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

Archive for IT Certifications – Page 4

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?

7 DON’Ts for Your Computer Security

We have recently written several articles revolving around cyber-, IT and computer security. While certain aspects of these topics are more complex (you can find information on further training and certifications we provide here), here are a few simple things to keep in mind, some DON’Ts as in things that you should better not do – or at least think twice about before doing so – to avoid risking your computer’s and personal information’s integrity and security.

Ways to Protect Your Information- Even Before Training and Certifications

Saving passwords on shared devices

Don’t save any passwords or PINs (Personal Identification Numbers) that grant access to your profiles and accounts on any computer devices that you share with others or that might potentially be shared with others, for example:

  • Office computers
  • Computers at internet cafés, public libraries or
  • any kind of public computer terminals

Staying logged in on shared devices

Don’t leave the above mentioned computers without first logging out of your accounts and closing your browser tabs. (The very least you should do when leaving your office computer unattended, is using a password-protected lock-screen.) For added security, you might even want to delete your browsing history.

Leaving mobile devices unattended

That one should really be a “no-brainer”: Don’t leave your mobile devices unattended. Not only are you risking unauthorized access by other people – you are risking THEFT of the device (laptop, tablet, smartphone).

Staying on outdated operating systems/internet browsers

Don’t ignore security patches and updates for your software, especially when it comes to your operating systems and internet browsers: Many software providers frequently provide updates and patches for their products, and for a good reason. Outdated operating systems, internet browsers etc. can make you more vulnerable to malware, hacking attacks etc. (Needless to say: If you do your updates manually, make sure you are getting them from their genuine source.)

Clicking on unknown attachments

Don’t blindly click on email attachments if you don’t know or have not verified the sender. This especially refers to (but is NOT limited to) .exe and .zip files, since those formats are more likely to contain malware.

Trusting potential phishing emails that want you to “verify your account”

They might claim to come from one of your providers or even banks, and they might ask you to click on a given link to re-enter your log-in details. Make very sure that the email actually does come from the sender it claims to be coming from. Be suspicious, and when in any doubt, go to your already familiar provider’s home to log into your account and see if you are prompted to verify or change any personal information.

Storing of login information next to your computer

Don’t leave notes with your login information with your computer (i.e. on your desk, under the monitor, in your laptop case etc.)

 

 

https://its.ucsc.edu/security/top10.html

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0009-computer-security

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0015-laptop-security

https://its.ucsc.edu/security/training/docs/intro.pdf

 

 

Obtaining a Degree in Cybersecurity

So you are interested in computers and information technology, maybe you even have been working in an IT job for a while. One way or the other, sooner or later you will encounter the subject of “Cybersecurity” (or rather “cybersecurity”). That can be considered a rather natural progression because once you start creating, storing working with digital information, you are going to want to protect it against access from any unauthorized party.

A Cybersecurity Degree Can Keep You and Your Clients Protected

Maybe you have even become that interested that you want to specialize in the cybersecurity field, maybe even make a career of it.  A cybersecurity degree can help you do that.

 

So, what exactly is Cybersecurity?

 

The Merriam-Webster dictionary explains cybersecurity with “measures taken to protect a computer or computer system (as on the Internet) against unauthorized access or attack”.

 

Since a great part of today’s world is being organized via computer systems, experts to protect their security are in high demand, be it in the private or governmental sector. (We will discuss your actual cybersecurity career chances in one of our next posts.)

 

How to become an expert in cybersecurity

 

Cybersecurity specialists often get their expertise from various sources – one being a well-rounded experience in the general IT field, the other, frequent one specialized certification courses that deal with the various aspects of computer/IT/cybersecurity.

 

While a college or university degree in cybersecurity is not necessarily a requirement to become a cybersecurity professional, you might want to consider getting a degree in this area – either because you prefer the academic environment and approach, you want to set yourself apart from the competition, our you simply want to further your education and skill set.

 

Cybersecurity and higher education/academics

 

There are various university/college programs (undergraduate/graduate as well as postgraduate) that provide a degree in the area of cybersecurity, even if they might not always be named thus. Apart from Cybersecurity, you might come across terms like “Digital Forensic Science” and “Information Security Operations” as well as simply “Computer Science”. You can find programs like these at university and colleges all over the United States (including the Ivy League). True to the nature of their subject, some of these programs can be done online instead of (or in addition to) studying on-campus.

 

Websites like CyberDegrees.org, BestColleges.com or CollegeChoice.com offer an overview as well as further information about which program and school might be the right choice for you.

 

 

 

Sources:

 

https://www.cyberdegrees.org/listings/

https://www.bestcolleges.com/features/top-online-bachelors-in-cybersecurity/

https://www.collegechoice.net/rankings/best-online-cybersecurity-degrees/

https://techsherpas.com/public-training-schedule/

Take a few simple steps to earn an MCSA/MCSE Cloud Platform & Infrastructure Microsoft Certifications

Certified IT professionals, now more than ever, are being sought out by corporations to ensure they get qualified individuals to run their organizations more efficiently. The streamlined Microsoft Certifications were created with job roles in mind. Depending on the role an IT professional will have, there are certification pathways in place to get them the skills sets and qualifications they will need to fill their role.

Here, we will breakdown the Cloud Platform and Infrastructure certification tracks. There are four pathways to earn the MCSA, which is the first step in earning the MCSE.

 Microsoft Cloud Platform & Infrastructure Certification Pathway

  Microsoft Certifications:

  • MCSA Windows Server 2012,
  • MCSA Windows Server 2016
  • MCSA Linux on Azure (including LFCS)
  • MCSA Cloud Platform
  • MCSE Cloud Platform & Infrastructure

Earning an MCSA requires you to take 2-3 courses/exams (depending on the certificate you are going for). Once you have earned any of the MCSA’s listed above, you only need to take 1 elective course/exam to earn the MCSE.

Target job roles:

  • MCSA level: Cloud administrator, network or computer systems administrator, computer network specialist, cloud specialist in Linux
  • MCSE level: Senior cloud administrator, cloud architect, cloud engineer in Linux, computer support specialist, information security analyst

You can earn an MCSA by taking a bootcamp, or purchasing a bundle. There are Live instructor-led options as well as On-Demand options – all created with you in mind, so there is something to fit every budget and schedule. Sign up today! Get certified!

Boot Camps

Bundles

  • MCSA: Cloud Platform / MCSE: Cloud Platform & Infrastructure
  • MCSA: Linux on Azure / MCSE: Cloud Platform & Infrastructure
  • MCSA: Windows Server 2016 / MCSE: Cloud Platform & Infrastructure

Have questions? Feel free to reach out to us! Our team is ready to guide you towards the right path to fit your learning goals, budget, and schedule.

 

The Value of CompTia Training

Not all IT certifications are created equal. Anyone who teaches anything can theoretically issue a certificate when their students have successfully attended whichever course had been created. Therefore, the worth of a certificate depends at least partially on the reputation and credentials of the person/organization/entity that has issued it.

CompTIA Certifications Can Bring You Further in Your Career

So, whether you are a freelancer or looking for employment: If you want to get ahead in your chosen career field, it helps to not only study and train in order to achieve the necessary skills but to get officially certified in order to reflect this. You also want the certification to be

  • done by a reputable source
  • with a high recognition value
  • vendor-neutral

These criteria – among other benefits – are all met by:

CompTIA – The Computing Technology Industry Association

CompTIA certifications rank among the information technology industry’s leading trade associations and issues vendor-neutral professional certification on for different levels – from entry- to expert-level. They are well established, having developed their own IT certification series as early as the 1990ies, and they are well-known by those people you want to review your credentials: future employers and clients.

They also know what kind of skill-set they can expect from a CompTIA certified candidate, which provides a sense of security when it comes to identifying the right people for the job.

Information Technologies – CompTIA Education, Training and Certification

When choosing CompTIA or a member of their CompTIA Authorized Partner Program, people interested in computer and IT have various options to develop and enhance their knowledge.

CompTIA certification covers the basics as well as various specialized, advanced options

  • IT Fundamentals
  • A+
  • Network+
  • Security+

The best choice of these options depend on whether the specialized interests/career plans lie more in the areas of IT infrastructure

  • Linux+
  • Server+
  • Cloud+

or cyber security

  • CySA+
  • CASP

There is also a selection of additional certificates in the areas of:

  • Project+
  • Cloud Essentials
  • CTT+

This means, that your set of IT-related skills, as well as your career path, can evolve by following a system of certificates that are built upon one another and provide you with a well-rounded IT education and corresponding advanced career chances.

It is not all about computer networks: With CompTIA alumni, there is also the opportunity for networking and staying connected outside the actual certification process – another important factor for IT specialists on their career path. There is even the possibility of opting for a career within the CompTIA team as such, by becoming one of their so-called “Subject Matter Experts” (SMEs).

CompTIA Certification Expiration

Another benefit of the CompTIA certifications, at least from an employer’s point of view:

While previously issued CompTIA certificates did not expire, they (i.e. those issued since 2011) meanwhile have an expiration time of three years and therefore need to be renewed after three years (or need a certain amount of documented practice/continued education that counts towards the certification renewal).

This ensures, that the individuals with these certificates stay up-to-date with their respective IT skills – something that is of particular importance in the area of computers and information technology – a field which is constantly and rapidly evolving.

 

 

https://techsherpas.com/technology/comptia/

https://certification.comptia.org/

https://www.comptia.org/about-us/our-story/certification

https://certification.comptia.org/certifications/which-certification

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CompTIA

 

Blogs to Follow if You’re Tech Career Bound

So you are interested in a career in the technology field – that’s great! Since technology is a quickly changing area, it is important to not only be informed but to STAY informed in order to keep up with the latest developments.

Headed for a Career in the Technology Field?  Read These Blogs!

Technology blogs are a great way to stay current and to

  • keep up-to-date with the tech world and its latest developments in general
  • enhance/acquire specialized knowledge in the niche/field of expertise
  • engage with other technology-interested people

One of the criteria for the right tech blogs is of course also the question how advanced/specialized your knowledge already is, and what kind of profession/job you envision for yourself in the technology area.

  • Maybe you want to simply make sure that you do not miss out on the latest developments?
  • Do you already have the basic knowledge and are now looking for more in-depth information, or are you already out there with the experts and want to use the blogs not only for acquiring further expert knowledge but also for networking via discussions in the comments section?
  • Are you more interested in the academic and educational aspects of the technology world, or is it the practical use and application?
  • Or are you currently focused on the actual tech career aspects – finding the right college or employer, getting an idea about the current job market and evaluating your options?

To make things easier – and to get started, here is a selection of tech-related (and tech education-related) blogs. Consider it a menu, and take your pick among the different sections:

General Tech Blogs, News, Reviews, and Entertainment

General tech blogs are a good way to get a general overview with what is going on in the world of technology. They can also be great resources to get tips for further reading.

Leading Tech Companies

When you are looking for a tech-related career, the idea of keeping an eye on what is going on at the major tech companies is not a great leap of thought: You get first-hand information on their products, and in case of a job interview with one of these companies you can show your in-depth knowledge and genuine interest.

University Life and Education

Careers and Job Market

Technology for Teachers/Educators

Which blog will you check out?  Let us know in the comments below!

How Remote Learning Can Change Your Life

Be it a college course, the learning of a foreign language or software coding – you can learn a multitude of things remotely, i.e. via the internet. There is hardly a subject on which you cannot find information and instruction, be it in the formal setting of a university online platform, tutorials and “how-tos” on private and business websites as well as the major video platforms.

Remote Education Can Change Your Life Forever

This means you cannot only learn how to knit, crochet or cook with the help of videos and graphics – certain accredited online programs also allow you to achieve a high school or even a college degree while studying from home.

Higher education:

  • Study according to your own schedule and pace, even while being fully employed or being at home raising your kids
  • Save on expenses for commute and campus housing etc.
  • Study independently from your current location by utilizing mobile devices like laptops, tablet computers or even smartphones

Since your level of education usually plays a huge part when it comes to your general chances of employment and/or getting ahead in your career, furthering your education through remote learning could literally be a way of changing your life.

Learn new skills, boost your CV/career:

It does not always need to be a formal school/college education that you decide on. Computer-based remote learning can also help you to keep up-to-date with your software-, multimedia- and internet-skills. You might do that out of personal interest, but of course, such skills might further your career as well.  They can even help you to become self-employed if that is your goal.

Enrich your life/leisure time in general:

Of course, work is not everything. Maybe, in contrast, you are looking for a new hobby to balance your busy work day: arts and crafts, baking or cooking, or some other personal subject of interest.

Costs and providers:

Be it for academic, business or hobby purposes – you have a large variety of learning options to choose from:

  • Freely available videos on major video portals such as Youtube.com or Dailymotion.com
  • Especially designed video/multimedia courses from general providers like Udemy.com, Lynda.com and Skillshare.com, as well as training providers that specialize in particular niches like search engine optimization or the use of certain software. Often, you will be able to find such training (including certification) via the websites of those companies who also sell the corresponding software
  • One-on-one training via video communication with independent teachers/trainers
  • Online programs by accredited universities and colleges
  • Specialized podcasts, blogs, and e-books

Depending on the provider, the subject and its individual complexity, the fees for participating in remote learning can range from “free of charge” to several thousand US-dollars. While you will usually not be able to obtain a full (US-based) college education for free, you can still participate in free university courses/lectures, even from such renowned places like Stanford or Berkeley.

When it comes to training from commercial providers, look for special offers, coupon codes and trial periods to save money.

Many tutorials, webinars and basic online courses are free of charge to you, because the providers either make their money through advertising space/sponsored posts or affiliate links, or the courses are designed for promotional purposes, where you might take the basic lessons for free but will need to pay for the more in-depth training.

TechSherpas remote training can provide adequate value for money, and you can still benefit from the simple fact that you can participate remotely and on your own time – a chance that might otherwise not have been available to you at all.

Sources:

https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/bachelors

https://www.coursera.org/

https://www.openculture.com/free_certificate_courses

https://www.macworld.co.uk/feature/iosapps/everything-you-need-know-about-itunes-u-3505231/

 

A Brief History on Microsoft

With almost three decades worth of history, Microsoft still stands as one of the biggest tech companies in the world. In 1990, the same year the Hubble telescope was launched, Microsoft Office was officially introduced to the public. Since then, it has made so many contributions to the global population.  That’s why a Microsoft education offers so many opportunities. To better understand this company, here is a rundown of its milestones through the years.

Microsoft Education Starts with Understanding The History

The company was started by childhood buddies, Bill Gates and Paul Allen. Even before being tech savvy was mainstream, these two were already dedicated to mastering computers. During that time, that hobby was difficult to pursue because computers were hard to source. That’s why these two skipped classes just to spend time in the computer room. They were even caught hacking the school’s computer.

Classroom Heroes

Instead of getting expelled or earning their way to detention, they were let off with a warning if they both promised to improve the school computer’s performance. Because that meant unlimited computer access, they said yes. They were so good at it that they even sold the city of Seattle a computer that counted the city’s traffic.

It was in 1975, after Gates quit Harvard and after the pair developed a programming language for Altair, that Microsoft was born. In a year, they were registered as a business, with Bill Gates as CEO and Allen as Executive VP.

Microsoft Begins

Their first standout product was the Microsoft’s Operating Systems which is a software that computers need to operate. The first operating system the company released was Xenix. This was a version of Unix that was released in 1980. The OS was then used as a basis for the company’s first word-processor, the Multi-Tool Word. This was prior to Microsoft Word.

What really catapulted them to the top in the 80s was the Microsoft Disk Operating System (MS-DOS). They developed it for IBM and patterned from the QDOS which was made by Tim Paterson. With this program, the company made landmark business decision. They only licensed the software, retaining the rights to it and earning them a lot of money.

A Company of Many Talents

During this time, the company was also developing Windows. This was Microsoft’s bread and butter, a multitasking environment and graphical user interface specifically made for IBM. With all these achievements, the company finally went public in 86m making Gates a billionaire at 31.

Almost into the 90s, they released Microsoft Office. This is a set of programs — including a spreadsheet, presentation software, word possessor and more — that are still relevant to this day. Granted, they’ve seen many changes, but they were all developed from this collection.

In 1995, Microsoft pioneered a program that allows you to access the internet through the Internet Explorer 1.0. Since then, they’ve branched out gaming devices like the Xbox and hardware devices like the Microsoft Surface.

With a full and rich history like this, it’s no wonder that Microsoft is still one of the main developers of software in business and in life.  With a Microsoft education, your potential is unlimited.

Sources:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/about/company