CTS 348: Bridging the Gap – Networking and Learning with Eva Santos

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In this episode, we sit down with Eva, a support product specialist at Cisco Meraki, who shares her unique role bridging the gap between network support and engineering. We delve into the importance of having a solid networking foundation, the need for adaptability in the ever-evolving tech landscape, and the value of continuous learning and certifications. Eva also gives us insights into her career journey, transitioning from network engineering to Wi-Fi deployments, and how she’s leveraging her expertise in her current role.

Eva begins by explaining her role as a support product specialist, where she serves as a crucial link between the network support and engineering teams. Her work involves identifying and resolving product issues, making recommendations for new features, and evaluating the impact these features have on the support team. Eva emphasizes the importance of a strong foundation in networking basics, such as DHCP, DNS, and spanning tree, to effectively troubleshoot Wi-Fi problems. She also discusses the need to stay adaptable and continuously learn new protocols and features to succeed in the fast-paced world of networking.

The discussion shifts to the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in consulting. Eva, Rowell, and François explore the concept of “learning how to learn,” a critical skill for consultants who need to stay on top of evolving technologies. They also discuss the value of certifications in the industry. While certifications are beneficial, Eva and Rowell stress that they are not the sole determinant of success; practical experience and a commitment to ongoing learning are just as important for employability and career growth.

As the conversation moves forward, Eva expresses her interest in signal processing and the electrical engineering side of Wi-Fi. She shares her struggles in finding structured learning resources in this area and contemplates pursuing further education in signal processing. Rowell highlights the value of understanding hardware, while François leans more towards the software side of networking. The discussion touches on the relevance of APIs in networking, with Eva sharing her experience working with APIs in the Meraki dashboard and how mastering APIs is a great starting point for those looking to expand their technical skillset.

Eva goes on to share her experience with automating network tasks using Python scripts, detailing how she was able to save time by automating repetitive tasks such as renaming access points and mapping their locations. Rowell agrees that Python automation can significantly reduce the workload for large-scale projects. Eva also talks about her personal transition to a remote role at Cisco Meraki, a move prompted by her father’s illness. She emphasizes how her Wi-Fi expertise helped her secure a flexible position that allowed her to balance her career and family needs.

Summary

This episode features Eva Santos, a support product specialist at Cisco Meraki, discussing her role in bridging network support and engineering. The conversation covers the importance of a solid networking foundation, adaptability in the tech industry, and continuous learning. Eva shares insights on her career transition, the value of certifications balanced with practical experience, her interest in signal processing, and her experience with API usage and Python automation in networking. The episode also touches on Eva’s personal journey, highlighting how her Wi-Fi expertise enabled her to secure a flexible remote position to balance career and family needs.

Resources

• Eva on LinkedIn
• Eva’s Blog

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