Certification Magazine - September 2007 - (Page 38) INSIDE CERTIFICATION continued from page 25 The expanded CCNA curriculum contained in ICND Parts 1 and 2 became available Aug. 1, as well as the ICND1 and ICND2 exams, the CCNA comprehensive exam and the CCENT certification. With its rich history in providing learning paths and resources for technical-skills building, Cisco is poised to address the worldwide skills gap. The company’s strategy is to develop a life cycle of learning, beginning with the knowledge needed for an entry-level technical position and continuing with more-advanced skills as the individual’s career progresses. The goal is to provide a steady flow of qualified network technicians to the marketplace that parallels the continued rollout of new technologies. This underscores Cisco’s view of the increasingly critical role of networking technology in supporting business processes. For those just entering the networking field, certification provides improved preparation for entry-level employment and superior training, the opportunity to differentiate skills to potential employers and, perhaps most important, a first step toward a lifelong career. For those with work experience, certification provides continued skills development and the opportunity to advance and move in new directions. For employers, a better-prepared candidate at every level reduces business risk, improves productivity and maximizes technology investments. For more information on CCENT, CCNA and Cisco’s other career certifications, visit www.cisco.com/ go/certifications. 8 Lora O’Haver is product portfolio manager for Learning@ Cisco. She can be reached at editor@certmag.com. INTERFACE continued from page 33 looking for, or it may demonstrate that there is some level of knowledge in a specific function that we’re looking for — being able to order hardware, being able to touch that hardware after it’s installed.” When it comes to certifications as they deal with specific technologies and manufacturers, CH2M HILL, as with many companies, has an agnostic approach. “We have an internal standardized support structure in terms of software and hardware, but our customers at any time may come to us with a project that involves a smattering of manufacturers and software providers,” Bank said. “So, in looking at a candidate interviewing with us, if they have cross-technology and manufacturer experience in certifications, we will rate that individual higher.” A Little Advice Bank said the market for IT professionals has changed over the last decade or so. “Back in the mid-’90s, you would have individuals that would come right out of school, gain a certification without getting any experience and get thrown into a very high-paid position,” Bank said. “Obviously, the job market was a little bit different back then. From the perspective of people coming to the professional careers market with just a certification, it was, ‘Oh great — you’re qualified. I’ll just plug you in, and I’ll give you 90 grand.’” He also said the landscape of IT hiring is different today, and budding professionals should avoid taking an approach that looks for a big, immediate payoff from a certain level of education or certification. “For an individual making a position change or even coming right out of school, I would say instead of going after your master’s and then your CCIE [Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert], mesh that with experience,” Bank said. “Gain an entry or a midlevel position with an organization within that skill or that subject-matter discipline that you’re looking at and take that certification class on your own time (at night or on the weekend). Leverage an organization that will help fund that, based on the successful outcome of that certification. That’s what employers today are looking for more than anything else.” 8 – Daniel Margolis, dmargolis@certmag.com Read more about CCENT and other Cisco certs with CertScope. From previous CertMag articles to a variety of industry Web sites, CertScope will direct you toward the most up-to-date information on Cisco certs. 38 CERTIFICATION MAGAZINE September 2007 http://www.cisco.com/go/certifications http://www.cisco.com/go/certifications http://www.CertMag.com
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