If you happen to be a professional working in the Information Technology (IT) industry, you would be aware of the intensely competitive nature of the industry and the constant need it imposes on an IT professional to upgrade skill sets as technology evolves. You may have felt the need to conquer a new technology or upgrade your existing skill set or just to see where you stand among your peers. If this is the case, it is time to explore the advantages that acquiring an IT certification can provide.

Here are seven most sought-after IT certifications in no particular order:

- CompTIA Security+ – This is a certification for IT professionals with at least two-years of industry experience. It is not vendor-specific and is a test of the professional’s knowledge of the fundamentals of security.

-Cisco CCIE/CCNA – This is a certification provided by Cisco Systems for networking professionals. The CCIE is a comprehensive certification for experts, and the CCNA is meant to improve the skills of those with some experience.

-CompTIA A+ – This is tailored for validating the expertise in hardware and can be a valuable certification for computer-related maintenance and support professionals.

-Microsoft MCITP – MCITP stands for Microsoft Certified IT Professional and is a prestigious one meant for professionals in database, enterprise and server administration. This new certification offered by Microsoft assesses an individual’s capability in meeting the demands of common job roles in the IT industry.

-Microsoft MCSE/MCSA – MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) and MCSA (Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator) are two of the earliest certifications offered by Microsoft that still command respect in the industry. Both certifications demand a certain level of experience and involve a number of grueling examinations.

-Microsoft MCA – MCA (Microsoft Certified Architect) is a certification open to professionals who have a minimum of three years of experience on advanced IT architecture. This is a peer-evaluated certification and is awarded to very few of the aspirants. Obtaining this is considered an achievement in itself and is rated highly in the industry.

-RHCE/RHCA – With the proliferation of Linux based systems, there is a great demand for certified Linux professionals and RHCE (Red Hat Certified Engineer) and RHCA (Red Hat Certified Administrator) are two certifications awarded by Red Hat Inc.; one of the prominent distributors of Linux Operating Systems.

It’s a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer’s job to design and create business platforms on Windows server systems. Certified professionals working with Microsoft platforms have access to an assortment of online tools, ranging from official logos to transcripts. Most importantly, they can have access to their very own landing page hosted by Microsoft. In order to get started with this rewarding occupation, however, they’ll have to study a good MCSE training course.

A good MCSE CBT course can help students prepare before examination time. The exams, especially the core ones, consist of questions about Windows, operating systems, networking, and so forth. The total examination, needless to say, can be quite long. As such, students need to prepare a great deal before taking the examination. They can do by taking a MCSE training course.

Fortunately, while long, the test really isn’t that hard, just as long as the students familiarize themselves with Microsoft Certified Systems. There are also free MCSE practice tests, tips, resources, notes, and more—online. These free resources along with MCSE CBT courses give students all the knowledge they need for passing the examination and receiving their MCSE certifications.

Networking and interacting with one another as well as professionals is a great way for students to receive help and advice. The internet is filled with forums and blogs for which beginners can ask for advice from Microsoft Certified professionals. Beginners need to ask for recommendations in the first place before selecting MCSE training course.

Some of the courses are a waste of time and money, since students don’t learn a thing with them and end up failing the examination. Some MCSE CBT courses and online classes, however, are well worthwhile and very comprehensive. They don’t have to be expensive, either. In fact, some companies will even pay for their employee’s computer based training and certification. The ones who don’t have that luxury, though, need to make sure they find a course that is affordable, but not cheap. They can then get started on the MCSE training course and, if all goes well, pass the examination that will make them a Microsoft Certified System’s Engineer!

‘O’ level course of DOEACC Scheme is equivalent to a Foundation Level Course in Computer Applications. Students can acquire this qualification by undergoing this course and passing the examination conducted by the DOEACC Society. Working professionals can also appear in this examination directly.

Eligibility
i) For students appearing through an institute: 10 + 2 or ITI Certificate ( one year) after class 10 followed in each case by an accredited ‘O’ Level Course.
OR
Successful completion of the second year of a Government recognized polytechnic engineering / diploma course after class 10, followed by an accredited ‘O’ level course concurrently during the third year of the said polytechnic engineering diploma course.
ii) For students-at-large (Direct Applicants): 10 + 2 or ITI Certificate (one year) after class 10 followed in each case, by one-year relevant experience. (Relevant experience cannot job experience in IT, including teaching in a recognized institution as faculty member, excludes coaching.
OR
A pass in the NCVT-DP&CS (Data Processing & Computer Software) Examination conducted by DGE&T (Govt. of India).

Syllabus
The syllabus for ‘O’ level has been diversified.
- three compulsory module and,
- one elective modules.
In the diversified syllabus, new subjects have been added as electives and certain amendments have been made to the syllabus on some of the subjects.

The syllabus for ‘O’ level can be obtained by post or in person from the DOEACC Society.
Papers: The papers for ‘O’ level are as under: -

Subject Code Subject
M1-R3 IT Tools and Application
M2-R3 Business Systems
M3-R3 Internet and Web Design
M4.1-R3 Programming & Problem Solving through C Language
M4.2-R3 Programming through Visual Basic

Examination
Examination for ‘O’ level is being held only under the diversified syllabus from January 2000 onwards. Certificate will be issued to candidates, who are registered at ‘O’ level and have successfully completed two modules under the diversified syllabus for ‘O’ level, including compulsory module of ‘Personal Computer Software’.

At ‘O’ Level there is one project. No marks are assigned. Candidates are expected to carry out a project successfully and submit certificate in the prescribed format from the head of the institute running the accredited course or the organization of which the candidate is an employee.

Government Recognition
The Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India has recognized ‘O’ level examination conducted by the Computer Society of India (CSI) under the Department of Electronics Accreditation of Computer Courses(DOEACC) Scheme as equivalent to Foundation Level course for the purpose of employment to posts and services under the Central Government w.e.f 1st March 1995 vide their notification No: F 18-23/92-TD.V/TS-IV dated 1st March 1995. In view of the above notification the passed out candidates with ‘O’ level qualification from the DOEACC Society will henceforth be the eligible for registration in employment exchanges for job assistance.

For more Information Log on to :

http://www.doeacc.edu.in

Overview

Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) is a performance-based test that measures actual competency on live systems. Called the “crown jewel of Linux certifications,” RHCE proves an individual’s ability to configure networking services and security on servers running a Red Hat OS. RHCE was recently named the hottest certification in all of IT by CertCities.com.

The RHCE Exam

Becoming a Red Hat Certified Engineer requires passing a five-and-a-half-hour hands-on exam. There are four different approaches to preparing for the exam depending on your existing level of Linux expertise.

Level of Linux Expertise

To determine your level of experience, take our pre-assessment questionnaires or read the descriptions below for the Standard and Rapid Tracks.

For more information:
http://www.redhat.com/certification/rhce/