This document discusses various IT certifications and provides information to help determine which certifications are most useful. It lists certifications from companies like Cisco, Microsoft, CompTIA, Novell, Oracle, and more. Websites are provided for each certification body to research certification options. The benefits of certifications are discussed as well as things to consider like what employers look for, how certifications can help careers, and ensuring certifications match career goals to avoid being over-certified. Overall the document stresses thoroughly researching certifications to choose wisely.

1. Certifications Which Certifications do I Need?

2. Research & Choose Wisely Who offers what? Which one or ones do I need to achieve MY goals? Cisco Microsoft Novell A+

3. Certifications Cont’ CISSP Nortel Lotus Oracle Informative Research zdnet.com mcmcse.com

4. Who Offers What? Microsoft http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/cert-default.aspx Cisco http://www.cisco.com/en/US/learning/le3/learning_career_certifications_and_learning_paths_home.html CompTIA http://www.comptia.org/certifications/listed/a.aspx

5. Continued Novell http://www.novell.com/training/certinfo/ Oracle http://education.oracle.com IBM http://www-1.ibm.com/certify/certs/index.shtml (ISC)2 http://www.isc2.org/credentials/default.aspx

6. What are the Benefits of Certification What do Employers look for? How will Certification help me? Can I be over Certified? What does the Certification Represent? Are there problems with Certification?

7. Conclusion Research, Research, Research Understand what the research means Use Caution and Consideration Certifications can be EXTREMELY Application Specific!!! Consider your specific career path and choose wisely.