Quinsigamond Community College

FACULTY EXTERNSHIP
SUMMER 2009
FINAL REPORT

Obtaining knowledge and experience in preparing students for industry standard

certification in the IT field.

August 14, 2009

Authored by:
Betty J. Lauer, Professor
Computer Systems Engineering Technology
Purpose

The purpose of this project is for the CSET Program Coordinator to gain up-to-date knowledge on the
certification business (presenting coursework to students, preparing students to sit for exams, and
administering exams). It is the Program Coordinator’s goal to increase the number of CSET students
obtaining industry standard certifications which will better prepare students for employment in the IT
field and provide industry credentials in a more competitive job market.

There are many common and valuable IT industry certifications being offered by industry associations
and various vendors. Examples of these organizations and exams include:
• CompTIA – A+ (hardware), Network+ (network technologies fundamentals), Security+ (network
security fundamentals, iNet+ (Intenetworking Technologies), Linux+ (Linux OS), etc
• Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) or IT Professional – Windows Vista OS,
Windows Server 2008, etc
• Cisco – Cisco Certified Network Administrator (CCNA), etc.
• EMC – Storage Technology Specialist.

Currently, the CSET Program teaches to about 10 different common industry standard certifications. It is
anticipated that as the current APR process completes on September 1, industry standard certifications
that we focus on may change. Historically, the CSET Program uses certification study guides in our
classes. Faculty teach much theory along with hands-on projects to combine the theory with highly
technical knowledge requirements. Students are encouraged – but not forced - to sit for the exams. After
completing the CSET coursework, most students are not prepared to sit for the exams and require much
additional studying in order to pass. Some students in the CSET degree and certificate programs sit for
one or more of these IT industry standard certifications. In today’s economy, certification would provide
a student with a valuable resume credential which would be helpful in a competitive job market.
Historically, students who obtain multiple certifications have a faster employment rate upon graduation
and can expect a higher salary.

Externship Goals

The ultimate goal of this project is to make students more employable and able to demand a good salary
in this economic downturn by providing the ultimate environment in which to prepare for industry
standard certification.

Many students are coming into the CSET Program through Section 30, a state retraining program.
Obviously, the increase in CSET students is, at least in part, due to the need to obtain new job skills.
However, with the increase in CSET students over the last 2 years, the percentage of students obtaining
certification has gone down. In this economic downturn when the IT field is becoming more competitive,
certification could be a deciding factor of future employment.

The measurable outcomes of this externship project involve the following:

1. Developing a comprehensive approach to preparing students for several industry standard

certifications (defined by the current CSET APR) common to the IT field.

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2. Creating a laboratory infrastructure to assist students in industry standard certification.

The following is a list of areas within the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary
Education “Core Indicators” that will be benefited by this project:

• Core Indicator 1P1 – Technical skill attainment – Industry certification represents industry needed
skill sets. Obtaining certification by students will assure that they are getting the skills that industry
needs.

• Core Indicator 2PI – Credential, certificate, degree – It is a target for 25% of graduating students in
the CSET Program area to obtain one or more certification.

• Core Indicator 4P1 – Placement in employment, military or apprenticeship - Industry certifications

provide a world-wide credential that will always benefit the student however in the economic downturn,
certification will become more valuable.

All populations will benefit, however the retraining and unemployed populations will reap an immediate
benefit.

Externship Activities

The specific activities for this joint externship include the following:

Activity 1: Review classroom facilities at operations of certification training at 3 training facilities (higher
education facility’s continuing education department, 3rd party training supplier with dedicated facilities,
and a training company that presents certification training upon demand at a company’s site).

Activity 2: Visit and review facilities at 3 testing centers that offer certification testing.

The benefits of this project to the employer include:

• Referral of QCC students for further training and/or testing
• Agreement for reduced exam fees for QCC students, therefore increasing their business
• Agreement for reduced training fees for QCC student, therefore increasing their business
and/or
• Assistance in classroom training

Information Technology Industry Certification Overview

Currently, IT certification is an important indicator of one’s skill set. These certifications are well-known
throughout the world. Certification popularity is down somewhat from it’s height in the 1990s during the
dot.com boom. In the recent years, the majority of certifications have been reworked and refined with
tests closely matching the skills needed in the global workplace. While college degrees are recognized as
a major personal accomplishment and a general acknowledgement of theory and skills in a specific topic
area, IT certifications are clear evidence of very specific detailed knowledge in an area.

When a person obtains an industry certification, the promoting organization allows the person to use the
certification logo on their business cards and list the certification on their resume. Each supporting

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organization tracks, via database, each person who obtains the certification and provides an official
certificate with seal to each certified individual.

Certification exams change on a regular basis, every two or three years, as technology and trends change
in the industry. Although most supporting organizations don’t expire certifications, older certifications
become less valuable as the technology changes.

There are many reasons that a person might pursue IT industry certification:
1. Job retention while employees are downsizing and weeding out the less skilled employees in a
company. Companies will try to retain the most skillful and knowledgeable company
contributors.
2. Salary maintenance or even higher salaries may be obtained for those newly certified. It is
common that many employers provide a salary increase with each certification achieved.
3. Hiring and promotion eligibility may be available with certification. As some industries stagnate,
others (such as medical) will flourish with new opportunities.
4. Career advancement is always a possibility in any company as older employees retire and switch
positions.
5. New IT certifications become important as IT advances and changes making the certification
quest never-ending. New products gain momentum.
6. Organizations become more money conscience responding by trying to get the best services for
their money and often outsource positions to more qualified resources, making certification
attractive to consultants.
7. Organizations attempt to minimize downtime and require fewer employees to perform at a higher
level.
8. Employees gain confidence through their certifications making stressful times a little less
stressful.

The most popular certifications today are:

1. Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) for a variety of Microsoft related
products/implementations including operating systems: Vista, newly released Windows 7, Windows
2008 Server, etc.
2. Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) for specific MS applications implementations
such as SQL server.
3. CompTIA Security+ for vendor-neutral basic computer networking security in these days of the
Internet connected networks.
4. Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) which falls under QCC’s Computer
Information Systems program area.
5. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) provides basic Cisco skills common to any middle to
large organization. Other Cisco certifications are also popular such as the Internetwork Expert (CCIE)
and Security Expert (CCSE).
6. CompTIA A+ for hardware maintenance and repair common for desktop support and help desk
positions. Although these jobs do not pay much ($35,000), it is a good place to start.
7. Project Management Institute’s Project Management Professional (PMP) is beneficial in planning
any IT activities of a significant size.
8. Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)/Systems Administrator (MCSA) is a collection of
MCITP certifications showing proof of extensive knowledge of Microsoft’s network operating
systems platforms.

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9. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is a vendor-neutral security
certification sponsored by American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and well respected by
security professionals (rather than a general networking security exam such as Security+).
10. CompTIA Linux+ is the vendor-neutral Unix/Linux operating system exam. Unix/Linux is
commonly used with special-purpose servers such as web and email servers.

Activity One

Gain an understanding of various approaches to offering certification training by

visiting 3 training facilities (higher education facility’s continuing education
department, 3rd party training supplier with dedicated facilities, and a training
company that presents certification training upon demand at a company’s site).

The following is a list of locations visited and descriptions of information learned:

1. Boston University Corporate Education Center was the location that I picked for an example of higher
education. It was also the location that I was most disappointed in. BU offered IT certification
courses in the following formats:
• eLearning – extensive offerings through a third party online training system. I think that it is the
same one the QCC’s Continuing Education Department utilizes. There are really many, many
courses offered in about 24 different areas of IT specialties. They are inexpensive (around $500).
An individual can enroll at any time and gain online access to the topic site for 12 months. No
hands-on labs were available however “virtual” labs with simulated examples were included.
• Corporate Solutions at BU or at the corporate location – BU will provide custom designed courses
and/or a few IT certification courses with a corporate agreement at BU or at the corporate site.
Cost in based on the location, number of students, day/time, and equipment needs. However, they
offer only CCNA, MCSA and MCSE boot camps (accelerated coursework), and CompTIA’s A+
and Network+.
Although BU offered some public individual classroom-style certification courses, none were IT-
related. BU’s primary topic is Project Management. BU promoted obtaining college credits for all or
most of their coursework.

2. New Horizons (Waltham and Boston) was the location that I chose for 3rd party training supplier with
dedicated location. These are the locations that I was most impressed with and where I learned the
most. New Horizons offers IT certification coursework in the following formats:
• On site Mentor-led Learning – offering for individual or corporate accounts that includes “lab”
time with a qualified mentor mixed with video lectures all occurs at the New Horizon location
with flexible scheduled attendance times. Cost of this service is around $4,000 for a 35 hour
course.
• Publically offered classroom style training at the New Horizons locations - several classrooms are
available and hundreds of courses are offered. The most popular of their courses (Cisco CCNA,
MCITP for Vista / Windows 7 / 2008 Server, and CompTIA’s A+ / Network+ / Linux+ /
Security+) are offered at regular intervals about every two months. Each 35 hour course is around
$4,000. Classrooms vary in size and IT equipment.
• Corporate Offerings – at New Horizons or at corporate location available through negotiated
agreements and vary in price based on several criteria.

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 Curriculum provided by the sponsoring certification organization (Microsoft, Cisco, CompTIA, etc)
was utilized in all cases. New Horizons utilizes certified instructors (both full-time in-house
personnel and subcontractors) with a classroom lecture component, along with hands-on lab projects
with actual equipment and/or sometimes labs operating in virtual machines. Lecture is very
technically specific. Labs varied from detailed directions to case studies. About 20% of New
Horizons business comes from individual consumers. As a result, they offer career placement
services. New Horizons boasts a 75% placement rate for certified students. They said that they can
not provide a statistic for percent of students who pass their certification exams after taking a New
Horizon course. Their business is robust enough that they rarely cancel a scheduled class. New
Horizons is getting a lot of business through individuals receiving stimulus packages for career
development.

3. CCBootCamp is a company that offers IT certifications in the following formats:

• Publically offered classroom style training at locations throughout the United States. Costs for 5
days of training are around $2,600 but you can get an all inclusive package that covers meals,
airfare, and hotels, if needed. Instructors are certified and follow official curriculum.
• Self-paced remote curriculum includes official workbooks and access to IT equipment racks
remotely. Books are around $50 and hourly rates to IT racks are around $30 per hour.
This company really focuses on Cisco curriculum and partners with Cisco Academies throughout the
US for instructors and equipment.

Activity Two

Gain an understanding of various approaches to certification testing by visiting 3 testing centers

that offer certification testing.

There are two companies that offer IT certification testing: Pearson’s Vue and Prometric. Some IT
companies choose to exclusively use one of the two companies while others choose both. Cisco is an
example that only uses Vue testing centers. Some testing center locations throughout New England are
Vue, some are Prometric, and a few are both Vue and Prometric.

Testing centers utilize personal computers (PCs) for testing and automated scoring. There are a few
exams that must be sent for further scoring however most IT certification exams do not. Both Vue and
Prometric have stringent rules about monitoring of testing facilities and test takers resulting in testing
areas consisting of a big room with a number of PCs being monitored with cameras and a human monitor
(usually with a window into the testing room).

Testing centers vary greatly by:

• Size – number of PCs available and their screen size, workspace per each PC user, and how each
PC is separated from the next (such as partitions).
• What tests they offer – some centers do not choose to do all exams on the Vue and/or Prometric
lists but rather choose tests that are popular to their area.
• Hours open – some are open Monday through Friday or Saturday (few Sunday), usually 8am to
5pm or 8pm.

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The centers that I chose to visit were:
1. Prometric Testing Center at 146 West Boylston Drive, Worcester, MA - I preferred this center
primarily because of the location but also because there were about 20 PCs with ample screens and
workspace for each test taker.
2. Vue Testing Center at 20-40 Holland Street, Somerville, MA – small location with less workspace
than average.
3. New Horizon’s Vue and Prometric Testing Center at 404 Wyman Street, Waltham, MA – excellent
facility with about 10 PCs with adequate work space.

All above testing centers are happy to help QCC obtain discounted vouchers for our students.

Conclusion

The ultimate goal was to learn more about training QCC’s student population for industry standard
certification in IT topics. There were several things that I learned:

• The most in-demand certifications change on a regular basis. Currently, they include:
o Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP)
o Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS)
o CompTIA Security+
o Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
o CompTIA A+
o Project Management Institute’s Project Management Professional (PMP)
o Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)/Systems Administrator (MCSA)
o Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
o
CompTIA Linux+
• Populations vary greatly from the community college to the 3rd party training
o At training centers, most people are sent to classroom training and paid for by employers
(about 80%). Nearly all are working in IT. Course costs are very high. Incentives to do
well are high.
o At community colleges, few people have their education employer paid. Students have a
desire to obtain a career. Costs are low.
o Self-paced training is usually paid for by individuals. Students usually work in IT or want
to. Success is low.
• Quality of curriculum and training facilities differ.
o Vendor or Sponsoring organization curriculum is good for highly technical coursework but
often leaves out the theoretical view that intro students need to obtain the basic framework
to learning a specific technology. The trick is to get the right mix of lecture (theoretical
and highly technical) and the proper hands-on projects.
o Quality IT equipment is preferred method for hands-on (rather than simulations).

The information that was learned from this externship will be used to:
• Update individual CSET courses to align with industry skill sets. As technology changes, the
certification bodies update the list of skill sets (with input from industry) and modify certification
exams to reflect the new skill sets.

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 • Update CSET curriculum to align with current certifications where appropriate. The CSET
Program will bundle coursework together to promote some of the most popular certifications, such
as Microsoft and Cisco.

For my personal use, I will:

• Update my course hands-on project work to better represent what work will actually be done in
business and focus further studies to designing the correct mix of lecture (both theoretical and
highly technical).
• obtain several industry certifications during my sabbatical so that I can access official training
curriculum, although I will not always use it.