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Certification or Degree? Certification is the fastest route to establishing credentials in a specialized field. Many certification programs prepare students for industry certification exams. There are several options available to help you gain certification. Programs may be offered through colleges and universities, industry associations, or specific vendors, such as Microsoft and Novell. If you are eligible for tuition reimbursement from your employer, look for a certification program at an accredited college or university. You might be able to cover the cost of the program. Types of certification Some fields require certification to meet state standards, e.g., teaching and nursing. In others, industry associations encourage voluntary certification as a means of maintaining industry standards, e.g. human resources, paralegal. All of these fields use exams for certification. Certifications not requiring testing are valuable for communicating to current and prospective employers your dedication to the field as well as your competency. Because technologies change so rapidly, IT certifications* are extremely popular (there are hundreds!), both among employers and IT workers. These can be either vendor-specific, preparing you to work with a particular vendor's products, or they can be vendor-neutral, such as certified webmaster training. Certification What it's not It's not a quick fix. You still need a solid foundation to give context to your certification training. Certification gives you the skills to apply in the workplace, but nothing takes place of hands-on experience. In the marketplace Certification makes (and keeps) you marketable. Some employers use certification to narrow the candidate field for a job. As long as you have strong educational and/or work experience, the added certification can give you the edge over a candidate without certification. If you want to offer your expertise through independent consulting, certification helps establish your credibility and gain jobs. Certification or degree? If you're not ready to make the investment needed to acquire a graduate degree, certification can provide an alternative to quickly enhance your career. Or you may want to combine a certificate with your degree. The education behind your degree gives you a theoretical base, while certification provides the specialized skills needed for practical application. *For more information on IT certifications, visit Techies.com. 10/09/01 TOP |
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