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Salary Survey Shows IT Is Still The Place To Be.
It's no surprise IT professionals typically hover above the national average for salaries. The good news for techies is that it looks as if this trend will continue. In fact, Certification Magazine's 2004 Salary Survey confirms that industry growth does not appear to be slowing but rather gathering steam. According to the survey, the IT market still offers better-than-average salary incentives – even for those professionals at entry level. Newcomers and veterans alike should be encouraged by the job security and lucrative pay-offs found in the world of Information Technology.
However if IT professionals really want to score, certification is still the key to bigger salaries, heftier raises and better long-term career solutions. Once again, the salary survey showed a direct correlation between certification and career success.
Certification Pays
Younger IT professionals seem to be grasping the promise of certification, with 58.2 percent of respondents certifying their skills within five years of starting in IT. In fact, 15.6 percent of those respondents earned their first certification less than a year after joining the IT industry.
Just what impact did their certification have on their success? This year, 41.1 percent of respondents reported receiving a raise in the first year after getting their primary certification. More than 71 percent of all respondents received up to 15 percent salary increases in that first year. Nearly half of the respondents feel that their primary certification played a significant role in earning the salary boost.
Certification Promotes Success
In 2004, 29.8 percent of respondents reported that they received a new position in their company after certifying their skills with post certifications – an increase from last year's survey. For 27.5 percent of respondents, their primary certification resulted in a promotion within a year. A majority of respondents felt that certification was a significant factor in earning the promotion.
The Other Rewards of Certification
Certification also offers other non-monetary benefits for IT professionals. Survey respondents cited a variety of these benefits including gaining skills for future jobs (86.9 percent), proving to themselves that they can get the credential (81.7 percent), becoming eligible for a supervisory role (55.7 percent) and being part of a wider IT community (57.4 percent). In addition, a large majority of IT professionals reported that certification made them more confident in their trade while also garnering greater respect from managers and colleagues.
Companies Get Behind Certification
According to the 2004 Salary Survey, employers are increasingly picking up the tab for certification as an investment in a qualified workforce. This year, 48 percent of respondents had employers who paid the entire bill for certification, up from 42 percent a year ago.
Loyalty Pays
Once again the salary survey revealed that longevity is a winning strategy for higher salaries. Among respondents, 16.1 percent have been at their jobs for less than one year – earning an average of $56,030. On the other hand, 10.9 percent have been with the same employer for more than 10 years and report an average salary of $70,640. These statistics underscore the benefits of company loyalty to an employee's bottom line.
* Content adapted from Certification Magazine's 2004 Salary Survey: December 2004 .
Fast Forward Your IT Career
Enroll now and take advantage of our 2004 price extension!
You've just read about the benefits of certification to your salary, position and job security. Valencia Enterprises's IT Certification program lets you gain the skills you need to advance while allowing you the flexibility to tailor your education around your life. With our innovative, blended learning format (combining online courses with on-campus labs), courses begin every week and are never cancelled – making it easier than ever to earn your certification.
Call (407) 582-6630 or email procert@valenciacc.edu to learn more.
Why Valencia Enterprises?
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All-You-Can-Learn-In-A-Year. You can complete training in more than one discipline during your one or two-year membership. Most certification training can be completed in as little as 3 to 12 months.
Maximized Flexibility. Online interactive courses are combined with flexible lab hours on campus and you'll have online access to the latest software any time, from any location.
One-On-One Sessions with Learning Managers. You'll receive personalized instruction based on your learning style and experience level. Network with your peers through online discussion groups.
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Test-Pass Assurance. Our program has proven to have a 90% success rate, nearly double the national average of other IT certification training programs. If you don't pass a certification test, we will pay for re-testing up to three times.
Programs Start Every Week. With our innovative learning format, courses begin every week and are never cancelled.
Free Career Planning. At Valencia Enterprises, we go the extra mile, helping you plan your career every step of the way.
Money-Back Assurance. If you're not completely satisfied at any time during the first 30 days of your membership, we will refund your fee, no questions asked.
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