The world of IT certification has changed considerably over the past several years, as the demands of the IT industry and the market for tech talent have shifted. IT consultant and exam veteran Erik Eckel offers an update to his list of top 10 certification Web sites.
The economy has seen many ups and downs. As of late, there have been a good many more downs than ups. In response, increasing numbers of computer, programming, and other technical professionals are scrambling to do all they can to strengthen their resumes, boost job security, and make themselves more attractive to their current employers. Toward that end, certifications can play an important role.
But that’s not what industry certification was about just a short six or seven years ago. No, certifications then were a key tool that many job changers wielded to help solidify entry into the IT field from other industries. When technical skills were in higher demand, technology professionals leveraged IT certifications for greater pay within their organizations or to obtain better positions at other firms.
As many career changers subsequently left IT over the years, and as most technology departments — under the reign of ever-tightening staffing budgets — began favoring real world skills, certifications lost some luster. But even like a tarnished brass ring, there’s still significant value in the asset. You just have to mine it properly.
.jpg)
