Certification Magazine - January 2008 - (Page 37)

excellent addition to a resume — IT professionals who are members of industry associations make themselves more marketable, Estes said. And it’s not just because membership indicates a life outside of work. Rather, being involved in a professional IT association increases face-to-face interactions, which allows individuals to build up and polish soft skills. “In days past, IT people were put in a cubicle and just told to do their job,” Estes said. “You just sat in front of your computer all day long, coding or doing whatever you were assigned to do. Those days are long gone. Nowadays, you have to work well with team members, be a problem solver, be a multitasker and be a project manager. “By mixing and mingling and being involved with these kinds of user groups, it gives you more of a leg up with what IT people in general need to do their jobs.” Additionally, having large networks decreases the likelihood you’ll ever be stumped when confronted with a difficult challenge at work. “It’s so great to be able to say, ‘I’m in an area right now that’s over my head, but I have a great contact over at ABC Company from my involvement in this user group who I think can help me out with it,’ and then you pick up the phone and call them,” Estes said. “Employers like it when people can be resourceful, and what does the word ‘resourceful’ mean? You’re using your resources, and the more resources you have, the more plugged-in your professional network is, the better off you’re going to be technically and the more proficient you’re going to be.” This has been the experience for Sandra Daniels, associate professor of IT at New River Community College. She has been a mem- ber of the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) since about 2001 and a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) for two years. “Being a CompTIA member helps me keep up with the industry and find other people to discuss things with,” Davidson said. “Also, other people perceive me as a professional with that membership.” In fact, becoming a CompTIA member helped Davidson get a job. “I was working as an adjunct professor, and I had my own [computer] business, and the college invited me to apply to come on staff full time,” she said. “When I did that, because I didn’t have my master’s degree at the time, I asked them if there was anything else I could do that would make them look more favorably on my application. “I asked if taking my A+ and becoming a member of CompTIA would make me look more professional. They decided that it would, so I did.” Scientists have determined that we only use 10% of our brains. Make the most of it. There’s only one way to prepare for your next certification exam and that’s with Self Test. It’s the only tool you’ll need to improve your IT IQ. Self Test Software helps you figure out what you know and gives you the answers to what you don’t. Hey, you’re already smart. We help you be smarter. w w w. s e l f t e s t s o f t w a re . c o m · 1 - 8 0 0 - 2 4 4 - 7 3 3 0 © 2006 Kaplan IT, Inc. All rights reserved. SELF TEST SOFTWARE® Kaplan IT, Inc. All rights reserved. be smarter http://www.selftestsoftware.com http://www.selftestsoftware.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Certification Magazine - January 2008

Certification - January 2008 Editor's Letter Contents Data Stream Tech Careers Academic Connection Dear Techie Virtual Village Making the IT Leap: How to Move Into the Industry Inside Certification Phoning It In: Telecommuting Systems and Networks Engineer Interface Band of Brothers: Why You Should Join an IT Association Ad Index Endtag

Certification Magazine - January 2008

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