future direction her career was to take, as her interest in networking grew. She describes the course itself as “truly amazing,” and she found the Packet Tracer simulator particularly useful in developing her understanding. As with most students, the hands-on labs with classroom lessons, backed up by the Cisco Networking Academy web resources, steered her towards a deep understanding of networking. At this time, Schønningsen was experiencing another life-changing event – she was pregnant with her first son. She took the combination of networking, study and maternity in her stride: taking her CCNA exam the very day before she gave birth. Happily, both experiences were smooth and successful. Schønningsen graduated from Bergen, and as soon as her new role as a mother would allow, she concentrated on gaining more Cisco qualifications and finding a job. While at a Networking Academy talent connection event, she met a woman from Cisco Norway, who inspired her to carve out a career in the male-dominated world of IT. “She was the only woman who had a Cisco CCIE qualification in Norway and she challenged me to become another member of her exclusive ’club’. I decide right there and then that someday, I’m going to be there, too,” she says. Schønningsen soon found her current position, as a Network Consultant Engineer with Atea AS, where she deals mainly with Cisco products. She says: “The Networking Academy and Cisco courses make a solid foundation for anyone wanting to work with communications technology. The certifications are really attractive on the job market – making me a good candidate for employers all over the world.” Future Plans Currently studying for her Cisco CCNP Router and Switch exam at the end of the year, Schønningsen now has her eyes set on another major goal: she plans to become the second woman in Norway to be fully CCIE qualified. An expert networker is born. |
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Thats really good. All the Best from my side.
Thanks for the support Taran. Nice to hear.
Currently studying for my written CCIE exam, and teaching the CCNA and CCNA Security it’s good to see more women coming into IT especially Cisco, as I totally love it. So I wish Linda all the best and agree with aine-doris excellent inspiration to students
Nessie, good luck with your own studies. It would be great to have a piece from you some time, on how and why you got into IT and what it means to you to be a woman in a “man’s world”?
Good luck! I know you will get to where you want!
These stories are a huge inspiration to students and it´s a pleasure to hear from the students themselves. Linda is doing really well. She is a brilliant techie and a very modest person to talk to. Well done!