Why are IT Certifications important for your IT Career?

In today's business world, certifications are almost always a must! This is apparent in almost any job posting that you see. Most employers will not consider an applicant if they do not posses a certification, or certifications, that show that the candidate has the required skill set relevant to the job. Certifications allow you to not only advance your skill set, but to make more money!
IT certification from Microsoft, Cisco, Abode and other software and hardware vendors can help you to advance your information technology career. Recruiters, hiring managers and human resource staffing professionals scan the resumes for keywords, or benchmarks to decide if a candidate is qualified for a position. Certification is one of these keywords. Getting IT certified proves that a candidate is committed, both to the process of learning, and to the subject matter they study. Certification not only provides the tools and training required to deliver world-class support to every customer but it also establishes an essential set of credentials. Certifications help to establish the industry benchmarks and best practices to abide by - enabling practitioners to be consistent in the delivery of customer care.
Well, some people think diplomas and degrees can get around in the industry, no matter what degrees you holding, you won't be a match for certified professionals (of course unless your degree is from MIT or well-known universities). Because when you go and apply at an IT firm for work, if you are just showing them degree, they will consider first, but if you have certificates, they are sure that you have the experiences and knowledge for the post that you are applying. When comes to experiences, a certified professional will have much more experiences than a degree or diploma holders.
There are various types of certifications available today in the IT industry but it depend on your choice of you career. One of the most popular and booming career choices is in IT security. With the never ending creation of new intelligent viruses, spam, and hacking, we need to continue to expect growth in this area. Everyone is concerned with protecting their privacy, whether it is on their personal or their business computers. Being protected on a computer is as essential as shredding your information, because all it takes is one virus and the predator could have all your personal information. Just to name a few recognized IT certifications in this field are MCSA: Certified Information Systems security Professional (CISSP), Cisco Certified Security Professional (CCSP), and Certified Information System Auditor (CISA).
Another IT area you may want to consider consists of Network Design, Network Installation, and Network Security. With companies competing to have the most up to date and reliable network infrastructures, you will find there are a lot of jobs for Network Administrators. Here is a list of different IT certifications available: Microsoft’s MCSA/MCSE, Cisco’s CCNA/CCNP/CCIE, and CompTIA’s Network+. Cisco’s CCIE is known to be one of the hardest and respected certifications in this industry.

Benefits of Certification

Increases performance and productivity

The most important benefit of certification is that the process of certification increases your skills and your knowledge to a great extent and you feel that technical certifications have increased your overall job productivity.

Optimize return on investment and technology features

Another economic factor that certification holders consider is Return on Investment (ROI). ROI from certification is integrally tied to the cost of the certification. According to some recent surveys, for every dollar invested in a certification, the certification holder realizes a $3.2 return in the form of a pay raise.

Keep up with changing technology

Certifications really help to keep you updated with the ever changing technology of computer.

Career development advantages

Despite the IT downturn, and relative job scarcity, certification holders jumped companies after acquiring certifications in their desired fields

Benefits for the Individual

Provides a quantifiable milestone for achievement.
Increases productivity, pride and job satisfaction.
Establishes credibility and verifies mastery in the industry.
Enhances job opportunities within the I.T. industry.

Some other Useful Certificates

Some of the well known and most useful certificates are - 1. MCSE (Microsoft Certified System Engineer) 2. MCSD (Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer) 3. MCDBA (Microsoft Certified Database Administrator) 4. MCP (Microsoft Certified Professional) 5. CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associates) 6. CCSP (Cisco Certified Security Professional) 7. CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker)

Future Career Opportunities in IT

Future Career Opportunities in IT

Are you looking to start a career in the exciting field of information technology but not sure what route to take? Choosing Information Technology as your career will take you to a new world of opportunities. This article will not only help you deciding the career of your own choice but also bring the future career opportunities relating to IT under the light. There are some facts that can really put you on ease as six of the top 10 hottest predicted career fields through 2014 are related to Information Technology. To get a foot in the door and finally land one of the competitive but well paying jobs, it is necessary to have a broad range of computer skills that are best learned at community or technical colleges and universities where practical, hands-on training is part of the daily instructional process.
The computer industry has been consistently one of the fastest growing industries for almost last 20 years. According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job market for computer-related skills is booming, with computer and data processing services adding over 1.3 million jobs from 1996-2006, representing a 108 percent increase. The lack of qualified candidates for high-tech positions has tended to drive the average salary levels higher very quickly.

Some Hot Career choice in IT

In the years previous to Y2K, anyone who could move a mouse could land a computer job. But the scenario drastically changed after September 11, 2001. But it is also a fact that information technology is still a hot employment area but the focus has shifted. Many, who are in the field, believe the future for graduates of the Information Technology related programs is in information security – particularly as it relates to wireless technology. Not only are there concerns over identity theft and the possibility of the wrong people getting access to personal information but the emergence of wireless technology and its widespread use in the medical field is pushing technology and the security associated with technology to the next level.
Networking is another option that has a significant growth rate and has promising future perspective. Network is not limited to IT industry only but it has a wide spread base as it is becoming the necessity of almost all business and corporate sector. Banks, telecommunication companies, insurance companies, educational institutions, hospitals, stock exchanges and many other sectors are connected using LANs, WANs and internet. Network Systems linking multiple servers such as LAN, UNIX and Linux allows for real-time information sharing and the power of computers is realized when they are linked in a network. When Network Systems skills are combined with Cisco Systems, the leading manufacturer of networking equipment in the world, it is proved to be a very useful combination. The Cisco Network Academy includes five Cisco courses and is available at numerous sites across the country) gives students skills necessary to take the Cisco CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) certification test.
Another field that has most prominent opportunities in future is mobile technology - so people who are going to tertiary level schools should probably think twice about Computer Science. Computer Engineering is what you will probably have to have more of Computer Science is largely academic, programming centric, and teaches you things that are probably old already because the technology changes faster than the curriculum. Computer Engineering gives you a deep enough grounding in hardware and software that you can pick a path based on your own abilities as well as what you enjoy.

Other Careers Relating to Computer or Information Technology:

· Computer Electronics is an ideal career for the individuals who are inclined towards mechanics and also enjoys working with electronic equipment and fixing things.
· Computer Programming focuses on relational management, data communication, client server concepts and computer hardware/software applications in spreadsheet, word processing, database management and statistical packages using Word, Excel, Access and MiniTab. Problem solving, basic math skills and communication skills are necessary qualities for the successful computer programmer.
· E-Business and Web Design allows companies to move beyond and ties computers, the Internet and business together. E-commerce prepares students to be flexible IT professionals. Employers not only expect web designers to create web sites but to have the knowledge necessary to connect them with databases, market the sites, internetworking and setting up credit card transactions.
· Interactive Multimedia is HOT. This career is for the creative computer person who utilizes the web to showcase creative and graphic design skills. Combine illustration and graphic design skills with to audio/video production and website development for an outstanding career opportunity in the Interactive Multimedia field.
· Interactive computer and video gaming has taken the world by storm and Digital Game Design and Development is one of the newest career opportunities. It can be the ideal opportunity for those who want to make a career out of being part of this booming business. Digital Game Design combines hands-on experience with cutting edge equipment and programs used in digital game creation. From MAYA to the Adobe Creative Suite, students will learn skills to work at the artistic and creative end of gaming.
Just Do IT!You should take great pride in the IT career that lies before you. You will have a skill set that very few others even understand, let alone have. You will be in-demand and commanding respect from your boss and your coworkers, your family, and your friends. You will be adequately prepared for the jobs of tomorrow. And your earning potential will be strong. Clearly, IT training is a wise investment in your future!

Caution!

But wait—there is an important caveat to this article. Don’t go into a field just because you heard there was money to be made. Job satisfaction plays an important roll in your career decision. If you believe in your heart that you really want to be a hair stylist or a firefighter, do it! You won’t be happy if every day you force yourself to go to a job you absolutely loathe just because of the paycheck. Work seems a lot less like work if you enjoy what you’re doing.