About Richard Stooker Expertise I can answer questions regarding choosing an info tech career, such as
which field to go into, training, certifications and making the transition, especially for those of us already out of college.
I can`t tell how much you can make for a specific skill in a specific
area. Or general job skills such as how to write your resume or interview.
Experience I am author of Secrets of Changing to a Computer Career, which is
all about the 11 top info tech entry level careers and how to break into them. Go to:
http://www.inforingpress.com/
This site also contains over 65 articles on various computer subjects
written in a nontechnical terms for not yet techies.
http://www.inforingpress.com/computer_information/computer_information.htm
Publications Secrets of Changing to a Computer Careers
Education/Credentials Novell Certified Business Strategist
Novell Certified Web Designer
Question Hi Richard, I am not sure if you can help me but its worth a shot...I have a BA in information systems, and i am currently working as a business analyst for a consulting company. i am a recent grad and the newest and by far the youngest in my company, so many look to me to help them with microsoft office applications such as access and excel..with my background, they think i am a specialist with this software but i certainly dont think I am...BUT I WANT TO BE...i'd like to increase my marketability and my vitality to the company by becoming certified...but i dont know what certifications would be most applicable to me, or where to even start...im not intersted in the hardware/networking side of computers, unless it is necessary for the certification that is best for me. what i am interested in in software application, database development/maintenance, and project management. ive been contemplating in becoming MOS certified, but i was looking for other certifications as well. many certification classes and training are held for msce/msca/mcp...but i dont want to become a systmes engineer or networking administrator...i enjoy analytical work, but want to provide application expertise to do my work efficiently. the company is also looking for someone who can create databases for the loads of data received for particularly big projects. i enjoy access but can only use it at the novice level in my opinion, since i understand the immense capabilities of databases...since you seem to have a background in certifications, do you have any advice for an applicable certification for me and where to start? tahnks so much
kim
Answer Hi, Kim,
Sorry this answer took me longer than usual. I've
been busy, plus I had to look through the info
in my own site. I don't have every certification
memorized! :)
You're apparently already aware of the Microsoft
Office Specialist certifications for its Office programs.
Those are the main ones.
If you want those certifications, they should be easy
for you to get. There're plenty of books and
training classes, and you easily obtain the software
if you don't already have it -- and practice.
Then find out where the next tests will be held
close to where you live, pay your money and pass
the tests.
There's nothing wrong with having these
certifications, but they probably won't help your
career a lot. It's good to have the skills, because you
will need to use Word, Excel etc in your career for various reasons -- but
knowing how to use that software does not by itself
constitute a big body of high-level IT knowledge (though
some people think so).
And of course helping out co-workers can't hurt you, either.
Still, I think you're asking about certifications that
can really help your career.
For data storage and analysis, you can go deep into
databases and querying and mining them for information.
How to formulate questions to get answers to solve
business problems, etc.
However, database certifications basically consist of knowing
how to use the software, whether Access, Oracle, IBM's
DB2 etc.
However, let me point out that technical people are
basically tools like hammers and forklift trucks.
They're needed as long as their function is needed,
but they can become outmoded and let go.
Your question also mentioned project management, and
I think that's a smart thing to get into because
although it requires some degree of technical
knowledge, it's management, not being a techie.
The first certification for that is CompTIA's
IT Project+.
