Improve your job prospects through certification
One way to convince them that you're the best is to become certified in your field. From the employer's perspective, "certification lets you know that the employee you're interviewing meets a minimum standard," says Stephen Northcutt, spokesman for SANS GIAC (System Administration, Networking and Security Institute's Global Incident Analysis Center). SANS GIAC offers a certification program for computer security professionals. For the potential employee, adds Northcutt, "it gives them a huge edge. People like to see lots of initials."
And those initials often translate into higher salaries and more job opportunities. "For companies, it's a reduction of risk," says Brent Handler, CEO of
IQDestination.com, "so when you hire somebody that has their certification, you have a greater chance of success on whichever application or mission-critical deliverable you're working on."Decide what to get certified in
Once you decide to get a certification, you'll need to decide what to get certified in. There are so many certifications out there, you're likely to find something that matches your field, whether it's security, network administration, help desk, or anything else. Besides general certifications, there are plenty of application-specific certifications available to certify individuals who use or want to use a specific application or piece of hardware. Besides the most obvious, which are the Microsoft, Cisco, and Novell certifications, many vendors of specialized equipment have or support certification programs of their own. NCR, for example, has a certification program surrounding its Teradata Warehouse database. The Teradata Certified Professional Program produces Certified Teradata Implementation Specialists, and from an employer's point of view, that is an excellent way to know whether or not a potential hire is qualified to run that complex application. The company expects to generate more than 2,500 certified professionals by the end of the year. The computer-based certification exams are administered at Sylvan Prometric testing centers around the world.
"The Internet is going to be a huge application for learning," IQDestination.com’s Handler says. His company works on an auction model, a la Priceline.com, in which students or companies submit a price and training sites bid against each other for that business. That obviously presents a major opportunity for cost savings. "A good example is a company in the Los Angeles area who saved 50 percent on four MCSEs," said Handler. "Four MCSEs that listed at $12,000 a piece -- they got them for $6,000 each." Handler says that the topic-specific courses -- certified training for Cisco, Microsoft, Novell, Lotus, Oracle, and Java -- are in most demand.
Another educational Website, Ed-x.com, focuses on aggregating distance learning and online educational opportunities from around the world. Along with the extensive database of online educational opportunities, students can also make use of the Website as a single educational portal from which they can buy textbooks and related software, apply for financial aid and loans, and even find tutoring.
Ed-x.com founder Mark Hall says that students
who take an online IT course tend to be highly motivated. When looking for a certification
program, Hall advises that you should check out other students' success rates, along with
the general requirements for the certificate. "One of the items that we offer on our
site is the ability to look and see how other learners have rated each class and their
comments. Some message boards host lively discussions."
If you want to join the fight against ugly Websites, you can take online courses from Sessions.edu, and get certification in graphic design, Web design, and advertising design. Heather Kosek, a graphic designer at Lockheed-Martin, is taking design courses online through Sessions.edu. Besides the convenience of doing the coursework on your own schedule, Heather says "it's easier to express yourself when you're by yourself just typing into a computer." And because Sessions.edu provides community areas and message boards, she doesn't lose the experience of socializing and comparing notes with other students that comes with attending a live class. Heather especially enjoys interacting with other students and faculty on the message board. "The upside here is the diversity of students," she says. "There are students from all over the world. You don't normally get that in normal classes at a local college."
Here is a list of some of the most commonly sought after certifications.
Certifications From Cisco Systems
Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA)
Skill Level: Basic
For individuals who design simple routed LAN, routed WAN, and
switched LAN networks with fewer than 100 nodes that utilize Cisco routers and switches.
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
Skill Level: Basic
For individuals who install, configure, and operate
simple-routed LAN, routed WAN, and switched LAN and ATM LANE networks that utilize Cisco
routers and switches.
Cisco IP Telephony Support Specialist
Skill Level: Basic
For individuals who plan, implement, and support Cisco advanced
IP telephony network solutions. The focus is on implementing and supporting Cisco data and
voice integration solutions over Frame Relay, ATM and IP.
Cisco Cable Communications Specialist
Skill Level: Intermediate
Cisco Cable Communications Specialist - focuses on the
knowledge and skills required to support and deploy Cisco cable two-way data services.
Includes proficiency in DOCSIS, DVB, RF, and Cisco IOS.
Cisco Certified Design Professional (CCDP)
Skill Level: Intermediate
For individuals who design complex routed LAN, routed WAN, and
switched LAN networks of 100 to more than 500 nodes, that utilize Cisco routers and
switches.
Cisco Certified Internetwork Professional (CCIP)
Skill Level: Intermediate
For individuals who work in an end-to-end Cisco environment.
Covers IP routing, IP multicast, cable, DSL, content networking or IP telephony. Still
being rolled out.
Cisco Internet Solutions Specialist
Skill Level: Intermediate
For individuals who are actively involved in developing
e-business solutions, and designing and delivering the underlying network architectures.
Focuses on Cisco hardware/services as they related to Internet business solutions. Part of
the Cisco Qualified Specialist program.
Cisco Security Specialist
Skill Level: Intermediate
For individuals who wish to demonstrate proficiency in
designing, installing, and supporting Cisco security solutions. Part of the Cisco
Qualified Specialist program.
Cisco SNA/IP Design Specialist
Skill Level: Intermediate
For individuals who wish to demonstrate proficiency in
designing and installing Cisco SNA/IP Integration solutions.
Cisco SNA/IP Support Specialist
Skill Level: Intermediate
For individuals who wish to demonstrate proficiency in
supporting Cisco SNA/IP Integration solutions.
Certified Cisco Systems Instructor (CCSI)
Skill Level: Advanced
This certification is for individuals who want to teach
authorized Cisco courses. You must be employed or sponsored by a Cisco Learning Partner.
Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)
Skill Level: Advanced
The program is designed to identify computer professionals with
internetworking expertise. This top-of-the-line certification is for individuals who work
specifically with Cisco products. It is currently one of the premier IT certifications.
Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
Skill Level: Advanced
This designation is for individuals who install, configure,
operate, and troubleshoot complex routed LAN, routed WAN, Switched LAN networks, and Dial
Access Services that utilize Cisco routers and switches. This is the next step after CCNA
certification.
Certifications From IBM 
IBM Certified Specialist
Skill Level: Basic
For individuals who perfrom basic planning, configuration,
installation, support, or maintenance of IBM products. Choose from many specialties,
including: AIX, Domino, RS/6000, VisualAge, WebSphere, DB2 UDB, IBM e.server, AS/400,
S/390, MQSerires, SecureWay, and storage solutions.
IBM Certified Developer
Skill Level: Intermediate
For individuals who plan, design, and build applications in an
IBM environment. Choose from XML or MQSeries.
IBM Certified for e-Business Professional
Skill Level: Intermediate
For individuals who develop e-business strategies, including
selecting technologies,and products, and designing an implementable solution. Choose from
Solution Advisor, Solution Designer, or Solution Technologist.
IBM Certified Solution Developer
Skill Level: Intermediate
For application developers who work with IBM environments.
Choose from WebSphere or VisualAge.
IBM Certified Solutions Expert
Skill Level: Intermediate
For individuals who wish to demonstrate expertise in particular
IBM environments. Track choices include WebSphere application development, CICS, DB2,
MQSeries, ViaVoice, IBM e.server, and IBM DirectTalk.
IBM Certified Advanced Technical Expert
Skill Level: Advanced
For individuals wish to demonstrate advanced expertise with IBM
products including AIX and IBM Server pSeries (RS/6000) and DB2 Universal Database (UDB).
This is IBM's highest level designation.
IBM Certified Enterprise Developer
Skill Level: Advanced
For the Web site designer and Webmasters who utilize WebSphere
Application Server.
IBM Certified Systems Expert
Skill Level: Advanced
For individuals who wish to demonstrate expertise in particular
IBM environments. Track choices include IBM e.server (Netfinity) or Websphere.
Certifications From Sun Microsystems 
Sun Certified Backup and Recovery Engineer
Skill Level: Basic
For individuals who are responsible for the design and
implementation of backup systems in the data center. Choose to specialize in either
Solistice DiskSuite or VERITAS Volume Manager Software. Still under development.
Sun Certified Data Management Engineer
Skill Level: Basic
For storage managers and system administrators responsible for
administering disk array storage systems. Choose to specialize in either Solistice
DiskSuite or VERITAS Volume Manager Software.
Sun Certified Programmer for the Java 2 Platform
Skill Level: Basic
For Java programmers. Certifications are available for Java 2
Standard Edition.
Sun Certified Storage Architect
Skill Level: Basic
For storage architects responsible for designing and
administering a storage area network.
Sun Certified System Administrator for Solaris
Skill Level: Basic
For individuals who administer Solaris systems. Available for
various versions of Solaris.
Sun Certified Developer for iPlanet Application Server 6.0
Skill Level: Intermediate
For individuals who are architects or developers using Java 2
Platform Enterprise Edition (J2EE) technology to develop, deploy and run applications on
iPlanet Application Server 6.0.
Sun Certified Developer for the Java 2 Platform
Skill Level: Intermediate
For Java developers Available for Java 2, Standard Edition.
Sun Certified Network Administrator for Solaris
Skill Level: Intermediate
For experienced Solaris administrators. The next step up from
Sun Certified System Administrator for Solaris. Available for different versions of
Solaris.
Sun Certified Web Component Developer for J2EE Platform
Skill Level: Intermediate
For Sun Certified Java Programmers who use Sun's Java
technology servlet and JavaServer Pages APIs to develop Web applications.
Sun Certified Enterprise Architect for Java Technology
Skill Level: Advanced
For individuals who architect and design Java 2 Enterprise
Edition compliant applications which are scalable, flexible, and secure. This is a
substantial change from the previous version of this designation, which was called Sun
Certified Architect for Java Technology.
Certifications From Novell Corporation 
Certified Novell Administrator (CNA)
Skill Level: Basic
For individuals who handle the day-to-day administration of an
installed Novell networking product. First step toward CNE.
Novell Specialist
Skill Level: Basic
For individuals who implement Novell products.
Certified Novell Engineer (CNE)
Skill Level: Intermediate
For individuals who handle the day to day administration of
Novell products, including Netware, intraNetware, and Group Wise. Note that there will be
significant program changes with the roll out of Netware 6 in Fall 2001. See Certification
Watch Volume 4 #6.
Certified Directory Engineer (CDE)
Skill Level: Advanced
For senior engineers and consultants involved in the design,
implementation, optimization and maintenance of directories and directory-enabled
solutions.
Certified Novell Instructor (CNI)
Skill Level: Advanced
For individuals who want to teach Novell curriculums.
Master Certified Novell Engineer (MCNE)
Skill Level: Advanced
For individuals who provide solutions to complex networking
problems that may span across several different platforms. Focused on Novell products.
Master Certified Novell Instructor (MCNI)
Skill Level: Advanced
For very experienced instructors who wish to teach Novell
courses.
Certifications From Microsoft Corporation 
Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP)
Skill Level: Basic
For individuals who would like to demonstrate their expertise
with a particular Microsoft product, including Windows, SQL Server, Exchange Server,
FrontPage, Visual Basic, Visual FoxPro, Visual C, and .NET.
Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) + Internet
Skill Level: Intermediate
For individuals who plan security, install and configure
Microsoft server products, manage server resources, extend servers to run CGI scripts or
ISAPI scripts, monitor and analyze performance, and troubleshoot problems. THIS
CERTIFICATION IS BEING PHASED OUT as part of the move to Windows 2000.
Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) + Site Building
Skill Level: Intermediate
For individuals who plan, build, maintain and manage Web sites
using Microsoft technologies and products. The credential is appropriate for people who
manage sophisticated, interactive Web sites that include database connectivity,
multimedia, and searchable content. THIS CERTIFICATION IS BEING PHASED OUT as part of the
move to Windows 2000.
Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA)
Skill Level: Intermediate
For individuals who implement, manage, and troubleshoot
existing network and system environments based on the Microsoft Windows 2000 and Windows
.NET Server platforms.
Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA)
Skill Level: Advanced
For individuals who are responsible for the logical and
physical design, implementation, maintenance and administration of Microsoft SQL Server
databases.
Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD)
Skill Level: Advanced
For developers who design and develop custom business solutions
with Microsoft development tools, technologies and platforms, including Microsoft Office
and Microsoft BackOffice.
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)
Skill Level: Advanced
For individuals who plan, implement, and support business
solutions with Microsoft Windows and Microsoft BackOffice.
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) + Internet
Skill Level: Advanced
For individuals who deploy and manage sophisticated intranet
and Internet solutions that include a browser, proxy server, host servers, database, and
messaging and commerce components. THIS CERTIFICATION IS BEING PHASED OUT as part of the
move to Windows 2000.
Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT)
Skill Level: Advanced
For individuals who want to be qualified instructionally and
certified technically by Microsoft to deliver Microsoft Official Curriculum instructor-led
courses for Microsoft Certified Technical Education Centers (CTECs) and Microsoft
Authorized Academic Training Program (ATEC) institutions.