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Tackling the GIS Certification Topic – The Debate Continues, Some Community Input

Glenn Letham — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 13:30:37 +0000

The topic of GIS industry certification seems to has come to light once again recently. This topic is always a hot one, often dividing long time, old schoolers, academics, contractors, and students with varying opinions. We’ve provided the opinions of a couple of our experts along with feedback from both sides of the user community.

My thoughts are that the GIS technology, potential applications and uses, the users, etc… are so broad and to some extent, gone mainstream, that the idea of certifying anyone as a professional is less likely to take off as every year passes and the industry and its professionals evolve. Recently, the GISCI (http://www.gisci.org) added a little fuel to the fire in this debate by announcing they are considering the addition of a testing component (uhoh… here we go again!)

Coming at us from another angle, Esri is also adding some fuel to the debate, albeit from a platform specific proposal (a very different matter really) with the addition of technical competency testing and certification – personally, I’m all for this! Read on for some expert feedback and input from the user community (both sides of the fence)

See GIS Industry Certification, The Debate Continues – Some Community Input

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Red Hat Revamps Certification Program

Michael Marr — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 13:30:22 +0000

Shortly after the announcement of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6, Red Hat also announced changes to their certifications. These changes are outlined in two areas: the addition of the Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) certification, and the addition to/restructuring of the Red Hat Training curriculum.

According to Red Hat’s page on this new certification, RHCSA was based on a curriculum built around surveying current Red Hat certified professionals. These surveys, coupled with focus groups at various Red Hat and community conferences, sought out the most commonly required tasks of Red Hat system administrators. These tasks are at the core of the new Red Hat certification. The Red Hat Certified Technician certification is the low-level certification offered by Red Hat. Research by Red Hat found that these "Technicians" were really just system administrators, and wanted to reflect the difference in this new certification. The RHCSA certification is similar to that of the RHCT, but also includes additional competencies from the Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) certification. A hands-on lab test is also part of the Red Hart Certified System Administrator certification.

Red Hat summarizes their changes to their Linux Curriculum in three points. First, the Red Hat curriculum was restructured to provide clear paths for various IT Professionals. Red Hat hopes to make it easier for a Windows administrator, low-level Linux administrator, or any other IT professional to find the right curriculum to meet their certification objectives. Secondly, the survey mentioned above of Red Hat certified professionals used to structure the new Red Hat Certified System Administrator certification was also used to restructure the curriculum. Understanding the current demands of Red Hat professionals allowed Red Hat to more accurately and properly focus their curriculum. Lastly, the teaching method has been updated to focus more on hand-ons participation and less lecture.

For more info see:

http://press.redhat.com/2010/11/11/linux-curriculum-redesigned-to-better-align-with-todays-it-needs/

http://press.redhat.com/2010/11/11/introducing-the-red-hat-certified-system-administrator-rhcsa-certification/

Cisco Straightens Out Security Certification Migration Path

Taylor Gillespie — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 12:30:38 +0000

As one of the leaders of the most sought-after information technology certifications in the industry, Cisco caused a lot of confusion when they recently restructured their certification programs. In an effort to simplify the whirlwind of letters and acronyms that one encounters when certifying with Cisco, they created a mass of confusion for those people currently working on getting certified under the old system and those that are currently certified but do not their options for re-certifying.

Announcing on their Learning@Cisco web site, Cisco made changes to the certification program regarding Cisco Certified Security Professional (CCSP), a hot Cisco cert to get. The announcement end-of-lifed the CCSP as of April 2011 and then also they only recognize it until 2014, the 3 year active period. Security certification would, in the future, fall under the Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) certification. Questions arose surrounding those people in the middle of their obtaining their CCSP certification and those with current active CCSP certs. Cisco had not made any indication about potential migration in their announcement, which left things in limbo. Well, it did not take them long to respond with a CCSP Certification Tool that helps prospects untangle the exam requirements, and lets them know where they stand in the certification process.

For those currently seeking the CCSP security certification through Cisco or for those that will need to re-certify in the future and need to know how they fit in the new security certification structure, Cisco has detailed the necessary migration path. They even provide a handy “CCSP Certification Tool” that helps ensure that your investment in your certification is not wasted.

Complement Your Certifications with Vendor-Neutral Certs

Taylor Gillespie — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 12:30:19 +0000

IT departments naturally normalize the technology infrastructure to exclusively utilize a vendor’s product line. The certification you chose will reflect that choice. In a Microsoft shop, an employee will seek Microsoft certification. If the shop focuses primarily on Cisco installations, then, a Cisco certification will be sought.

Clearly, choosing a vendor-specific certification will benefit you when the business is aligned with that vendor’s product; however, vendor-neutral certifications, that focus on a technology and not a product will put you at a true advantage at your current position and in the future. And for those people looking for employment, a vendor-neutral certification keeps your skills broad enough to fit the technical needs of many industries.

In its outlook for 2010, CertMag quoted Fred Weiller of Learning@Cisco as saying, it “…matters how quickly you can react to different situations. Fewer people with broader knowledge can act faster.” Choosing a vendor-neutral certification means that you have more reusable knowledge that is not relegated to a specific company’s product. Vendor-neutral certifications are based on industry and international standards that not only means that the knowledge can be leveraged in more scenarios, but also that the acquired knowledge does not age into obsolescence as quickly as a vendor-specific certification. Vendor-provided certifications have also been known to evangelize their technology to the point of bias. Vendor-neutrality disabuses the certification process from certain marketing encroachments. You can search on GoCertify for vendor-neutral certifications. Consider the various certifications from CompTIA, Brainbench, or Certification Partners.

An information technology professional should never merely constrain his or her certifications to main technology vendor that their employer or industry uses, but should complement vendor-specific certifications with ones that are vendor-neutral. Having both makes you a more flexible IT professional who is able to adapt to the changing market-place. With the recent and predicted growth of IT in many diverse industries, being more well-rounded is invaluable.

Search No Longer: Google AdWords Certification

Michael Marr — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 12:30:29 +0000

Search Engine Optimization and Marketing is a huge industry. One of the key tools in this industry is Google AdWords. Deriving from these facts would lead those desiring a career in SEO/SEM to seek out some sort of related certification. Google AdWords Certification delivers. Here’s the quick and dirty synopsis of Google’s Certification Program.

Google’s AdWords Certifications not only apply to individuals, but also apply to businesses. This means a business selling these related services can become certified as a business and supply this credential to their current and/or potential clients. However, for this article, we’ll focus in on the steps for becoming an individually certified expert on Google Adwords.

To become individually certified, you have to take two exams. The Advertising Fundamentals exam, which covers "basic aspects of AdWords and online advertising…", and one of the following three exams: (1) Search Advertising, covering advanced topics for managing AdWords campaigns; (2) Display Advertising, covering advanced topics for advertising on Google sites, i.e. YouTube; and (3) Reporting & Analysis, covering advanced topics in Google Analytics, Website Optimizer, AdWords Report Center, and other tools. Each of these exams cost $50.

Google actually provides an amazing free resource to prepare for these exams. Along with these online study guides, various other resources, such as seminars, online classroom, blog, and YouTube channel, are available.

In total, there are only 15 sections of information that these four tests cover. For those seeking simply knowledge building and/or improvement, studying the complete fifteen sections is a viable and prudent option. Via the online study guide, these sections are clearly broken up into four representative sections of the four possible exams: fund, search, display, and reporting.

Unlike the business and partner programs, there is no prerequisite for number of or value of AdWords campaigns you have previously managed. Therefore, for a mere $100, you can scoop up a solid certification for the SEO/SEM industries.

See more: http://www.google.com/intl/en/adwords/professionals/individual.html

Top 10 IT Certifications

Michael Marr — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 12:30:53 +0000

The major questions surrounding IT Certifications are: 1) Do I really need them; and 2) What Certification(s) should I get?

Do I really need an IT Certification?

An IT Certification can not take the place of work experience. Work experience is the main thing that a majority of employers will be looking for when hiring an IT worker. However, we all start out with zero experience, so how do we land that first job? Certifications are certainly a big booster in obtaining that first job. Certifications can sometimes be held on equal par or greater than a tech-related college degree. Certifications show, at least, a basic understanding of a precise IT field, whereas college degrees show a much broader, and often less intensive, scope of IT knowledge. Certainly if both you and another person are competing for a job with comparable college degrees and experience, having an IT certification can get you the edge.

There are also some certifications that show not only you are knowledgeable in a particular area, but also up to date on the latest trends in that arena. In particular, networking/technology security is a big field where having an up-to-date certification can really give you an edge over the competition and provide crucial knowledge to an organization.

What are the best certifications to get?

Dice.com recently compiled survey data from over 27,000 IT professionals to find the 10 best IT Certifications. Although the survey was more focused on certifications that can boost your current pay, it is easy to presume that if they can significantly improve your chances of getting a pay raise, they can also give you an advantage when seeking a job.

10. Security +

9. IT IL

8. MCSA

7. CISSP

6. Network +

5. MCP

4. CCNA

3. A +

2. MCSE

1. PMP

To break down these certifications further:

only one certification focuses on hardware/software maintenance and troubleshooting, e.g. tech support

only one certification revolves around development/programming of software

one specific certification around Microsoft products and technologies

three network certifications (one for Microsoft only)

two security certifications; and

two general IT management/best practices certifications

The most interesting thing from this list is that two of the certifications (including the top certification) revolves around proper implementation/management of IT systems, and not anything in a specific technology field. This likely a result of companies now realizing that simply flooding in hardware and software in the workplace is not the most effective way of utilizing technology, and thus are seeking ways to properly utilize technology to improve efficiency.

In the end, you need to decide what certification(s) best suite your career path. With this list compiled by Dice.com, it will give you direction on which certification might best serve you and your future/current employer depending on what area of IT you are working in.

Actual Virtual Certifications: VMWare Certifications

Michael Marr — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 12:30:50 +0000

Certifications in a virtual realm would not likely be of any help to an IT professional. However, actual certifications in virtual machines would be, as virtualization has branched out from a once predominantly tech support tool to web and application development, server management, and even cloud computing. VMware has long been the leader in this industry, and they offer the following three certifications:

VMware Certified Professional (VCP) The VCP is the base certification for VMware. The core competencies for this class are to install, manage, and deploy a VMware system. Unless you are already a VCP or have other certified VMware trainings, you will need to take one of 3 five-day courses before you can take the VCP exam.

VMware Certified Design Expert (VCDX) The VCDX is the highest level certification. Once you have a VCP certification, you can then request a review of your VMware knowledge and experience. If you qualify, you will then be permitted to take both an Administration and a Design exam. Passing those exams then allows you to prepare and submit an implementation plan, at which you will defend during a later interview. If you can jump through all these hoops (without falling), VMware will bestow upon you this certification.

VMware Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP) The newest of VMware’s certifications, VCAP is designed to be an intermediate level certification. The certification process of the VCDX is thorough, and the VCAP was created to fill the void of the VMware professionals that were not quite ready to attempt a VCDX certification, but certainly have the experience and training far above that of which is required for the VCP. A VCAP offers either an Administration or Design test, and your certification will reflect your specialty based on which of these tests you choose to take and pass.

For more information, head on over to: http://mylearn.vmware.com/portals/certification/

Fuel for the Fire: LAMP Certifications

Michael Marr — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 12:30:51 +0000

If you’re looking to boost your resume and professional credentials as a LAMP developer, here are some of the certifications you should seek:

Linux There are various Linux certifications available, which makes choosing the right certification difficult. You could get a distribution/commercial level certification, i.e. from Ubuntu, Redhat, Novell, etc. However, these certifications could limit your career options if a job opportunity comes up utilizing a different distribution from what you are certified in. Therefore, a more general Linux certification would be ideal, and the Linux Professional Institute supplies this. In fact, this institute provides some of the same certifications listed above on behalf of those organizations, but also supplies their own tiered certification system. Depending on your career goals, you can choose one of three certification levels to aim for, but for the purposes of a LAMP developer, Level 2 is recommended. Cost: ($160 per exam ~ approximately $640)

Apache There is no official or widely accepted Apache certification. Therefore, obtaining a Level 2 LPI Certification will give you the proper background for Apache. Most of the objectives of the second exam in Level 2 of the LPIC revolve around Apache operation and configuration, and thus will properly certify that you know Apache. Cost: ($0 – Included in LPIC)

MySQL There are multiple options for MySQL certification. You can get one of four Sun Certified MySQL accreditations from Oracle. This is as simple as an Associate Certification, meaning you are familiar with basic operations of MySQL, to a Cluster DBA Certification, meaning you can build, administer, and maintain large cluster databases. In between these two levels are the Developer and regular DBA options, which is one of the certifications you should aim for if you are seeking a career strictly as a LAMP Developer. Cost: ($195 per exam ~ approximately $390)

PHP Lastly, there is PHP. Zend is the industry leader in PHP, and thus you should seek your PHP certification from them. Cost: (approximately $160)

Keep in mind there are other great LAMP related certifications out there, but that this mix is a good recommendation if you are building your career in LAMP Development. Let me know in the comments if you think I’ve missed a crucial certification.