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Ten Hottest Certifications 2007
Posted On April 17, 2007 by Ramdas S filed under
Look at any corner of a computer institute or a software journal and you will be showered by a number of suggestions and offers regarding certifications and exams available for software professionals. But which is the best one for you? Which certification will enhance your job prospects? This article gives you the ten hottest certifications and their requirements
Now, this could be a little controversial! Hence, let us do some explanations before we actually give you the list of ten hottest certifications. First of all, we need to define what is hot and how is it hot here. While a Microsoft Certification is almost mandatory for a job with a Microsoft Certified Solution Provider, it does not always guarantee you a hot job. This is because an MCSP only needs to hire two MCPs (Microsoft Certified Professionals) to keep the relation going with Microsoft.
Hence, we need to look at an industry certification that offers you a job or at least an opening where there is a good chance that you may get through. It also means that the real hot certification will not be an easy one to get. Moreover, a hot certification should get you a real hot job! Hotter the better, and better paying! Before all these, if you are getting hired by an Indian company or by a United States IT Services company, a BE/B.Tech or an MCA stands better chance than any other certification. So, please do not write to the editor, saying that you did a CCIE and still you are not employed, because you don't have a valid degree. Graduation is almost a must if you want to get hired to a good IT Services or product company.
Second, we did not base this survey on the web survey, which we did on the net. In fact, we ignored it completely. There are reasons, which we would discuss later. We based it upon purely what a prospective employer is calling upon. Again, here we are not looking at certifications from institutes. Hence, certificates such as GNIIT are not considered, nor are University degrees or diplomas.
The focus is purely on vendor certifications!
And this ranking was developed based on two factors. The number of jobs available or if forecasted to be available by an independent organization, and the dough you are likely to be paid for the same.
So, here we go!
1. Cisco Certified Internetworking Expert- (CCIE)
Cisco used to have over 80% of the router market. And even today, over 80% of all networking traffic runs on Cisco routers. If you send us an e-mail, it is likely that it has gone through at least one Cisco router. For this reason and more, Cisco certifications always had value. And should have value in future. There were just about 10044 CCIEs, as we went to print, and a few million Cisco routers in the World Wide Web. Now, CCIE is the premier certification from Cisco. And getting one is not at all easy. Now it costs a bomb also. To take up the exams you need to pay $ 1250.
There are two requirements to obtain CCIE status: candidates must pass both a CCIE written qualification exam and the respective CCIE hands-on lab exam in one of the four CCIE tracks noted below:
1. Routing and Switching
2. Communications and Services
3. Security
4. Voice
Now, CCIE is valid for only two years and you have to get re-certified every two years. On the other hand, you can go in for a number of re-takes of the exam during the 12-month period. On the good side, according to dice.com, the average CCIE salary was 114,000 USD in January this year.
Web Link:
http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/25/ccie/index.html
2. Microsoft Certified System Administrator (MCSA) with Specialization in Security
Whether you like it or not, Microsoft is the biggest software maker. And they are hence hot on certifications too. And not surprisingly one of the Microsoft certifications is in the second spot in our list of surveys. Actually, an MCSE where E stands for Engineer, used to be the hottest till some time back.
However, the job of planning and designing computer systems and networks have fallen to more specialized folks in organisations, in the past two years or so. Another reason is that when it comes to planning and designing, years of experience is considered more important than certificates.
For the same reason, the role of managing and maintaining an IT infrastructure is a job where certificates play a role. Since this job is largely been outsourced, there are number of opportunities to maintain the IT infrastructure across the globe. So MCSA is in!
However, unlike the CCIE certification MCSAs are not exactly paid big bucks. But, what it assures is a very high chance of securing a job.
MCSA is meant for developers looking for their first break rather than moving into the big league, and every month there are thousands of jobs being created too. The Security Certification Specialization is something, which has added that extra edge to the program. Since Microsoft products have been the favourite target of hackers globally, many recruiters have started asking for Security specialization.
An MCSA certification costs approximately Rs 24,000. Current salaries offered for MCSA professionals seen in public domains in United States starts as low as $ 50,000 but ranges to $ 78,000. For a starter, that is pretty decent. In India, it starts from Rs 12,000 and above.
Web Link:
http://www.microsoft.com/traincert/mcp/mcsa/default.asp
3. Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE)
Surprised! We were too! In fact across the globe there is a healthy demand for RHCE. Linux is growing! Red Hat is a leader by a great margin! And they are many miles ahead of the rest in Linux certification courses, after having developed a curriculum that is in line with their Enterprise Linux strategies.
The RHCE is in no way an easy certification to get through. And we know a few self-proclaimed Linux gurus who failed to get through the certification. According to the Linux gladiators the lab exam is tougher than anything, which they have gone through " I thought CCNA labs were tough, but it is a cakewalk compared to RHCE," says a CCNA who failed in RHCE.
In India, there are number of Red Hat Certification centers. Here is a web link, which should help you to locate them. http://www.in.redhat.com/training/service/locations.php3
Most of us have learned Linux through experience. Today, from a geek's play tool, the operating system runs some of the world's most popular web sites, and is used by number of large Fortune 500 companies. Since RHCE is the premier certification from a vendor, it automatically becomes a preferred certification. RHCE is valid for only two immediate releases of Red Hat distributions.
Web Link: http://www.in.redhat.com/training/rhce/
4. CCNP- Cisco Certified Network Professional
If you think that we are partial to Microsoft and Cisco, you are mistaken. Just do a search on different job sites and you will realize why certifications from Cisco and Microsoft figure prominently in this list.
CCNP is a mid-level certification from Cisco, and hence it hot for the same reasons as CCIE. It is curious to note that while Nortel, 3 Com and Enterasys (formerly Cabletron) all used to give Cisco a run for the money during the past decade, they never got into certification business seriously. So, nobody talks about 3 Com certified pros or Nortel certified pros.
CCNPs on an average were being paid $ 88,000 according to COMPTIA, a premier certification company in United States.
Web Link:
http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/10/wwtraining/certprog/index.html
5. Oracle 9i DBA
Oracle is the world's No 1 Database Company, though IBM and Microsoft are narrowing the gap. Naturally, a certification from Oracle is hot! Gartner Group has recently come out with a report, which stated that Oracle skills are the toughest to get through. Again, we have to tell you in advance that we have not considered specialized enterprise software including Oracle Financials, Peoplesoft and SAP under this certification story. The reason is that these are certifications, which adds value to your domain expertise in a specific segment. And with no domain knowledge, and a certification gained through a lot of hard work and brain-dumps, is of no use. However, certification such as Oracle dba, helps you in getting a job where domain expertise is not very important. At the periphery, managing the database for an insurance company is not different from that of an Engineering firm. Oracle DBAs were paid almost $ 78,000 on an average, according to studies conducted by Computer USA.
Web Link: http://www.oracle.com/education/certification/
6. Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCBA)
Microsoft SQL Server is selling! Well, that is an understatement if you are on Microsoft camp. MCDBAs find job not just as traditional database administrators, but they are also preferred as web admin's for Windows 2000 Servers. However, a combination MCDBA and MCSE may work in your favour. It is not difficult to get both together. From the Microsoft website, "The Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA) on Microsoft SQL Server 2000 credential is the premier certification for professionals who implement and administer Microsoft SQL Server databases. The certification is appropriate for individuals who derive physical database designs, develop logical data models, create physical databases, create data services by using Transact-SQL, manage and maintain databases, configure and manage security, monitor and optimize databases, and install and configure SQL Server." Salaries start in the United States from 70,000 USD plus.
Web Link: http://www.microsoft.com/traincert/mcp/mcdba/default.asp
7. Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD)
This is the only certification we have in this list that is a true developer certification. All the other certifications were more on managing a product, or administering or maintaining it. But for pure software skills, and actually developing on a development tool, you have to checkout MCSD. MCSD is a certification that has evolved over many years. And as a developer, if you are looking at getting certified for skill-sets on Visual Studio.net or on .Net then MCSD is the best bet! MCSD is currently going through a face-lift and Microsoft website tells us that there are some new announcements in the pipeline. While you talk about MCSE, it is important to point out that Microsoft also has MCAD, which is targeted at Application Developers.
MCAD is not exactly hot on the job listings searches, but it may be the dark horse that may figure in the list next time we do this survey. In the case of Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD) for Microsoft .NET, candidates are required to pass four core exams and one elective exam.
Web Link- http://www.microsoft.com/traincert/mcp/mcsd/default.asp
8. Sun Certified Solaris Administrator (SCSA)/HP-UXCSA
We admit, we had to do a bit of compromise here! UNIX skills are in demand! Gartner group, in its 2003 report on IT Skill-Sets puts UNIX skills are hard to find. Since Sun is a leader in UNIX Server market, and since Solaris administration jobs are available in plenty, this certification helps.
On the other hand, HP Unix skills are even harder to find! Hence, these certifications were recommended by several leading Consultants to be included in our list. Salaries are good too! But, with an installed base, which is small compared to other technologies, there are not plenty of jobs around.
But, whatever is available is high-paying!
Web Link: http://suned.sun.com/US/certification/
Web Link: http://www.hp.com/education/currpath/hp-ux_certification.html
9. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
There is an increased interest in security. And if there is a certificate that is vendor-neutral, it is from International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC)2. Valued very high both in India and abroad, this Security certification is expected to capture the imagination of more recruiters in the future. In India, there are several institutes that offer certifications and training. Web Link: https://www.isc2.org/cgi/content.cgi?category=3
10. Sun Certified Enterprise Architect For J2EE Technology
Four years back, if we had done this survey, all top certifications would have come from Sun. However, the scene is very different today.
Sun Certified Java programmer has lost the charm and you need to go one step ahead. Though this is not a certification that recruiters are looking at, we expect lot of experienced developers to opt for this certification to document their skills in Java. So, in three to six months, recruitment advertisements featuring this certification will actually turn up.
The course curriculum is impressive, and it revolves around all Java technologies that are considered hot!
Web Link: http://in.sun.com/education/certification/java/java_archj2ee.html
End Note
You may be wondering why we have ignored two of the significant segments- Mainframes and Embedded. This is because we did not find any strong certification that is backed by a strong industry body or a vendor who has a significant market share. IBM and Windriver, are you missing out on something? Finally, we request the readers to further do research on each certification and then evaluate it against your current qualification, skill-sets and experience. Only then opt for a test! And don't fall for the pretty counselors at these institutes!
Now, this could be a little controversial! Hence, let us do some explanations before we actually give you the list of ten hottest certifications. First of all, we need to define what is hot and how is it hot here. While a Microsoft Certification is almost mandatory for a job with a Microsoft Certified Solution Provider, it does not always guarantee you a hot job. This is because an MCSP only needs to hire two MCPs (Microsoft Certified Professionals) to keep the relation going with Microsoft.
Hence, we need to look at an industry certification that offers you a job or at least an opening where there is a good chance that you may get through. It also means that the real hot certification will not be an easy one to get. Moreover, a hot certification should get you a real hot job! Hotter the better, and better paying! Before all these, if you are getting hired by an Indian company or by a United States IT Services company, a BE/B.Tech or an MCA stands better chance than any other certification. So, please do not write to the editor, saying that you did a CCIE and still you are not employed, because you don't have a valid degree. Graduation is almost a must if you want to get hired to a good IT Services or product company.
Second, we did not base this survey on the web survey, which we did on the net. In fact, we ignored it completely. There are reasons, which we would discuss later. We based it upon purely what a prospective employer is calling upon. Again, here we are not looking at certifications from institutes. Hence, certificates such as GNIIT are not considered, nor are University degrees or diplomas.
The focus is purely on vendor certifications!
And this ranking was developed based on two factors. The number of jobs available or if forecasted to be available by an independent organization, and the dough you are likely to be paid for the same.
So, here we go!
1. Cisco Certified Internetworking Expert- (CCIE)
Cisco used to have over 80% of the router market. And even today, over 80% of all networking traffic runs on Cisco routers. If you send us an e-mail, it is likely that it has gone through at least one Cisco router. For this reason and more, Cisco certifications always had value. And should have value in future. There were just about 10044 CCIEs, as we went to print, and a few million Cisco routers in the World Wide Web. Now, CCIE is the premier certification from Cisco. And getting one is not at all easy. Now it costs a bomb also. To take up the exams you need to pay $ 1250.
There are two requirements to obtain CCIE status: candidates must pass both a CCIE written qualification exam and the respective CCIE hands-on lab exam in one of the four CCIE tracks noted below:
1. Routing and Switching
2. Communications and Services
3. Security
4. Voice
Now, CCIE is valid for only two years and you have to get re-certified every two years. On the other hand, you can go in for a number of re-takes of the exam during the 12-month period. On the good side, according to dice.com, the average CCIE salary was 114,000 USD in January this year.
Web Link:
http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/25/ccie/index.html
2. Microsoft Certified System Administrator (MCSA) with Specialization in Security
Whether you like it or not, Microsoft is the biggest software maker. And they are hence hot on certifications too. And not surprisingly one of the Microsoft certifications is in the second spot in our list of surveys. Actually, an MCSE where E stands for Engineer, used to be the hottest till some time back.
However, the job of planning and designing computer systems and networks have fallen to more specialized folks in organisations, in the past two years or so. Another reason is that when it comes to planning and designing, years of experience is considered more important than certificates.
For the same reason, the role of managing and maintaining an IT infrastructure is a job where certificates play a role. Since this job is largely been outsourced, there are number of opportunities to maintain the IT infrastructure across the globe. So MCSA is in!
However, unlike the CCIE certification MCSAs are not exactly paid big bucks. But, what it assures is a very high chance of securing a job.
MCSA is meant for developers looking for their first break rather than moving into the big league, and every month there are thousands of jobs being created too. The Security Certification Specialization is something, which has added that extra edge to the program. Since Microsoft products have been the favourite target of hackers globally, many recruiters have started asking for Security specialization.
An MCSA certification costs approximately Rs 24,000. Current salaries offered for MCSA professionals seen in public domains in United States starts as low as $ 50,000 but ranges to $ 78,000. For a starter, that is pretty decent. In India, it starts from Rs 12,000 and above.
Web Link:
http://www.microsoft.com/traincert/mcp/mcsa/default.asp
3. Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE)
Surprised! We were too! In fact across the globe there is a healthy demand for RHCE. Linux is growing! Red Hat is a leader by a great margin! And they are many miles ahead of the rest in Linux certification courses, after having developed a curriculum that is in line with their Enterprise Linux strategies.
The RHCE is in no way an easy certification to get through. And we know a few self-proclaimed Linux gurus who failed to get through the certification. According to the Linux gladiators the lab exam is tougher than anything, which they have gone through " I thought CCNA labs were tough, but it is a cakewalk compared to RHCE," says a CCNA who failed in RHCE.
In India, there are number of Red Hat Certification centers. Here is a web link, which should help you to locate them. http://www.in.redhat.com/training/service/locations.php3
Most of us have learned Linux through experience. Today, from a geek's play tool, the operating system runs some of the world's most popular web sites, and is used by number of large Fortune 500 companies. Since RHCE is the premier certification from a vendor, it automatically becomes a preferred certification. RHCE is valid for only two immediate releases of Red Hat distributions.
Web Link: http://www.in.redhat.com/training/rhce/
4. CCNP- Cisco Certified Network Professional
If you think that we are partial to Microsoft and Cisco, you are mistaken. Just do a search on different job sites and you will realize why certifications from Cisco and Microsoft figure prominently in this list.
CCNP is a mid-level certification from Cisco, and hence it hot for the same reasons as CCIE. It is curious to note that while Nortel, 3 Com and Enterasys (formerly Cabletron) all used to give Cisco a run for the money during the past decade, they never got into certification business seriously. So, nobody talks about 3 Com certified pros or Nortel certified pros.
CCNPs on an average were being paid $ 88,000 according to COMPTIA, a premier certification company in United States.
Web Link:
http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/10/wwtraining/certprog/index.html
5. Oracle 9i DBA
Oracle is the world's No 1 Database Company, though IBM and Microsoft are narrowing the gap. Naturally, a certification from Oracle is hot! Gartner Group has recently come out with a report, which stated that Oracle skills are the toughest to get through. Again, we have to tell you in advance that we have not considered specialized enterprise software including Oracle Financials, Peoplesoft and SAP under this certification story. The reason is that these are certifications, which adds value to your domain expertise in a specific segment. And with no domain knowledge, and a certification gained through a lot of hard work and brain-dumps, is of no use. However, certification such as Oracle dba, helps you in getting a job where domain expertise is not very important. At the periphery, managing the database for an insurance company is not different from that of an Engineering firm. Oracle DBAs were paid almost $ 78,000 on an average, according to studies conducted by Computer USA.
Web Link: http://www.oracle.com/education/certification/
6. Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCBA)
Microsoft SQL Server is selling! Well, that is an understatement if you are on Microsoft camp. MCDBAs find job not just as traditional database administrators, but they are also preferred as web admin's for Windows 2000 Servers. However, a combination MCDBA and MCSE may work in your favour. It is not difficult to get both together. From the Microsoft website, "The Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA) on Microsoft SQL Server 2000 credential is the premier certification for professionals who implement and administer Microsoft SQL Server databases. The certification is appropriate for individuals who derive physical database designs, develop logical data models, create physical databases, create data services by using Transact-SQL, manage and maintain databases, configure and manage security, monitor and optimize databases, and install and configure SQL Server." Salaries start in the United States from 70,000 USD plus.
Web Link: http://www.microsoft.com/traincert/mcp/mcdba/default.asp
7. Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD)
This is the only certification we have in this list that is a true developer certification. All the other certifications were more on managing a product, or administering or maintaining it. But for pure software skills, and actually developing on a development tool, you have to checkout MCSD. MCSD is a certification that has evolved over many years. And as a developer, if you are looking at getting certified for skill-sets on Visual Studio.net or on .Net then MCSD is the best bet! MCSD is currently going through a face-lift and Microsoft website tells us that there are some new announcements in the pipeline. While you talk about MCSE, it is important to point out that Microsoft also has MCAD, which is targeted at Application Developers.
MCAD is not exactly hot on the job listings searches, but it may be the dark horse that may figure in the list next time we do this survey. In the case of Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD) for Microsoft .NET, candidates are required to pass four core exams and one elective exam.
Web Link- http://www.microsoft.com/traincert/mcp/mcsd/default.asp
8. Sun Certified Solaris Administrator (SCSA)/HP-UXCSA
We admit, we had to do a bit of compromise here! UNIX skills are in demand! Gartner group, in its 2003 report on IT Skill-Sets puts UNIX skills are hard to find. Since Sun is a leader in UNIX Server market, and since Solaris administration jobs are available in plenty, this certification helps.
On the other hand, HP Unix skills are even harder to find! Hence, these certifications were recommended by several leading Consultants to be included in our list. Salaries are good too! But, with an installed base, which is small compared to other technologies, there are not plenty of jobs around.
But, whatever is available is high-paying!
Web Link: http://suned.sun.com/US/certification/
Web Link: http://www.hp.com/education/currpath/hp-ux_certification.html
9. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
There is an increased interest in security. And if there is a certificate that is vendor-neutral, it is from International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC)2. Valued very high both in India and abroad, this Security certification is expected to capture the imagination of more recruiters in the future. In India, there are several institutes that offer certifications and training. Web Link: https://www.isc2.org/cgi/content.cgi?category=3
10. Sun Certified Enterprise Architect For J2EE Technology
Four years back, if we had done this survey, all top certifications would have come from Sun. However, the scene is very different today.
Sun Certified Java programmer has lost the charm and you need to go one step ahead. Though this is not a certification that recruiters are looking at, we expect lot of experienced developers to opt for this certification to document their skills in Java. So, in three to six months, recruitment advertisements featuring this certification will actually turn up.
The course curriculum is impressive, and it revolves around all Java technologies that are considered hot!
Web Link: http://in.sun.com/education/certification/java/java_archj2ee.html
End Note
You may be wondering why we have ignored two of the significant segments- Mainframes and Embedded. This is because we did not find any strong certification that is backed by a strong industry body or a vendor who has a significant market share. IBM and Windriver, are you missing out on something? Finally, we request the readers to further do research on each certification and then evaluate it against your current qualification, skill-sets and experience. Only then opt for a test! And don't fall for the pretty counselors at these institutes!