| IT Certifications for the Working Professional | | | | Through the specialized education and |
| College is a huge investment. The tuition fees are | | | | examinations individuals have to experience, skills |
| enormous, and the time sacrificed to gain an | | | | in specific areas are made known to companies |
| education can be overwhelming. It is an | | | | who are interested in hiring once a certification is |
| investment which has to be looked at through the | | | | earned. |
| big picture goggles; otherwise, people wouldnt | | | | IT certifications can be offered through classroom |
| go after the education. The results are not | | | | experiences, however for the working IT |
| immediate and the cost is very high. The benefits | | | | professional, distance learning might be the better |
| down the road are great, but the immediate cost | | | | option. Companies such as TestOut have created |
| can at times lead people away from the | | | | programs which allow users to take their |
| opportunity. | | | | certification courses from a personal computer. |
| By no means am I saying that college is not a | | | | Through this type of technology, IT professionals |
| worthy investment of your time, because it is a | | | | can study at their own pace, while acquiring the |
| huge asset to the working professional. The skills | | | | information required to gain high scores on |
| gained through an education are priceless and the | | | | examinations. |
| benefits by far outweigh the time invested. What | | | | There are many different types of certifications |
| I am saying, is that college is time intensive, and | | | | available. Microsoft offers certifications such as |
| for some it might be difficult contribute their full | | | | their certified system administrator and certified |
| attention. | | | | system engineer courses; while others might be |
| So what can be done to earn a higher income if | | | | interested in earning an A+ or Cisco CCNA |
| college is not an option at this point in time? IT | | | | certification. Each certification specializes in certain |
| certifications might be the answer. IT certifications | | | | areas, and each will allow for added benefits in a |
| are designed to give individuals extra training and | | | | career. |
| education on different functionalities of computers | | | | Through this type of an extended education, IT |
| and technical concepts. Novell broke through with | | | | professionals and those who wish to pursue a |
| a powerful education system in the early 90s, | | | | career in this field are given the opportunity to |
| allowing individuals to become certified using their | | | | excel. Certifications can take as much time to gain |
| products, in doing so individuals became extremely | | | | as you would like with distance learning |
| knowledgeable in specific areas. Microsoft also | | | | technology. If you learn quickly, forty hours of |
| provides certifications which can be earned, | | | | study time should be adequate to assist in passing |
| allowing for individuals to earn industry wide | | | | examinations; however it is different for every |
| recognition of skills and proficiency. | | | | student. If you are looking to improve your |
| Because these certifications are recognized | | | | situation and dont have the time for college, an |
| throughout the IT industry, individuals who hold | | | | IT certification might be for you. |
| these accomplishments are in high demand. | | | | |