Not so many years ago, almost nobody in or out of the computer field had heard of computer certifications for computer careers. They actually did exist, given by a few specialized associations, but they didn’t count for much. You got a computer job by convincing the boss you knew what you were doing. Most used a degree in computer science, some used blarney. Now computer certifications are widely recognized as valid for qualifying techies in highly particular technology skills.
Novell changed it all. In the late 80s their networking software became extremely popular. This was good, but of course there were problems, so their customer support lines were jammed. Even worse, few of their own non-techie employees knew how to fix the problems. They invented computer certifications.
Computer Certifications Started Out as a Way to Train Salespeople
Novell wanted their salespeople to be able to answer customer questions and solve their technical problems. And, make more sales – the curriculum of those early computer certifications classes reportedly included how to sell more software as well as how to service it.
Before long, the early Certified Novell Engineer (CNE) classes were filled with their customers technical staff as well. Novell could not keep up with the demand for CNE classes, so they outsourced the training to independent companies, setting up a chain of authorized training centers to teach people how to get their computer certifications. This helped promote Novell software and opened employment opportunities for new computer careers.
Before long, holding a CNE was a hot job ticket to success for IT professionals. Of course, having a larger pool of people certified as competent to work with their software boosted Novell’s business. Companies were more likely to buy Novell’s NetWare networking software knowing there was a pool of certified pros.
Other companies were quick to notice this development. Texas Instrument, 3Com and IBM were quick to bring out their own product-related certifications.
In the last several years, Microsoft has chosen to market Windows NT networking software to compete directly with Novell. Microsoft doesn’t do things by halves, so this competition has attracted a lot of attention to computer certifications.
Microsoft’s networking computer certifications — the Microsoft Certified System Engineer (MCSE) is the biggest and hottest certification on the market now. It’s most heavily advertised by training centers and the most popular classroom track for computer career changers.
Computer Certifications have Sprung Up like Wildfire
The MCSE computer certifications has attracted the most attention, but many other computer certifications have been launched since 1989. They fall into two basic categories. Vendor-specific and platform independent.
Vendor-specific computer certifications are the most well known. They include all certifications that are geared toward one company’s products. Novell’s CNE and Microsoft’s MCSE are the two most obvious.
Some computer certifications are more general, covering broader territory than one company’s products.
There are advantages and disadvantages to both computer certifications. If you want a networking job with a company that uses Novell Netware, you better have a CNE instead of an MCSE. Of course it’s even better to have both computer certifications
If you have a platform-independent computer certification, in theory you can go anywhere. But a company with Novell Netware will still want a CNE.
In some areas, such as computer programming, computer certifications are still very new. Most programmers, no matter how successful, are not certified.
Sun Microsystems, which puts out the Java language, does have two highly regarded computer certifications for Java. Getting certified by Sun is a good career move for Java programmers, but not essential.
What about going back to college for a computer science degree instead of getting computer certifications?
If you are 17-23 and you want to start a 4 year college program in computer science, yes, do so. However, don’t expect to learn all you need to learn in your college classes. Colleges are fast falling behind the new technologies and versions of software coming out. Colleges take too long to change their curriculums and hire good teachers in response to new info-tech developments.
Just think of the people who started college in 1994. They’d never heard of the Internet, but by the time they graduated in 1998, potential employers expected them to know HTML and JavaScript and be able to design web pages. Chances are good they had few to none college classes in those subjects.
If you have a job, a family etc. and you’d have to go to college part time, it would take you even longer. And by the time you finally did graduate, many of the technologies you learned would be that much more behind the times.
Training schools and courses must stay up with the latest advances in computer certifications
Computer certifications constantly change. The training schools don’t answer to academic boards, they must answer to the authorizers. When you taken an authorized course, you know you’re getting the latest available information. When you take the computer certifications tests, you must have the latest information to pass.
You’re not allowed to sit on your laurels. To keep your computer certifications, you must stay current. Many require you to continue your education and keep passing up to date exams.
That’s good, because employers want you up to date. It’s no good telling your boss how great you are with last year’s version of the software.
There is not yet any established Internet-related computer certifications
This is the most obvious “gap” in the field. You still do not need anybody to “certify” you as an expert on the Internet. Employers are looking for anyone who can do the required work.
Some training companies and training developers are working on this. There is as of yet no standard, though Prosoft’s may have the lead. When I looked at Prosoft’s programs early last year, the tracks were still very much in development. They looked promising, but contained a perplexing number of levels and choices. And because they were covering so many different subjects, the total cost was going to be many thousands of dollars, as some MCSE computer certifications programs are.
One problem with the Internet is that so many different technologies are involved. The team that keeps the server up and running requires very different skills than the Java programmer and the web site designer is very different yet.
Many people learn Internet-related skills just by being on the Internet. Long before there were even classes in HTML, people taught themselves how to use it to design their web sites. This established anarchy may slow down the Internet related certification, but likely the needs of business will make soon make the best Internet certification a desirable commodity.
Are any computer certifications right for you?
Are you already an IT professional? If there are computer certifications in your field and you don’t have them yet, what are you waiting for?
Even though it’s not a requirement for your current job, computer certifications are a form of insurance. Even if you are so happy with your current job that you can’t imagine ever working anyplace else, your company may eventually have other ideas.
If you ever plan to make more money or relocate, the more computer certifications you have, the better.
If you are not yet an computer professional but you are thinking about changing to the computer field, you have undoubtedly heard about how an MCSE or CNE computer certifications are your magic bullet to success. Unfortunately, that is no longer true.
Getting MCSE computer certifications is longer a guarantee of getting a networking job
So many people are now taking MCSE classes that by the time you are certified, the market will be filled with many other MCSEs who — like you — have no experience and no other qualifications for a networking job.
This is not meant to discourage you. If you really want to work in networking, go for it! The fact that zillions of people are now taking MCSE classes is no reason for you not to. In fact, those other people make it almost mandatory for other networking wannabes to get theirs, because it’s becoming a minimum standard. If you don’t have it, soon you won’t even be considered for networking jobs.
But a minimum standard is the minimum only — it won’t get you hired, at least not at the salary level you are hoping for. Make sure you supplement your MCSE or other training with hands on experience. Volunteer for charities. Create your own home network with cast-off 486 computers. Go beyond the classroom work.
In the long run, well run computer certifications benefit both companies and IT professionals. But you must decide which info tech certs are best for you and your computer career goals.
Rick Stooker is the author of Secrets of Changing to a Computer Career, Your Cut Through the Hype Manual for Finding and Qualifying for Your High Tech Job Change.”
