Helping Students Decide IT Majors, Degrees and Certifications

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Helping Students Decide IT Majors, Degrees and
Certifications

• Patty Santoianni - April 11, 2003

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Sinclair Community College Dayton, Oh
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• Patty Santoianni
• Professor Computer Information Systems Dept.
• 937-512-2750
• patty.santoianni_at_sinclair.edu
• www.sinclair.edu
• http//it.sinclair.edu

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ITWORKS.OHIO- Network Systems- Interactive
Media- Information Support and Services-
Programming and Software Developmenthttp//www.
itworks-ohio.org
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• 8 Clusters of IT jobs
• Web Developer
• Network Administrator
• Programming/Software Eng.
• Database Administrator
• Enterprise Systems Analyst
• Digital Media
• Tech Support
• Technical Writer
• www.cybercareers.org/educators/itcareercenter

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Finding your niche

• What sparks and holds my interest?
• What do I do well?
• What kind of personality do I have?
• Whats really important to me?
• Whats my learning style?

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Tools

• Myers-Briggs Type Inventory
• Keirsey Temperament Sorter
• Enneagram
• www.cybercareers.org
• IT Careers Interest Inventory
• Learning Preferences, Personality Style, Multiple
  Intelligences

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Career Exploration

• www.acinet.org
• (outlook, wages, skills, abilities, tasks,
  education and training, career videos)
• www.petersons.com
• (personality profile, responsibilities,
  education, skills, A Day in the Life)

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Career Exploration (cont.)

• http//online.onetcenter.org
• (tasks, skills, activities)
• www.course.com/careers/dayinthelife
• (background and job descriptions, IT glossary, A
  Day in the Life)

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Career Exploration (cont.)

• www.bls.gov/oco/home.htm
• (U.S. Dept. of Labor Occupational Handbook
  employment, outlook, training, earnings)
• http//www.petersons.com/LIM/code/certifFacts/jobP
  rofs.asp
• (Fact Sheets personality profile,
  responsibilities, education and skills,
  interview)

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Career Exploration (cont.)

• http//tcc.comptia.org
• (job categories, job title, functions, skills,
  training, tasks, knowledge, certifications)
• http//www.cybercareers.org
• (job descriptions, bios, internships, girls
  site, IT advice, salary surveys)

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Two Year Degree
Four Year Degree
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer
Professional Certification
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Ohios Hottest Jobs Require At Least an Associate
Degree
Computer support specialists
Computer software engineers, applications
Computer software engineers, systems software
Network computer systems administrators
Network systems data communications analysts
Desktop publishers
Database administrators
Personal home care aides
Social human service assistants
Medical assistants
(Projected rate of employment growth, 2000-2010)
Source Ohio Department of Job and Family
Services
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A Great Start in the Workforce

• Associate Degrees provide workers with a wage
  boost of 25-30 over one with a high school
  diploma (OBOR Performance Report, 2002)
• 2001 Associate Degree grads salaries 6 months
  after graduation avg. 31,975 annually compared
  with 33,220 that 4-year grads earn after
  graduation (OBOR Performance Report, 2002)

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A Great Start in the Workforce

• 83 of workers with Associate Degrees earn same
  as workers with Bachelors Degrees (Carnevale
  Desrochers 2001, Help WantedCredentials
  Required)

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http//www.bls.gov/oco/home.htm

• Nature of the Work Working Conditions
  Employment Training, Other Qualifications, and
  Advancement Job Outlook Earnings Related
  Occupations Sources of Additional Information

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Significant Points

• As computer applications expand, systems
  analysts, computer scientists, and database
  administrators are projected to be the among the
  fastest growing occupations. Relevant work
  experience and a bachelor's degree are
  prerequisites for many jobs for more complex
  jobs, a graduate degree is preferred.

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• Computer support specialists and systems
  administrators are projected to be among the
  fastest growing occupations over the 2000-2010
  period. Job prospects should be best for college
  graduates who are up to date with the latest
  skills and technologies certifications and
  practical experience are essential for persons
  without degrees.
• (US Dept. of Labor Occupational Outlook
  Handbook)

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I.T. Certification - Benefits

• Demonstrate competencies
• Increase career opportunities
• Measure skills assessment
• Increase compensation
• Increase credibility
• Greater visibility
• Portability
• Indication of determination and dedication
• Communicates value

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Common IT Certifications

• A, Network, I-Net, Linux
• Server, HTI, Security
• CIW Associate
• MCP, MCSE, MCSA. MCDBA
• CAN, CNE
• CCNA, CCNP, CCIE
• Vendor (IBM, Oracle, Sun, HP)

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IT Certifications Disadvantages

• Proliferation
• Lack of experience required
• led some managers to discontinue using certs. As
  a way to judge the skills of job candidates
  (Global IT Training and Certification Study
  2003)
• managers want proof that a cert. translates into
  skills and abilities necessary to function in
  day-to-day IT life (Challenges and Opportunities
  for the IT Certification Industry - 2003)

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Certification Information

• www.certmag.com
• www.petersons.com
• www.comptia.org
• www.certcities.com

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Bouncing Back Jobs, Skills, and the Continuing
Demand for IT Workers (May, 2002) www.itaa.org

• Previous experience is the single most important
  skill for obtaining a new job
• Certification has grown in significance for
  entry-level jobs
• 4-year degree important for database developers,
  programmers, technical writers
• Work experience, degrees carry the most weight

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Sinclairs Approach

• Teach foundational and transferable skills at
  both the secondary and post-secondary level
• Industry Neutral (A, Network)
• Vendor Certifications optional
• Vendor curricula appropriate at high school?
  (http//www.mic-inc.com/news/newsdetail.src?ID105
  )

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Sinclair - CIS Programs
NetworkEngineer
Program-ming

NetworkManager
WebDev
UserSupport
MCSE
Cisco
Fast Track
Help Desk
WebProg.
WebAuthor
J.E.D.I.
CIS Core Curriculum
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• Questions?
• Comments?
• THANKS!