What is dear techie all about?
Looking for answers to your certification and IT career questions? Post your question on our tech support blog and receive an answer directly from IT professionals Wayne Anderson and Ken Wagner. Anderson is a highly certified instructional consultant and the certification lead for Avanade, a global Microsoft consultancy. Wagner is an IT network manager and part-time IT lecturer in the United Kingdom. He has lived in the United States, Asia and Europe.
Dear Techie,
I am in college pursuing a bachelor’s in computer science, with a focus on networking. I am deciding what to use my electives on, so I am looking for information about what the best IT jobs will be in four years. I’m thinking programming. What would you suggest?
Asked by James on (06-25-2009)
Ken Wagner: Dear James,
The phrase “best job” is a fuzzy term. What may constitute a best job for one person may not for another. Add to that the fact that new technology is always bursting on the scene, and that individual tastes change through the college experience, and it gets even fuzzier. That said, I would suggest you go for programming as an elective. However, programming isn’t for everyone. Before you jump in and choose it, enroll in an introductory course and see if it’s something you enjoy. Other electives that may pique your interest and be very useful to you would include: • Databases: All companies use management information systems in one form or another. The three biggest databases out there are from Oracle, Microsoft and IBM. • Project management (PM): As companies continue to cut expenses, it is essential that projects are completed on time and within budget. Knowledge of PM will assist you no matter what level you are on the team. • E-business: This elective ideally would cover the foundations of different e-business infrastructures, selling and marketing on the Web, Web server hardware and software, business-to-business strategies, virtual communities, Web portals, e-commerce software, payment systems, security and the user experience. • Financial accounting: IT managers and deputy IT managers must have control over spending; otherwise, they will find that halfway through the year, they don’t have enough money left in their budgets to carry them through. Working knowledge of financial accounting — including a grasp of current and projected spend — is essential for any IT manager.
~Ken Wagner
Wayne Anderson: Dear James,
According to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook, the fastest-growing occupations, and occupations projected to have the largest numerical increases in employment between 2006 and 2016 for those with a bachelor’s degree include computer software engineers, computer support specialists and computer systems analysts. For those with bachelor’s degrees and relevant work experience, the BLS adds computer and information systems managers, medical and health services managers, and training and development specialists to this list. Clearly, there are a number of pursuits within the IT field that are expected to see sustained growth over time. The question, then, is where does your interest lie — and what, if any, experience do you have? Keep in mind that your education should be well-rounded. For example, a degree in computer science should include exposure to multiple programming languages, as well as a solid survey of business management and accounting classes. If you choose a more general information systems management route, you are faced with the challenge of taking enough broad computer classes to ensure you have relevant training and experience. Also, take advantage of any work-study, internship, or other project or volunteer opportunities that come up during college. A bachelor’s degree is great, but today’s employers look for a solid work history and a mix of education and experience. And that’s one expectation that I can look into my crystal ball and divine will not change in the next four years.
~Wayne Anderson
Wayne Anderson is a highly certified instructional consultant and the certification lead for Avanade, a global Microsoft consultancy. Ken Wagner is an IT network manager and part-time IT lecturer in the United Kingdom. He has lived in the United States, Asia and Europe.
Dear Techie,
I work as an Oracle Apps DBA. What do you think the future of an Oracle Apps DBA is? Do you suggest I stick with it, or should I learn some other skills to survive in this IT job market?
Asked by Mohammed on (05-21-2009)
Ken Wagner: Dear Mohammed,
While no one can predict the future, we can make educated guesses based on trends and growths in the market. Oracle has been No. 1 for years and, based on growth trends, will stay on top for years to come. That’s not to say everyone uses Oracle. A growing number of companies are using Microsoft SQL — not only as the stand-alone enterprise database, but as a part of other technologies such as SharePoint. It also offers better integration with other Microsoft products. There are other alternative databases such as MySQL that are open source and offer cheaper solutions that fit into some business models. That’s why it wouldn’t hurt to acquire skills in other vendors’ DB products. Technical skills are necessary — however, developing soft skills also goes a long way. Skills and knowledge developed from certifications in project management — such as CompTIA’s Project+, Prince2 or ISEB Project Management — will help you and your company when it comes to projects of all sizes, from planning to migration and/or implementation. In addition, there are certifications and skills gained from the ITIL v3 range. ITIL is the framework for IT Service Management and how it’s applied within an organization. Even though the ITIL is aimed at IT Services Management, the foundation level of ITIL is aimed at all levels. Finally, keep up to date with Oracle’s technology. This should be high on your priority list, even before learning about other vendors’ databases, etc.
~Ken Wagner
Wayne Anderson: Dear Mohammed,
With Oracle’s continuing strong investment in acquisition-based growth, there’s plenty of fuel to look at a road map three to five years down the road. Most recently, Oracle bid $7.4 billion for Sun Microsystems, an acquisition that provides a base of tested and deployed applications on a variety of hardware platforms and operating systems. Together with acquisitions of ClearApp, mValent and some other smaller players, Oracle’s utility computing and system management portfolios seem to be on track for continued growth. In past years, this kind of growth has been expressed through feature expansion in the existing Oracle branded applications space by leveraging approaches to other systems that the previous application versions may not have included. If anything, these new acquisitions — the acquisition of Sun Microsystems in particular — appears to position a strategy around supporting the core Oracle applications business, ensuring that Oracle has solutions for the complete life cycle of the customer business space. Oracle-based applications show no signs of disappearing. If you’re motivated by the desire to diversify your skills, both SAP and Microsoft offer comprehensive solutions with potential job opportunities in emerging technologies in the near future. In Microsoft’s Dynamics AX product line, becoming proficient in providing business intelligence development in the X++ language seems to be a rapidly growing market segment in terms of demand for learning products. That could be an excellent opportunity to diversify your skills into a heretofore lightly targeted area that’s poised for high growth. In my experience, bringing to the table a strong set of your specialization skills and experience in applying them will help get you in the door of larger companies.
~Wayne Anderson
Wayne Anderson is a highly certified instructional consultant and the certification lead for Avanade, a global Microsoft consultancy. Ken Wagner is an IT network manager and part-time IT lecturer in the United Kingdom. He has lived in the United States, Asia and Europe.
Dear Techie,
I have a B.A. in History and want to get a CCNA. What can I expect job-wise if I have a CCNA but no experience — Network Engineer I level? I fear I may never find a job. Also, would you recommend just studying from an Amazon book and then taking the test?
Asked by Brock on (05-08-2009)
Ken Wagner: Dear Brock,
First of all, you already have a degree, which is a plus. What job can you expect without experience? Generally speaking, you’ll start at help-desk/workshop level 1 (aka 1st-tier support) and not on the actual network itself. Most, if not all, network engineers, even at level 1, should have the skills to create and update documentation and network drawings, maintain network hardware and software and support projects — in addition to being knowledgeable in several other technical areas such as security and voice (VoIP). Do I recommend just studying from a book? Definitely not. Professional certifications — especially the mid to high range — need hands-on experience. If you want your Cisco certification to have some meaning, surf the Web for vendors that sell Cisco kits (for example, www.ciscokits.com) to learn and practice on. Other learning materials such as CBT, practice exams from legitimate vendors and audio lessons help the learning process. I personally would recommend doing the A+ and the Network+ combination, as they are both vendor-neutral certifications; then, if you do want to do a Cisco certification, look into the CCENT, which is Cisco’s entry-level certification. I say this for two reasons: 1. Not everyone uses Cisco kit. There are a lot of different vendors out there, such as HP, 3Com, Netgear and Ruckus. 2. Cisco certifications expire. The CCENT, CCNA and CCNP need to be renewed every three years (CCIE every two years), and there is no guarantee that you will be working with the network infrastructure within that time period.
~Ken Wagner
Wayne Anderson: Dear Brock,
The Cisco Certified Network Associate credential — just like any other certification — is itself no guarantee of a job. When employers look at you as a candidate, they will be interested in whether you have the experience to back up the credential. A person with a CCNA on paper but little experience troubleshooting indicators that come up when a network encounters a routing error will quickly become evident in an enterprise environment. Obtaining the CCNA will probably put you on track for a position as an intern, junior network engineer or network engineer I, or other networking-integrated roles that require close oversight by a more experienced colleague. Given that you have little other experience, you will need to spend time on the hardware itself or on a simulator, at the very least, before sitting for the exam. I strongly argue against sitting for exams of this nature based purely on the intent to get a job if you’re not also seeking to supplement your study with opportunities to obtain experience. Right now it’s difficult to find a job; there’s a large number of IT-focused professionals who have recently been laid off and are competing for every open position. As such, the competition for open positions will be stiff, so I would strongly encourage you to focus on obtaining opportunities to either work in an internship or seek contract work, where the requirements of the position are less stringent and more implementation-focused, to build your experience.
~Wayne Anderson
Wayne Anderson is a highly certified instructional consultant and the certification lead for Avanade, a global Microsoft consultancy. Ken Wagner is an IT network manager and part-time IT lecturer in the United Kingdom. He has lived in the United States, Asia and Europe.
Dear Techie,
I got an AA in COBOL back when key punch cards [still existed]. I’ve worked for ISPs, software companies and Web developers, but mostly on the sales side. I’ve read A+, I-Net+ and NT, but never pursued the certifications because I read that they were obsolete or overcrowded. I want to break into the tech support world and would like to work remotely for virtual companies. Which certifications would you recommend to give me the best chance of getting a job relatively quickly? Also, what is the cost, difficulty and viability of the certs?
Asked by Will on (03-26-2009)
Ken Wagner: Dear Will,
We’re going to have to look at this question realistically and break it down into manageable points to work on: 1. You want to break into IT. Right now, the only advice I can give you is to start sending out your resume and cover letter, even before you get qualified. Also, forget about your ideal IT job right now. Pursuing only certain positions will limit your options, and it’s a lot easier to move around once you’ve made it into the IT field. 2. You want to know which certifications you should go for and if they’re worth it. I’m going to lay it straight: There is no magic certification or qualification that will get you in. That said, I suggest you start with the basics and work your way up. In the support world, I recommend the CompTIA A+, Network+ and the Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST). These are entry-level/level-1 certifications. As for how much these certs cost, that is hard to nail down, as only the exam prices are fixed. How you decide to learn will dictate how much it will cost. Study materials or courses can range from $60 to $4,000. And are the exams worth it? Yes. For the entry-level positions, earning a credential shows you’re willing to take initiative. Keep in mind, however, that obtaining higher-level certs without relevant experience gives mixed signals. A hiring professional might ask himself, “Is this person only using this job as a stepping stone, and will he leave after six months?”
~Ken Wagner
Wayne Anderson: Dear Will,
In a difficult economy, obtaining one or two certifications to find a job is going to be nearly impossible. The solution to locating a position quickly is a combination of skills, experience, certification and, to some degree, persistence. That said, there are a few credentials that more closely complement the types of jobs you are looking for. For entry-level tech support, focus on a specific area. For example, for desktop help, you may want to consider CompTIA’s A+ credential, combined with certifications on the operating system or application that you intend to support. If it’s the Microsoft platform, for example, pursue the Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP): Enterprise Support Technician credential. You also may need to reassess your job targets. It is highly unlikely that, when just breaking into the industry, you would get a job that involves telecommuting. Despite a strong background — I’m thinking here of your COBOL experience — you may have to take a step back to move into an area that you are not as strongly qualified for. If you have a solid background in management and development or related disciplines, you may be able to focus your job applications a little bit higher in the management hierarchy to a position that is perhaps not as heavily technical. For example, the first-line manager of a help desk may not have to be as hands-on technical, but he or she will need platform knowledge while being able to leverage managing and sales experience. Further, realize that the present market means many very qualified technical professionals have been laid off and may be going for the same jobs you are. As a result, you may need to invest more in your skills.
~Wayne Anderson
Wayne Anderson is a highly certified instructional consultant and the certification lead for Avanade, a global Microsoft consultancy. Ken Wagner is an IT network manager and part-time IT lecturer in the United Kingdom. He has lived in the United States, Asia and Europe.
Dear Techie,
I am currently doing my engineering degree in telecommunications. What are the best entry-level cert programs for me to pursue to get a good IT job?
Asked by Ishaan on (02-25-2009)
Ken Wagner: Dear Ishaan,
Hi, Ishaan. You mentioned that your degree program is in telecommunications, but many people enter into a field different from the one they studied. First, you need to identify which area of IT you want to end up in. That said, no qualification will guarantee you any job, let alone a good job. However, entry-level certs can increase your chances of getting your foot in the door. Foundational cert programs can be divided into support-based, database-related, programming and nontechnical. Some support-based cert programs for you to consider are CompTIA’s A+ and Network+; Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST); Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT); and CWNP’s Wireless#. Some database-related certs to consider are MySQL’s CMA; Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS: Using Microsoft Office Access 2007); and any of Oracle’s database administrator credentials. With regard to entry-level programming certs, the only one that springs to mind is the Sun Certified Java Associate (SCJA). Entry-level nontechnical certs are becoming more and more important, as IT staff need to have a broader skill set. Some you should consider are ITIL v3 Foundation; Prince2 Foundation; CompTIA Project+; and the ISEB Foundation Certificate in Software Testing. Also, when looking for your first IT job, don’t discount the importance of networking — the nontechnical kind. And make sure to tailor your resume and cover letter for each company you apply to. Don’t fall into the trap of having a generic set of documents that you send out. Customizing your CV shows you’ve looked into the company and demonstrates your interest.
~Ken Wagner
Wayne Anderson: Dear Ishaan,
Telecommunications has focused lately on the integration of the traditional relay switched telephony networks with Voice Over IP (VoIP) and combined telephony messaging offerings. These kinds of offerings are known as “unified communications.” Information technology heavyweights such as Cisco, Microsoft, Alcatel, Nortel and Avaya have been investing heavily in the space with large tiers of new software and hardware offerings. Note that these offerings are all vendor-centric. Selecting a credential program will be based as much on your customers’ or employers’ preferred vendors as on your particular area of specialization. Let’s examine the factors that can help you determine which certs are right for you: • Area of specialty: There are a number of possible sectors in modern telephony, including the “pure” audio private branch exchange (PBX) space, which is a telephone exchange run by a private individual or company, and also the “pure” network-based VoIP offerings. • Product types: Would you like to specialize in the communications hardware or in the software that makes it possible? Telephony roles often are specialized to a certain portion of the infrastructure delivery. Selecting a hardware-centric role will allow you to narrow your certification search to only those vendors and product lines with hardware offerings. Conversely, a software-centric role may lead you to look at more expansive design and feature certifications from companies such as Microsoft and Cisco. • Vendor(s): The final step in your certification search is to identify the particular vendors within the space and specialty you would like to concentrate in. For example, if you decide you’d like to focus on hybrid communications and select Microsoft as the vendor, you might pursue a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) in Office Communications Server 2007. Your combination of choices should help guide you to the right credential for you.
~Wayne Anderson
Wayne Anderson is a highly certified instructional consultant and the certification lead for Avanade, a global Microsoft consultancy. Ken Wagner is an IT network manager and part-time IT lecturer in the United Kingdom. He has lived in the United States, Asia and Europe.
Dear Techie,
I have a master’s degree in information technology. However, I have no experience. During my time in school I took a class on Oracle 8i, but I never earned the certifications. Is 8i still a valid certification?
Asked by Michael on (02-04-2009)
Ken Wagner: Dear Michael,
This is another form of the classic question facing many college graduates as they enter the information technology industry: “I have a great set of classroom credentials, but without experience it’s hard to get that first job.” To that, I think you are adding the question of technical currency with Oracle 8i. To answer the second piece, yes, Oracle 8i still is in use in some companies, particularly large firms that have a slower cycle rate of moving to new software platforms. Is it the latest product version and certification? No. But depending on the employer or customer, it is still a possible credential to approach your employer with in order to assist in establishing your knowledge of the platform. You may want to consider more recent releases such as Oracle 9i (released in 2001), Oracle 10g (released in 2003) or Oracle 11g (released in 2007). The key difference here is that the “g” versions use grid computing, in which the application-hosting infrastructure takes a more multi-server-aware, parallelized approach to processing, storage and indexing. The significant architectural and design improvements since the 8i version may necessitate extended study on your part to ensure you can adequately address the administration needs of a modern enterprise. Looping back to the first piece of your question, you also should bolster your practical experience in any way you can to make yourself a more competitive candidate. Your best opportunity may be to consider contract work related to the Oracle platform, as the hiring bar for contract positions often is lower than for long-term positions. You can move into contract positions on the strength of your master’s degree and prior Oracle classwork. These contract positions may not afford you the long-term job security you are seeking. However, they can be parlayed into a resume of brief experiences that reinforce your updated platform study and position you to enter the industry at a level more commensurate with your education.
~Ken Wagner
Wayne Anderson: Dear Michael,
Oracle’s 8i was released almost 10 years ago. The latest version, 11g, was released in July 2007. The jump from 8i to 9i brought 400 new features — the jump from 8i to 11g brought even more. While Oracle 8i extended support ended in December 2006, it is still covered by Oracle’s sustaining support, so there may be a few companies still running that version. However, that version of support does not include any new updates, fixes, security alerts or critical patch updates, nor does it include any new tax, legal or regulatory updates or new upgrade scripts. For this reason, most companies are thinking of — if not already in the process of — migrating to a newer version. If you are considering Oracle certification, version 9 is the earliest available, but I would strongly recommend looking at either version 10 or 11. As not everyone uses Oracle, there are other DBA certifications to consider, as well. These include: • Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA) for SQL 2000. The exams for this credential get discontinued at the end of March, but the credential remains valid. • Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) for SQL 2005 and 2008. • Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) for SQL 2005 and 2008. This would be the replacement for the MCDBA. • MySQL certifications. These range from entry level to developer and administrator level.
~Wayne Anderson
Wayne Anderson is a highly certified instructional consultant and the certification lead for Avanade, a global Microsoft consultancy. Ken Wagner is an IT network manager and part-time IT lecturer in the United Kingdom. He has lived in the United States, Asia and Europe.
Dear Techie,
I’m 40 years old and would like to pursue a network security career. Currently I’m attending an A+ certification class — a 6-month course, completely entry level — and doing Net+ next. Everyone says Cisco is the way to go. I can’t afford to make any mistakes at this point: I am changing careers as I have spent the last 10 years as a supervisor for a national tree-trimming company. Any help or advice would be great for this rookie.
Asked by Ron on (12-29-2008)
Ken Wagner: Dear Ron,
It’s great that you have a goal in mind already, but please realize that most companies will require you to have previous IT experience in network administration before they will employ you in the security field of IT. I don’t want to dishearten you; I just want you to be aware. First, take a look at the U.S. Department of Defense Directive 8570.1 (DOD 8570.1). It’s aimed mainly for government employees who conduct information assurance (e.g., IT security) functions, but it does provide good guidelines for security certifications in other sectors. With that in mind, I would strongly advise you take a look at the CompTIA Security+. It is a vendor-neutral, entry-level security certificate and provides a good basis on which to build. I also would have advised ISC2’s Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP), but for that you need at least a year of experience, so the Associate of (ISC)² is a better choice. Going for the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), in particular the security specialization, could be dicey at this time. That’s because the CCNA is vendor-specific and expires after three years, and there is no guarantee that you’ll be working with Cisco in three years, especially when starting out. Therefore, I’d recommend going for the Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT) to give you a good overview and a base for further Cisco certifications. I also recommend you consider these two entry-level security certifications: Security Certified Network Specialist (SCNS) — which requires that you have either the Security+ certification or equivalent work experience — and the EC-Council E-Business Security Exam — which covers information security from an organization’s point of view.
~Ken Wagner
Wayne Anderson: Dear Ron,
This is a difficult time. Months of layoffs at some tech-savvy companies have created a glut of newly available, skilled IT professionals who will be competing with you for each open position. Network security in particular requires the expert-level grasp of basic technology skills upon which to build more specific knowledge. Further, companies want to be comfortable with your technical prowess in being able to grasp the challenges and threats facing their particular enterprise. Focus on building your certification portfolio and your experience in a nonspecific administration context first. You will need to be intimately familiar with the physical and logical networking of a company, as well as Windows and Linux operating systems, as these are the operating environments of most large firms. Finish your CompTIA certification and then pursue the Security+ credential. The Security+ is a cross-vendor, entry-level certification. Also, plan on spending some time learning the compliance aspects of the security management space. Many of the security positions in the industry are with organizations that have a compliance requirement pursuant to such regulations as outlined by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX), the Payment Card Industry (PCI) and the DOD. Recognizing how those compliance requirements work will give you a head start toward building the skills, certifications and experience you will need for your longer-term security career.
~Wayne Anderson
Wayne Anderson is a highly certified instructional consultant and the certification lead for Avanade, a global Microsoft consultancy. Ken Wagner is an IT network manager and part-time IT lecturer in the United Kingdom. He has lived in the United States, Asia and Europe.
Dear Techie,
I have a bachelor’s degree in multiple subjects and I want to get into the IT world. What type of certificates will land me a job as an entry-level network security administrator? What will increase my chances, as I have zero experience?
Asked by Mike on (11-26-2008)
Ken Wagner: Dear Mike,
To get into network security administration or any higher-level IT job, you’ve got to work up from the bottom for two good reasons: first, because you build up your IT experience and knowledge; second, this is one of the best ways to gain respect from your co-workers. For the same reason a hospital would not employ a doctor without experience, a company would not employ someone without experience to look after its servers and network infrastructures — a rookie mistake can be very costly. With that in mind, I would strongly recommend doing the following technical certifications: CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+ and the Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST). Those three are, more or less, entry-level/Level 1 support certifications. For nontechnical certifications, I would recommend looking at the following: ITIL Version 3 Foundation and HDI Helpdesk Analyst. These help you develop some of the soft skills required for IT professionals. What about the higher professional certifications such as Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA), Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) or Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)? Unless you have the experience to back up these certifications, a lot of IT managers will disregard them. A lot of people are trying to use them as shortcuts or experience substitutes, but remember that work-based professional certifications are there to validate and reflect your job role and responsibilities. Another recommendation would be to join a professional IT association. Membership shows that you follow a professional code of conduct and provides various networking and development opportunities. The two most popular professional IT associations in the U.K. are the British Computer Society (BCS) and The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). In the U.S., the most well-known are the CompTIA IT Professional Membership Program and the Network Professional Association (NPA). Canada’s main IT association is the Canadian Information Processing Society (CIPS).
~Ken Wagner
Wayne Anderson: Dear Mike,
Ideally, you will want to focus on building a mix of certifications and a portfolio of increasingly complex project experience. Start small. You will want to start building your experience any way you can. If you have financial flexibility and are having trouble getting that first job, don’t be afraid to start with an internship. Internships provide valuable experience that can be the basis for a full-time professional position later. If you don’t have the flexibility to pursue an internship, try to obtain help-desk or contract work. Working on a company help desk might not be the type of glamorous hands-on job you want, but it will provide experience working in high-stress situations. Contract work, on the other hand, often is more varied, and in a difficult economy and job market, it is sometimes easier to compete for than more stable full-time professional roles. The benefits and stability of contract work often are very low, but each position provides you with an opportunity to gain invaluable exposure, as well as a resume listing. Once you’ve begun to build your experience, you can add certifications to buttress it. You immediately should consider obtaining a cross-vendor credential from CompTIA on either the A+ or similar support technologies. A basic Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) credential on Windows Vista or your choice of Linux vendor also would go a long way toward getting that first position. If you choose to concentrate in the Linux space, over the long term, target a more advanced credential such as the Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP): Server Administrator or the Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE).
~Wayne Anderson
Wayne Anderson is a highly certified instructional consultant and the certification lead for Avanade, a global Microsoft consultancy. Ken Wagner is an IT network manager and part-time IT lecturer in the United Kingdom. He has lived in the United States, Asia and Europe.
Dear Techie,
I completed an MBA program from Bradford University in 2006. Now I would like to sit for the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) exam at a testing center in London. Would a graduate-level course in project management meet the academic requirements equivalent to "23 contact hours of formal project management education?"
Asked by Asad on (10-23-2008)
Ken Wagner: Dear Asad,
Short answer: "Yes." According to the U.K. chapter of the Project Management Institute (PMI), an MBA in project management does meet the 23-hours requirement for formal project management education. Long answer: "Yes." The MBA in project management will meet the required educational contact hours. The first step you must take is to register with PMI via the online application form or snail mail. The next step is to take the required CAPM exam, which lasts three hours, contains 150 questions and is based on A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide). This exam can be taken at any Prometric test site; details on how to register for the exam will be sent to you from PMI after it accepts your application. You haven't stated if you have any professional certifications or if you're interested in any other professional certifications based on project management. You may be interested in the following certifications: CompTIA Project+: This is a globally recognized project management certification that does not expire and attracts 120 guided-learning hours. In the U.K., it is mapped to level 4 of the National Qualifications Framework. (This sits at the same educational level as a BTEC/Edexcel professional award.) Prince2: There are two levels of Prince2: Prince2 Foundation and Prince2 Practitioner. It was developed by the U.K. Office of Government Commerce and is quickly growing in popularity outside the U.K. As with PMI credentials, IT professionals holding the Prince2 Practitioner certification must re-register every three to five years. ITIL v3: This certification works well with project management. As for which is more relevant, at the end of the day, it depends on which methodology the company in question uses, as well as how it implements it.
~Ken Wagner
Wayne Anderson: Dear Asad,
Examining the documentation on the PMI Web site, I think the answer depends on the various classes you have completed. The 23 hours of formal project management education often is accomplished by a single delivery management or project management course in "semester" format at the university level. As a result, you should have completed the education-related requirements for your CAPM certification. Therefore, I would advise you to go and schedule the exam for your CAPM. Longer term, you should be able to apply your project management experience to pursue the far more accepted PMP credential. The other element here to keep in mind is that the CAPM is considered an entry-level credential and likely will not provide a significant competitive edge in terms of building your attractiveness as a candidate. Your master's/postgraduate education as a project manager probably will provide far more value to an organization than CAPM Certification. Further, the CAPM is seldom singled out as a way to find an excellent candidate for a position. When an organization has a project management need, it tends to seek a candidate with a more advanced certification that indicates more experience and a more comprehensive coverage of project management competencies. For example, a search for the CAPM credential on Monster.com turned up just 97 positions, indicating how often organizations are specifically requesting that certification. By contrast, searching on a similar basis for the term "PMP" turned up 1,876 positions.
~Wayne Anderson
Wayne Anderson is a highly certified instructional consultant and the certification lead for Avanade, a global Microsoft consultancy. Ken Wagner is an IT network manager and part-time IT lecturer in the United Kingdom. He has lived in the United States, Asia and Europe.
Dear Techie,
I recently earned a certification in e-discovery from Kroll Ontrack, which is my firms primary vendor for this need. My review is coming up, and I was wondering what this certification is worth to my firm? I typically get the same percentage raise every year, but [now I have this certification, and] my position has changed so much over the four years I have been here. Please advise as to what percentage or bonus I should ask for, if any. - Greg
Asked by Greg on (09-29-2008)
Ken Wagner: Dear Greg,
I cant advise you on precisely how much you should ask for just for completing a certification for two reasons. First, professional certifications should reflect and validate job skills, so part of your wage increase or bonus should be based on your skills. Second, wage increases vary quite a lot from state to state and from country to country, especially in different industries. However, since you have stated your job role has changed quite a lot during the past four years, I would look at what you used to do and compare it to what you do now. Then try to negotiate your wage based on that. I also would take into consideration the following points when negotiating a wage increase: the current credit crunch affecting the economy; any training courses or exams your employer has put you through; if this course or certificate directly relates to your current job role; and any other responsibilities youre willing to undertake. At the same time, you have to raise the following points with your employer: the current wage for similarly certified and experienced personnel in your position; the cost to the company of replacing you (including in-house training time for the job, costs of any required external training or certification, the possibility of hiring the wrong person); and any other responsibilities that your employer may wish to give you. The point of this exercise is not to try to threaten to leave if you do not get everything you ask for, but to come to some sort of compromise so both parties are happy with the outcome of the negotiations. You as an employee have to feel valued for the work you do as an individual, and your employer has to feel it is getting value for its money. I wish you good luck, and I hope you get a wage that reflects your new job role and responsibilities.
~Ken Wagner
Wayne Anderson: Dear Greg,
Congratulations on completing this certification program. While this is certainly an accomplishment, this particular credential in e-discovery unfortunately is not well-adopted by the industry at large. These kinds of vendor-specific credentials focus on the particular needs and systems of the underlying product, and often they are intended to provide employers with specific capabilities they need. Therefore, the value this credential can add to your career is highly specific to your employer. As such, these kinds of credential efforts often dont allow you to negotiate a salary increase as strongly as a more widely accepted credential such as the CISA, CISSP or broader security certifications. The Kroll Ontrack e-discovery certification is one of the first dedicated credentials in the e-discovery space. In a firm dedicated to e-discovery or archival services, there is a direct relationship between obtaining this credential and enhancing your ability to perform paid services for clients. This would be similar to the way in which an engineer or developer could use the CCNA or MCPD, respectively, to enhance a salary discussion. I would advise you to position this credential more as a part of your overall achievement for the year in combination with your other work efforts. By concentrating on the new or enhanced skills that you can use to mitigate risk or cut costs, you can engage management in a strong review discussion.
~Wayne Anderson
Wayne Anderson is a highly certified instructional consultant and the certification lead for Avanade, a global Microsoft consultancy. Ken Wagner is an IT network manager and part-time IT lecturer in the United Kingdom. He has lived in the United States, Asia and Europe.
Dear Techie,
I have been a network technician for about two years, and I have the A+, Network+, Security+, Project+, CIW Site Designer and the MCP. My question is, if I want to work my way into network design, should I try to get the CCDA/CCDP certification or go with a vendor-neutral certification? If the answer is the latter, do you know of any vendor-neutral certs with the kind of reputation that Cisco has? I would like to remain relevant to all of the networks that dont use Cisco; however, I am aware that Cisco holds about 80 percent of the market.
Asked by joneseri on (08-18-2008)
Ken Wagner: Dear joneseri,
There are a range of certificates and qualifications that you can look into, depending on what you classify as network design. In addition to the CCDA and CCDP, there are other vendors that offer alternative design certs or modules, such as Microsoft and its MCSE program (from a systems design point of view), 3Coms Certified Enterprise LAN Specialist, Juniper certification, etc. As for choosing a vendor certification program, I would recommend going down the route that matches the current technology you work with. As for vendor-neutral certificates and qualifications, the only ones I can recommend either would be part of a degree program or something along the lines of the BCS (British Computer Society) Certificate in IT Architecture. However, your national professional IT association might be able to provide you with more information regarding nationally accredited and recognized qualifications for your country. According to a May article on Wirelessdesignasia.com, Cisco now holds 57 percent of the market, followed closely by Juniper. It goes to show that other vendors are improving their equipment dramatically. Which vendor will have the top place or the biggest slice of the market in a few years time is hard to predict. Thats not to say that vendor-specific certs arent useful; there will always be an overlap of information between different programs, so only the vendor-specific information will be irrelevant. Just remember that whatever certification or qualification you go for, experience is more valuable, regardless of how it is attained whether through job shadowing, volunteering or job placement. Certifications and qualifications will not guarantee you career progression; they will only assist you when added to the rest of your experience and skills.
~Ken Wagner
Wayne Anderson: Dear joneseri,
When you work with network design, as far as the industry is concerned, Ciscos certifications really are the most common set of accepted credentials to validate those skills. While I certainly can appreciate the focus on staying relevant to all networks, the simple fact of the matter is that network design is so specialized there are not very good vendor-independent certifications. There are some universities that offer network systems design as a credit course or a certificate course, usually at the graduate level, but the ones I surveyed were still principally based on Ciscos routers and Catalyst brand of switches. If you opt not to pursue a credential from Cisco, you would be pursuing a credential from another vendor, such as the CompTIA Network+. This is not nearly deep enough to target your design focus. If you would like to avoid vendor lock-in with your credentials, I would suggest pursuing the Cisco certs as a primary path. Certify in what you work with. Does your company have another brand of switches in the environment? If so, then that should be the focus of your secondary credential. Many vendors do not have a dedicated design credential, so you might have to go after the administrator/engineer certification that includes design components.
~Wayne Anderson
Wayne Anderson is a highly certified instructional consultant and the certification lead for Avanade, a global Microsoft consultancy. Ken Wagner is an IT network manager and part-time IT lecturer in the United Kingdom. He has lived in the United States, Asia and Europe.
Dear Techie,
I have been working at Wipro for the past two years. Initially I was in business process outsourcing (BPO) and my role was to support all U.S.-based customers who are using Dell products. Now I have been selected for Wipro Technologies State Street Project. My project is based on working on a server, and I am working as a service desk analyst. I want to know which certifications I should select to grow in this field and to have better opportunities.
Asked by Priyanka Roy on (08-06-2008)
Ken Wagner: Dear Priyanka Roy,
Start developing your professional development plan and determine in which environment you intend to work. However, one certification program you may want to check out is CompTIAs Server+, a non-vendor-specific program that is geared to server technologies and will assist you in whichever route you choose. Other certification programs I would recommend would include: The Dell Certified Systems Expert (DCSE); The HDI Support Center Analyst; ITIL v3 (IT Infrastructure Library); Prince2, CompTIA Project+ and/or Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM); Six Sigma Green Belt program.
~Ken Wagner
Wayne Anderson: Dear Priyanka Roy,
In order to grow yourself in the server space, you need to determine the kinds of environments you intend to support throughout your career. Are they going to be large environments? Do you anticipate them to be primarily Microsoft shops or another platform and vendor? Right now, it sounds like you are at the classic turning point, where one makes the transition from a direct customer-support environment to getting involved in the infrastructure side of information technology operations. I would advise two things for you at this juncture: Build a lab to gain experience, and then plan for 36 months of self-development. First, ensure you have gathered the necessary resources to invest in your learning. The odds are that your employer is not going to provide a lab machine that you can build and tear down server products on, so you will need to build that at home. To save money and enhance the effectiveness of your investment, I strongly recommend using one or two machines and implementing the free VMware Server product, available at www.vmware.com. Unfortunately, getting experience on server products often is expensive, particularly in the case of Microsoft Windows-based server products, as you will need to ascertain a technical subscription to MSDN or TechNet to gain personal access to server-class products at minimal cost. An alternative is to use trial download versions of these products, which stop working properly after 120 days. Build things and tear them down. Configure infrastructure services such as DHCP, DNS and directory services. Doing so is one of the best ways to learn for most IT professionals. As for your development plan for the next 36 months, assuming you work in a Microsoft shop, I would advise focusing on your MCITP: Server Administrator credential during that time. This will apply a series of five exams to build your framework of knowledge with the Windows Server 2008 platform while you separately are building your experience. If you are in a Linux environment, I would advise you to choose one of the major distributions, such as Red Hat or SUSE and plan to certify to the engineer level with that platform.
~Wayne Anderson
Wayne Anderson is a highly certified instructional consultant and the certification lead for Avanade, a global Microsoft consultancy. Ken Wagner is an IT network manager and part-time IT lecturer in the United Kingdom. He has lived in the United States, Asia and Europe.
Dear Techie,
I am looking for some sound advice regarding CISA and the IT auditor. I am considering moving into IT auditor as a career option. I have been working in IT for the last eight years, but mostly in network support. I would like your opinion on whether IT audit would be a wise career move; and furthermore, judging from my work experience, would I be able to apply for CISA certification? Thanks for your time. Regards, Donald Chodeva
Asked by Donald on (06-06-2008)
Ken Wagner: Dear Donald,
To become a certified IT auditor, I would recommend an auditing certification such as the CISA. However, there are more general audit qualifications such as the Certified Internal Auditor offered by the Institute of Internal Auditors. Or theres a more specialized qualification program offered by (ISC)2 that includes the CAP, the SSCP or the higher CISSP certification. Combine any of the above certification programs with other IT professional certifications and this will only enhance your chances of entering the field. The CISA is internationally recognized, and its reinforced by the fact that you cant just sit for the exam at a normal testing center, but at set ISACA-named centers only at set periods. Getting CISA status is not as easy as just passing an exam. ISACA says: A minimum of five years of professional information systems auditing, control or security work experience (as described in the job practice areas) is required for certification. Substitutions and waivers of such experience may be obtained if certain education and general IS or audit experience requirements are met. I must point out that you are moving from one area of IT where you have eight years experience to another field of IT: Do not expect an easy or smooth transition. Youll be moving from a hands-on job to one where youll be assessing systems and then handing over your findings. Plus, your salary may drop as youll be entering the field at an entry-level position. While the IT auditing field isnt everyones cup of tea, it is still a good field to get into, especially since it is one that is rapidly growing due to companies increasing awareness of security and the need for legal compliance.
~Ken Wagner
Wayne Anderson: Dear Donald,
No matter your level of experience with information security, I would encourage you to start preparing in this area. One of the key things about a certification is that part of the credential is to certify your experience in the subject matter. I would advise starting with a lower level certification (or two, depending on your budget and time available) and working up to the CISA. My recommendation for your first credential in this space would either be the CompTIA Security+ or the GSEC from GIAC. Security+ is one of the worst-written exams I have sat for in terms of the lack of polish; however, it has a more comprehensive set of material than many credentials that have a more senior placement in the industry. You are building a solid footing to make sure this is something you have a basic understanding of and something you will be interested in long term. The CISA has a cost both in terms of sitting for the exam and the extensive study required. At the same time, the rewards of the CISA credential also could be significant, depending on your expectations. Certification Magazines 2007 Salary Survey indicated that individuals with the CISA earned, on average, $98,740. CISA-certified folks are in demand, too. At the time of this writing, a search on the keyword CISA on each of the major search engines turned up voluminous results, including 1,277 listings on one first-tier employment site. I would caution you to temper your enthusiasm with the knowledge that using the CISA to get a job will only help you go after one of these positions in combination with experience. Until then, expect your CISA to be a key to entry-level positions that will pay off in the long run with increased salary and desirability as an experienced employee.
~Wayne Anderson
Wayne Anderson is a highly certified instructional consultant and the certification lead for Avanade, a global Microsoft consultancy. Ken Wagner is an IT network manager and part-time IT lecturer in the United Kingdom. He has lived in the United States, Asia and Europe.
Dear Techie,
Do certifications such as MOS and IT certifications in general help in an economy like this? How do you make sense of jobs going to India? I think getting a MOS certification would help me. However, my company does not seem to honor that. The problem is I have not used much of what I learned. Cynthia
Asked by Cynthia on (06-06-2008)
Ken Wagner: Dear Cynthia,
I will answer your questions one at a time, based on my own experiences and views. Do certifications such as MOS and IT certifications in general help in an economy like this? Any certification or credential will help in this or any economy. Coupled with experience, soft skills and personality, they will give you an edge over an unqualified person. How do you make sense of jobs going to India? I cannot comment on specifics; however, generally, there are both pros and cons organizations face when dealing with offshoring. Some of the pros are: Pay rates can be cheaper, and therefore more competitive, due to the lower cost of living abroad. Also, in a lot of developing countries especially when unemployment is high people are pushed to gain more skills and certifications in order to gain employment. So their technical knowledge and skills are higher. Some of the cons are: A company needs to control its quality standards, and with offshoring, a lot of companies cant. It will see an increased language barrier, not only with general communication but also regional. There are also security issues. There have been a few cases recently in which companies that offshored have lost confidential data. If youre going to stay with your current employer, then first of all, I would recommend doing a certification track that it recognizes as a benefit, especially if you want promotion in that company. If youre going to leave in the near future, then go ahead and get qualified with certifications that are more likely to benefit you with other companies.
~Ken Wagner
Wayne Anderson: Dear Cynthia,
As with any certification, the value of the certification at the company you are applying to or already working for depends on the recruiting process and your level of experience and credentialing in the industry. If you are at the top of the competitive pool for a promotion or to be hired at a company, then certifications become a differentiating factor. If you are not yet at the top of the pool, certifications can put you higher on that list but may not make you the ultimate candidate to get the promotion or the job. Outsourcing to India has been a mixed bag, and a lot of its impact depends on where you are in the industry. If your job is as first-line help-desk support or office specialist, something of that nature, your position may be more vulnerable to pay reductions because market forces have to balance, and the demand for your role onshore may no longer sustain a higher salary. In some industries, it has allowed more senior professionals to focus more granularly on being an expert. In the training arena, for example, I have seen much of actual course production at Microsoft and similar vendors go overseas. The folks who used to have that job in the U.S. often end up becoming onshore liaisons between the experts and organization supporting the content and the folks developing it. Through outsourcing some of the old work, these folks have found a more capability-focused position.
