Industry Certifications
Within the Information Technology field, industry certifications have become not only a standard but also a requirement for both entry-level positions and career advancement. Industry Certifications are a standardized method of assessing an individual’s proficiency level in a specific area in the computer field.
Within the computer industry, certification testing is administered by third party organizations, such as Prometric or VUE. These companies administer tests that have been created by standardized industry organizations or manufacturers to test the skill level of an individual. Passing these tests or a series of tests will then award an individual with a universally recognized industry certification that can be used either to gain entry into the IT profession or further an individual’s career and knowledge within their profession. The following list includes a few of the most common and most sought after certifications.
A+ Certification has become the industry standard for entry-level PC technician jobs and careers. Most employers require their entry level PC technicians to hold the A+ Certification.
Network+ Certification deals with networking basics and is highly recommended, especially in individuals just starting in the IT field.
Security+ Certification deals with a broad range of security principles that apply to many different organization types and environments. From the U.S. Military to Fortune 500 companies, every organization needs individuals who understand the nature of security and its processes.
Linux+
The need for professional knowledge of Linux systems continues to grow, as businesses discover the power and reliability of this affordable, and often free, operating system. Many Windows-based networks use Linux-based machines in their most mission-critical server roles, so a proven understanding of Linux principles is highly marketable.
MOS Certification stands for Microsoft Office Specialist. This certifies proficiency in a Microsoft Office application. Companies view the MOS as proof of skill competency in screening job candidates for a variety of positions.
MOS Master Certification proves competency in all applications of Microsoft’s Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Outlook).
MCP stands for Microsoft Certified Professional and is the certification that is a building block for a Microsoft Computer Career. This certification is highly sought after by companies looking for Microsoft Computer Specialist in the IT and MIS fields.
MCSA is often mistaken as merely a stepping stone to the MCSE certification, but Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator certification is a viable achievement in its own right. This certification is focused on day-to-day administration of a Microsoft Enterprise, as opposed to initial design.
MCSE stands for Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer and signifies knowledge in designing, implementing and administering a Microsoft specific network. This is a highly regarded certification sought after by employers.
MCAD, or Microsoft Certified Application Developer, demonstrates proven ability to design solid, reliable Windows applications that utilize the Microsoft .NET framework, an extremely popular and well-distributed code set. .NET is all about bringing many different programming languages together into a cohesive whole, so this certification is always in high demand, regardless of the target industry.
MCDBA certification represents expertise in the design, maintenance, and overall administration of a Microsoft SQL database architecture. Large businesses need databases of tremendous size and complexity, and they look to certified professionals to keep everything running smoothly.
CCNA certification comes from Cisco, an industry leader in infrastructure connectivity products. The CCNA certification (Cisco Certified Network Associate) prepares individuals to manage and configure small-scale LAN’s using industry standard Cisco products.
CCNP certification is another Cisco certification, but is focused on much larger-scale networks than the CCNA. The CCNP certification is for networking professionals looking to showcase their competence in the design and implementation of WAN technologies.
