Most Valuable Certifications - Lucky Seven

1. CISSP
2. CEH/CNDA  -  Growing at an unreal pace
3. MCSE            - Boot camps aren’t good!  Unless you have the experience…you aren’t an engineer if you don’t know what you are doing!
4. Linux
5. MCP
6. Security+
7. Network+

The lucky seven, and you better have the hands-on to prove it. 

Memorizing a study guide does not make you a professional.  Period. 

Our students get 2100 hours lecture and labs.  We constantly give them positive feedback but tell them the negatives of just memorizing a study guide.  Why is it people won’t do the excercises with virtual computers, real labs, internships and play with their own computer until they break it?  They would rather memorize a test and pass it. 

Knock it off, you are hurting the industry.  Even if you break into a job with certs, get the big bucks, you are going to fall if you don’t have the skills.  Old IT guys can see through it.  The customer can see through it.  The title doesn’t make you smart. 

A degree or diploma doesn’t make you smart. 

Skills in your industry and worker ethics are what makes a good IT person.

American Technical Education Association

Yo!  If you have never had the pleasure of meeting or working with Betty Crump of ATEA or Deeann Bilben you are missing out as an educator.  ATEA is a great organization that brings Technical Educators together to improve the workforce. 

From their website:

The American Technical Education Association (ATEA) is the premier association for the postsecondary technical educator with emphasis on professional development, practical teaching ideas and best practices.  ATEA is dedicated to excellence in the quality of postsecondary technical education and recognizes outstanding performance and leadership. ATEA is an advocate for postsecondary technical education in the political arena and is a driving force behind workforce development.

All I can say, is it is worth it and an excellent organization!