7 Top Information Technology and Technician Exams For Certifications
If you happen to be a professional working in the Information Technology (IT) industry, you would be aware of the intensely competitive nature of the industry and the constant need it imposes on an IT professional to upgrade skill sets as technology evolves. You may have felt the need to conquer a new technology or upgrade your existing skill set or just to see where you stand among your peers. If this is the case, it is time to explore the advantages that acquiring an IT certification can provide.
Many vendors and third party bodies offer IT certification. Choosing the right IT certification would depend on what your current line of work is. Whether you plan to build on your existing skills or strike out a radically different course professionally, you have to make a decision on the type of certifications. You may opt for a certification provided by vendors like Microsoft, Oracle or Cisco or go in for certification by professional bodies like CompTIA.
Here are seven most sought-after IT certifications in no particular order:
- CompTIA Security+ – This is a certification for IT professionals with at least two-years of industry experience. It is not vendor-specific and is a test of the professional's knowledge of the fundamentals of security.
-Cisco CCIE/CCNA – This is a certification provided by Cisco Systems for networking professionals. The CCIE is a comprehensive certification for experts, and the CCNA is meant to improve the skills of those with some experience.
-CompTIA A+ – This is tailored for validating the expertise in hardware and can be a valuable certification for computer-related maintenance and support professionals.
-Microsoft MCITP – MCITP stands for Microsoft Certified IT Professional and is a prestigious one meant for professionals in database, enterprise and server administration. This new certification offered by Microsoft assesses an individual's capability in meeting the demands of common job roles in the IT industry.
-Microsoft MCSE/MCSA – MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) and MCSA (Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator) are two of the earliest certifications offered by Microsoft that still command respect in the industry. Both certifications demand a certain level of experience and involve a number of grueling examinations.
-Microsoft MCA – MCA (Microsoft Certified Architect) is a certification open to professionals who have a minimum of three years of experience on advanced IT architecture. This is a peer-evaluated certification and is awarded to very few of the aspirants. Obtaining this is considered an achievement in itself and is rated highly in the industry.
-RHCE/RHCA – With the proliferation of Linux based systems, there is a great demand for certified Linux professionals and RHCE (Red Hat Certified Engineer) and RHCA (Red Hat Certified Administrator) are two certifications awarded by Red Hat Inc.; one of the prominent distributors of Linux Operating Systems.
Hot IT Certifications
In the fast pace of IT world nowadays, it is getting challenging day by day even for Graduate and Master Degree holders in IT, to maintain a prominent position as compared to their peers. What is needed nowadays is a fast pace certification program that can be completed speedily and is focused and specialized for a specific position or expertise.
IT Certifications offered by various prominent vendors is one such solution. Big IT Companies like Microsoft, Cisco, Sun Microsystems, Adobe, Red Hat and may others offer a wide range of certifications which are highly reputed in the IT industry and they not only equip you with right skills but they can be studied at your own convenience i.e. it is not required to go to any campus for formal study, many CBTs (Computer Based Trainings) are available to help you learn the concepts for these courses. And also they do not require any specific study duration i.e. semester etc. You can study at your will and when you feel that you have got enough knowledge you can then take exams. So these IT certifications actually remove the problems involved in various formal Graduate and Master Degree programs. Below I will try to highlight major IT vendors who are providing various IT certifications, then I will list resources for preparation and then I will mention the procedure to take the exams, so hang on with me 
Major IT Certification Providers:
Following are major companies that provide IT certifications, you can check out their home pages for detailed information about various IT certifications and their syllabus etc.
Important Microsoft Certifications: MCSE,MCSD,MCDBA,MCSD.NET etc.
Important Cisco Certifications: CCNA,CCIP,CCNP,CCIE etc.
Important Comptia Certifications: A+,Network+,Security+ etc.
Important Sun Microsystems Certifications: SCJP,SCSA security etc.
Preparation and Resources:
To prepare for these certifications numerous companies prepare Study guides, Practice exams, CBTs, Preparation labs. You should join some Certification Forums and ask for user opinion about each Certification Training providers reputation and salary ranges etc.
Taking the exams: Taking the exams is also very easy , one major authority is Prometric , when you feel that you are prepared to take the examination just go to Prometric Home Page and find the schedule and fees for the desired exam.
Read MoreIT Certifications – Hottest For 2009
Microsoft new generation certifications are basically designed to focus on primary and technical skills to help individual IT professional to select those credentials which will help them in career building. Microsoft certification program offers certification paths for individuals to target on specific job role, industry or technology to demonstrate their experience and skills.
Moreover, organizations would like to ensure that IT professionals should have extraordinary skills for their projects. New generation microsoft shorter certifications will help you to achieve your certifications tracks in a cost effective way.
This new framework of Microsoft new generation certifications makes it easy for managers to differentiate between candidates fulfilling their specific needs. Credentials logos could help to understand testimonials well offering distinction level needed to make use your certificate as recruiting tool. Microsoft program contains the following new certifications.
Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS)
This certification enables you to focus on particular technologies making yourself more professional in terms of depth knowledge and expertise in specific areas. MCTS certified professional should be capable of implementing, building, troubleshooting and debugging specific Microsoft technology.
You may find large number of MCTS certifications list at http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcts/default.mspx and more certifications are also coming as soon as new technologies are being introduced.
MCITP (Microsoft Certified IT Professional)
MCITP Certification is introduced to provide IT professionals more credentials along with simple framework to display technical and professional skills.
MCDBA (Microsoft Certified Database Administrator)
MCDBA Certified individuals should get knowledge and skills to lead organizations for successful design, implementation and administration of Microsoft SQL server 2000 databases along having MCDBA certificate. Also MCDST, MCSA and MCSE certificate to continue IT professionals to make use of Microsoft SQL server 2000, Windows XP and MS Server 2003 for hands on experience and get required skills.
MCA (Microsoft Certified Architect)
This certification check the necessary skills needed to affect IT business successfully. The skills included are technical breadth, depth, communication, strategy, politics, process and leadership of an organization.
Get Yourself IT Certification
Unfortunately Information Technology Certifications are turning into a indispensable section in the IT profession. Such certifications were created to make certain that IT specialists stayed within a standard set of regulations through establishing a standard set of skills to ensure proper interaction with other sections of Information Technology. The majority of certifications for example Microsoft, Oracle, and Cisco are developing rapidly in the field of IT.
I should mention that if a task is worth performing then it is worth doing properly to earn a computer certification. Unless you possess full confidence in your full comprehension of all things related the world of PCs, you should take the opportunity and sign up for one of the classes. These programs are being updated such as to assist you more.
Such certificates will usually teach you in the areas of computer architecture, computer storage, modems, printers, hard disk arrangements and operating system tweaking.
These certificates usually consist of two Exams. If you're interested in IT and are thinking of your possibilities of becoming a computer service technician, these basic level certification may be right for you. Some certificates are for novices, others are for advanced users. Determining where you belong on that spectrum will help deciding what certifications are appropriate for you.
You do not require advanced certification in order to obtain a basic job. What you do need in addition to the abilities that you have acquired are a professional curriculum vitae, a good cover letter, interview abilities, a wish to study, and a personality that makes employers desire to employ you. Your premier job will likely be at a desk, functioning in a Tech support call center, contracted labor through a temp agency, etc., but you need to through any type of certification prior getting a career of your own convenience.
The Features of Microsoft Certifications
Microsoft features a lot of computer certifications that appeal to a lot different technicians to operating system superstars but they also offer certifications in organization as well as engineering. Microsoft Certified Professionals are a standard above in the profession of IT as Microsoft certification is broadly acknowledged and sanctioned by the service as well as the support industry. Microsoft curriculum features the constructive information that only an advanced established company is able provide.
MCDST is one of the most sought after Microsoft certifications on our market at present. Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician is a title that involves much admiration for employers that need a highly qualified technician to function as a help desk expert and give desktop help via telephone and through servicing individual stations. Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) on Microsoft Windows XP is a certificate that ascertains the fundamental and elevated credentials needed to join the IT field as a support desk expert.
Since the recognition which Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) gets a lot of online as well as offline IT facilities are offering some compensated tutoring. You’ll discover free IT Microsoft computer courses on the web nearly as numerous as you will discover pay certificate courses. There’s a lengthy list of electronic establishments which provide free study guides, various free electronic instruction along with complimentary trial exam questions to prepare you for your certificate.
MCDST certification demonstrates valuable troubleshooting knowledge pertaining to the Windows OS to employers as well as buyers. It provides a regiment for obtaining the skills which support technicians require. As a desktop support technician, you’ll utilize excellent customer service abilities, instruct users, and solve computer hardware or software function and application issues on the desktop. You will obtain invaluable skills and good practices related to networking and file sharing and upkeep on DHCP communications devices and DNS for Internet systems to translate names into internet protocol addresses.
MCST certification validates the fundamental skills required to go into the IT industry as a support professional. It tells the technical capabilities of the individual to customers as well as employers and distinguishes career candidates from their colleagues. MCDST certification enriches job satisfaction via enhanced technical proficiency as you increase your proficiency and abilities. MCDST certification helps advancing support technician livelihood through providing a regimented foundation for getting skills, and provides a knowledge base for more Microsoft certifications, such as the MCSA and the MCSE.
Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician Certification Prerequisites on Windows XP are to pass 2 core examinations that provide a valid and steadfast gauge of technical competence. Such tests are created on the input of professionals in the industry and show how Microsoft applications are used in organizations throughout the globe. The two core tests consist of: Exam 70-271: Supporting Users and Troubleshooting a Microsoft Windows XP Operating System amounting of nearly 60 questions and Exam 70-272: Supporting Users and Troubleshooting Desktop Applications on a Microsoft Windows XP Operating System consisting somewhere around fifty questions.
The aspirant for MCDST will need training for your Microsoft certification. There is non-profit Microsoft training available online including free Microsoft example test questions, recompensed syllabus’s as well as free MCDST training tokeep your preparation less complicated. Free will only take you so far, you will need to purchase some Microsoft certification courses so you’ll be ready for your actual exam. Your education isn’t the aspiration but earning your Microsoft certification is so learn methods to pass your information technology certification exam and as there are adequate resources accessible, all you require is a little researching.
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