Staying Ahead of the IT Curve

Love them or hate them, computers are here to stay. Those who resist this fact must resign themselves to years of frustration and confusion. Those who embrace the information age, however, can capitalize on the explosive growth and career opportunities that computer technology brings to the world. Anyone with Web developer/programmer certification has access to a limitless range of occupations in today's competitive economy. In fact, recent studies suggest that, as the world continues to embrace computer technology, anyone who is trained as a software engineer, systems analyst, software programmer, or data analyst will almost never suffer from lack of work or a steady paycheck.

The Information Technology Boom

Information technology is a quickly growing field that encompasses many different disciplines related to data management, information services, and telecommunications. Just to get an idea of how incredibly large this field is, consider the following:

* Google claims to have indexed well over 9 billion Web pages.
* Almost every major appliance in your home relies on some type of computer technology.
* Five years ago, the vast majority of Americans didn't have cell phones. Nowadays, if you leave home without one, you feel incomplete.

As you can see, information and computer technology are growing at such a fantastic rate that we create much more data than we can actually manage. New breakthroughs, new gadgets, new programs, and new technologies crop up every second.

Capitalizing on the Information Technology Boom

In order to truly reap the benefits of this exponential growth, you must possess some type of marketable skill in order to demonstrate to employers that you know how to harness this technology and the data that come with it. This is why so many professionals pursue Java certification, Oracle database administrator (DBA) certification, Microsoft certification, C++ certification, programming language certification, or some type of comparable Web developer/programmer certification that can provide them with the necessary tools to enter this field. Without one of these certificates under your belt, your chances of success in the IT world are pretty slim. That's the bad news.

What's the good news?

The good news is that there are countless IT certification courses out there designed for people exactly like you. No matter how busy your schedule is, no matter how heavy your current workload is, no matter whether you are a beginner, no matter how advanced you are, there is a program language or IT training course out there waiting for you. And you don't need a whole lot of time and money to take such a course. All you really need is an Internet connection and a sincere desire to get ahead. That you're reading this right now probably means that you have both.

Becoming Certified in Information Services Online

It only makes sense that computer training would have embraced the Internet as a medium for education. From the comfort of your home, you can receive your Java certification without ever changing out of your pajamas. You can study to become a data analyst by completing your Oracle database administrator (DBA) certification while still holding down a full-time job. Instead of being cramped in some fluorescent-lit classroom, you can pursue your C++ certification while sipping coffee in your favorite café. And just imagine chipping away at your Microsoft certification on alternate weekends when it is too rainy to play golf. Internet based distance learning makes all this possible.

Is All of This Really Worth It?

Although online IT certification courses are certainly much more convenient and manageable than regular campus programs, they still require a little bit of time and money on your part. So this begs the question, is it worth it? Is there really a future for software engineers? Is there room for another software programmer? Does the world really need another systems analyst?

The answer to all of these questions is a resounding yes. According to the US Department of Labor, job opportunities for computer systems analysts, for example, are expected to grow much faster than the national average for other occupations. Wage and salary employment for computer systems design is expected to grow by more than 40% in the next eight years. Computer scientists and database administrators are expected to be one all of the fastest growing job sectors in the country according to the same US Department of Labor study.

Certification Is Essential

While the US Department of Labor predicts phenomenal growth across the board in the world of computers, information technology, and data management, it is also quick to point out that competition for many of these jobs will rise due to the proliferation of available certification courses. In other words, people exactly like you are signing up for courses left and right, putting added pressure on everyone else to do likewise.

What this means, in a nutshell, is that if you don't secure your DBA certificate and pass the appropriate exam, you risk becoming obsolete. If you don't take the appropriate programming language certification course, you'll be surpassed by those who have completed their training.

Facing Extinction

The possibility of becoming obsolete is a threat that faces everyone. Even if you are a seasoned pro who knows a great deal about programming, software development, or IT management, you must remember that technology progresses exponentially. There is a good chance that the DBA certificate that you may have earned seven or eight years ago might be so outdated that you would fail the current exam if you had to take it today. The same is true with almost all certifications. Few disciplines develop as quickly as information technology. In order to stay ahead of the game, you must constantly retrain, re-certify, and regroup.

How Long Does the Certification Take?

It really depends on what type of certification you want to pursue and how you want to pursue it. Becoming certified in Microsoft software can take as little as six months. Becoming certified in C++, however, can take well over a year. Becoming fully trained as a software programmer, can take anywhere from 18 months to three years. Earning a bachelor’s degree in computer science might take about four years. But regardless, more certification is better than none.

A Wise Investment, Nonetheless

If you're still balking over the time and money commitment, consider the following. According to the US Department of Labor, software programmers earned an average of $63,000 in 2004. Computer systems analysts earned over $66,000 in that same year. Database administrators earned a median salary of $60,000. Networking and communication specialists earned roughly the same. Computer and information scientists earned an average of $85,000. And remember, that's just average.

Even More Impressive in the Future

If IT professionals are making that much money at a time when computer technology is still in a relatively infant phase, just imagine what the salaries will be like when computer technology is truly ubiquitous. Remember, the US Department of Labor predicts phenomenal growth almost across the board. So ask yourself, do you want to be someone who resists the computer revolution? Or would you rather be someone who embraces the information age and all of the unbelievable career opportunities that it brings?

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