PMP Certification – Become a Certified Project Management Professional

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PMP Certification – Become a Certified Project Management Professional

The Product Management Professional certification (in short: PMP certification) is a credential issued by the Project Management Institute (“PMI”). According to PMI, this certification is intended for professionals who:

  • perform the duties of a project manager (under general supervision) and are “responsible for all aspects of the pmp certificationproject for the life of the project”
  • “lead and direct cross-functional teams to deliver projects within the constraints of schedule, budget, and scope”
  • “appropriately apply a methodology to projects that have reasonably well-defined requirements and deliverables”

Requirements for PMP Certification Candidates

You can achieve many certifications by participating in the training courses and then taking the exam. However, in order to be eligible to become a certified Project Management Professional you have to meet certain requirements first. These requirements concern your educational background, as well as your experience in project management and your project management education.

  • Project Management Education

You need to have 35 hours of formal education in the area of project management. You can meet this requirement by participating in the TechSherpas PMP training.

  • Prior (Academic) Education

The minimum is a high school diploma, associate’s degree or its international equivalent (secondary degree). If you already have obtained a four-year college degree (Bachelor or equivalent), it reduces the minimum requirements of professional project manage experiences (see next).

  • Project Management Experience

With a secondary degree, the required minimum of experience as a project manager is 60 months, with at least 7,500 hours as a leading project manager.

With an additional four-year degree, the minimum amount of prior experience is 36 months with 4,500 hours in a leading project management role.

PMP Certification with TechSherpas

You have several options to get your PMP Certifications with TechSherpas :

  • Project Management Professional On-Demand

If you prefer learning at your own pace, our on-demand learning solution (ODL) should be the right option for you. (This also means you can save the expense for a live instructor.) Like our live training, this meets the PMP requirements regarding the 35 hours of formal education.

  • Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification Preparation

If you prefer live instruction in either a classroom or virtual environment, have a look at our 5-day Project Management Professional Certification Preparation.

We offer our courses locally, in the classroom environment of our training facilities (see the “ICL”/“In-Classroom Learning” marker). Your can choose among various locations and dates throughout the year.

Our Virtual Live Training (“VLT”) provides you with the required 35 hours of formal education. The training is live, but you can participate from the comfort of your own computer at home or the office.

Do you need further information or have questions? Simply let us know, either by phone or our contact form.

 

Sources:

https://techsherpas.com/technology/project-management/

MCSA Certification – How to become a Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate

Microsoft’s MCSA Certification is a stepping-stone for IT professionals to obtain their MCSE Certification. This is a part of the certification program for Microsoft Certified Professionals (MCP). A certification as MCSA also provides you with the necessary core skills that qualifies you for entry-level positions as an IT professional/developer. While MCSE stands for “Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert”, the “A” in MCSA marks the status of an “Associate”. A MCSA is therefore a “Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate”. Such a certification as MCSA is a prerequisite to become an MCSE, which we have already covered the subject of MCSE in last week’s post.

Overview of the different MCSA Certification Focus Areas

  • MCSA – BI Reporting
  • MCSA – Cloud Platform
  • MCSA – Data Engineering with Azure
  • MCSA – Linux on Azure
  • MCSA – Machine Learning
  • MCSA – Microsoft Dynamics 365
  • MCSA – Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Operations
  • MCSA – Office 365
  • MCSA – SQL 2016 BI Development
  • MCSA – SQL 2016 Database Administration
  • MCSA – SQL 2016 Database Development
  • MCSA – SQL Server 2012/2014
  • MCSA – Universal Windows Platform
  • MCSA – Web Applications
  • MCSA – Windows 10
  • MCSA – Windows Server 2012
  • MCSA – Windows Server 2016

MCSA Certification at TechSherpas

As a Microsoft Gold Partner, we at TechSherpas are certified by Microsoft to operate as a training and certification provider for various Microsoft products, including MCSA and MCSE. MCSA Certification

Are you still undecided whether you want to aim for the expert level (MCSE) right away, or whether you will be fine with the MCSA Certification alone? No problem, you do not have to decide right away! However, if you already do have a more concrete plan geared towards a MCSE certification, please take a look at our certification map. It gives you an overview about which courses and certifications to select/aim for in order to obtain these Microsoft certifications. Simply click on the preview to get to an enlarged view of the map.

MCSA Certification Boot Camps

Our boot camp learning solutions offer you the possibility to obtain your MCSA certification over the course of just a few days. You have two options to do so:

  • Locally, in the classroom environment of our training facilities (see the “ICL”/“In-Classroom Learning” marker in our course catalogue). We offer our courses at various locations and various dates throughout the year.
  • Virtually, from the comfort of your own computer at home or the office. See our Virtual Live Training (“VLT) option.

Do you have further questions or need assistance with enrolling? Simply contact us, either by phone or via our contact form.

 

Sources:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/mcsa-certification.aspx
https://techsherpas.com/microsoft-certification-map/
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/microsoft-certified-professional.aspx

All about the MCSE Certification

Among IT professionals, “MCSE Certification” has certainly become a buzzword with a certain ring to it. But what is the MCSE Certification? How do you achieve it, and what are your career options once you are certified? Let us look into that a bit more closely!

MCSE Certification

First of all: What does “MCSE Certification” actually mean?

MCSE is a part of the Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) certification program. It stands for “Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert”. You can either use it as a certification on its own or consider it one of the “building blocks” of the MCP certification.

For your MCSE Certification you have the choice among five different focus areas:

  • MCSE: Business Applications (key technologies: Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Microsoft SQL Server)
  • MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure (key technologies: Microsoft Azure and Windows Server Virtualization, incl. data center, identity and systems management, cloud technologies, virtualization and storage as well as networking)
  • MCSE: Data Management and Analytics (key technology: Microsoft SQL Server, incl. SQL administration, data solutions etc., cloud-based and on-site)
  • MCSE: Mobility (key technology: Windows System Center, incl. device management in respect to “BYOD” (as in: “bring your own device” work environment)
  • MCSE: Productivity (key technologies: Microsoft Office and Microsoft Office 365, incl. skill development for moving your business into the cloud to increase productivity as well as flexibility while also reducing data loss and improving the security of your data)

MCSE Certification at TechSherpas

Techsherpas offers a variety of MCSE certification learning solutions, especially in the character of boot camps. These offer you the possibility to achieve the required skills within a very short but focused period of time (i.e. a few days). You can read about the benefits of learning boot camp-style in our blog post about the boot camp learning method.

If you prefer a classroom environment, you can make use of our training course options in one of our local training facilities. (For more information, see the “ICL” marker in our course catalog, which stands for “In-Classroom Learning”). We offer our courses at various locations and various dates throughout the year. However, if you prefer to participate from your own computer at home or the office, we provide Virtual Live Training (“VLT”) as well.

You also have the option to start with an MCSA certification (Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate) first, which as such is a stepping-stone to obtain the certification of MCSE.

 

Sources:

Https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/mcse-certification.aspx
https://techsherpas.com/microsoft-certification-map/
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/microsoft-certified-professional.aspx

The Rise of Learning-as-a-Service

TechSherpas is excited to announce we will be launching our new Learning-as-a-Service Platform in June of 2018.

This platform is designed to enhance the traditional classroom learning experience by providing users with access to Microsoft-produced On-Demand content, award-winning e-books and reinforcement articles, and live access to a technology expert Mentor. This robust and versatile platform is the future of learning for the digital age.

Modern day tech workers and students need more than just a multi-day classroom training session to fully harness the skills needed to tackle the IT job roles of tomorrow. This platform will provide access to free and paid learning modules in areas such as Data Science, Cloud Administration, Big Data, and DevOps. Gaining the knowledge needed to excel it IT requires a new way of learning, one that combines traditional instructor-led training with a multi-faceted, access-at-any-time combination of learning methods and tools.

TechSherpas 365’s Learning-as-a-Service Platform will eventually offer five Microsoft-focused tracks, each with three paths depending on the learner’s training needs:

      • Data Science – this track is one of the growing fields in the industry and is in alignment with the Microsoft Professional Program in Data Science
      • Azure – exploring the most in-demand product in the Microsoft portfolio
      • Big Data – building a skillset to help your organization make the most out their data
      • DevOps – leveraging the best industry-adopted practices to become more agile
      • Cloud Administration – discovering the tools needed for Cloud Administration and the Azure platform

Cloud Computing with Microsoft Azure

Microsoft Azure is a set of cloud computing services in the Microsoft Cloud. It groups Azure services as well as third-party applications.

About Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is becoming an increasingly important topic, for regular computer users as well as IT professionals. One of the most common and familiar uses of a cloud is online data storage: Instead of saving their files directly to their computer or external storage devices, they can upload it to “the cloud”, which provides the functions of a virtual storage device.

cloud computing Microsoft Azure

The benefits are obvious:

  1. The user requires less space for file storage on their own computers.
  2. Even while using a different computer, the user can still access their files via online-access to the cloud.

What is Microsoft Azure?

File storage options like the ones mentioned above are of course only a small and basic part of what cloud computing can do. While these cloud storage functions save the users space on their computers hard drives, of greater importance for many is the use of other cloud computing services and applications.

The following are just some examples of the solutions Microsoft Azure provides:

  • Virtual Machines: supported by IBM, Linux, SAP, Oracle, as well as Windows Server and SQL Server
  • Databases: Azure SQL Database and Azure Cosmos DB
  • Apps: solutions to create cloud-based apps for mobile and web use
  • Blockchain: connection of your blockchain to the cloud with the Blockchain Workbench
  • Azure DNS: to host your DNS Domain
  • Network Watcher: monitors and diagnoses your network performance
  • Media Services: for encoding, streaming and storing media files (video and audio)

Microsoft Azure Training Courses with TechSherpas

As certified Microsoft Gold Partners for learning solutions, TechSherpas provide a range of Azure-related trainings aimed at IT professionals. This includes boot camp courses and on-demand learning, as well as options to choose either In-Classroom Learning (ICL) or Virtual Live Training (VLT). The availability of these options depends on the specific courses, so please make sure to read the respective course description for details.

If you have any further questions or need information that you did not find there, simply contact us. You can either give us a call, or use the provided contact form.

The technical possibilities of cloud computing have once more revolutionized the way we work with computers. What kind of positive impact did it have on you? Let us know in the comments!

Sources:

https://azure.microsoft.com/
https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/get-started/

IT Certification Boot Camp Courses by TechSherpas

Boot camp certification courses are an efficient and relatively quick way to advance your IT skill set, credentials, and therefore your IT career. When you are already a part of the full-time workforce, it is not easy to find the time for to further your education. This can be a problem, because further education and training is exactly what is required when you want to achieve or maintain an ‘expert level’ in your field. This is where the boot camp learning method comes in.boot camp certification courses

What is the Boot Camp Learning Method?

Many people will probably think of the military when hearing or reading the term “boot camp” (or “bootcamp”). With this particular ‘boot camp’ course it is refering to a physical and mental training for new recruits over a few weeks.

The idea has found its way into the methodology of teaching and learning as well: focused, intensive training to achieve a learning goal within a comparatively short amount of time, and perhaps for several consecutive days. Proponents of the method appreciate the in-depth focus that the participants can achieve.

Of even more importance is the feasibility and practicality: Instead of a long-term time commitment, you invest a few full days as you take a short break from your usual occupation and get some intensive, hands-on training.

If your goal is a particular certification, you can achieve that goal in just a short time. If it is a change in your career or the promotion to a more qualified position, a boot camp training can help make such a change within a comparatively short time.

Boot Camp Certification Courses with TechSherpas

TechSherpas offer a variety of boot camp IT certification courses with a duration from five to nine days, depending on the subject.

The training takes place in a classroom environment with a like-minded group of people. You will receive hands-on instruction provided by a certified instructor.

This is also an opportunity to do some networking among computer professionals and enthusiasts. However, we also provide boot camp opportunities via virtual live training.

Have a look at some of our boot camps:

Are you interested in onsite training for a whole group of people or have any questions? Contact us for further information.

2 Additional Technology Jobs In Demand and How to Qualify for Them

In our recent post, we have already talked about technology jobs in demand.  Since the world of technology is getting more and more complex, so diverse are the type of professionals to navigate it. Therefore: Here are MORE of those tech/IT jobs that are particularly in demand.

Technology jobs in demand

Data Analyst/Data Scientist

Computers and networks run on data, and every day, more data is being generated and collected. Therefore the amount of such data (big data) is constantly increasing. In order to evaluate and interpret this flood of information (words, numbers, pictures etc.), specialists are in high demand.

Many decisions and business strategies, across all industries are based on such information.

If you aim for a job as a data analyst/scientist, the minimum of a bachelor degree is typically expected. Most professionals who work with big data have obtained an advanced degree, such as  a Masters or Doctorate Degree in an area such as computer sciences, but also subjects like mathematics or statistics.

Information Security Analyst/Computer Security Analyst

Since the information stored on computers and in computer networks are often of a confidential nature, keeping it secure is of the utmost importance. Experts in information security and computer security (see also: “Cybersecurity”) are definitely technology jobs in demand. An information security analyst’s responsibility involves the planning and implementation of protective measures.  They also need to detect potential security gaps and anticipate future data breaches by computer hackers.

The methods of computer hackers are constantly evolving. Therefore, the information security analyst needs to stay up-to-date with the developments in computer sciences and related technologies. Just as it is the case with most IT jobs, it is important to participate in further education and training beyond the achievement of a college degree. This is possible by participating in additional IT training courses and IT certification training (see TechSherpas IT Certification Training overview).

Maybe you already have an IT-related college degree and want to enhance your career. In any case, you should have a look at our various computer training and certification programs, including our on-demand learning solutions that can help you obtaining your certification on your own schedule and at your own pace.

Here are just a few examples for the training that we currently provide:

  • MCSE: Data Management & Analytics 70-773 Analyzing Big Data with Microsoft R
  • MCSE: Data Management & Analytics 70-767 Implementing a SQL Data Warehouse
  • CVSE: Certified Virtualization Security Engineer
  • CSSO: Certified Cloud Security Officer

 

Sources:

https://www.cbsnews.com/media/americas-10-toughest-jobs-to-fill-in-2017/
https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2013/fall/art01.pdf
https://www.degreequery.com/degree-need-information-security-analyst/

 

 

3 In-Demand Technology Jobs and How to Qualify for Them

Are you looking for a job in the field of technology? Do you want to learn more about the qualifications and career options regarding technology jobs? There is a high demand in skilled people to fill IT- and tech-related positions. Considering the constantly evolving technologies, it is unlikely that this demand will change in the nearer future.

technology jobs

So, what are the in-demand tech jobs, and what kind of qualification do you need to get them?

Software Developer/Engineer

Computers run with various kinds of software/computer programs. These can be standard commercial products or highly specialized with customized programs to meet the exact needs of the user. Some corporations even have their own proprietary software, with which they organize their processes.

The development, design, maintenance, and testing of these programs is the domain of software engineers and developers.

There are various college programs in computer science and software engineering available at the undergraduate as well as advanced levels, such as Master of Science in Software Engineering (MSE).

Systems Administrator/Engineer, Network Administrator/Engineer

Especially larger organizations do not simply use single computers for their operation, but entire information technology systems. Administrators are usually occupied with the day-to-day running and maintenance of the computer systems/networks. The tasks for a systems engineer rely mostly in the organization and planning of the network infrastructure.

The typical entry level education is a Bachelor’s degree, but there are also special certification programs, such as the Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP).

Web Developer

Web Developers build, design, implement and maintain an organizations websites and create or integrate back-end applications by using programming languages such as HTML, CSS, Javascript and XML. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the typical entry level degree is an Associate’s degree.

Further Technology Jobs Qualification Options and Information

Many tech careers provide options to work either as an employee or independent contractor. Depending on which state you work in, there are regulations for the use of certain professional terms and job titles.  Example: As an “Engineer” (like “Software Engineer”, “Computer Hardware Engineer” etc.) you might need to obtain a license.

It is not necessary to have an IT-related college degree to secure a job in the growing industry of technology. There are also degrees in other fields like mathematics, statistics, and more, that serve as basic qualification for an IT job. With such a degree, your best option is to combine it with additional IT-relevant certifications. These are not only available at colleges, but also via commercial providers.

We at Techsherpas offer you a variety of IT certification training, including on-demand learning solutions.

 

Sources:

https://www.modis.com/it-insights/infographics/top-it-jobs-of-2018/

https://www.itbusinessedge.com/slideshows/top-10-most-in-demand-it-job-titles.html

https://www.cbsnews.com/media/americas-10-toughest-jobs-to-fill-in-2017/

https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0471/0471.html

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/network-and-computer-systems-administrators.htm

 

The Benefits of IT Certification Programs for your Professional Career

IT certification programs for your careerParticipating in IT certification programs has a number of benefits for IT professionals, as well as, computer enthusiasts aiming to get a foothold in the business. There is a wide array of IT-related courses out there. But please note: The number of those that actually provide you with such credentials that can make an actual positive impact on your career is much smaller.

What is the difference between IT certification programs and  IT degrees?

You are probably aware that various universities and colleges offer programs that lead to an academic degree in an IT-related field like computer science, cybersecurity, etc. Some of these programs provide certifications as well, but the providers of most IT certifications are private businesses.

One particularly important benefit of a certification is that it usually takes significantly less time to obtain. This is due to the fact that certification courses tend to focus more on one specific area. We, at TechSherpas , offer special boot camps to help you to achieve your IT certification goal.  In addition, it is easier to earn an IT certification at TechSherpas while working full-time, especially since there are options for customizable On-Demand Learning available.

A definition for “Certification” from the Oxford Dictionary describes it as “the action or process of providing someone or something with an official document attesting to a status or level of achievement”.

In contrast to a university degree, an IT certification program is less regulated. It is important to choose the right provider to ensure you are receiving the best value for your efforts, your time, and your financial investment.

How to find the right provider for your IT certification

Theoretically, anyone who teaches some kind of subject can issue a corresponding certification for their students. That is why the selection of the right provider is especially important. You should look for a provider that

  • is qualified, reputable and
  • offers certification courses with recognition value

TechSherpas is a Microsoft Gold Partner. This means that TechSherpas is Microsoft-certified to operate as a training and certification provider for Microsoft products. Among these products are Office 365 and SharePoint, Access, Azure and more. This ensures qualification as well as recognition value: When you put such a certification on your CV, you want potential employer to recognize it as a valuable credential.

But our certification courses also include products of various other manufacturers, like Oracle, Citrix, and Cisco. Our CompTIA training provides professional and vendor-neutral certification from beginner to expert-level.

An IT certification helps to shape your profile as an IT professional. It can give you the leverage you need to positively stand out from your competition.

Let us know: Which IT certification programs – so far – have made the greatest impact on your career?

All About On-Demand Learning with TechSherpas

If you want to advance your career, you probably know how important constant learning is, beyond college and vocational training. This has resulted in a growing interest in remote and on-demand learning, especially in the area of computer and information technology (IT). In order to stay up-to-date with the newest developments and to gain an edge over the competition of IT professionals, we suggest you stay updated with relevant certifications.

On-Demand Learning with TechSherpas

The possibilities of modern computer and internet technology have led to a diversity of new options for people looking for IT-related courses, training, and professional certifications.

What is On-Demand Learning?

One challenge, of course, is finding the time in your busy schedule for additional training that will allow the opportunity to acquire additional certification, even while maintaining a full-time job and/or taking care of the family.

On-demand learning offers exciting possibilities of building your training and certification program around your own schedule, to learn at your own pace and during those times that work best for you. Depending on the subject and training provider, this usually is made possible by a modular course structure and prerecorded multimedia training units that are usually made available online/via remote learning methods.

TechSherpas Learning Solutions for Learning On-Demand

As a Microsoft Gold Partner for learning solutions, TechSherpas offers a wide range of software-related courses and certifications, not only in respect to Microsoft technology products like Azure, Access, Office 365, SharePoint, Skype and Windows, but also for software companies like Citrix, Cisco or Oracle, and around subjects like computer and cyber security, network and server administration, cloud computing, project management, productivity and more. TechSherpas on-demand learning and certification provides you with a technical instructor, right from the convenience of your computer, be it at home or at the office.

You will find a selection of courses that complement each other, and you also have the option to bundle courses to create packages in order to benefit from our volume discount. Investing in your education means investing for your future. The learning solutions offered by TechSherpas are designed to fit your schedule, budget and learning requirements.

Ready to take our On-Demand Learning for a “Test Drive”?

If you are not familiar with the option of on-demand and self-paced learning like this, you have the possibility to test our offer: Simply contact us via email – ondemand@ittraining365.com/blog – and we will provide you with a Course Demo Code. Get started today… Learn on demand, and get your certification!

Have you already used this learning method? What are your experiences?