Two of Marco’s technologists recently flew to Belgium to take an industry-recognized test that could earn them one of the most esteemed technology certifications. Only 8 percent of people who take this particular test pass the first time.
If they passed, they would be among a short list of professionals in the world with the top designation. Talk about pressure. With sweaty palms I am sure, they took their seats to prove their knowledge.
It’s come a long way since when I started in the field. I think if you could spell PC in the mid-80s, you were in.
Certifications have become essential in the technology industry. So what do they mean and why do they matter?
- Establish standards.
Major manufacturers have created their own curriculum in recent years to establish standards and to ensure they’re met. The standards, like technology, are a moving target and continue to evolve. While that can be bothersome to the technicians in the field who have to continue to attain more certifications, it does help to keep the certifications relevant and contemporary. The different certification levels also let our customers know we have the required skills to design, install and maintain what we propose.
- Required for selling.
Certifications have long been important to communicate credibility in any industry. But now the major manufacturers are demanding them. Without it, we cannot sell all of their products and provide clients with the best solutions for their needs.
- Differentiate skill levels.
The tech industry has grown so significantly and it can be hard to tell who really knows what’s needed to effectively employ a solution. Certifications are how we prove our knowledge – to our vendors and our customers. For an example, the entry-level certification for Cisco is a Certified Network Associate. Then, professionals can go on to become a Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) before reaching the pinnacle – a Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE). The same is true for Microsoft, HP and others, although the names change.
- Communicate specializations.
Much like in medicine, technology certifications, which come with their own string of capitalized letters, communicate the extent of training and specialization. A Certified Network Associate in security and a Certified Internetwork Expert in voice systems, much like general practitioners and cardiologists, have different skill sets and focus on “treating” different issues. This area continues to grow as the industry becomes more complicated and requires professionals to have specialized expertise.
Attaining certifications in technology in some ways mirror the paths to advanced degrees. All the major manufacturers – Cisco, HP, Mitel, Microsoft – have developed intensive educational tracks to attain a series of certification levels.
Completing the full track can take years. Professionals seeking top certifications often spend two months working full-time preparing for the test. Some joke that other professions spend less time earning their “letters.” It’s definitely changing our industry and the career path of technology professionals.
It’s a lot of work and takes dedication. I am happy to say that the work of our two Belgium-bound team members paid off. They passed.
A certification alone is not enough. While it tests your knowledge, it cannot replace field experience. When hiring technologists at Marco, we look for professionals with certifications and field experience. Congrats to our latest two for leading the industry in both.
