Comments for IT Certification and Training http://itcat.wordpress.com Building a Strong Career in the Field of Information Technology Mon, 28 Jul 2008 21:35:18 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on A little more about the Certified Linux Administrator certification by Jim Henderson http://itcat.wordpress.com/2008/05/31/a-little-more-about-the-certified-linux-administrator-certification/#comment-670 Jim Henderson Mon, 28 Jul 2008 21:35:18 +0000 http://itcat.wordpress.com/?p=27#comment-670 The Novell CLA covers material in courses 3071 and 3072 - I'm not aware of any additional study materials available for those classes beyond the official course guides. The Novell CLA covers material in courses 3071 and 3072 – I’m not aware of any additional study materials available for those classes beyond the official course guides.

]]> Comment on A little more about the Certified Linux Administrator certification by Sravan http://itcat.wordpress.com/2008/05/31/a-little-more-about-the-certified-linux-administrator-certification/#comment-669 Sravan Mon, 28 Jul 2008 18:50:42 +0000 http://itcat.wordpress.com/?p=27#comment-669 Are there any specific books to use in preparation for the Novell CLA exam? Are there any specific books to use in preparation for the Novell CLA exam?

]]> Comment on BrainShare Preparations and an Article Highlight by SitesPower Dubai Training Institute http://itcat.wordpress.com/2007/03/17/brainshare-and-a-pointer-to-an-article-related-to-this-blog/#comment-668 SitesPower Dubai Training Institute Tue, 24 Jun 2008 22:15:19 +0000 http://itcat.wordpress.com/2007/03/17/brainshare-and-a-pointer-to-an-article-related-to-this-blog/#comment-668 Jim, We agree that certifications are extremely important. Regarding what J said, he has a point that the certifications aren't always exactly what the job requires, but the same goes for a college degree of any kind. Joining the workforce after college, people in many fields find the job they are doing different than what we studied. Aside from the clear financial benefits of having a few certifications, clearing these exams requires more than braindumps...it requires practical experience, even if that is just in the classroom or at home. And for those without years of experience on a technology, the certification is also a good support. Jim,
We agree that certifications are extremely important. Regarding what J said, he has a point that the certifications aren’t always exactly what the job requires, but the same goes for a college degree of any kind. Joining the workforce after college, people in many fields find the job they are doing different than what we studied.
Aside from the clear financial benefits of having a few certifications, clearing these exams requires more than braindumps…it requires practical experience, even if that is just in the classroom or at home. And for those without years of experience on a technology, the certification is also a good support.

]]> Comment on Social and Business Networking – A good thing? by MichaelC http://itcat.wordpress.com/2008/03/01/social-and-business-networking-a-good-thing/#comment-658 MichaelC Thu, 13 Mar 2008 23:19:20 +0000 http://itcat.wordpress.com/?p=25#comment-658 Quote: "that it’s good because you get a chance to find out what’s available out there, or just to reconnect with former coworkers and friends from the past" Yeah, that's pretty much my take on it :) Quote: “that it’s good because you get a chance to find out what’s available out there, or just to reconnect with former coworkers and friends from the past”

Yeah, that’s pretty much my take on it :)

]]> Comment on Off to Oregon & The Value of Instructor-Led-Training by Richard Goutal http://itcat.wordpress.com/2006/12/03/off-to-oregon-the-value-of-instructor-led-training/#comment-39 Richard Goutal Tue, 10 Apr 2007 16:42:50 +0000 http://itcat.wordpress.com/2006/12/03/off-to-oregon-the-value-of-instructor-led-training/#comment-39 Follow-up: I should have read your post, "Cognitive Dissonance: The art of overcoming skepticism to improve certification" before leaving the above comment. I see you are well acquainted with performance-based (aka competency-based) training and thoroughly agree with your goals stated there. Follow-up:

I should have read your post, “Cognitive Dissonance: The art of overcoming skepticism to improve certification” before leaving the above comment. I see you are well acquainted with performance-based (aka competency-based) training and thoroughly agree with your goals stated there.

]]> Comment on Off to Oregon & The Value of Instructor-Led-Training by Richard Goutal http://itcat.wordpress.com/2006/12/03/off-to-oregon-the-value-of-instructor-led-training/#comment-38 Richard Goutal Tue, 10 Apr 2007 16:33:23 +0000 http://itcat.wordpress.com/2006/12/03/off-to-oregon-the-value-of-instructor-led-training/#comment-38 ILT is indeed valuable. However, I have a slightly different take on it. The real value comes when the training is performance-based. Another way to put that is, real-world-based. From that perspective, the key is not whether the training is instructor-led, but how it is designed and delivered. Just a thought from a non-IT person. (My IT brother shared your site with me!) ILT is indeed valuable. However, I have a slightly different take on it. The real value comes when the training is performance-based. Another way to put that is, real-world-based. From that perspective, the key is not whether the training is instructor-led, but how it is designed and delivered. Just a thought from a non-IT person. (My IT brother shared your site with me!)

]]> Comment on Comments? by Laura http://itcat.wordpress.com/2007/01/11/comments/#comment-8 Laura Sun, 25 Mar 2007 04:51:42 +0000 http://itcat.wordpress.com/2007/01/11/comments/#comment-8 Today's market requires a individual to have a career plan as you would a retirement plan. This should be a long-term plan that will keep you marketable in a globalized and diverse economy. You need at least a bachelors degree but then you also need work experience. As your work experience grows, the technical training and certifications keep you up to date in a work enviroment that's diverse and global.This also will gives you an opportunty to move into different departments until you find that job you truly love. I am one of those baby boomers that could move up in a company with out a degree. The eighties and nineties brought globalization, mergers, hostile takeovers and acquisitions. As I saw technology making it easier for a company to expand, as a V.P of Product Development and Manufacturing for a Toy company, a larger company came along saw the Toy Company as a opportunity to reposition their company in Europe and N.Z. I then went back to school at 47 to finish a Bachelors in Marketing, Certification in Project Management (I have my PMP) and just finished a MBA. As with technology I am a memeber of registered Microsoft Partner, Intel Channel Partner, and New Product Development and Management Association and Product Management Institute. This allows me to keep up with technology and new business trends. I am 50, have 4 children, 1 grandchild,and two on the way. I enjoy learning new skills and people ( I prefer working with teams). Half of my day is at work, really most of my day is at work so I might as well enjoy it. Most of all I am glad to be done with school and it did pay for itself and then some. Today’s market requires a individual to have a career plan as you would a retirement plan. This should be a long-term plan that will keep you marketable in a globalized and diverse economy. You need at least a bachelors degree but then you also need work experience. As your work experience grows, the technical training and certifications keep you up to date in a work enviroment that’s diverse and global.This also will gives you an opportunty to move into different departments until you find that job you truly love. I am one of those baby boomers that could move up in a company with out a degree.
The eighties and nineties brought globalization, mergers, hostile takeovers and acquisitions. As I saw technology making it easier for a company to expand, as a V.P of Product Development and Manufacturing for a Toy company, a larger company came along saw the Toy Company as a opportunity to reposition their company in Europe and N.Z. I then went back to school at 47 to finish a Bachelors in Marketing, Certification in Project Management (I have my PMP) and just finished a MBA. As with technology I am a memeber of registered Microsoft Partner, Intel Channel Partner, and New Product Development and Management Association and Product Management Institute. This allows me to keep up with technology and new business trends. I am 50, have 4 children, 1 grandchild,and two on the way. I enjoy learning new skills and people ( I prefer working with teams). Half of my day is at work, really most of my day is at work so I might as well enjoy it. Most of all I am glad to be done with school and it did pay for itself and then some.

]]> Comment on BrainShare Preparations and an Article Highlight by Tim Gullett http://itcat.wordpress.com/2007/03/17/brainshare-and-a-pointer-to-an-article-related-to-this-blog/#comment-7 Tim Gullett Fri, 23 Mar 2007 17:20:08 +0000 http://itcat.wordpress.com/2007/03/17/brainshare-and-a-pointer-to-an-article-related-to-this-blog/#comment-7 Jim, I am a military member about to retire. A few years ago I found myself in a 'management' position that pretty much eliminated my ability to get hands-on experience with anything remotely technical. I believed that pursuing a Master's degree would be a good way to keep my hands in. That was a big mistake. Everyone who gets certifications gets a call. I've been looking for a job for about a month now and can't seem to get any notice. BTW, I've bookmarked your blog and will be checking back to it every once in a while. Tim Gullett sends... Jim,
I am a military member about to retire. A few years ago I found myself in a ‘management’ position that pretty much eliminated my ability to get hands-on experience with anything remotely technical. I believed that pursuing a Master’s degree would be a good way to keep my hands in. That was a big mistake. Everyone who gets certifications gets a call. I’ve been looking for a job for about a month now and can’t seem to get any notice. BTW, I’ve bookmarked your blog and will be checking back to it every once in a while.
Tim Gullett sends…

]]> Comment on BrainShare Preparations and an Article Highlight by Danielle http://itcat.wordpress.com/2007/03/17/brainshare-and-a-pointer-to-an-article-related-to-this-blog/#comment-6 Danielle Thu, 22 Mar 2007 03:46:05 +0000 http://itcat.wordpress.com/2007/03/17/brainshare-and-a-pointer-to-an-article-related-to-this-blog/#comment-6 I read your article on monster.com. I found it interesting and very accurate. I think you need more than just the certification to stay competitive. I am personally just starting my certification process. I earned my A+ last week and should have my Network+ in a few more weeks. I also just landed my first IT HelpDesk position. I had attempted several times to pursue a degree in business management only to learn that I absolutely hated the classes and was therefore unable to write the papers they requested. It's just too hard to write about something you have no drive to learn. However, the classes that I did take have caused me to have a bit more rounded background when it comes to dealing with people from admin assistants up to the executives of the company. I can see both the solution and how it affects the company. I can understand why companies would desire more than just the certification. For now I am happy in my HelpDesk position. I'm trying to determine what certification to complete next as I have dedicated this year to earning certifications and then returning to school to get some sort of degree. As for the certifications, I'm wondering if you have any advice on what direction might serve me best. I have always been drawn to working on databases and programming. I thought about getting my MCSD or possibly going into Oracle (sorry I can't remember the certification name at the moment). My other option would be getting into Web Develpment of some sort as I'm sure my employer would love that. Or perhaps you have some questions that I could use to determine what direction would be best. Any light you can shed on it would be greatly apprectiated. Thanks! D I read your article on monster.com. I found it interesting and very accurate. I think you need more than just the certification to stay competitive. I am personally just starting my certification process. I earned my A+ last week and should have my Network+ in a few more weeks. I also just landed my first IT HelpDesk position.

I had attempted several times to pursue a degree in business management only to learn that I absolutely hated the classes and was therefore unable to write the papers they requested. It’s just too hard to write about something you have no drive to learn. However, the classes that I did take have caused me to have a bit more rounded background when it comes to dealing with people from admin assistants up to the executives of the company. I can see both the solution and how it affects the company. I can understand why companies would desire more than just the certification.

For now I am happy in my HelpDesk position. I’m trying to determine what certification to complete next as I have dedicated this year to earning certifications and then returning to school to get some sort of degree. As for the certifications, I’m wondering if you have any advice on what direction might serve me best. I have always been drawn to working on databases and programming. I thought about getting my MCSD or possibly going into Oracle (sorry I can’t remember the certification name at the moment). My other option would be getting into Web Develpment of some sort as I’m sure my employer would love that. Or perhaps you have some questions that I could use to determine what direction would be best. Any light you can shed on it would be greatly apprectiated.

Thanks!

D

]]> Comment on BrainShare Preparations and an Article Highlight by J http://itcat.wordpress.com/2007/03/17/brainshare-and-a-pointer-to-an-article-related-to-this-blog/#comment-5 J Thu, 22 Mar 2007 00:49:11 +0000 http://itcat.wordpress.com/2007/03/17/brainshare-and-a-pointer-to-an-article-related-to-this-blog/#comment-5 Jim, not sure if I agree with your thoughts on certification, but I see some indications that what you say may be true. I find many jobs listing a requirement for certifications that have almost nothing to do with the job skills actually required for the position, which in my opinion demeans the certifications a person does have. The reason companies do this is because when they are bidding any certified individuals add dollars and oomph to their proposals. They can recieve more money, though they often do not pass any on to the certified individual. However, I have known several people who have a degree and some experience but can't get a job, but everybody I know who has a few certifications has a job. It is interesting to see what others think, and I guess, in general, I agree with you. J. Jim,
not sure if I agree with your thoughts on certification, but I see some indications that what you say may be true. I find many jobs listing a requirement for certifications that have almost nothing to do with the job skills actually required for the position, which in my opinion demeans the certifications a person does have. The reason companies do this is because when they are bidding any certified individuals add dollars and oomph to their proposals. They can recieve more money, though they often do not pass any on to the certified individual. However, I have known several people who have a degree and some experience but can’t get a job, but everybody I know who has a few certifications has a job. It is interesting to see what others think, and I guess, in general, I agree with you.

J.

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