Career guidance and advice for IT professionals

June 2008

1. Heather Keever Shares Her IT Experiences

2. CompTIA Security+ Exam Objectives Updated

3. Submit Your Questions for a Podcast with Michael Meyers

4.Find Us on Facebook!

5. Podcast with CompTIA Security+ Product Manager Carol Balkcom

6.CompTIA A+: Three Options Provide Dozens of Opportunities

7.CEA-CompTIA DHTI+ and CompTIA Convergence+ Voucher Bundles Available in CompTIA Online Store

1.

Heather Keever Shares Her IT Experiences

By Kristin Clifford, Staff writer

Heather Keever wasn’t sure what she wanted to do when she “grew up.” As a freshman at Messiah College in Grantham, Penn., she explored her options through introductory courses.  A course in Computer Science gave her the direction she needed – it was so enjoyable, Keever soon made IT her chosen career path.

Six years later, Keever is the IT Director for both the Wheaton Sport Center in Wheaton, Ill. and HealthTrack Sports Wellness in Glen Ellyn, Ill. A typical day for Keever consists of a morning filled with answering phone messages and e-mails concerning IT issues. She and her small team manage the data for approximately 700 employees and are responsible for making sure all the servers are running smoothly.

Find out more about Heather's job responsibilities and her advice for other IT professionals.

Tell Us About Your Experiences as an IT Professional
We would like to talk with active IT Professionals about their careers. Do you have any stories or insights to share? If you are interested in talking with us and sharing your experiences, please send an e-mail to editorial@comptia.org. Thank you.

2.

CompTIA Security+ Exam Objectives Updated

The updated CompTIA Security+ (2008 Edition) exam will launch October 2008. CompTIA Security+ is an international, vendor-neutral certification that validates knowledge of access control, assessments and audits, cryptography, network infrastructure, organizational security and systems security.

Learn more about the updates made to CompTIA Security+.

3.

Submit Your Questions for a Podcast with Michael Meyers

Michael Meyers will be participating in a Question and Answer session for IT Instructors. Please submit questions for Michael to us at editorial@comptia.org with the subject line “Question for Michael Meyers.”

Michael Meyers, lovingly called the "AlphaGeek" by those who know him, is a leading authority on CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+ and CompTIA Security+ certifications. He is the president and co-founder of Total Seminars, LLC, a provider of PC and network repair seminars, books, videos, and courseware for thousands of organizations throughout the world. Mike has been involved in the computer and network repair industry since 1977 as a technician, instructor, author, consultant, and speaker. The author of numerous popular PC books and videos, Mike is also the series editor for the highly successful Mike Meyers' Certification Passport series and the Mike Meyers' Guide to: series, all published by McGraw-Hill/Osborne.

4.

Find Us on Facebook!

There is now a facebook page for CompTIA A+! Create a profile and become a friend or fan of CompTIA A+ on facebook.com to get updates about our certifications and news about special offers and more!

Write on our wall or participate in the discussion forums available through facebook to network with other fans of our certifications. Start a discussion about teaching tips to share your best ones with other instructors. Contact us via the facebook page for answers to questions about our certifications and other inquiries.

Visit www.facebook.com and search for CompTIA A+ certification today!

5.

Podcast with CompTIA Security+ Product Manager Carol Balkcom

Questions about the CompTIA Security+ certification? Who better to ask than product manager Carol Balkcom? If you have a question for Carol, submit to editorial@comptia.org with the subject line “Question for Carol Balkcom.”

6.

CompTIA A+: Three Options Provide Dozens of Opportunities

CompTIA A+ shows employers that you have the right knowledge to fill an IT technician job role. The designations for CompTIA A+ provide you with dozens of job opportunities in the IT Industry.

The three designations are: IT Technican, Remote Support Technician and Depot Technician.

Earning any one of these designations, or all three, will show employers that you understand the technology and have job-specific knowledge as well as the communications skills necessary to provide excellent customer service.

The designations also open doors to many different career paths. Example job roles for CompTIA A+ include: IT Technician, Enterprise Technician, PC Technician, Desktop Support Technician, Field Technician, PC Support Specialist, Student, Remote Support Technician, Help Desk Technician, Call Center Technician, Depot Technician and Bench Technician.

The chart below details the career paths each designation offers:

These are just some of the many jobs for computer support technicians. In fact, skills shortages are predicted for some areas. Getting trained and certified is an excellent way to ensure you can move ahead in the IT industry. For more information, visit certification.comptia.org/a+.

7.

CEA-CompTIA DHTI+ and CompTIA Convergence+ Voucher Bundles in the CompTIA Store

For a limited time, voucher bundles are available in the CompTIA online store at store.comptia.org for both CEA-CompTIA DHTI+ and CompTIA Convergence+.

Candidates can purchase both the CompTIA Press Certification Student Manual and a short-term certification voucher at a discounted price.

CEA-CompTIA Digital Home Technology Integrator (DHTI+) validates the knowledge and skills of home technology professionals. It is an international, vendor-neutral certification that recognizes a technician's ability to configure, integrate, maintain, troubleshoot, and comprehend the basic design concepts of electronic and digital home systems. It is recommended that CEA-CompTIA DHTI+ candidates have 18-24 months experience in some area of home integration technology

CompTIA Convergence+ validates the knowledge and skills in the area of Communications Technologies (CT), where datacomm, telephony/telecommunications, video and broadcast multimedia technologies combine into a single IP-based delivery system. It is an international, vendor-neutral certification that recognizes a technician's ability to design, implement and manage both data and voice networking. Although not a prerequisite, it is recommended that CompTIA Convergence+ candidates are CompTIA Network+ certified and have 18 to 24 months of work experience in areas that include data networking, VoIP, and other convergence related technologies.
The demand for skilled technology professionals continues to grow, as more businesses adopt IP Telephony Solutions. CompTIA Convergence+ is a valuable credential to enhance a career with convergence technology. Corporations such as Avaya recognize CompTIA Convergence+ as part of their certification tracks.

For more information on CompTIA certifications, visit certification.comptia.org.

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