I have been in the networking industry for nearly 9 years now, and I’m at a point where I’m debating whether to go for the CCIE.

It has been on my mind for some time, and I think I’m in a good position to go for it. My current role allows me to play around with everything that is on the EI exam topics. I work with SDA, SD-WAN, BGP, etc etc. I’ve also got access to lab kit that allows me to play around with it as I wish.

However, one aspect that is really putting me off, is how much of it will I actually retain?

I passed my CCNP Security a few years ago, and I’m already at a point where my knowledge of VPNs is getting hazy as I don’t use it day to day.

If that’s the case, is there much point of achieving a CCIE, when you might not use the vast topics you have learned?

Once you achieve the title of ‘expert’, then it comes with a reputation, and people expect you to know this stuff inside out.

Even if I do pass, and I stay in the same role for a year or two after, how much of it will I actually retain by then?

On one hand, it’s a personal goal of mine. I love the possibility of gaining a CCIE number, but on the other hand, it’s a good 18 months of your life dedicated to study.

So my question is, for those of you have passed, how much knowledge do you retain after 2, 5, 10 years?