IT Certification: Five Ways To Get Certified

Get Certified

IT certification is a goal some solution providers pursue for personal growth, others for financial gain -- and sometimes, the two are not mutually exclusive. Here, from the CRN.com Get Certified Community, are five ways to boost your credentials in the ever-competitive IT consulting arena.

Checking Out The Microsoft 70-680 Exam

Don Poulton (A+, Network+, Security+, MCSA, MCSE) is an independent consultant who has been involved with computers since the days of 80-column punch cards. After a career of more than 20 years in environmental science, Don switched careers and trained as a Windows NT 4.0 MCSE. He has written training and exam prep materials for Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, and Windows XP, as well as MCTS 70-620 Exam Prep: Microsoft Windows Vista, Configuring and MCTS 70-680 Cert Guide: Microsoft Windows 7 Configuring.

In this interview, courtesy of Pearson IT Certification, Don discusses the Microsoft 70-680 certification and his related book.

Big Certs, Big Pay, Big Effort, Big Deal!

Although there are hundreds of IT certifications across all walks of professional life available in today's marketplace, only a few come with reasonable expectations (if not near guarantees) of six figure incomes. While the subject matter for such elite certifications may vary, all share an ability to garner big paychecks or consulting fees for their holders. Author and columnist Ed Tittel explains that gaining the knowledge, experience and training required for such prestigious credentials can be time-consuming, difficult, and often expensive.

In that process, he provides pointers to five high-dollar, high-visibility certification programs.

Master Of Integrated Networking, An Alternative To Vendor Certification

Some certifications may appear to be out of touch because of the problems with the current state of IT certification and the overwhelming confusion in the training and certification market. After more than 15 years in IT, Warren Wyrostek discusses his program, "The Master of Integrated Networking," explaining why this program could breathe new life into the certification market.

Which Review Course Is Right For You?

Looking to get certified, but know you'll need a review course? Where you work now -- or where you want to work in the future -- dictates the kind of certifications you'll want to seek. Once you obtain your credentials, where you work in the future will often be a function of which organizations use the database platform or platforms in which you've obtained certification. There are many offerings from which to choose, including Brainbench's $49.95 class on .NET to classes costing thousands for training through a specific vendor. This article can help get you started on certification.

Cisco's Tracks And Specializations

Cisco certification programs are one of the most popular -- and challenging -- now available to solution providers. Cisco organizes its entire certification program around four primary categories:

Here's a clear, three-part rundown of how Cisco approaches certification.