Certification Magazine Launches Cloud Computing Survey
Like the Force from the Star Wars universe, cloud computing is everywhere. It probably doesn't penetrate us (weird), but it definitely surrounds us, and even binds the world (if not the galaxy) together – in both literal and metaphorical senses. (Let's just ignore that part about it how it's an energy field generated by all living things. Come on, no allegory is flawless.) Certification is one way that people are building up their cloud computing skills, and the team at Certification Magazine wants to find out more about how that's been going. There's a brand new certification survey (the first of 2022) afoot, and the time to participate is now. If you hold at least one current cloud computing certification, then you're eligible to participate. Do it for knowledge! Do it for science! And do it because Obi-Wan Kenobi would want you to.
Certiport Launches New Language-Based IT Certification
There are many areas of professional endeavor, especially in the IT world, that are dense with technical language and jargon. And even when you aren't trying to decode esoteric terms, it often helps to know the familiar phrases or manner of speaking associated with a given IT specialization. Some people are probably still scratching their heads about the comparison we just used to explain cloud computing, for example, but those fluent in the more common branches of nerd arcana were definitely feeling us. The point is that IT can be hard for non-native and even native English speakers to wrap their brains around, which somewhat explains why Certiport has just launched a new credential: Common Skills for Business (CSB) - English for IT. In addition to verifying a candidate's ability to function in an IT-related setting where English is spoken, the English for IT exam "measures a candidate's listening, reading, and traditional use of English words and phrases in a spoken or written IT environment."
Science Teacher Switches to IT, Earns CCIE Credential
As has been noted in many prior Certification Watch dispatches, we always love a good story of how this or that brave soul got started in IT, faced obstacles, and overcame them. That's probably the nutshell synopsis of just about any IT professional's career journey, but we never get tired of finding out the details. The recently revived Cisco Learning Network blogroll churned out a good one this week, inviting former science teacher Dave Langton to describe how he diverted from his chosen profession into IT and (eventually) earned Cisco's most challenging certification. U.K. native Langton taught science for eight years after college before deciding to make the switch to something more predictable and more technical. He started out in a helpdesk role, as many aspiring IT professionals do, and discovered an aptitude for networking and connectivity that ultimately led him to attempt Cisco's CCIE Wireless exam. If you've ever struggled to pass a certification exam, then you'll relate to the rest of Langton's story, which involves not succeeding the first, or even second or third time, but never losing the gumption to try, try again.
Burger Flipper Switches to IT, Earns AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Credential
But wait, we have (count 'em) TWO inspiring certification stories for the price of one Certification Watch this week. Charlotte Wiklins, also from the United Kingdom, tells her story over at the AWS Training and Certification Blog. A 10-year employee of McDonald's and a shift manager, Charlotte found herself with time on her hands after being furloughed during the early months of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. Charlotte a) wanted a career change, and b) had an interest in technology, which soon c) led her to connect with an Amazon Web Services (AWS) training and certification program dubbed re/Start. It's worth clicking over to read the details of her story, which will be inspiring to anyone who think that an IT career is only for those with years of specialized training.
That's all for this edition of Certification Watch. Please keep your certification news and tips coming to the GoCertify News Editor.
